The little fox hadn't even processed what was happening before she found herself plucked into the air by the scruff of her neck—her fate literally held between two fingers.
Dangling helplessly, she stared at the man who lifted her. Luo Li pinched and turned the tiny creature, examining her from every angle. Under his breath—quiet enough for only himself—he muttered:
"Hard to imagine this little bean sprout will one day become that infamously shameless shrine maiden of the Grand Narukami Shrine…"
The fox kit chirped sharply, a crisp "ying–ying!", clearly protesting the indignity but far too weak to resist.
"Oh, right. Baal, I never asked—where did you even pick up this little thing?"
"You may call me by name when we're in private."
Makoto corrected him gently, then thought for a moment before replying,
"It should've been in winter. I found her wandering the snows near the White Fox Field—clearly of the Hakushin line, starving as she dug through the snow. So I brought her back. At the very least, she could serve as a warm little hand muff or foot warmer."
Recalling the scene made Makoto laugh softly.
Luo Li understood immediately. "Does she have a name yet?"
Makoto shook her head. "Though she's under my care, names for the Hakushin are given by the clan's matriarch. It's only proper."
The Hakushin lineage—fox spirits who walk among Inazuma's people—are custodians of the Grand Narukami Shrine, existing alongside but separate from the Shogunate's authority.
The kit perked up at the mention of "Hakushin," her fluffy ears twitching. Her body was tiny, but her attention was sharp.
Her clumsy attempt to appear calm fooled no one.
Luo Li lifted her again, studying her front-on.
"Hm… as expected, a vixen."
The kit froze.
Then she realized where his gaze was directed—lower, around her belly—and immediately squealed in outrage.
A flash of gold—her slit pupils shining with an unmistakably human embarrassment and fury—
And she lunged, tiny jaws snapping at his wrist.
"Oho?"
Luo Li let go in surprise. The fox kit escaped in a puff of fur, scampering behind Raiden Makoto with every hair on her tail bristling.
He looked at the faint bite mark on his wrist, then at the trembling bundle of indignation.
"…You actually managed to bite me. Seems your transformation isn't too far off."
The little fox glared at him from behind Makoto's sleeve—traumatized for life, no doubt.
A face that beautiful, yet such wicked behavior… truly unforgivable!
Makoto sighed helplessly. After centuries knowing Luo Li, she was long accustomed to his personality—so much so that she'd unknowingly picked up habits of his own.
She scooped the fox into her arms, soothing her with gentle strokes.
"All right, enough bullying the little one. If Saiguu finds out, she'll give you trouble."
"Tch. That woman is troublesome… but…"
Luo Li's eyes slid to Makoto with far too much mischief.
To others, she was the exalted Electro Archon—mighty, revered, divine.
To him, she was simply a beautiful woman.
"But after all these years, I've learned a trick or two for dealing with her. Besides, in front of the master she adores so fervently"—his eyes flicked toward Makoto—"she'll restrain herself."
Makoto laughed softly. "Perhaps."
Their conversation was interrupted by a voice drifting up from the stairway:
"Talking so happily—why not let me join you?"
Luo Li turned—and saw two very familiar figures.
Kitsune Saiguu. And Raiden Ei.
Leading the way was Saiguu, with white hair and golden eyes, dressed impeccably in the shrine's ceremonial attire. Her fox ears flicked adorably as she walked, though her peach-blossom eyes shimmered with mischief.
Her clothing imposed a dignified, sacred air—but it only sharpened her natural allure. The blend of sacred priestess and seductive fox spirit was uniquely hers.
Luo Li sat up properly. "Perfect timing—we were just talking about you two."
"Oh? Saying bad things about me again behind my back?" Saiguu teased.
"Where does this prejudice come from?" Luo Li immediately denied.
Before their banter grew into a full sparring match, Makoto interrupted gently and turned to her younger twin.
"Ei, how did it feel—your first time presiding over a divine festival?"
Ei hesitated, visibly troubled.
"…Please don't make me do that again. I'm really not suited for it."
Everyone laughed.
Since founding the Shogunate, the twins divided responsibilities—Makoto governing, Ei commanding. Their system kept Inazuma running flawlessly.
Throwing Ei onto a public stage so suddenly would unsettle anyone.
Makoto held back a mischievous smile. She lived for teasing her little sister.
"Well done today. Next time—do your best again!"
She pulled Ei close, comforting her.
"…Next time?"
Ei wanted to refuse, but Makoto's gentle authority left her no chance.
"As compensation for your hard work," Makoto added brightly, "I'll take all of you to the Yutou Commission later. A good bath will ease the fatigue."
"The… Yutou Commission?" Ei blinked.
Makoto pointed toward the classical estate opposite the Tenryou Commission.
"Recently, someone from the Finance Commission suggested bringing in a foreign style of bathing. The construction just finished, and they requested I test it personally."
Ei hesitated.
Meanwhile Luo Li was openly staring at the Raiden twins side-by-side.
Even after centuries, their beauty struck him like a blow every time.
Makoto's kimono was soft and flowing.
Ei's… was not.
A tighter fit accentuated her shape.
A black choker encircled her delicate neck, a red ribbon tied at the front. Her collar was partially open—revealing her collarbones, though a black shoulder guard concealed a hint of skin.
The parting of the kimono's front created a tantalizing dip; her willow waist was wrapped with a pink-and-gold sash.
The hem stopped mid-thigh, and unlike her bare-legged sister, Ei wore thigh-high black-violet stockings. The faint indentation they made against her skin was… devastating.
Her gold-inlaid armguards added a heroic edge to her elegance.
And the tiny mole beneath her eye? Absolutely lethal.
"…Finance Commissioner finished it already?"
Luo Li's eyes lit up. "Great! Let's go try the mixed bath. A bit of foreign culture is good for the soul."
Saiguu raised a brow but didn't object—she simply tossed the decision to others with a sly grin.
Classic Saiguu behavior.
Ei opened her mouth to refuse. "I don't—"
Luo Li cut in smoothly.
"After a long day, and a life as monotonous as yours? Trying new things is important, otherwise the world will leave you behind."
Ei paused.
Her gaze drifted to him.
She remembered the day—centuries ago—when this stranger appeared in Inazuma, worked his way into the Shogunate, and became one of their most trusted pillars.
Even Makoto relied deeply on him.
His power rivaled that of gods; his governance skill was just as frightening.
Much of Inazuma's prosperity was thanks to him.
And he was the only one who could defeat Ei in a duel.
"…Very well."
Makoto clapped once. "Perfect! Since no one objects, let's head out!"
The older shrine maiden's charm was on full display as Saiguu grinned knowingly.
Lost in thought, Ei stepped aside. Makoto picked up her parasol and rose gracefully.
One by one, they followed.
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