"What… are you talking about?"
Usually, it was others asking questions of her—Lady Guuji—but today, she had rarely found herself asking others several times.
She even suspected if Mei was saying this on purpose.
Otherwise, what was this nonsense about memorizing the route?
"Alright, let's keep going."
Without answering Yae Miko, Acheron turned around after memorizing the route and continued heading to find a place to eat.
"You just saw someone, didn't you?"
Still not believing that Mei had really been memorizing the route, Yae Miko guessed she might have sensed someone behind them, which was why she suddenly stopped and came up with such an obviously unbelievable excuse.
"I told you, I was memorizing the route. I didn't see anyone. Don't overthink it."
Walking ahead, Acheron repeatedly emphasized that she was truly just memorizing the route.
However, she also knew that Yae Miko was probably not going to believe her explanation.
But there was no helping it—the facts were the facts. Acheron wasn't lying.
"Fine, that's some really strange behavior."
Seeing Mei's serious expression, Yae Miko had no choice but to choose to believe her words.
Right…
Regarding Mei's mention of memorizing the route, Yae Miko suddenly thought of something.
If what Mei said was true, that meant she was currently staying somewhere in Ritou, and she might even have companions.
"Hey, Mei, you must have companions here too, right?"
"Yeah, they're at the inn right now."
Acheron had no intention of hiding the fact that she had companions.
Not to mention that Kaito's side might reveal her presence to Yae Miko right now, Yae Miko herself had probably already learned from Thoma and Kamisato Ayato that she wasn't alone. So there was no need to conceal anything.
Them?
Right…
Thoma had mentioned earlier that she had specifically processed several island-entry permits and residency permits…
This must be for her companions…
At this moment, Yae Miko suddenly recalled what Thoma had said.
Since Thoma had reported quite a few things at once, she hadn't connected the dots right away.
I wonder what her companions are like…
After learning that Mei had companions, Yae Miko grew curious about what kind of people they were.
After all, someone like this wouldn't have simple companions.
However, she couldn't ask too much right now, since they weren't that familiar yet.
Of course, the most direct reason was that Yae Miko felt she probably wouldn't get an answer even if she asked, so it was better not to.
After that, neither of them said much more until they arrived at a place to eat.
Of course, the food wasn't the main point.
"What would you like to—"
"You order."
Before Yae Miko could finish, Acheron, who had just sat down, said this.
"What? Not afraid I'll poison it?"
Not expecting Mei to let her order, Yae Miko, sitting across from her, was a bit surprised and joked.
"Not afraid."
Acheron answered Yae Miko's joke very flatly.
"Fine, then I'll order."
Knowing the person before her had zero interest in joking around, Yae Miko stopped wasting time.
A little while later.
"Alright, ordered. Now, let's have a proper talk."
After finishing the order, Yae Miko looked at Acheron across from her and said this with a smile.
Whether it was her or Mei opposite, both clearly had things they wanted the other to do.
"You first."
Acheron wanted to hear Yae Miko's thoughts.
Although she could roughly guess what Yae Miko wanted, Acheron still wanted to hear it from her.
Of course, this was also for caution's sake.
After all, if Yae Miko was thinking something different from what she expected, that would be awkward.
So, it was safer to have her say it herself.
"Fine, but are you really naturally like this? You didn't use some method to become this way, did you?"
Nodding, Yae Miko decided to ask a question first.
Although the answer might not be truthful, she still had to ask. This step couldn't be skipped.
"I do naturally look like this." Nodding as well, Acheron continued, "I can tell you're very concerned about my appearance. It must be important for what you want to do."
"Of course I'm concerned. You look so much like that sweet-toothed fellow—how could that not be strange?"
Smiling, Yae Miko didn't deny her concern about Acheron's appearance.
No matter what, she couldn't possibly not care about that.
Moreover, she was very curious right now: if Ei saw Mei now, what would she think?
Would she think someone was impersonating her?
Or would she believe it was real?
Yae Miko was genuinely looking forward to that.
Of course, she wouldn't let Mei appear before Ei so quickly. She wanted Mei to do other things first.
But before that, she needed to see if Mei was willing to cooperate. That was the prerequisite for everything.
"Maybe it's a coincidence."
To Yae Miko's words, Acheron only replied faintly like this.
She naturally knew why, but if she said it, Yae Miko clearly wouldn't believe her, so she could only answer this way.
"A coincidence? That's too much of one."
Looking at Mei, who still showed no change in expression, and unable to read anything, Yae Miko said this helplessly.
In the past, others couldn't read her. Now, it was her turn to not be able to read someone else. This feeling really was uncomfortable.
"Alright, I'll get straight to it. I hope you can help me with something."
Deciding not to beat around the bush anymore, Yae Miko prepared to state her request.
"You want me to impersonate that sweet-toothed fellow, right?"
Instead of directly asking what Yae Miko wanted her to do, Acheron voiced her own guess.
As for why she referred to the Raiden Shogun as the sweet-toothed fellow, that naturally couldn't be said here.
After all, there were other people around.
Although Yae Miko seemed not to care, Acheron still did.
"You guessed it that quickly. I bet you impersonated her first just to lure me out."
"You're right." Acheron nodded.
She had intended to do exactly that from the start, so there was no need to hide it.
"You admit it so naturally."
At this point, Yae Miko realized she seemed to have been led by the nose the whole time.
Usually, she was the one leading others by the nose, but today she had fallen into someone else's hands—and this person looked so much like the real one or Ei.
Was this a coincidence?
Or was there some conspiracy?
Pondering this, Yae Miko fell into thought.
Even someone as clever as her didn't know right now if there was any trickery involved.
What to do?
___
🔥 New stories are available now! 🔥
✅ Access up to 40 advanced chapters of ALL stories!
✅ Receive exclusive content and updates!
Help us hit our community goals:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone
🚀 140 MEMBERS = +5 extra chapters of ALL STORIES!
👻 P - Walnutchan