"Dango milk's here! Little Shogun, this one's for you!"
Yoimiya came running, arms full of bottles, handing one to Ei with a grin.
Ei took it without hesitation.
"Not bad. You have earned a reward."
Anyone who bought her dango milk— how could such a person be bad?
Obviously, they were a good person.
"Hehe, Little Shogun, you flatter me."
Yoimiya scratched her head.
Not just the looks— even the voice was almost identical to the Raiden Shogun's.
If she didn't know better, she might have suspected Little Ei was the Shogun's illegitimate child.
How could there be two flowers blooming so alike in this world?
If Ei had known her thoughts, she would have scolded her for turning the world upside down.
She was the Shogun's mother, not her child.
"From now on, the guards at Tenshukaku must prepare a bottle of dango milk with every meal!"
One sip, and happiness filled her anew.
To drink this every day— what bliss that would be.
"Wow, Little Shogun's really committed to the act," Yoimiya thought, giving her a thumbs-up.
She sounded like she really lived in Tenshukaku.
But the words didn't quite fit the Shogun's persona.
Surely the stern Shogun wasn't fond of dango milk like a child.
"Lord Su Ran, was there an important reason for bringing Lady Ei out today?"
Ayaka, still cradling Ei, had no free hands to taste her own bottle.
"Nothing serious," Su Ran replied.
"Just taking Little Ei to see Inazuma.
You know how she's been cooped up at home, not stepping past the gates in ages.
She hasn't seen the state of her nation for far too long."
He uncapped another bottle of dango milk.
"I see…"
If not for that eternal dream he spoke of, Ayaka's view of him would have risen higher still.
To bring the Shogun out to witness the lives of the people— that was far more meaningful than petitioning her in Tenshukaku during the Vision Hunt Decree.
If this was truly Su Ran's aim… could he perhaps lead the Shogun to hear her people's wishes?
Might she then abandon the idea of that dream of eternity?
"Open up~"
Su Ran held the bottle to Ayaka's lips.
"I… I can drink on my own," she protested, cheeks pink.
Even her brother Ayato had never treated her this way.
"Oh? You mean to set Little Ei down on the ground?"
"…"
One glance at the tiny Shogun in her arms, and Ayaka abandoned resistance.
She sipped from the bottle he held to her mouth.
"…You're just bullying me."
"Wow… you two are so close!"
Yoimiya clasped her hands together, eyes shining with delight.
The sight filled her with happiness— and blessings.
Even the White Heron Princess had found someone she liked.
When would she meet someone of her own?
Though Yoimiya spoke softly, Ayaka's trained ears caught it easily.
Her face grew hotter still.
And seeing Su Ran's teasing smile… all she could do was pout.
"Lord Su Ran, you really are a villain!
Is tormenting girls so amusing to you?"
"Come on, Ayaka, Yoimiya— let's show Little Shogun the world."
Ei: …
Show me the world?
The entire nation is mine already.
What "world" could I possibly need to see?
"Otherwise, when she grows up,
she'll turn into a clueless country bumpkin."
Ei shot him a murderous glare.
If not for… if not for this body being unsuitable to draw Musou Isshin, she would've given him a taste of Musou no Hitotachi on the spot.
"Yes, Lord Su Ran," Ayaka replied brightly.
But the repeated "Lord, Lord"… even Yoimiya noticed something odd.
Shouldn't Su Ran be the pursuer?
Why was Ayaka being so deferential?
"Ayaka… this Su Ran guy, he's not some big shot, is he?"
Yoimiya edged close, whispering cautiously.
How many in Inazuma could command such respect from the White Heron Princess herself?
Even Kujou Sara, a general of high standing, was treated only as an equal.
And yet this Su Ran, whose name no one had even heard, was addressed so reverently?
Not only that— even the child was called "Lady Ei."
That was stranger still.
Could this Little Ei really be the Shogun's child?
Ayaka saw her friend's anxious expression… and couldn't resist some mischief.
"Because a lord is a lord," she said sweetly.
After her own fear and torment earlier, why shouldn't Yoimiya suffer a little too?
"Don't scare me like that," Yoimiya muttered nervously.
Could he really be someone so important?
And this 'outing'… nothing more than a royal incognito visit?
Ayaka blinked innocently.
"Would I lie to you?
But yes—Su Ran-sama's and Lady Ei's identities are far from ordinary."
Far from ordinary—but how?
Yoimiya scratched her head till it nearly smoked.
Su Ran looked harmless, and Little Ei like nothing more than a sweet child.
Where was the aura of high station?
Even from afar, the head of the Kujou Clan exuded authority.
But Su Ran and Ei?
Nothing of the sort.
"Don't worry," Ayaka soothed.
"Su Ran-Sir isn't scary. Look at me— I'm perfectly fine, aren't I?"
That's true…
Yoimiya blinked.
Before meeting them, Ayaka had looked troubled and heavy-hearted.
But now, her mood was clearly brighter.
"So then… who are they really?"
"Mm~ Not telling~"
Ayaka's eyes sparkled.
Yoimiya seemed relaxed for now, but if she knew the truth, would she still act so freely?
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