Kamisato Ayaka, was a dilligent and earnest woman.
Day by day, she would refine herself in all matters related to becoming the noble woman that people saw her as today.
She had started when she was just a child, wishing to alleviate some of the the burdens her elder brother, Kamisato Ayato, received when both their parents had sadly passed away. Thus, the burden of ruling the Kamisato Clan, and the Yashiro Commission had became paramount duties they inherited since then.
To her, it did not matter to her if she was not gifted.
What she could not do once, she would do so trice, dozens, fifty times, perhaps even more than that if it made her come closer to the word—perfection.
Whether it were to be the ways of the sword or matters of literature such as poetry, she would dedicate herself to them.
And yet, now in the present, when the people of Inazuma looked up to her as what she, herself, strove to be, she persisted to train herself.
Perfection, after all, is a concept even the gods cannot fully fathom or attain.
So, when a mortal herself, aims for such a thing...
Who are the gods to not be moved?
Even the people under the rule of Eternity look at her with adoration, call her with words of praise, hailed by a title they deemed only she could have as the Princess—Inazuma's Shirasagi Himegimi.
However, as they say, admiration is the furthest emotion from understanding.
While people placed her on a padestal, believing her to be the epitome of what a noble lady should be—beautiful, elegant, and everything noble like, they did not know the woman beneath all of that.
Not as the woman who was admirably given the title of Shirasagi Himegimi by the people who adored her,
Nor as the young lady who bears the name of the clan who leads the Yashiro Commission, the Kamisato,
But as Ayaka—the child who grew up knowing she had to, knowingly sacrificing the joys of the ordinary in exchange to help her brother and the stabilization of the Kamisato Clan itself.
In such an environment, even Ayaka herself understood that she, yearned for things she had once abandoned.
And so, what would she do?
From time to time, she would indulge herself in things she thought she usually wouldn't be able to do as the young lady of a prestigious clan.
Making a midnight snack for herself, sneaking out to have a walk around Inazuma, and now, something that had recently became a favorite past time of hers, reading a novel which had brought a new concept of how stories could be portrayed, starting a whole new cliche of how people could build their world upon as she strolled around Chinju Forest.
One day, perhaps even...
—No, even that would be too much indulgence.
However, today, giving a bit of time to herself, she decided to once again read the novel that had tugged at her heartstrings as she went to the forest near the Kamisato Estate in the early hours of day, going to her usual spot whenever she did so.
Something about sneaking around at such a time of the day just to read sparked mischief within her. Like a child that could be caught for staying up so early because they were enjoying their favorite thing too much.
Once Ayaka had arrived at her go-to-spot, she realized there was someone there.
A young man who just sat there, looking at the vast grove otherwise known as Chinju Forest.
She could not see her face as it was the man's back that was facing her. But, she knew that this man was anything but ordinary.
From how he sat was a practiced, and yet, natural elegance. Even without having to look at him face to face, she could feel the exuding aura that was refined and surrounded him that seemed to say that even if the Shogun were after him, he would persist.
Suffice to say, it wasn't of arrogance, but of full confidence in oneself.
Though, one question did come to Ayaka's mind,
Who was the man before her?
He carried the vibe of a noble, and yet, she had not seen him in any gatherings.
She softly shook her head, erasing her thoughts before they could continue.
Speculating would not help, instead, it would be better to strike a conversation when the opportunity was given, and as so, it arrived.
But suddenly—
Ayaka's eyes had widened, her calm demeanor shook gently at the scene now taking place in front of her.
Could it be?
A soft and sacred glow illuminated by the man's side, and as if was truly so, even the moon casted its gaze upon them, the ambiance like a ceremony of sorts.
Shortly after the glow had dimmed, Ayaka herself could confirm it.
A Vision!
At this moment, she could not help but be curious.
As much as one, like, Ayaka, could be.
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"Excuse me," A soft-spoken voice sounded through the quiet grove, and one, Yuuto heard as he awoke from his reverie.
Although it was soft and quiet, it was naturally noticeable among the serene ambiance that nature had to offer.
Yuuto stood up, his legs not numb but rather ready to journey through the entirety of Inazuma by foot even in such a position for quite some time.
To ease one's mind does wonders even on the body.
He dusted himself before turning, and then, Yuuto realized the person who was in front of him.
The treasure of Inazuma's people—the Shirasagi Himegimi, Kamisato Ayaka.
It was surprising to find her considering the time and her status. But if one were to consider where the Kamisato residence was, then perhaps it was not rare to notice Kamisato Ayaka from time to time if one was lucky.
However, there was another thing...
As Yuuto thought so internally, his face was calm and serene, never changing.
With a small smile on his face, he replied, "I did not expect that this would be how I would meet the esteemed Shirasagi Himegimi. What can I do for you, Kamisato Ayaka?"
Ayaka couldn't help for a moment, but admire Yuuto, however, she quickly regained her bearings.
In return, Ayaka reciprocated a small smile of her own seeing how he was open to talking.
For a moment she thought of what to say, waving her hand dismissively, "There is no need to talk to me so formally, I am not doing my duties given the time of day. So please, speak comfortably with me as you wish."
"If that's the case, I'll do so."
"Is there anything you need from me?"
Ayaka shook her head, her smile just a bit higher than before seeing how the man in front of her was now treating her.
While she was surprised that someone was willing to actually act as such towards her, somehow...
She couldn't help but feel it was nice—refreshing even to have someone view her not with tinted lenses nor on a pedestal, but as two people just conversing, having a chat.
"No, no, if I may... that Vision." Ayaka pointed at the ground near Yuuto, "It's yours, isn't it?"
Following the direction in which she pointed, Yuuto recognized that there was indeed a Vision there.
He blinked for a moment, and nodded.
"It appears so."
Then, he grabbed it as if it was a rock.
As soon as physical contact was made, it glowed a bright blue, as if to confirm who it belonged to.
"I did not expect to be granted a Vision out of all times..."
Especially since now that he was a Vision holder, if his assumptions were correct, he would also have to be weary of the decree to be ordered in the near yet distant future.
"The deities are out of the scope of what we could ever fathom. Just as how we, as her people, can only ever follow through with what the Almighty Shogun wishes." Ayaka replied earnestly.
"You could be correct," Yuuto commented passingly, "The three commissions really do have such a faith for her Excellency."
"Of course, it is only natural as we serve her."
Yuuto naturally agreed with her statement, although it was not known too many, the Kamisato Clan was spared of perishing due to the grace of Guuji Yae, who was the Shogun's servant, and by extension, her own will.
Then, time passed quickly as they continued conversing.
Both found out that they had similar hobbies which were the arts, however, mostly being literature.
They also naturally introduced themselves properly, especially Yuuto since Ayaka didn't know much about him.
At some point, Yuuto had asked Ayaka why she was there given it was still so early.
She couldn't help but reveal the reason was to enjoy reading Yuuto's novel, which he then revealed himself to be the author of.
It was a shock, especially to her as Yuuto actually went by a pen name that was far from his real name, 'Yuya Akira' (A/N: Is that a reference?!)
Like that, she then turned into one of those fans who were able to suddenly encounter theur favorite celebrity or youtuber.
=====================================================================
"It seems we've conversed for quite some time." Yuuto couldn't help but comment as the sun was now visible even within Chinju Forest.
"Yes..."
At Yuuto's comment, Ayaka knew what that naturally meant.
It was time to part ways, and once more for her to attend to her duties.
She couldn't help but feel saddened at the thought considering she was able to eargerly talk about many things she was passionate about with him.
Alas, time truly was fleeting.
Yet, as if Yuuto could sense what she was thinking he said with a smile, "We can always meet once more, I plan to come here daily at the same time."
"If you're free once more, then if you wish, we could once again converse."
Hearing what Yuuto said, Ayaka beamed happily as both shared their goodbyes and headed their own ways.
For Yuuto, the system's notifcation suddenly popped up.
[New Simulation Target: Kamisato Ayaka]
As for Ayaka, when she shared breakfast with her brother, Kamisato Ayato, and dear friend Thoma...
Both of them were surprised to found out that she—
"I made a friend today."