The door of the pavilion slid open, and a small green-haired girl dressed in a light green kimono stepped out with delicate grace.
"Oh my," she said, covering her mouth in inflated surprise. "Sister, why do you look as though you have just seen a ghost? Did you long for my wisdom so desperately that you came rushing here?"
"Shut up," Gold snapped, her eyes darting around sharply as though still expecting pursuit. "Onee-sama is onto me. I need to hide here, quickly!"
"Hm…?" Green tilted her head, then gasped loudly as the realization hit her. "O–Onee-sama has already begun the inspection?!"
"Good morning," Gold muttered dryly, rolling her eyes before pushing her way into the pavilion without waiting for permission.
***
Meanwhile, on the far side of the palace, after entertaining themselves with the wolves and indulging in what they considered to be light exercise, Onee-sama and Tamayō made their way toward their next target: Brown's quarters—the [Earth Pavilion.]
As they arrived at the entrance, which was positioned nearest to Gold's pavilion, Onee-sama raised her hand to knock but stopped midway. Her eyes narrowed in quiet calculation.
"…He is not inside," she murmured, peering faintly.
Nonetheless, she placed her hand upon the door and pushed it open, stepping in without hesitation.
The moment they crossed the doorstep, the gravitational pull of the room surged, tripling instantly.
However, apart from their garments tugging downward with the force, neither fox displayed any visible reaction.
"H-How terrifying," Tamayō whispered, sneaking a glance at her daughter. "To be so bold as to enter without invitation… No wonder they call you the mother."
"No, I am not. You are," Onee-sama replied casually.
"Ah, that is true!" Tamayō admitted sheepishly, scratching her cheek. "But you carry yourself with such propriety that one could easily mistake you for Haha-ue."
Their conversation continued lightly as Onee-sama's eyes roamed quietly across the room, taking everything in.
The space was as vast as its exterior suggested. Yet it felt far more like a training hall than a living chamber.
The place was a complete disaster—litter scattered across the ground, piles of folded trash abandoned in corners, and dust coating nearly every surface.
Instead of a bed or any comfort one might expect in personal quarters, the room was crammed with enormous metallic structures designed for physical training.
Massive mechanisms, slabs of weighted iron, and crude equipment built for sheer strength filled the pavilion.
"Brown remains as rough as ever," Onee-sama sighed, lowering herself to gather a few discarded objects.
Tamayō's lips curved into a soft smile as she watched her companion's actions, her thoughts echoing silently: 'That is why you are the Onee-sama…'
"No matter how many times he begs," Onee-sama said suddenly, her voice carrying a dangerous undercurrent, "he will be punished… He must be punished." Her lips then twisted into a shadowy smile as she spoke.
Tamayō instantly retracted her earlier thought, her smile faltering as she began praying inwardly for poor Brown's survival.
Together, they set about straightening the room. All the colossal metallic objects, towering between fifteen and twenty feet tall, were lifted and arranged with ease, as though they weighed no more than air.
The oppressive gravity of the Earth Pavilion proved meaningless before the authority of the two kitsunes.
It became clear in an instant that, if either of them ever wished to train for raw strength, this collection of equipment would serve absolutely no purpose.
CLAP. CLAP.
Onee-sama brushed her hands together as she admired the neatness of their finished work. The pavilion had been transformed into an orderly chamber, with a wide open space cleared at the center.
Tamayō turned her head and caught sight of Onee-sama's satisfied smile.
"You seem rather pleased with yourself, purple one," she teased.
"Call me purple one again, Haha-ue, and I swear…" Onee-sama's voice remained calm, and her smile did not waver, but her aura darkened violently.
A heavy and suffocating haze of deep purple malice began spilling from her body.
"S–Sorry…" Tamayō stammered, averting her gaze. "But I am saving the honor of nam— Ah, wait! Do not just abandon me here!"
She scrambled forward as Onee-sama left promptly without another word.
***
Leaving the Earth Pavilion behind, the two approached the next closest structure—the one that faced directly toward the throne room.
This was the [Spatial Pavilion], the dwelling of Blue.
"…"
"…"
The pair stood at the open entrance, their faces unreadable as the soft winds drifted past, stirring their hair gently. Their eyes still remained fixed inside with unblinking seriousness.
"…It is… empty," Tamayō whispered at last.
"It is…" Onee-sama exhaled with a sigh, her eyes narrowing faintly. "It was subtle at first, but the belongings in this very room have been lessening over time. This, however, is going too far."
"…" Tamayō remained silent, her lips pressed together. She could not bring herself to speak.
Not until—
"…She will be punished, along with the other criminals."
"What?!" Tamayō's composure broke instantly.
She gripped Onee-sama's shoulders in desperation, her voice rising with alarm. "Please, reconsider! She is only an innocent young fox. She does not truly know the gravity of what she is doing!"
"No." Onee-sama's voice was sharp and unyielding. "Order must remain within this family, unless, of course, you all wish to disown me."
It was decided. Blue would face consequences; bitter ones, for her irresponsible actions.
They locked the pavilion behind them.
At least, unlike others, it was not in disarray. It was completely empty.
Then they turned their steps toward the next pavilion—Shiro's abode, the [Holy Pavilion].
Shiro greeted them politely at the entrance, bowing with serene composure. Yet before she could even gesture them inside, Onee-sama had already barged through the doorway.
"H-How bold…" Tamayō whispered under her breath, fists clenching as she tried not to reveal her envy.
On the other hand, inside the Holy Pavilion was unlike any other. It was no mere residence, but practically a temple—and every detail was dedicated to Tamayō.