Chapter 5: Shadow: Ah, Miko, shall I cook for you?
Ayumu took a stroll through the main city of Inazuma, accompanied by his shadow. 👥
Even though the vendors and shop owners had been forewarned, they still greeted Ayumu with respectful expressions. Upon seeing his shadow, they quickly bowed and exchanged greetings. Overall, the experience was rather pleasant. 😊
Meanwhile, following them from a distance was Kujou Sara, her eyes filled with astonishment. In her eyes, the revered Shogun was now walking hand in hand with a young man on the streets. And they seemed to be quite happy together. 😲❤️
While she knew that this young man was likely the enigmatic leader of the group, it still felt abrupt to see him holding the Shogun's hand so casually. Sara thought it was a bit excessive, especially since she, a woman, had never held the Shogun's hand. 😤🙅♀️
Kujou Sara's displeasure was evident on her face, her frustration clearly visible. Just then, she sensed movement in the nearby bushes. Shortly after, a girl with vibrant orange hair and a playful appearance peeked out. 🌿
"Hey there, General Kujou... are you also tracking the group leader?" the girl teased. 😄
"Well... you see, I don't have the Eye of Perception like you do," Sara retorted, looking at Yoimiya with a hint of annoyance. 😒
"Hehe, not going to confess, huh?" Yoimiya laughed, spreading her hands in an innocent gesture. 😅
"Hmph, not falling for that," Kujou Sara replied with a touch of pride. 🙄
Had this encounter happened a few days ago, she would have immediately acted to confiscate Yoimiya's Eye of Perception. However, ever since the appearance of the mysterious chat group and the sudden change in the Shogun's demeanor, the matter of the Eye of Insight seemed to have been put on hold. 🕵️♀️📱
For several days now, the Shogun hadn't shown any interest in the Eye of Insight. Unbeknownst to Kujou Sara, this was all due to the malfunction of the puppet Shogun. Although it had been repaired, the one controlling the puppet's consciousness had become Ayumu's shadow. 🌑🛠️
"Hehe, General Kujou..."
"Just call me Sara."
Watching Ayumu and his shadow approaching a fabric shop run by Kokomi Komura, Kujou Sara couldn't help but wonder, Could the Great Leader be buying clothes for the Shogun? 🛍️
This thought sent a shiver down her spine. Looking at Yoimiya beside her, Kujou Sara pondered, "You got here early. What have the Great Leader and the Shogun been up to?" 🤔
Increasingly convinced that something was amiss, Sara found the Shogun's behavior to be extremely out of character.
"Oh, nothing much. The Great Leader and the Shogun have been strolling around since they left the Tenryou Commission," Yoimiya replied, seemingly relieved that Kujou Sara hadn't brought up the matter of the Eye of Insight or her own abilities. 😅🙏
Taking a deep breath, Yoimiya smiled and continued, "I think it's a good thing. The Shogun getting out for a stroll allows her to better understand everyone's thoughts, don't you think?" 🌆🚶♀️
"I believe the Shogun must have her reasons. She must have been deceived in some way," Yoimiya confidently shared her perspective. 🤨🤝
"I'm not afraid of saying things that might lead to trouble. Emotions embedded in words are genuine. Even if you say something wrong and are misunderstood, using more words to resolve it is fine. But if you say nothing, the other person won't understand your intentions, and you'll miss the chance to build a closer connection." 🗣️💬🤝
These wise words from Yoimiya resonated with Kujou Sara. Indeed, ever since the Eye of Insight's execution, there had been an undeniable sense of oppression in Inazuma.
Although Kujou Sara was the most loyal underling of the Electro Archon, it didn't mean she lacked her own thoughts. With the ongoing conflict between the Shogunate and the resistance, too many lives had been lost.
In return, they received nothing but cold, unfeeling Eyes of Perception, embedded in the statue of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God.
No real meaning behind it.
"I only follow the Shogun's orders." 🗡️🚫
👋 Shaking her head, Kujou Sara brushed aside those stray thoughts. "If the Shogun decides to abolish the Vision Hunt Decree, I will certainly abide by it." 😊
Upon hearing this, Yoimiya smiled faintly. "It seems like it might not be far off now..." 🌟
---
In Little Komura's shop. 🛍️
When the Shogun suddenly appeared, Little Komura was utterly astonished. She had been busy in her shop and was unaware of the recent "activity" on the streets.
"Greetings, Shogun-sama!" 👋👘
"Are you here to look at some clothes, Shogun-sama?" 🤔👗
Almost unwittingly, Little Komura found herself asking this question. Was this something she should even be concerned about?
But what was the purpose of the Shogun's visit here?
Beside her, Ayumu looked at the neatly displayed clothes, then turned to his shadow and asked, "Would you like to pick something?" 👀👤
Honestly, the outfit the shadow was wearing was already quite attractive. It was elegant and dignified, with the white skin exposed by the black leggings being particularly alluring. 💃🕴️
"Um... Is this one nice?" 🤔
Upon hearing the voice, Ayumu's thoughts suddenly paused. He turned his head and saw his shadow standing next to a dress of pale purple, those lovely eyes looking at him. 😯👗
Oh, no way, still fixated on the color purple?
Was that the shadow's signature color?
Ayumu glanced and felt it didn't quite match, but wait... What the heck was that?
In a corner nearby, Ayumu's eyes suddenly lit up as he spotted something amazing! 😲✨
It was a schoolgirl uniform!
No way, how could this world have something like that?
"Shopkeeper, what about this piece of clothing?"
Following Ayumu's gaze, the shadow also looked towards the corner, a trace of curiosity in those eyes. 🕵️♂️👀
Did it think this style was nice?
"Ah... this design was created by a foreigner not long ago. I made one based on it, but no one was interested..."
"So, I left it in the corner. Do... do you think the Shogun-sama would like it?"
Little Komura looked utterly surprised, stammering as she spoke.
"Well, this one looks pretty good. Why not give it a try?" 😄👚👗
Ayumu nodded vigorously, his expression filled with interest.
Normally, whether he wore it or not wasn't a big deal. As long as he could catch a glimpse of his shadow in a schoolgirl uniform... that would be enough! 😄👀
---
🛍️ Little Komura picked up the schoolgirl uniform. 😮👗
The shadow furrowed its brows, earnestly assessing the uniform, feeling that something was a bit off. 🤨👔
Yet, there was an impulse within to understand what others were thinking.
Could this also be a form of understanding? 🤔
Beside them, Ayumu didn't dare to make a sound. 🙊
However, his eyes remained fixed on the schoolgirl uniform, filled with eager anticipation to catch a glimpse. 👀
"Let's try it on." 💬👗
After a long while, the shadow nodded gently. In the almost stiff gaze of Little Komura, it went to the dressing room to try on the uniform. 👗🚪
Not long after, when the shadow appeared once again in front of Ayumu and Little Komura. 👤
The dazed look was a true reflection of Ayumu's state at that moment. 😲
This... this is too good-looking, isn't it?
No, no, no, it's mainly because the person is beautiful. Whatever they wear becomes a natural hanger! 😄👚
"Not nice?" 🤔
"Why are you having a nosebleed?" 🩸
The shadow looked down at its attire, then raised its head, looking at Ayumu with a puzzled expression. 🧐
---
Across the store, Kujou Sara and Yoimiya were staring at this side. 👀
Seeing the Shogun once again appear, wearing an outfit unlike any she had worn before, left them stunned. 😲
"What is our leader trying to do... this is so embarrassing..." 😳
"The Shogun looks too stunning..." 😍
Their moods were completely different.
But undeniable was that they were both taken aback by the schoolgirl uniform's effect on the Shogun. 😮👘
So this is the style of clothing as well?
How could it look this good?
---
"This outfit, how much does it cost?" Ayumu looked at Little Komura, wiping away the drool at the corner of his mouth as he asked. 😅
He originally thought seeing it once might be enough.
However, when the shadow appeared before him wearing the uniform, Ayumu realized how off base he was.
This was just too mesmerizing, wasn't it?
"Um, one hundred... No, no need for mora. If the Shogun-sama likes it, you can take it and wear it..." Little Komura still seemed a bit dazed, feeling like it wasn't quite real.
The Shogun-sama who had been wearing the uniform just now exuded a completely different aura compared to her usual attire.
Although her expression still carried a certain aloofness, she seemed more relatable, almost like an ordinary person.
"Then, one hundred mora it is. Here's the mora. Please keep it." Ayumu smiled slightly, taking out a hundred mora and placing it on the table. 😊💰
Ayumu didn't enjoy this kind of thing, and neither did the shadow.
Leaving Little Komura's shop with the packaged clothing, Ayumu looked up. The sun was already directly overhead. ☀️
"It's noon. How about grabbing a bite to eat?" 😋
With the aim of thoroughly enjoying their outing with the shadow, Ayumu looked at it and asked with a smile. 😄
"Sure, where should we eat?" 🍔
When it came to food, the shadow's enthusiasm was clearly much higher than when it came to clothes.
"Hmm, let me think... I heard the food at the Mokutei Teahouse is good. Shall we check it out?" 🤔🍽️
Thinking back to the previous plot where he dined with Ayaka, this time, Ayumu was crossing dimensions with his shadow sister. He wondered how that felt.
---
[Yoimiya: Oh my goodness! The Shogun-sama changed her style!] 😱👗
[Kamisato Ayaka: Yoimiya, so curious. What happened?] 🧐
[Kujou Sara: Yoimiya, enough already.] 🤨
[Yae Miko: Kujou Sara, where are they? I want to take a look.] 👀🚶♀️
[Kujou Sara: Hello, Lady Yae. 😊 The Shogun and the head of the clan have gone to the Mokuryou South Pavilion for a meal.]
[Yae Miko: Goodness, they didn't even invite me for the meal. The relationship has grown distant after five hundred years. 😡]
[Kujou Sara: It seems like the head of the clan is treating them.]
Outside the entrance of the Mokuryou South Pavilion:
A tangerine cat lay at the doorstep, licking its paw. 🐱
Upon seeing Ayumu and Shadow approaching, Mokuna Anana's reaction was no different from that of Komaeda Rin.
"Ah, Shogun-sama!" 😮
"Please, Shogun-sama, come in quickly. And this person... would you like something to eat?" 😊
Mokuna Anana nervously inquired.
Ayumu pulled Shadow and sat down by the counter, looking at Mokuna Anana. "Hmm, bring us a serving of tuna sushi, also the colorful rice dumplings, grilled skewers, and grilled sunset snapper... one of each, please!" 😄
Glancing at the menu hanging at the entrance, Ayumu decided to order everything on it.
Being new here, it's only natural to try everything.
After all, they'll definitely finish it.
They might even need more.
Mokuna Anana looked at Ayumu, then at shadow, who nodded gently. "Listen to him." 😉
"Ah, alright. Shogun-sama, please enjoy some tea first. I'll get right to it!" 😅
Mokuna Anana's face froze, and after serving two cups of hot tea, she quickly scurried to the back kitchen to get busy.
Sipping the light tea, Ayumu had a smile on their face.
"How's your mood?"
Looking at shadow, Ayumu wanted to know what she was thinking.
"Well... not bad."
"A lot of things are new experiences, quite interesting, yet... dull."
"Are these the pursuits of the common folk?"
Shadow furrowed her beautiful brows, looking at Ayumu with a serious expression.
She didn't quite understand how this ordinary life could be so important. After all, she had merely issued the Vision Hunt Decree; would it truly affect these things?
"That's right, but it's not boring."
Ayumu smiled faintly, then slowly spoke. "Honestly, ask yourself, is staying alone in a tranquil paradise for five hundred years the life you truly desired?"
"Meditating alone, not eating, not drinking, not sleeping, devoid of joy or sorrow – where's the meaning in living like that?"
"Do you want everyone in Inazuma to be just like you, devoid of emotions and desires, indistinguishable from a multitude of puppets you could create?"
Shadow eyes trembled once again.
"Indeed, all she wants is an Inazuma filled with puppets."
At that moment, a mellifluous female voice suddenly came from outside.
Shadow expression underwent a drastic change, turning to look.
"Miko, it's been a long time..." 👀
----
"Yae Miko actually came? 😲"
Ayumu turned unexpectedly and saw Yae Miko, dressed in a white fitted robe, looking at him with a smile.
"Is this the clan leader?"
"Very handsome indeed. No wonder even someone like Shadow got charmed!" Yae Miko pursed her lips and smiled, sitting next to Shadow. 😄
How did the beautiful and wise Yae Miko, the priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine, know?
Glancing at the chat group, Ayumu suddenly realized.
Oh my, someone's providing a live play-by-play?
Where are Yoimiya and Kujou Sara hiding along the way?
After some thought, looking at Shadow and Yae Miko, Ayumu suddenly had an idea.
[System Notification: Clan Leader Ayumu has activated the live stream function.] 📢
The chat group interface transformed.
The left side was still mostly the chat window, but after a series of changes, the right side displayed a real scene.
A wooden house, with white lanterns on both sides.
Three chairs in a row, three figures reflected in their eyes.
[Arataki Itto: Damn, isn't this the Mokuryou South Pavilion? 😮]
[Kamisato Ayaka: Is the Shogun and Yae Miko, the priestess, and the other one the head of the clan? 😯]
[Keqing: Is this a place to eat? It looks unique. 😄]
[Xiangling: Clan Leader Ayumu, can I copy a few of the recipes from Inazuma? I want to study them. [Anticipation] 😋]
[Ayumu: No problem, Xiangling, I'll give them to you after dinner. 😉]
[Thoma: Kamisato Ayaka, isn't this Mokuryou South Pavilion? 😕]
[Kamisato Ayaka: Yes, yes.😁👍]
---
Narukami Island, Kamisato Residence. 🏞️
Kamisato Ayaka, the heiress of the Kamisato family, known as the White Heron Princess, sat at the table.
Across from her, Thoma wore a contemplative expression. "Miss, if the Shogun is leaving the Plane of Euthymia, does it mean there's hope for abolishing the Vision Hunt Decree?"
As a member of the Shrine Keepers, Kamisato Ayaka's family servant and attendant, Thoma knew what the Miss had been concerned about lately.
The start of the Vision Hunt Decree had changed the atmosphere across all of Inazuma.
As one of the Three Shrine Keepers, in charge of ceremonies and shrines, she felt it deeply.
Kamisato Ayaka, revered as the White Heron Princess, had the most interactions with the people.
Many who had their Visions confiscated were showing strange symptoms, which worried her even more.
"It's not certain yet, but overall, it's a good thing." 😊
Kamisato Ayaka softly spoke, opening her folding fan. "All of this is due to the efforts of the clan leader, but it's just a beginning. The outcome is still uncertain."
"Moreover, we don't know if the clan leader intends to abolish the Vision Hunt Decree from time to time."
The Shogun leaving the Plane of Euthymia was a strong signal.
To many, it meant new policies were about to be enacted.
As for the Shogun going out to shop, no one would believe that, no matter who it was.
Thoma was taken aback, somewhat uncertain. "Really, Miss?" 😮
"It's quite obvious. If it's not for abolishing the Vision Hunt Decree... then is the clan leader taking the Shogun out just for shopping?"
Thoma's guess was actually correct.
Ayumu's main purpose for bringing Shadow out was indeed for shopping.
The second purpose was to consider the impact of the Vision Hunt Decree and see if there was an opportunity to abolish it.
"It's not impossible."
Kamisato Ayaka nodded gently. "The clan leader's methods are profound and unfathomable, but since they've appeared, it shows that the clan leader is willing to engage with people."
"Thoma, go to the main city of Inazuma and find an opportunity to invite the clan leader to visit the Kamisato Residence." 😉
"This is my token. Please bring it to the clan leader," Kamisato Ayaka said after a brief pause, gently removing an item from her chest. 😊
Thoma looked puzzled, "Miss, inviting with the family emblem... Isn't that a bit excessive?" 😕
"However, it's the only way to show our sincerity," Kamisato Ayaka replied seriously.
Even though they could mention Ayumu in the group, that message would be visible to everyone. Some matters had to be discussed privately. 🤐
Currently, there wasn't a private chat feature.
"I understand," Thoma nodded, carrying the Kamisato family emblem, and left the Kamisato residence. 🚶♂️
---
Mokuryou South Pavilion.
Seeing Yae Miko, Shadow mood visibly improved. 😃
Although it had been over five hundred years since they last met, for beings like them, five hundred years was just a number.
"Miko, it's been so long."
"Yeah, yeah, I got it. You've said it three times already." 😄
Yae Miko looked at Shadow teasingly, pursing her lips and chuckling, "Is this how you treat an old friend? You don't even invite me for meals?" 😜
Shadow quickly shook her head, looking at Ayumu, "He's the one who made me come out. I didn't know anything."
Um. 😶
Ayumu had a perplexed expression.
Why does this sound like the behavior of a shady guy luring a little girl?
However, before Yae Miko could speak, Shadow suddenly grabbed her hand. 👀
Her serious expression left Ayumu somewhat puzzled.
"Miko, I've just learned to cook, and he taught me."
"I want to cook something for you. Is that okay?"
With a determined look, Shadow gazed at Yae Miko, her eyes sparkling with eager anticipation.
"Is that so?"
"Well, then I'm really looking forward to it!" 😊
Yae Miko arched an eyebrow, her smile growing wider on her face. 😄
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