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.
Statues of Tamayō in both her fox form and human form stood brilliantly displayed across the chamber.
Carvings and murals adorned the walls and windows, each capturing Tamayō in poses of grace and majesty. Even the carpet bore her likeness, with a scene of her sleeping peacefully upon it.
At the far end, incense burned before a statue of Tamayō holding a kiseru pipe, her image exaggerated into divine grandeur.
"Goodness gracious, daughter of mine," Tamayō declared the moment she saw it all, instantly slipping into a lofty divine persona.
Her shoulders rose, and her chin lifted high. "You appear to be a most devout follower of me. I am pleased, so speak, child—what is it you seek from your Lord? I shall grant it at once."
"Ah! Great Tamamo-no-Mae!" Shiro cried, collapsing to her knees in theatrical reverence. "This one asks for nothing more than the honor of rubbing this one's hands upon your ethereal fur and graceful tail!"
Tamayō flinched. Only slightly, but enough to be noticed if one was looking closely.
"V-Very well, my daughter," she stammered, her poker face beginning to falter as the heat of a blush crept over her cheeks. "Just be g-gentle… Am I clear?"
"Hai!" Shiro replied with vigor.
And so, Tamayō's grandiose facade crumbled in an instant. The divine persona was replaced with childlike giddiness as she melted into Shiro's lap, tail and ears twitching under the indulgent strokes.
'How pitiful,' Onee-sama thought with exasperation, pinching the bridge of her nose. 'I knew about Shiro's mother complex, but… it appears to have climbed several levels over the years.'
"It seems inspections will need to be conducted every few weeks now," Onee-sama muttered, squinting as she glared at a mural depicting Tamayō eating an apple with overstated elegance. "No longer the once-in-decades routine it had been."
'Still,' she thought as she moved closer, her gaze falling upon Shiro who continued petting their mother, 'I cannot deny that she kept her room in order. If we ignore the disturbing obsession plastered across every surface.'
She reached down and pinched Shiro's cheek softly, stretching it as though she were testing if it could be peeled off.
Shiro winced at the sting, instinctively clutching Tamayō's tail in pain. Tamayō yelped in surprise, ears flattening.
Shiro rubbed her cheek, her eyes glistening with tears as she looked at Onee-sama. "What did I do to deserve such torment?"
"No Haha-ue idolatry in this family." Onee-sama gave her a brisk pat on the head before leaving her to clean up the art gallery of Tamayō that littered her pavilion.
***
They subsequently stepped out into the courtyard.
Whether Tamayō's pout was caused by her tail being squeezed or her petting session being cut short, it was difficult to tell.
"…I am unhappy." she mumbled.
"You don't say." Onee-sama answered without looking.
They pressed forward until they arrived at the next pavilion: the [Omniscient Pavilion], Silver's quarters.
"I already knew you would come today, Onee-sama," Silver said calmly as the two entered, his tone deliberately composed. "Therefore, I made every preparation to avoid disappointing you."
"Oh, really?" Onee-sama's eyes narrowed as she folded her arms.
Her attention shifted immediately to Blue, who clung to Silver's arm like a frightened child. "Then tell me… did you also foresee the punishment you are about to receive for aiding and abetting a felony?"
"In… indeed," Silver stammered, his composure breaking for the first time. "I also foresaw my p-punishment…"
He clearly had not.
Onee-sama let her gaze drift across the room, her lips tightening.
The chamber was a bizarre mixture of mismatched cultures—a different-styled bed and mattress stood beside a futon, shelves and cupboards arranged without harmony, some reflecting Blue's preferences, others reflecting Silver's.
Together, the whole space felt disorganized, clashing, and utterly out of place.
"Do something about this disaster immediately," Onee-sama commanded curtly, turning her back.
"See? I told you!" Blue hissed, tugging on Silver's arm like an impatient child. "She will never allow us to be together. She is the enemy of our love, Silver! Let us elope!"
"Can you not scheme your ridiculous plans while I am standing right here?" Onee-sama snapped, her frown deepening. "And are you still deluding yourself with this nonsense about love?!"