After checking the time, she said goodnight to Inori, then quietly stepped out of the bedroom. She gently closed the door, sealing the dimness of the room behind it, before walking to the adjacent bedroom. Their residence had two bedrooms and one living room, with the living room and kitchen combined into a single space. The layout was simple and efficient.
This room originally belonged to Inori. But one day, after learning that she couldn't sleep alone, Inori had voluntarily given up her own bedroom and moved into her room—that is, the room next door where the other girl was now sleeping.
Thinking of this made her feel a little embarrassed... Always troubling the other person over such small matters really wasn't appropriate.
Click...
She closed the door and leaned back against it slightly, glancing around the neatly cleaned bedroom. Perhaps because no one had lived here for a long time, it felt somewhat empty and cold.
Tap... tap...
She paced alone in the room, hesitating about what to do next. After wandering around for a bit, she sat down on the edge of the bed and thought for a while. Several minutes passed just like that, and finally—
"Haa..."
She let out a soft breath. Why did she feel a little nervous?
I don't understand...
Forget it... There was no point dwelling on it. Otherwise, she would never take action.
Just as she stood up to go somewhere, her body paused. Lowering her gaze, she looked at the sleepwear she was currently wearing. After a moment of thought, violet light enveloped her entire body, transforming her back into her original attire—the ceremonial kimono of the Shogun.
This felt much more natural...
With a faint smile, she gathered a glowing eye of lightning in her palm and cast it forward. As her eyes slowly opened, space shattered like fragments, enveloping her. In the next instant, her surroundings transformed into her Plane of Euthymia.
A dreamy pale-blue world where water met the sky, with cherry blossoms drifting down, and at the center of this realm stood a single sakura tree—
The sacred sakura tree personally planted by Ei was still growing vigorously, radiating the glow of life. Occasionally, petals like fine snow would fall to the ground.
She walked up to the tree, feeling the warmth flowing from within it. A sense of comfort spread through her body and mind. Raising her hand, she gently stroked the smooth trunk and closed her eyes, sensing the power contained within.
Hummm~
The next moment, the tree began to emit a soft sakura-colored glow. The light gradually enveloped her, and when she opened her eyes again, the surrounding environment had transformed into that familiar cherry blossom hill.
However, unlike before, the sky was now completely dark...
Did time here change along with reality? Or had the other party intentionally made it so?
With such questions in mind, she walked through the cherry blossom forest, eventually arriving at the cliff from her memories, beneath that towering sakura tree.
"...?"
The person she had expected to see was not there... Only a cushion for kneeling rested on the grass.
"..."
A trace of disappointment flashed through her violet eyes. Adjusting her skirt, she slowly knelt down at the spot where the other had once sat, quietly feeling the stillness around her.
After an unknown amount of time passed, just as she was about to stand and leave, she noticed a faint light deep within the cherry blossom forest in the distance. Startled, she instinctively put on her shoes and moved carefully through the woods. Eventually, parting the trees, she saw a small house nestled within.
The house was neither large nor small. The occasional smoke rising from the chimney and the warm light glowing from within gave it a sense of comfort.
Click...
"—!"
The moment the front door opened, she instinctively hid behind a tree for some reason, peeking out to observe.
The figure she had been waiting for finally appeared. The woman wore the familiar short-sleeved kimono with a white base and purple accents. Holding a watering can, she gently tended to the flowers.
"..."
She watched, entranced. As the sleeves slipped down, the woman's slender arms were revealed. Combined with her breathtaking beauty—so similar to Ei—even something as simple as watering flowers was accompanied by a gentle, warm smile. The scene was so beautiful that even she, as her daughter, found herself momentarily captivated.
Rustle...
Perhaps due to her distraction, the heel of her shoe accidentally brushed against the ground, making a faint noise. That small sound happened to catch Makoto's attention.
"...?"
Makoto paused, lifting a hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear as she looked toward where she was hiding.
"...Who is there?"
She asked softly.
"..."
She felt extremely nervous, unsure how to respond or step out.
Would it be better to just run away?
"...Shogun?"
Sensing the silence, Makoto gently set down the watering can and took a few steps forward, gracefully gathering her sleeves as she asked in a gentle voice.
"N-no..."
For some reason, she answered honestly without thinking.
"..."
Makoto froze for a moment, then let out a soft laugh. She walked lightly to the tree, leaned forward slightly, and peeked around it—meeting the gaze of the woman pressed against the trunk. Their eyes met, and an awkward silence followed.
"Hmm—what a coincidence. There is actually someone in this world who looks exactly like my precious daughter."
Makoto rested her chin on her hand, speaking with mock seriousness.
"Mm... don't tease me..."
Caught and unable to argue, the Shogun lowered her gaze and spoke in a muffled, embarrassed voice.
"Hehe... why were you hiding from me? I see~ Were you trying to surprise your mother?"
Makoto smiled fondly, then reached out and took her hand, gently pulling her out. She raised her other hand to caress her face.
"N-no... I was just a little nervous..."
She allowed herself to be led into the courtyard, her face warming as she spoke softly.
"...That's understandable..."
She knew that, compared to Ei, the Shogun wasn't as close to her.
A faint flicker of disappointment passed through Makoto's eyes—but it vanished in an instant.
"I didn't mean it like that... don't misunderstand..."
Seeing her expression, the Shogun hurried to explain.
"Mm, Mother understands... it's alright..."
Makoto smiled, then led her into the house.
After taking off her shoes and following inside, she looked around. The interior was warm and inviting, clearly reflecting Makoto's style—simple tatami flooring, a wardrobe, bedding, a tea table with utensils, even a kitchen. Everything was neatly arranged.
She was slightly stunned. Why did her "heart" contain something of this scale?
"I could have done nothing at all, but that wouldn't be very interesting. So I created things that fit everyday life—like these..."
Makoto explained simply. After all, anything here could be created according to her thoughts. She occasionally amused herself this way, though the house itself had always existed.
"...It has a nice atmosphere."
The Shogun commented.
"Hehe, that's good... I'm glad you like it. I had been thinking about how to welcome you if you came. In the end, a sense of home is best, isn't it?"
Makoto adjusted her skirt and sat on the edge of the bed, patting the soft bedding before extending her hand toward her.
"..."
She obediently took her hand and was pulled to sit beside her. By chance, she noticed a photo frame at the bedside. Inside was a picture of two purple-haired beauties along with their friends, with Kitsune Saiguu at the center. At that time, Ei had still been acting as a shadow warrior, sitting beside Makoto while being teased by everyone, her face showing a faint trace of discomfort.
"Have you eaten?"
Makoto asked gently.
"Yes, I have."
She nodded, coming back to her senses.
"I see..."
Makoto said nothing more. If she had said no, she would have cooked for her and let her taste her proud cooking. There would be another chance.
"Makoto..."
The Shogun remembered her purpose and called out shyly.
"Mm?"
Makoto responded with a soft hum.
"Tonight... could you... sleep with me...?"
Perhaps fearing rejection, she tugged lightly at Makoto's sleeve. That expression was incredibly disarming—so much so that even Makoto, as her mother, felt her heart stir, her affection deepening.
"Of course you can. Anytime. Not just tonight—even if you want to stay here forever, that's fine. You... don't have to be so polite with your mother, alright?"
At the same time, she felt a hint of sadness. Her daughter's politeness made her feel like an outsider. Even though she had prepared herself, it still hurt.
"But... I'm afraid I might affect you. After all, your body right now..."
The Shogun's voice was soft and obedient... she was still thinking about her.
"It's alright... haa, silly child... for your sake, something like this is nothing..."
Besides, this wasn't really a burden. She had always lived here to begin with, so nothing would be lost.
"...Mm///"
Hearing this, the Shogun's face flushed adorably. A faint, barely noticeable smile of joy appeared—but it was more than enough.
"Pfft... have you bathed yet?"
Makoto asked with a gentle smile.
"Not yet..."
She shook her head obediently.
"Then go wash up first. There's a bath here—look."
Makoto stood and led her to the bathroom she used daily. The decor was simple, with clean wood tones and hot water already prepared.
"Then I'll... um... go bathe."
The Shogun slowly stepped into the bathroom, peeking out from behind the door to inform her.
"Mm... I'll wait for you in bed."
Makoto placed the change of clothes neatly aside and replied softly.
"///"
Blushing, the Shogun slowly closed the door. Through the frosted glass, her slender, well-proportioned figure gradually became visible. After tidying up a bit, Makoto simply undressed and got into bed—after all, she still had to warm it for her precious daughter.
...
About a few minutes later—
Wrapped in a bathrobe that concealed her graceful figure, the Shogun stepped out of the bathroom. Warm mist drifted out with her, casting a hazy allure over her already captivating form.
"...Finished?"
Makoto immediately sat up upon seeing her.
"Mm..."
The Shogun picked up a comb from the dressing table and sat on the edge of the bed, gently brushing her damp purple hair.
Seeing this, Makoto moved behind her, took the comb, and began helping her tidy her long, wet hair.
The Shogun obediently allowed her to do so. Out of habit, she casually crossed one leg over the other. Her fair, freshly bathed legs gradually revealed themselves beneath the loose hem of her robe, pressing softly together with a supple, almost gelatinous elasticity, displaying their flawless lines.
Her delicate feet still carried a trace of warmth from the bath, gently brushing against each other as her toes moved slightly.
"..."
But quickly remembering that Makoto was right behind her, she lowered her leg again, neatly bringing her knees together and resting her hands atop them, returning to a well-behaved posture.
After Makoto finished combing and drying her hair, the two of them got into bed together...
The Shogun climbed in a bit slowly.
"Shogun, don't catch a cold..."
Makoto couldn't help but say.
"I won't catch a cold..."
She replied softly as she climbed onto the bed.
During the process, her robe loosened slightly. As she climbed onto the bed in a cat-like manner, the soft curves beneath her collar were briefly revealed, glowing with a delicate allure.
"Dear, your clothes are coming undone~"
Makoto leaned closer in a motherly tone, gently pulling her robe closed.
"It's nothing... there's no one else here."
The Shogun seemed a bit drowsy now, her voice slightly unfocused.
"That still won't do~ A lady must maintain her elegance."
After saying that, Makoto pulled her into the covers. The bedding was warm—clearly preheated by Makoto.
The bed was spacious, a standard double bed with a single large quilt that covered it completely, making it very comfortable.
Wrapped in the blanket, the Shogun lay on her side beside Makoto, nestling close.
Makoto raised her hand to cup her daughter's cheek, then gently felt her forehead, like soothing a clingy kitten.
"Mm..."
The Shogun narrowed her eyes slightly, taking Makoto's hand and holding it, lightly squeezing her slender fingers before pressing that hand against her chest as she embraced it.
Makoto glanced at the clock on the wall, then adjusted the brightness of the bedside lamp, dimming it slightly so that only a soft, intimate glow remained.
She did not lie down immediately. Instead, she leaned lightly against the headboard, holding her daughter within her arms, gently stroking her head to help her relax. After all, this was still a somewhat unfamiliar place, and she worried she might have trouble falling asleep.
"You should lie down too..."
The Shogun looked up and tugged gently at her hand, speaking softly.
"Mm..."
That had been her plan—but she couldn't resist her daughter's gentle plea. She relented and lay down beside her. As if timed perfectly, the bedside lamp went out the moment she lay down. Moonlight filtered through the curtains, illuminating their close faces.
"Are you comfortable?"
Makoto whispered.
"Mm... oh, right..."
The Shogun nodded, then seemed to remember something and shifted closer.
"Mm? What is it?"
Makoto asked softly, full of affection.
"Let me show you something... something amazing."
The Shogun took out a piece of advanced technology from this world—a portable folding terminal—and lay back down.
"This is... what?"
Makoto asked curiously.
"A terminal... I think that's what it's called. It's very interesting. I'll teach you how to use it."
The Shogun smiled, like a little girl showing her mother something new. She turned over, unfolded the device, and demonstrated its operation.
"Mm... Mother is watching..."
Makoto smiled and gently pressed closer, wrapping her arms around her daughter's waist from behind, holding her intimately.
"...Mm///"
Feeling the touch at her waist, the Shogun's face flushed. When Makoto's breath brushed against her ear, the warmth made the redness deepen, even causing her body to tremble slightly.
"What's wrong?"
Makoto asked in confusion.
"It's nothing... just a little ticklish..."
She replied softly.
"Sorry... I forgot you're very sensitive."
Makoto apologized awkwardly.
"It's alright... I'm fine..."
The Shogun shook her head.
It wasn't Makoto's fault... it was just her own sensitivity.
After that, she guided her mother through some basic functions of the terminal. Though it was meant to be teaching, most of the time Makoto simply watched her operate it, occasionally making a remark. But the Shogun could tell that most of Makoto's attention was on her rather than the device.
That left her unsure whether to feel happy or helpless...
After dozens of minutes, she finally set the terminal aside and turned back to face Makoto.
"Well? Any inspiration, Electro Archon-sama~?"
She asked with a teasing smile.
"Hehe, inspiration would be an exaggeration. I'm not the God of Wisdom."
Makoto chuckled.
"You're being modest, aren't you?"
The Shogun puffed her cheeks.
"...Am I really that amazing in your eyes?"
Makoto asked, pressing her forehead gently against hers.
"Yes. Ei often says you are."
She answered.
"...That was in the past. And those were circumstances forced by war... In extreme situations, one has no choice but to draw out their potential, isn't that so?"
Makoto said softly.
"..."
The Shogun knew it was just her habitual humility, yet it made her admire her even more. It was exactly how she remembered her.
"This world is different from Teyvat, yet in some ways it is the same—humans, creations of wisdom, and even the curses born of wisdom."
"There are always greater beings beyond us. I have always believed that saying to be true. And now it seems so indeed—we are not unique, merely one glimmer among countless stars in the universe."
"Coming to this world, Shogun... perhaps it carries some meaning as well. After all, Musou Isshin has always resided within your heart."
Makoto placed her hand gently over her daughter's chest, speaking in a warm, guiding tone.