"All right, enough clinging. You are the Shogun of Inazuma now—you can't just keep crying like this."
Makoto comforted her for quite a while before Ei finally let go of her embrace.
"You've suffered much all these years."
The thought that Ei had borne the weight of the nation alone because of her death filled Makoto with guilt.
No matter how poorly Ei had ruled, Makoto could never bring herself to scold her.
This burden had been forced onto her sister.
She had never even considered if Ei could handle it.
"But to see you here, even like this… I'm already satisfied."
Even if it was only a dream, even if it was false, Ei would gladly lose herself in it.
Makoto's expression dimmed slightly.
She was not ignorant of this dream, nor of the stranger's role in creating it.
But she hadn't resisted.
Now, all she wanted was to repay her sister as much as possible.
Even if she couldn't erase all the pain, at least while this dream lasted, she would make Ei happy.
To stand side by side with Ei once more, to speak face-to-face on the same land…
This was something she had never dared hope for after death.
"Ei, let's go see the city together."
Makoto took her sister's hand, eager to see what Inazuma had become in five hundred years.
The two passed by Su Ran and the others, who were watching.
"Now, who was it that claimed she'd never cry and fuss again?"
Su Ran muttered as if recalling something.
Ei flushed red with shame but held her tongue—she would not embarrass herself further before her sister.
"Excuse me, young ladies, might you spare a moment?"
Ei ignored him and kept walking.
But Makoto stopped, and so Ei had no choice but to stop as well.
Under Su Ran's teasing gaze, she dared not look up.
"May I ask, do you two lovely ladies agree that the renowned genius, Mister Su Ran, is unmatched in both beauty and wisdom?"
Ei rolled her eyes. She refused to indulge this narcissist.
But Makoto clapped her hands and nodded, admiration shining in her eyes.
"Yes indeed, Mister Su Ran's beauty and wisdom are unmatched."
Ei nearly died of secondhand embarrassment.
"Excellent. Since you agree, allow me to gift you this beloved little fox."
Su Ran lifted a fluffy pink fox in his arms.
Its cuteness instantly drew Makoto's attention.
"What a charming creature!"
Ei gave it a sidelong glance. What's so great about that stupid fox?
"Thank you kindly for the gift."
Makoto hugged the fox close, exactly as she had once done long ago.
Ei's good mood dropped another notch.
It had been her and her sister's moment— and now this fox had stolen half of it.
"...Tch."
Hearing that click of her tongue, Yae Miko (in fox form) peeked up, smirked, and burrowed deeper into Makoto's arms.
That was the advantage of being a pet.
Unlike a certain "crybaby archon," she could stay in Makoto's embrace all she liked—without shame.
And when Ei eventually discovered the truth of this "Makoto"… she would regret not fighting harder for affection.
With her new pet in tow, Makoto led Ei down from Mt. Yougou toward the city.
"Let's hope this play unfolds just as I've envisioned."
Watching the sisters descend, Su Ran mused about the future.
When the Traveler arrived in this dreamland, what conflict would arise between them and Ei?
Would the will of the people prevail— or the will of their god?
The Shogun gazed skyward, then back to Su Ran.
"When it's all over, will you give this dream to me?"
Ei might foolishly believe this dream eternal, but the Shogun knew better.
Dreams could last forever— but they could also shatter.
And here, with so many unstable factors, shattering was inevitable.
What she longed for was the dream left behind, once all human minds returned to reality—
a dream of eternity without variables.
"Of course. Consider it my betrothal gift."
Meanwhile, on Watatsumi Island, Sangonomiya Kokomi opened her eyes.
She stared at the desk before her in confusion.
"…Did I fall asleep?"
She remembered only a sudden drowsiness last night, closing her eyes for just a moment— and now dawn had already broken.
"Has the Shogunate… accepted peace talks, I wonder?"
Though puzzled, she felt lighter than she had in years, as though her body had truly rested.
At Tenshukaku, Kamisato Ayaka slowly woke.
The first thing she saw was that all-too-familiar face.
Beside them, Kujou Sara stood awkwardly.
She hadn't awoken much earlier herself.
But her embarrassment came not from that,
but from the fact they were not alone.
At Sara's subtle glance, Ayaka turned—and froze.
A man with light-blue, shoulder-length hair knelt on the tatami, head bowed, expression unreadable.
"…Brother?"
Ayaka sprang to her feet, fumbling with her kimono.
Panic gripped her.
It felt exactly like a girl caught in a forbidden romance— discovered by her family far too soon.
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