"That's Yoimiya, isn't it?
Why are you hiding? Don't tell me there's someone here you'd rather not run into."
Walking through the streets of Inazuma City,
Su Ran spotted Yoimiya peeking out from behind a corner, stealing glances in their direction.
"A–hahaha… I just happened to see you and Ayaka walking by.
I thought I'd come say hello."
Now that she'd been caught, Yoimiya could only brace herself and step out.
Why was Inazuma City suddenly so small today?
Walk a few steps and—bam—straight into the Shogun herself.
She had originally wanted to greet them.
But the moment she saw the Raiden Shogun's overwhelming presence, her courage evaporated.
This was a god, after all.
The citizens of Inazuma had always been taught to revere the Shogun from a distance.
Who would dare casually stroll up and chat with her?
Even Kujou Sara—Inazuma's stalwart general— stood rigidly respectful before the Shogun, terrified of making the slightest misstep.
For a civilian like Yoimiya, no matter how cheerful she normally was, walking up to the Shogun uninvited was…
Impossible.
So she had kept her distance.
"See?" Su Ran nudged the Shogun.
"You scared the kid."
The Shogun: "…"
I didn't even do anything.
And that alone scares people?
…Excellent. My authority is intact.
"Should I apologize to her?"
The Shogun looked straight at Yoimiya— which nearly scared her soul out of her body.
"N–no! No need, Shogun-madamhasn't done anything wrong!
I'm just… too timid!"
If the Raiden Shogun actually apologized, Yoimiya might faint on the spot.
And afterward… how would she show her face in Inazuma ever again?
Even she knew this wasn't a good kind of fame.
The Shogun glanced at Su Ran— her eyes saying, See? Not my fault.
"Timid, huh…"
Su Ran found that hard to believe.
Kids loved calling her the fearless Yoimiya.
But scared of the Shogun?
That checked out.
Very few mortals could face a god without trembling.
Even Kujou Takayuki had once bowed with extreme reverence.
"Perfect then," Su Ran said.
"To train your courage, why don't you come along?"
Yoimiya froze.
…Her?
Walking with the Raiden Shogun?
Was this legal?
"Ah—Yoimiya," Ayaka added with a cough, "I should remind you… Su Ran-sir has already transferred all of his assets away.
He currently has no money.
And Mora is meaningless to a deity like the Shogun, so…
I don't think I need to say more."
Translation:
If anyone needs to pay for today's outing—
it's you.
Yoimiya: "..."
She scratched her head.
Honestly, she didn't mind.
Spending Mora for the Shogun was practically an honor.
Many would kill for the chance.
Like Kujou Sara, for example— who ran the entire Tenryou Commission and practically worshipped the Shogun.
In Inazuma, aside from Watatsumi Island, everyone was a Shogun fan.
Even a Shogun-designed figurine could start a buying frenzy.
The devotion was real.
"Mora isn't the issue," Yoimiya said carefully.
"But where's Little Ei?
Shouldn't she be with her mom and dad when going out?"
The Shogun was scary, but Little Ei that adorable tiny version of the Shogun—
Yoimiya still remembered her fondly.
Small, soft, holding a bottle of Dango Milk with both hands—
Yoimiya could melt on the spot just thinking about it.
"You won't be seeing her for a while," Ayaka replied stiffly.
"Lady Ei is… ah… busy with something important."
She absolutely could not tell Yoimiya the truth:
That Little Ei's "true form" was also the Raiden Shogun.
If Yoimiya found out that the adorable, fluffy, squeezable little girl was actually the same being whose presence nearly made her cry…
She might develop lifelong trauma.
"So yes," Ayaka concluded, "She won't be appearing for some time."
Yoimiya visibly deflated.
Seeing the Shogun was shocking—
but seeing Little Ei was pure joy.
And now that joy was gone.
"So jealous, Ayaka!" Yoimiya sighed.
"You must've gotten to hold Little Ei all the time at the Tenshukaku and the Grand Shrine, right?"
"…Haha…" Ayaka's smile stiffened.
"Actually… I've hardly ever held her."
Held her??
How could she dare??
This was a god's child— no, it was the god herself in another form.
Even approaching was terrifying.
Breathing too loudly near Ei felt like a crime.
She wasn't Yae Miko-madam.
Wasn't Makoto-madam.
Wasn't Su Ran-sir.
Where would she get the courage to hug the Shogun?
"Ah, that makes sense," Yoimiya nodded.
"The Shogun-madam must be the one cuddling her every day!"
"…Yes. Indeed.
The Shogun-madam is the one holding her."
Ayaka agreed weakly.
Makoto had also been a Shogun.
Technically, saying "the Shogun holds Little Ei" wasn't wrong…
Listening to the two whisper behind him, Su Ran nearly laughed out loud.
For a moment, he considered letting Ei appear in the dreamscape in her "Little Ei" form.
But…
The combat disadvantage would be too big.
So he dropped the idea.
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