By the time Kael and Ayato returned to the Kamisato estate, the sun was already setting.
The moment they approached the gate, they spotted Kamisato Ayaka standing there with the help of a maid, her eyes fixed on the path as if she'd been waiting forever.
As soon as she saw Kael and Ayato appear, she hurried forward to meet them.
"Brother, Kael, where did you two go?"
Kael and Ayato exchanged a brief glance, silently agreeing not to mention their meeting with the Raiden Shogun.
"I took Kael to meet some of the Yashiro Commission's subordinates," Ayato said calmly. "Now that he's back, it's time for him to start taking on some of our work."
"I see."
Ayaka let out a soft breath of relief, though she couldn't help adding a hint of complaint. "Brother, Kael just came back. There's no need to rush him."
She still wanted him with her a little longer.
"Alright," Ayato answered with a helpless smile.
It was only an excuse he'd come up with on the spot, but the truth was he had intended to let Kael start handling work soon.
With the recent reshuffling of the three Commissions, the Yashiro Commission had become the leading Commission among them, which meant they had more responsibilities than ever.
And now that the Sakoku Decree had been lifted, Inazuma was in a crucial period of rebuilding.
Ayato was drowning in work. If he could split himself in two, he would.
But since his beloved little sister had spoken, he could only accept it.
Seeing the tired look in Ayaka's eyes, Kael stepped forward and gently lifted her into his arms.
"How long were you standing out here?"
"Not long… Kael, I want Golden Crab tonight."
"No. Crab is too cold for you right now. I'll make Stir-Fried Shrimp instead."
"Mm… alright."
Trailing behind them, Ayato shook his head with a sigh.
Great. Once she's wrapped up in her husband, she forgets all about her brother.
How could Ayaka not notice the dark circles under his eyes from working nonstop?
It looked like he'd have to keep burning the candle at both ends for a while.
---
Kael stayed close to Ayaka for a while longer.
Her health was improving rapidly. Under Kael's constant cooking and care, her cheeks had finally filled out again, restoring her bright, radiant beauty.
Once Ayato was sure she was truly recovering, he brought up his request again.
"Ayaka, I need Kael back to work!"
Unlike Ayaka, who looked more and more stunning with each passing day, Ayato had become visibly worn down.
He'd been working around the clock, and it was taking a toll. His once elegant Noble Young Master image was barely holding together.
When Ayaka saw the state he was in, guilt tugged at her chest.
She had been selfish these past few days.
Not only had she been unable to share the workload, she'd also monopolized Kael by her side.
She lowered her gaze. "You've worked really hard, Brother. I'm fine now. Let Kael help you."
She cast Kael a reluctant look.
These days had been some of the happiest of her life.
Every morning she opened her eyes, Kael was the first person she saw. She could cling to him, talk to him, eat with him… every moment felt warm and full.
His gentle care had become a comfort she didn't want to let go of.
But Ayaka knew she couldn't keep him tied to her.
Kael had ambitions and dreams. More than anything, he wanted to make Inazuma a better place.
She couldn't let her selfishness hold him back.
Besides, their journey ahead was long.
She wasn't going to leave Kael for the rest of her life.
---
When Kael first began handling Yashiro Commission work, he was completely overwhelmed.
Unlike the version of himself who'd grown up in Inazuma in the simulation, the Kael from this world had no idea how anything worked. He was starting from zero.
Fortunately, he had his "masochist" Talent here.
Every morning, he and Ayato sparred. After being beaten for a few days, all of Kael's stats improved dramatically.
His Intelligence did too.
Once he got past the rough beginning, he quickly grew more confident.
He soon became perfectly capable of handling the Yashiro Commission's affairs with ease.
As his responsibilities expanded, Kael began meeting more and more people throughout Inazuma.
Rumors spread quickly.
A man in the Kamisato Clan who looked exactly like the White Crane Young Master? The whole city soon heard about it.
"Wasn't the Kamisato young lady on the verge of death? I heard losing the White Crane Young Master hit her too hard, and she couldn't handle the grief."
"So the Kamisato Clan found someone who looks like him to comfort her, and that cured her."
"Wow… that guy's luck is insane. Just because he looks like the White Crane Young Master, he married into the Kamisato Clan and became nobility overnight?"
But those who had received Kamisato Kael's kindness were outraged.
"Looks mean nothing. Can he compare to the White Crane Young Master? Can someone like him ever replace a man like that?"
Rumors twisted as they spread, growing more ridiculous by the day.
"I heard that impostor came knocking on their door himself. He tricked the young lady and is now trying to seize power from the head of the clan."
During that period, Kael felt the strange looks from every guard in the Yashiro Commission.
Wherever he went, their eyes seemed to say the same thing.
Scumbag.
These rumors only stopped when the Yashiro Commission posted an official announcement.
The announcement made everything clear.
The man who looked like the White Crane Young Master was the real Kael.
He had sacrificed himself for Inazuma. His devotion moved the Raiden Shogun, who revived him through a secret technique.
All previous rumors were completely false.
With that, the uproar across Inazuma exploded even louder.
---
"Lord Kael, please forgive me! I was disrespectful before!"
The guard who had spoken harshly to Kael knelt before him, bowing his head to the floor three times.
"If you're still angry, I'm willing to commit seppuku!"
"…there's no need for that. Get up first."
But the guard refused to lift his head.
"My younger brother has a Vision. He only escaped the Tenryou Commission because of your help. You saved my family. I insulted a benefactor… I don't deserve to live!"
Kael quickly grabbed the guard by the arm and pulled him up.
"You didn't know who I was. Having doubts was normal. You were only doing your duty."
Kael gave his shoulder a firm pat. "I'm glad the Yashiro Commission has someone as loyal as you."
The guard's eyes went red with emotion. "Lord Kael, I—"
"Alright, that's enough. I'm not upset. Let it go."
When the guard finally walked away, Kael let out a tired sigh.
Ever since the announcement, people had been lining up to apologize.
Inazuma had this habit of trying to commit seppuku over everything. If one more person drew a Sword in front of him, he might actually pass out.
Ayaka stepped out from her room and spotted Kael with that helpless expression. She couldn't help smiling.
She walked up and straightened his collar. "The White Crane Young Master really is popular."
"Quit teasing me."
Kael tapped her nose lightly. "How about I make Mondstadt Hash Browns for lunch today?"
No matter how busy he was, Kael always came home at mealtimes to cook for her.
Ayaka adored foreign dishes. The moment she heard his suggestion, her eyes lit up.
"Really? I've always wanted to try Mondstadt food."
Kael smiled, ready to say something, but a servant suddenly hurried in.
"Lord Kael, someone is requesting an audience."
"…please don't tell me it's another apology."
"Did they give a name?"
The servant bowed. "It's the commanders of the Resistance."
Kael froze.
His survival had already reached Watatsumi Island?
"Bring them to the study. I'll be right there."
---
Next Target 1000PS:)