If the first time she met her other mother she had been somewhat at a loss, then now, upon meeting her for the second time, she truly wanted to say something from the heart. The problem was that at moments like this, she never knew what to say.
Feeling the embrace that belonged to a mother, her mind went completely blank. Clearly, as a puppet, her logical thinking should surpass that of ordinary people—but why was she still like this?
She didn't quite understand...
"What's wrong today? Didn't you usually sleep with that girl before?"
Holding her, Makoto brought up a topic.
"...She's injured and needs to rest alone. I didn't want to disturb her."
The Shogun replied.
"I see..."
Makoto understood.
"Makoto... there's something I've never been able to figure out."
She lifted her eyes to look at Makoto's face, speaking a little awkwardly.
"Hmm? What is it?"
Makoto waited patiently.
"Why do I always attract women around me?"
She asked in a low voice. This question had been bottled up inside her for a long time. It felt inexplicable. Did she possess some kind of charm that bewitched women? Just like Ei said, she had very good luck with women—extremely good.
"Pfft..."
Unexpectedly, Makoto couldn't help but laugh. Her beauty was like a painting—gentle and breathtaking.
"W-what are you laughing at...?"
Her face flushed as she asked.
"You'd be better off asking Ei that question. She has more authority to answer it."
Makoto deflected it playfully.
"Ei? What about her?"
"Hmm—well, Ei has always been very popular with women since long ago. You've inherited that completely from her."
Makoto said with a smile.
Though she said that, she herself wasn't exactly in a position to comment. The Raiden sisters had always been good at attracting attention from women—but Ei was the most obvious case.
"..."
The Shogun fell silent.
"Did you know? Back when Ei attended gatherings, she would attract many female youkai. Quite a number of them tried to get close to her—flattering her, deliberately teasing her, even sitting beside her and competing for attention. Not just that—even close friends like Kitsune Saiguu would occasionally join in."
The more Makoto spoke, the more amused she seemed. A gentle smile curved her lips, as if recalling Ei's expression back then—her usual poker face tinged with faint annoyance. It had been absolutely adorable.
So that was how that photo came to be...
The Shogun suddenly understood.
She felt that Yae must have been the most active one in that situation. After all, with her natural (adorable) advantages, she would certainly take the lead. Of course, her teasing wasn't aimed only at Ei—but at both Raiden sisters.
"So... the root of all this is Ei?"
She narrowed her eyes, asking in a slightly sullen tone.
"Yes... you are our 'biological' child. Naturally, you would inherit the good parts."
Makoto said matter-of-factly.
Is this 'king of a hundred maidens' trait really a good thing?!
She complained inwardly.
Still... it wasn't at the point where it truly troubled her yet.
Thinking about it, with her mother's peerless beauty and her serious demeanor at critical moments, it made sense why she attracted women. As her daughter, she herself was sometimes captivated—so it was only natural she had inherited the same trait.
But...
Ayaka... Kokomi...
Have you also been influenced by this trait of mine?
A trace of guilt rose in her heart.
If that were really the case... then wouldn't it feel like she was controlling or forcing them somehow? That wouldn't be right.
"Don't treat this as a burden, Shogun. This isn't some kind of curse—it's simply your charm. And even so, what matters most is your sincerity toward them. Let them understand you, let them fall in love with you. That genuine feeling is what matters most."
Makoto seemed to see through her worries and comforted her. Being popular with women was only a bonus—not a necessity. What truly mattered was the unity of one's inner and outer self, and the effort one put in.
"Makoto..."
She looked up at her, feeling unexpectedly moved.
"To be honest, I truly hope you'll establish a relationship with them. After all... with your passive nature, you need them to take care of you."
Makoto said, clearly referring to Kokomi and Ayaka.
"Really? Me and them... I'm not that outstanding... I'm afraid I'd only ruin them."
She lowered her gaze, lacking confidence.
It was true. Ayaka was exceptionally outstanding—there was no need to say more. Kokomi was the same. Both deserved someone better... so why had they both chosen her?
She was just a puppet... a long-lived being... a god.
Had they truly thought this through?
After all... for a god to have companionship—how extravagant was that?
She didn't dare to imagine it.
"Shogun, remember this... never deny your own abilities. You are the child of the Raiden sisters. You have no reason to feel inferior."
Makoto's tone carried a rare seriousness. Even though she understood the Shogun's mindset, she still needed to make this clear.
"I'm sorry, Makoto... I shouldn't have said that..."
She apologized obediently.
"It's alright... you're still young. You'll understand in time."
Makoto gently stroked her hair.
"Do you like them?"
Makoto asked again.
"...I do."
She answered without hesitation.
"If you like them, then treat them well. Don't let those two children feel hurt because of you. This is a responsibility we must bear. Don't think that just because you're a god, you can simply receive others' goodwill—giving and receiving must be mutual. Only then can a relationship grow strong and last. Promise me."
"Mm... I promise. I won't let them be hurt."
The Shogun nodded.
Still, thinking about it made her a little nervous.
"Good... haa... let's sleep, my dear."
Seeing that it was getting late, Makoto pulled her back into her arms and gently soothed her.
"Good night... Makoto."
"Good night... my dear."
Chu~
With that, Makoto leaned down and pressed her soft lips against the Shogun's forehead in a gentle kiss. Soon after, the two of them closed their eyes together.
A dreamless night passed...
...
—The next morning.
Huff... huff...
A soft, delicate sound drifted into her ears. Curled up in the blanket, the Shogun frowned slightly at the noise, but her eyes remained closed as she continued to drift in and out of sleep.
Although it was already morning, the bedroom remained dim due to the drawn curtains. Only a sliver of dawn light seeped through the gap in the center, fortunately not falling on her face. This allowed her to fully enjoy the warmth of the blanket, drifting lazily between sleep and wakefulness, letting her body and mind relax completely.
"Mm~"
She shifted slightly beneath the covers. As her relaxed body brushed against the bedding, a soft, comfortable murmur slipped from her throat. The corners of her lips curved into a faint, adorable smile, her brows and eyes carrying a peaceful expression—like a little princess lost in a sweet dream.
Huff... huff...
The faint sound behind her continued for a while, then gradually stopped after a few seconds.
Tap... tap...
Already dressed in her Tennoz High School uniform, Inori sat on the edge of the soft bed. She picked up a pair of black thigh-high stockings beside her and gracefully lifted her slender, long legs one by one, smoothly pulling them on. Though they appeared black at first glance, they were actually a deep blue-black shade that matched the school uniform perfectly.
Her figure was similar to the Shogun's—slender, with narrow shoulders and long legs, elegant and well-proportioned. Wearing this Western-style uniform suited her perfectly; she looked good in anything she wore.
After putting on the stockings, Inori did not lower her crossed legs. Instead, she turned around and gently touched the exposed, fair shoulder of the sleeping beauty beneath the blanket, her fingertips habitually kneading it softly.
"..."
There was no response. A trace of fondness flickered in her eyes as she leaned down, resting lightly atop her. Pressing close, she brought her lips near the other girl's ear.
"Mio... time to wake up."
She called softly.
"Makoto... haa... I don't want to get up..."
The Shogun frowned slightly, speaking with her eyes still closed. Still half-asleep, she mistook the person beside her for Makoto and spoke in a faintly spoiled tone.
"Today is the first day of school. Being late wouldn't be good..."
Inori glanced at the time and continued, not paying attention to the name she had just used.
"They wouldn't dare do anything anyway."
The Shogun puffed her cheeks as she replied.
"...Mio, didn't we agree on this yesterday?"
Inori didn't get angry. She never did. Her voice remained gentle as she asked simply.
"..."
At that moment, the Shogun slowly opened her hazy eyes. She turned over, now facing the girl above her—so close it almost seemed like they might kiss at any moment. The position resembled a prince awakening a princess... except the 'prince' above her was simply another princess.
"..."
Seeing the alluring woman beneath her—with long hair cascading over her shoulders, sleepwear slipping down to reveal her collarbone and smooth skin—Inori's gaze deepened slightly.
"..."
The Shogun froze for a moment.
"...Inori?"
She asked in confusion.
"It's me..."
Inori nodded, equally puzzled.
"Where's Makoto?"
She asked groggily.
"...Who?"
Inori blinked.
"...?"
She frowned in confusion. Something felt off. Why was she in the bedroom? Hadn't she slept with Makoto last night? Did Makoto send her back in the morning?
She felt a little embarrassed... though the memory was clearly there.
"Mio... I'm hungry."
Inori looked at her lips and leaned closer as she spoke softly. Early this morning, she had already changed into her uniform and come into the neighboring bedroom—only to find the sleeping beauty beneath the covers.
"...There's food in the fridge. Just heat it in the microwave."
Noticing her intent, the Shogun subtly turned her face away, moving her lips aside before replying gently.
"...Not the lips?"
Seeing her rare avoidance, Inori did not press forward again, only asking softly.
"...That's not allowed. That part can't be given casually."
Lowering her gaze, she lightly pressed a finger against Inori's lips, refusing gently. No matter what, that place was no longer allowed—because it belonged to certain people.
"...Mm."
Inori puffed her cheeks in slight disappointment, then leaned in and kissed her cheek instead. The Shogun said nothing, only sighed inwardly. Perhaps she really did have some strange charm that attracted women.
Chu~
"Mio, I want to eat something you made."
Inori rested her chin on her hands, smiling slightly as she lay on the bed watching her.
"...I made all of those already. You just need to heat them up. Otherwise, it'll take more time."
She replied helplessly.
"Mm—okay."
Inori pouted briefly, acting a little stubborn, but still obediently got up to heat the food.
After she left the bedroom, the Shogun lifted the blanket and slowly sat up. Looking at the spotless bedside, she felt as though something was missing.
"...An alarm clock?"
She murmured.
Forget it... it didn't matter. Time to get up.
After getting out of bed in her sleepwear, she glanced at the neatly prepared school uniform Inori had set out for her. Picking it up, she rubbed the fabric lightly—it felt quite nice.
"...Haa."
She sighed softly at the sight of it. Then, without wasting time, she washed up quickly and put it on. The fit was perfect—almost as if it had been tailored specifically for her. Looking at herself in the mirror, she was slightly surprised.
Click!
She opened the bedroom door and walked into the living room, where Inori had already heated the food and placed it on the table. As Inori looked up, their eyes met—and she took in the Shogun's appearance in her uniform.
A red blazer, a deep blue pleated skirt, a white shirt paired with a red ribbon tie. Her legs were wrapped in white tights that perfectly accentuated their smooth lines. The pure white combined with the uniform enhanced her delicate beauty, making her look entirely natural—like a stunning high school girl.
"It suits you."
Inori praised her.
"Does it... you too."
She replied, sitting down with her as they began their breakfast.
...
"We're heading out."
Click...
After turning off the living room light, Inori softly said this to the soon-to-be empty home before leaving together with the Shogun.
Their small leather shoes tapped crisply against the corridor floor as they walked. Passing by a neighboring house in the same complex, they arrived at the train platform.
Beep—
(The Tokyo Line No.1 has arrived. Please do not forget your belongings. Do not crowd while boarding or exiting. Safety first.)
As the announcement sounded, the train bound for the Tokyo school district pulled into the station.
"...Eh? Inori and... Mio?"
Standing in the crowd waiting for the train, Tsugumi spotted the two familiar neighbors in the distance and looked surprised. She also noticed they were wearing Tennoz uniforms.
Eh? Why? Are they new students?
Just as she was about to call out to them, the train arrived. The rushing crowd pushed her forward into the carriage, leaving her no chance to speak. But that was fine—she could greet them once the train started moving.