The face behind the mask wasn't a hideous monster; it still bore some of Kitsune Saiguu's features, no wonder Kamuna Harunosuke mistook her at first glance.
However, Hanachirusato's hair and eyes were pitch black, and her face was marred by unnatural dark streaks, detracting from her beauty.
In this way, compared to Kitsune Saiguu, she was like black to her white.
Possessing Kitsune Saiguu's memories, Hanachirusato naturally held deep affection for Ei.
But she couldn't meet Ei, as seeing her in her current state would be too cruel for Ei.
Finally reuniting with an old friend, only to find them in this condition—would you strike or not?
From the perspective of Inazuma's deity, Hanachirusato had to be eliminated, as her existence threatened the Sacred Sakura and the stability of the ley lines.
But as the Raiden Shogun Baal, how could Ei bear to strike Hanachirusato? Even when Mikoshi Chiyo went mad and attacked her, Ei couldn't bring herself to kill her.
Hanachirusato, possessing 'rationality,' was even harder to deal with than Zhongli resealing Azhdaha.
At least with Zhongli, Azhdaha's consciousness stood by his side. For Ei, Kitsune Saiguu's 'own' consciousness stood opposite her.
This was a cruel situation for anyone; no one wanted to make that choice.
So, when Hanachirusato met Kamuna Harunosuke, she deliberately kept her distance.
Pretending to be strangers, acting unaware, was the best outcome.
Kamuna Harunosuke understood, treating Hanachirusato and Kitsune Saiguu as separate beings.
Even so, he couldn't bear to harm Hanachirusato, a monster, and ended up venting his frustration on Ioroi.
"This is the first time I've seen Miss Hanachirusato's face under the mask," Paimon said, covering her mouth.
Lucian had drawn many illustrations of Hanachirusato, but none showed her without the mask.
"Lady Paimon, Lady Lumine, I'm sorry for only now facing you with my true appearance."
Paimon waved her hands. "It's no big deal."
Hanachirusato smiled gently. "You're truly kind…"
After a moment's hesitation, she continued, "I hope you'll grant me one selfish request."
Paimon and Lumine said in unison, "What is it?"
Hanachirusato handed the mask to Lumine with both hands, a refined smile on her face.
"I hope you'll keep this mask safe, and… please don't forget me."
"Huh?" Lumine took the mask, slightly stunned.
Can't you live on? Haven't we solved the problem? Why would we forget you?
Yae Miko realized Hanachirusato's concern but, before she could speak, Hanachirusato had already 'dissipated.'
Not like a monster dissolving, but merging into the puppet.
The puppet, standing still, began to change. First, a pair of white ears sprouted atop its head.
Then came Kitsune Saiguu's fluffy white tail.
Kitsune Saiguu was back, but she didn't seem to regain consciousness immediately. Her stance became unsteady, as if about to fall.
Yae Miko, quick-eyed, caught Kitsune Saiguu in her arms, gently laying her on her lap and covering her with her shrine maiden attire.
"Is that it? Is it done?" Paimon watched curiously.
"Huh? This is Miss Kitsune Saiguu? Where's Miss Hanachirusato?" Paimon asked, confused.
Though she knew Lucian had such means, this was her first time witnessing it.
"They were one to begin with, hmm… but it's indeed a pity. Such a gentle 'Kitsune Saiguu' is gone," Yae Miko said with a smile.
Yae Miko looked down at the 'familiar face' before her, her eyes full of nostalgia. "According to Lucian, we just need to wait for this less gentle Kitsune Saiguu to wake up."
Just wait for this Kitsune Saiguu, who loves to 'tease' me, to wake up.
Yae Miko gazed at Kitsune Saiguu's beautiful face, lost in thought. She's really back? Really?
A sense of unreality gripped Yae Miko, inexplicably sparking more thoughts.
While Kitsune Saiguu was still unconscious, Yae Miko pinched her ears. You used to pinch mine like this when I was little.
The sensation was soft and pleasant, the ears pliable and comfortable, with soft fur brushing her fingers, adding to the comfort.
"Hehe, feels nice," Yae Miko chuckled.
No wonder you loved pinching my ears—it feels this good to pinch someone else's.
"Is it that nice?" Kitsune Saiguu's eyes remained closed, but her lips curved into a slight smile as she spoke.
Clearly, she was awake—had been for a while, though it wasn't clear when she stirred.
Kitsune Saiguu was doing it on purpose. If Yae Miko was Miss Fox, then she was 'Big Sister Fox.'
Yae Miko started, quickly retracting her hand.
Kitsune Saiguu stretched lazily on Yae Miko's lap. "Oh my~ Back then, you were the one lying on my lap. Finally, I get a chance to lie on yours."
Kitsune Saiguu opened her eyes, staring at Yae Miko. "I wanted to stay on your lap a bit longer, but you caught me."
Yae Miko's mouth parted slightly in surprise, and if you looked closely, her lips were trembling.
Kitsune Saiguu noticed, as well as the dampness at Yae Miko's eye corners.
Recalling Yae Miko's smiling expression in Hanachirusato's memories, the contrast was stark. It seemed Miss Fox couldn't hold back her emotions after all.
Kitsune Saiguu thought to herself, that smiling look from before was nice—keep smiling more in the future.
She raised her hand, touching Yae Miko's hair and side ear. "Little fox, you've grown up, but your temperament hasn't changed much. Still such a crybaby."
"Where's that smile from before? Did you think you could stop 'imitating' me now that I'm back?"
Yae Miko was momentarily stunned. Kitsune Saiguu was the first to say her temperament hadn't changed.
Even she felt she was no longer that little fox from before.
After her 'guardians' died, she had to grow up, from a little fox to Miss Fox, from an acting shrine maiden to a qualified one.
Suppressing her emotions, Yae Miko said, "Who's imitating you? That's my signature smile."
Kitsune Saiguu smiled without retorting, turning her gaze to the bright moon above. The moon she couldn't see back then was finally visible again.
A lover of short poems, she recalled the one Hanachirusato had recited, tweaking its words slightly.
'"The autumn moon I saw last year remains radiant tonight—those who gazed with me are now by my side."'
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Kitsune Saiguu: Hanachirusato
"She is me, yet not me. She has her own thoughts and will, so I should grant her freedom, shouldn't I?"