The atmosphere in the room grew somewhat heavy. Akio leaned by the window, gazing quietly at the scenery outside, while Sangonomiya Kokomi sat silently on a chair behind him, head lowered, lost in thought.
After a long while, Kokomi finally stood up and slowly approached Akio, coming to stand by his side.
"Have you thought things through?" Akio turned to glance at her. Her eyes were red and slightly swollen, making her look pitiful and endearing.
"Lord Akio... I've come to understand," Kokomi whispered softly. "I beg you to help me solve Watatsumi Island's issue of Soil Degradation."
"From now on, I promise you, Watatsumi Island will never again harbor rebellious thoughts..." Kokomi said earnestly.
"Good. As expected of the Divine Priestess, you're quite clever." Akio nodded approvingly. "I sincerely hope you'll keep your word. I don't want to see the Tenryou Commission hauling anyone from Watatsumi Island into Tenshukaku again."
"I understand, Lord Akio," Kokomi answered obediently.
Akio was right. The Great God of Watatsumi had long since passed away, and the only one who could save Watatsumi Island now was the Great Divine Sovereign of Heaven. Kokomi resolved firmly to fulfill her promise and dedicate everything to him.
Obedient girls were always more likable. Right now, Akio couldn't detect even a trace of unwillingness in Kokomi.
He reached out suddenly, pulling this delicate little "pink ornamental fish" directly into his embrace.
"Ah...!" Kokomi gasped softly in surprise. In all her life, she'd never been so intimately close with any man.
Yet she didn't struggle. Instead, she gazed up at Akio pitifully, her small hands gripping the hem of his clothes tightly.
Seeing Kokomi's shy and helpless expression, Akio felt a faint twinge of guilt—though admittedly, only the slightest bit.
Rather than deterring him, it only heightened his excitement. He slowly leaned down toward Kokomi.
"Mmm..." Thinking of scenes she'd read in her light novels, Kokomi felt a strange thrill and anticipation well up inside her.
She closed her eyes slowly, waiting for Akio's affection. Yet after a long moment, the anticipated sensation never came.
Confused, Kokomi opened her eyes, only to find Akio watching her with an amused expression.
"..." Kokomi bit her lip shyly. Gathering her courage, she wrapped her arms around Akio's neck, surprising him as she leaned up to kiss him.
"Mmmph..." Her bold initiative quickly faltered as Akio gently captured her lips, immediately taming the little fish in his embrace.
Her body went limp, surrendering completely to whatever Akio wanted.
Just as their passion grew heated, a teasing voice suddenly floated in from outside the window:
"Oh my~ Such a warm and lovely moment. Mind if I join in?"
Both Akio and Kokomi turned their heads simultaneously, only to see Yae Miko grinning mischievously at them from outside the window.
"Eep… Lady Guuji!" Kokomi squeaked in embarrassment, burying her head into Akio's chest like an ostrich, refusing to come out no matter what.
"Tsk, Miko, you mischievous woman, at it again?" Akio said, giving Yae Miko a mildly annoyed look.
"Uwahh~" Yae Miko pouted dramatically, appearing instantly beside Akio. "My dear husband is already replacing me with someone new! He doesn't love me anymore~ What's the point in living~ Sob sob~" She pretended to shed tears theatrically.
"…" Akio was speechless. A mischievous fox would always be a mischievous fox; some things never changed.
"Husband, why are you silent now? Are you feeling guilty towards me? Husband…" Yae Miko leaned against Akio, whining softly.
"Oh dear~ My sweet treasure, how could I ever stop loving you?" Akio gently pinched Miko's soft cheek. "Relax, you're my beloved wife~"
"Husband, am I your most beloved woman?" Miko asked slyly.
"Yes, yes, of course. My dear Miko is my most beloved woman," Akio nodded in agreement, knowing full well that if he didn't humor this fox, she'd never let him hear the end of it—even though, in truth, Yae Miko really was his most cherished woman.
"And no one else can compare to your love for me, right?" Yae Miko pressed further.
"Yes, yes, no one else compares," Akio nodded again, looking at her indulgently.
"Now that you've said it, I feel reassured," Yae Miko smiled wickedly, stepping back slightly and touching her bracelet lightly. "Sisters~ Did you hear that? I'm our husband's most beloved, most favored woman!"
"???" Akio stared blankly at Yae Miko. Wait, was that a group voice chat through her bracelet!?
"Makoto, did you hear clearly? You lost our bet," Yae Miko chuckled triumphantly. "Don't forget you owe me your little fan."
"You little..." Raiden Makoto's annoyed voice came through Miko's bracelet.
"Akio! Hearing that Miko is your most beloved really hurts our feelings~" Kitsune Saiguu's teasing voice came through as well.
"Ei and the Shogun here are heartbroken! Crying, rolling on the floor and throwing tantrums right now," Kitsune Saiguu said gleefully.
Raiden Ei: "..."
Raiden Shogun: "..."
Akio: "..."
"Actually, I hadn't finished speaking," Akio quickly clarified. "You're all my most beloved women. You're all my wings~"
"Hmph! You shameless scoundrel!" The girls' voices erupted simultaneously in playful protest from the bracelet.
"..."
"Miko, did you just set me up?" Akio facepalmed helplessly. As expected, trusting this fox was dangerous—she'd even prank her own husband.
"Bleh~" Yae Miko stuck her tongue out at him playfully.
Only then did Kokomi slowly raise her head again, staring blankly as Akio and Yae Miko joked around. Could it be that even those who stood at the very peak could enjoy such carefree happiness?
"Alright, alright, enough chatting with you all," Yae Miko ended the call, then turned to Kokomi nestled in Akio's arms, smiling playfully. "Done being an ostrich yet?"
"..." Kokomi lowered her head shyly, not daring to provoke the woman before her.
"Miko..." Akio began, looking at her meaningfully.
"I know, I know. Darling, you go ahead first. I promise I won't bully her," Yae Miko laughed lightly, gently pushing Akio out of the room.
Although speechless, Akio trusted that Miko wouldn't cross the line.
Walking away, Akio spotted Kuki Miyuki cleaning nearby and approached her quietly from behind.
"Miyuki~" Akio called softly, suddenly appearing behind her.
"Lord Akio~" Miyuki turned around, smiling gently and warmly.
"Huh? Sweetheart, weren't you startled at all?" Akio asked, slightly disappointed at failing to surprise her.
"How could the one I love most ever frighten me?" Miyuki replied tenderly, smiling softly.
A/N: Enjoying the story? Read 60+ chapters ahead on Patreon! Your support helps: Patreon.com/nneol