When the Shogun finally woke from her sleep, she was still rather groggy. It was only when she realized she was still sitting in the restaurant that her memories gradually returned. She had been so sleepy that she had completely forgotten she was having a meal with Ei and Miko. She had felt exhausted earlier and had drifted off before she knew it.
By the time she woke up, Ei and Miko had coincidentally finished their conversation. Seeing that it was approaching noon, Miko stood up and suggested they leave. Ei had no objections. She came over to help the Shogun to her feet, her voice filled with concern.
"Did you sleep well?"
She asked gently.
"Mm... Pretty well."
With Ei beside her, she had not experienced any nightmares. Combined with the soft shamisen melody playing in the background, she had actually slept quite soundly. She still felt a little lightheaded upon waking, but after taking a moment to gather herself, she left Uyuu Restaurant with the other two. Naturally, the bill had already been settled. As agreed at the beginning, Miko had paid.
However, while they were walking, she seemed to catch the scent of alcohol coming from the person beside her—Ei.
"..."
She froze for a moment before discreetly leaning closer and sniffing again. This made Ei stiffen immediately, a guilty feeling rising within her. Nevertheless, she forced herself to remain composed and continued leading the Shogun along.
"What's wrong?"
Ei asked calmly.
"..."
Unusually, the Shogun said nothing. However, her expression darkened slightly, and resentment and dissatisfaction gradually appeared in her eyes. Her delicate lips pursed into an adorable pout as she gave Ei a pointed glare. She also deliberately tightened her grip on the hand she was holding.
Her reaction made it perfectly obvious what she was referring to. Ei could guess as much, and she could certainly feel the increased pressure on her hand. For a moment, she felt rather awkward. Perhaps because Miko was present, the Shogun had chosen not to confront her directly.
Pfft...
Naturally, Miko noticed the silent tension between them and secretly laughed to herself. After estimating the time, she finally spoke.
"You two... It's getting rather late. I'll head back to the shrine to take care of a few things first. I'll come over this evening."
Miko called out to the mother and daughter, who were currently locked in their silent standoff, speaking while suppressing her laughter.
"...?" ×2
Both of them snapped back to their senses and looked toward Miko.
"Who was it that said she'd come help after lunch?"
Perhaps because Ei had been drinking, the Shogun was in a rather foul mood. There was a distinctly questioning edge to her voice.
"Ahem... I really did intend to come help, but I suddenly remembered that I still have some things to take care of at the shrine. Really, I'm not lying to you."
Miko coughed awkwardly and offered an excuse.
This woman... I should have seen this coming...
The Shogun grumbled inwardly.
"Haa... Go on, then."
Nevertheless, she did not stop Miko from leaving. There was no particular need to. It was only a matter of helping out, and being short one person would hardly matter.
"Hehe. Then I'll be going~?"
Miko smiled in relief, even deliberately adopting a teasing tone as she spoke. The Shogun instinctively ignored her and instead glanced toward Ei, who was still looking rather guilty.
"Oh, right, Shogun..."
Just as Miko was about to leave, she turned around and called to her again.
"...?"
The Shogun looked over in confusion.
"We long-lived beings really are different from humans. To us, human lifespans are far too short, and sooner or later, the people we meet will become nothing more than passing figures in our lives."
Miko took this opportunity to express what was on her mind.
"..."
The Shogun froze for a moment. She understood what Miko meant and did not argue.
"But the 'bonds' formed through those encounters don't simply disappear. Instead, they are passed down in new forms. Hehe, that's all I wanted to say. See you this evening."
With that, Miko turned and departed in the opposite direction, toward Mount Yougou, leaving the two of them with nothing but a view of her retreating figure.
"...Bonds."
The Shogun murmured absently, her thoughts drifting toward everything she had experienced with Ayaka and the others.
"Shogun..."
Ei called to her.
"...!"
The Shogun snapped back to her senses. Remembering what had just happened, she shot Ei another glare that was almost petulant. Then, in a fit of sulking, she abruptly pulled her hand free, turned around, and swept past Ei with a flourish of her kimono sleeve, leaving only a faint trace of her familiar fragrance behind.
"..."
Ei froze for a moment, then watched her precious daughter walk past. That sulky behavior almost made her laugh, though it was a smile born entirely of affection and indulgence.
In truth, she had anticipated this situation long before deciding to drink, so she was not particularly flustered now.
After all, she was Raiden Ei.
It looks like I'll have to coax her after all...
She gently straightened the sleeve around her forearm, then followed after her daughter with long, measured strides.
The Shogun had deliberately slowed her pace, almost as though she wanted Ei to catch up. That adorable little detail brought another smile to Ei's heart.
She approached her daughter, deliberately positioning herself just a little behind her, then reached out to touch her hand.
"...!"
The Shogun promptly dodged her.
"Shogun..."
Ei did not mind. Instead, she called to her gently once more.
"..."
Her daughter remained silent, refusing even to acknowledge her.
"Sweetheart..."
For once, Ei used an affectionate term that seemed completely at odds with her usual personality.
The unexpected endearment caught the Shogun off guard, leaving her momentarily flustered.
"...///"
Her cheeks even flushed slightly. Hearing a word like that spoken in Ei's naturally beautiful voice was simply unfair!
Even as Ei's own daughter, she felt her heart flutter. If Miko, who was in love with Ei, had heard her say something like that, who knew how she would have reacted?
"...I was wrong."
Seeing her daughter's cheeks turn pink, Ei knew her method had worked. She herself did not understand what was so powerful about that particular endearment, but she knew that whenever she used it, her precious daughter's heart would soften.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, she reached out and took the Shogun's hand again, gently admitting her mistake.
"...What did you do wrong?"
Perhaps because of that affectionate form of address, the Shogun had still not managed to calm herself down. Her face remained slightly flushed as she questioned Ei.
"...Drinking."
Ei answered softly, her tone carrying a hint of contrition.
"Say the whole thing~!"
The Shogun was speechless at such an answer and immediately demanded more.
"...I shouldn't have been drinking."
Ei obediently complied.
"Who shouldn't have been drinking?"
She asked again.
"...Me."
Ei continued answering obediently.
"There's another mistake."
The Shogun folded her arms slightly and turned her face away, pretending to be cold.
"...I shouldn't have been drinking behind your back."
Ei answered again.
"..."
The Shogun felt somewhat helpless.
Did this woman already figure out exactly how she was going to answer me? Why do I feel like she's got me completely wrapped around her finger?
"So you were wrong?"
She asked once more, seeking confirmation.
"Mm. I was wrong."
Ei nodded.
"Don't do it again."
She puffed out her cheeks and issued the adorable warning.
"I won't..."
Ei immediately shook her head, then apparently decided shaking her head was inappropriate and nodded instead.
"..."
The Shogun said nothing further. Lowering her eyes, she glanced at the hand Ei was holding. Her heart softened, and she finally spoke.
"I forgive you..."
She said it quietly.
"Mm..."
Ei secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Aren't you going to thank me?"
The Shogun deliberately teased her.
"Thank you, Shogun-sama, for showing mercy to your humble subordinate."
Ei immediately played along.
"Pfft..."
The Shogun burst into laughter.
See? She actually can be quite funny! So why does she usually act like such a blockhead? I really don't understand.
Could it be that Ei is actually a very interesting person, but she simply doesn't want to show it, or isn't particularly good at expressing herself?
"..."
Seeing her daughter laugh, Ei also relaxed and revealed a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
That matter is finally settled. Haa...
"Shall we head back?"
Noticing that her daughter's mood had improved, Ei asked gently.
"Mm. Let's go."
This time, the Shogun behaved herself and nodded obediently.
It was already afternoon, so it was about time they returned to the beach to see how preparations for the festival venue were progressing.
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