...
His name was Thoma—personal retainer and loyal attendant to Miss Kamisato Ayaka. Though he served as a housekeeper of the Kamisato household, he would often head out to take on small jobs like he was today, helping merchants with deliveries or errands. For someone as sociable as him, such work was second nature.
Most merchants in Hanamizaka recognized him by now, greeting him warmly whenever he passed. Many who needed an extra hand would call for his help, and Thoma always delivered—earning not only fair pay but their trust as well.
"Thoma, I just got a new batch of goods in today. I'm short on help—mind lending a hand later? Same pay as usual."
"Of course~! I'll head over to the Kamisato Estate first, then come right back to help you."
He answered the elderly shopkeeper with his usual sunny smile.
"Thoma, heading to the Kamisato Estate again today?"
Ogura Mio, the tailor from the nearby clothing store, called out cheerfully as the orange-haired young man passed by.
"Ahaha, yeah. Miss Kamisato's been really busy lately—I've got to help out however I can," he replied with an embarrassed laugh, scratching the back of his head before quickening his pace.
It was midday in Hanamizaka, and the streets were bustling with people. The sounds of footsteps and lively chatter filled the air. Thoma instinctively picked up his speed—Miss Kamisato had mentioned moving on to the next stage of their plan, and if he delayed, things could get troublesome.
However, things didn't seem to be going smoothly this time—
"Huh?"
He suddenly felt a strange gaze on him, a prickling sensation at the back of his neck. He slowed and turned slightly, noticing several Tenryou Commission soldiers behind him, staring straight at him.
No mistake—they were watching him, and even amid the dense crowd, he could tell for sure.
What's going on…?
He furrowed his brows slightly. Had he done something wrong? Broken a law somehow?
Feeling uneasy, he tried to move faster—but within seconds, the situation worsened.
Not just from behind—he could now feel eyes on him from both sides. The sound of approaching footsteps grew louder and closer. Looking around quickly, he saw multiple Tenryou Commission soldiers pushing through the crowd toward him, faces stern and unfriendly.
You've got to be kidding me…!
He couldn't let them follow him to the Kamisato Estate—that would spell disaster. He needed to lose them somehow.
Tap…
"Uh!"
Before he could think of a plan, he ran straight into someone—a solid chest stopped him in his tracks. Thoma stumbled back a step and looked up to see a burly shogunate soldier glaring down at him, eyes cold and sharp.
"Oh, uh… s-sorry about that! I wasn't looking where I was going, hahaha…"
He quickly forced a nervous grin, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.
"You're… Thoma, correct?"
The soldier produced a wanted poster, comparing the sketch to Thoma's face, his tone as frigid as his expression.
"Uh… w-wait, who's Thoma? Oh—me? No, no, you've got the wrong guy! I'm Tom! Just an ordinary citizen, haha~!"
Sweat beaded on his forehead as he tried to laugh it off.
"This looks like you, doesn't it?"
"Uh… wow, you're right! The resemblance is uncanny! But, see—there's a slight flaw here. I mean, I'm definitely more handsome, and, uh, the hair! You see? The poster doesn't even have color! What if the guy's got green hair, huh? Then you'd be arresting the wrong person!"
"Regardless, resemblance or not, you'll have to come with us. Please."
The soldier gestured with a motion that clearly left no room for refusal—the kind that said resist, and we'll pummel you.
"W-wait, sir, let's talk about this—"
"Move."
"..."
Oh, crap… this was bad. Really bad. And to make matters worse, more soldiers were approaching from behind, closing in. If he got surrounded, he'd have no chance of escape.
Alright, Thoma, think! Time for a distraction—classic diversion move!
"Officer, sir, if you'll just—ah! Isn't that Miss Ogura over there? I'll help you with your delivery in a bit, okay!"
He waved enthusiastically toward an imaginary person ahead.
"?" ×N
The soldiers instinctively turned their heads to look where he was pointing—only to find no one there.
"!!"
Now!
Tap, tap!
...
The next second, he bolted straight into a nearby alley!
The surrounding soldiers, realizing they had been tricked, immediately turned around and spotted Thoma's retreating figure.
"Stop!!"
"After him!" ×N
The soldiers shouted as they drew their weapons and charged in pursuit, chasing after the orange-haired youth.
In an instant, the bustling streets of Hanamizaka turned into a full-blown chase scene straight out of a movie—several Tenryou Commission samurai sprinting after Thoma, who darted through obstacles with nimble, almost acrobatic movements.
Tap, tap…
"Huff… huff…!"
Thoma panted heavily as he sprinted deeper into the alleyways—but fate had other plans.
"Haa… damn it… a dead end."
Before him loomed a sheer wall, too steep to climb easily.
Tap, tap, tap! ×N
And the sound of pursuing footsteps was closing in fast.
No choice!
He took a running leap, grabbing onto the uneven stones of the wall, trying to haul himself up. Stretching his leg, he kicked at a roof beam to push himself higher—but then—
"Ahem~!" ×N
"…"
Uh oh…
Hearing several deliberate coughs behind him, he froze mid-motion and slowly turned his head. Below him stood several soldiers, arms crossed, watching him like a monkey at a fair. The scene was painfully awkward.
The leading soldier met his eyes, raised an eyebrow, and motioned with a finger for him to come down.
"…A-alright, alright."
Thoma glanced upward at the wall he had only half-climbed, sighed in defeat, and dropped back down to the ground.
"Heh… gentlemen, surely we can talk this out, right?"
He scratched his head nervously and offered his trademark sheepish grin.
"Thoma, correct?"
"N—"
"Hmm~?"
"Y-yes! Yes, that's me! Haha… forgot my own name there for a sec, whoops!"
"Mind telling us why you're resisting arrest?"
He blinked. "Resisting? Wait—why are you even arresting me? I haven't done anything wrong!"
"Vision."
"!"
At that single word, his body tensed instinctively. His expression hardened—but only for a moment before he forced another uneasy smile.
"Ohh, so it's about that, huh? Well, easy enough! You can just tell the Shogun herself that I'm—"
"There's no need to trouble the Shogun with trivial matters. You're coming with us."
Clank…
Before he could respond, two burly soldiers grabbed him firmly by the arms, locking him in place. He couldn't move even if he tried.
"W-wait!! At least tell Kujou Sara! She'll vouch for me—!"
"Shut up!" one of the soldiers barked impatiently.
"I—I serve the Kamisato family! You've got no right to arrest me!"
"Kamisato family? Hah! That's exactly why we're arresting you, you idiot! Take him away!"
"Yes, sir!" ×N
"Wait!! Miss Ayaka—!!"
And just like that, Inazuma's most sociable housekeeper was dragged off by shogunate soldiers—becoming the so-called 'lucky recipient' of the Shogun's one-hundredth Vision confiscation ceremony.
...
Today, Ayaka was not practicing her swordsmanship as usual. Instead, she paced back and forth in her room, folding fan in hand, deep in thought as she tried to plan the next steps for the future.
First, she needed to check on Master Masakatsu's injuries—if they were severe, it would be troublesome. Moreover, the recommendation letter she had written for the Traveler was ready; it only needed to be delivered.
"Thoma—!"
She called out clearly toward the door.
"…"
No answer. Not even the sound of his familiar footsteps.
"...Thoma?"
She paused for a moment, frowning slightly as she called again.
Where was he?
It was unusual. Normally, Thoma would respond the moment she called—he was dependable and attentive, one of the reasons she trusted him so deeply. But today… something was off.
"Thoma!"
She raised her voice again. Still, no response.
Strange…
She stepped into the entryway, slipped on her shoes, and gently slid open the door, stepping outside the Kamisato Estate to look around.
No… something isn't right.
A growing sense of unease filled her chest. The estate was unusually quiet today—too quiet. Something must have happened.
She returned to the hall, clutching her fan tightly, brows furrowed in thought—
"Miss Kamisato!"
The front doors suddenly slid open.
Turning around, she saw one of the waitresses from Komore Teahouse rushing in, her face pale and breath hurried—it was clear she had urgent news.
"What's happened?" Ayaka asked, her unease deepening but her voice calm and steady.
"I just saw it—Thoma! He was taken away by soldiers of the Tenryou Commission!"
The woman spoke in a panicked tone.
"...Are you sure you saw correctly?"
"Yes! I saw it with my own eyes—it was definitely Thoma!"
"...Taken away? For what reason?"
Her expression wavered only briefly before returning to calm composure, her ice-blue eyes narrowing slightly as she questioned further.
"I think… it had something to do with his Vision."
"Their intent is to confiscate Thoma's Vision?" Ayaka pressed.
"I believe so."
Of course—it had to be Kujou Takayuki's doing again. Another scheme to suppress the Kamisato family, a show of dominance. She knew all too well the kind of man that sly old fox was—always finding the dirtiest ways to achieve his ends.
"Haa… this is bad."
She sighed softly, turning away as she began pacing again, her complexion paler than usual.
"I also heard… the Tenryou Commission is treating this particular confiscation very seriously. They've even been preparing a major ceremony for it these past few days."
At those words, Ayaka froze mid-step, her gaze lifting sharply.
"A major ceremony?"
If Thoma had known about something that big, why hadn't he told her?
So cautious… even she hadn't foreseen this.
"Yes… it seems Thoma's Vision will be the one to make the count reach one hundred. They're calling it the 'Vision Hunt Ceremony.'"
"..."
Ayaka fell silent, eyes narrowing further in deep thought as she began forming a strategy.
The room grew utterly still—the only sound was the faint rhythm of her breathing.
"And… from what I heard, this ceremony is so important that the Shogun herself will appear in person to collect the Vision."
"!"
Her eyes lit up at once. It was as though a spark of revelation had ignited within her—this could be the opportunity she'd been waiting for.
"You said… the Shogun will appear personally?" she asked, unable to hide the excitement and determination in her voice.
"Yes, Miss Kamisato. But… what do you mean by that?"
The waitress looked confused.
"…"
Ayaka lifted her fan, holding it lightly before her face as she began walking forward, lost in deep contemplation. The light caught the edge of her hair as her graceful figure turned partially away—her attendants had seen this sight many times before: the posture of their mistress when she was quietly forming a plan.
If the Shogun truly intended to appear in person… then this might be a heaven-sent opportunity. If Ayaka could seize this chance, perhaps she could convince the Shogun to visit the Kamisato Estate—and meet with her directly.
For that, she would need a messenger. But who could she send? She herself could not go—it would be too conspicuous. Then who—
Swish…
The door slid open again, almost as if on cue.
"Ayaka! Where's Thoma?!"
The voices came from Paimon and Aether, who had come searching for Thoma as well. Since they were already involved, perhaps… she could use this to her advantage.
A glint of icy light flickered in Ayaka's eyes.
"Paimon… Traveler."
"Ayaka! Is Thoma with you? We haven't seen him all morning," Paimon asked, her usual innocent tone completely unaware of the tension in the air. Aether too looked at Ayaka with concern.
"Thoma… sigh… Thoma has been taken away by the Tenryou Commission."
"Eh?! Taken away?!"
Both Paimon and Aether exclaimed in shock.
"The Shogun will be holding a 'Vision Hunt Ceremony' at the Statue of the Omnipresent God—to confiscate the one-hundredth Vision. And the bearer of that Vision… is Thoma."
Thoma was a member of the Kamisato household—normally, that should have protected him. Which could only mean one thing: Kujou Takayuki was behind it. It was another one of his moves to pressure the Yashiro Commission, a show of power. She knew that old fox's tricks all too well—always scheming, always striking from the shadows.
Her brows furrowed tightly as she gazed at the dimming sky outside the window.
"Wait—could the 'ceremony' Thoma mentioned the Tenryou Commission was planning… have been this one all along?!"
Paimon clutched her head, her thoughts spinning in shock.
"…" ×3
For a long moment, none of them spoke.
"No… I have to go save him."
Her voice was quiet but resolute—and she immediately turned to leave.
"W-wait! Ayaka!"
"Calm down! You're the 'Shirasagi Himegimi,' the White Heron Princess of the Yashiro Commission!"
Both Paimon and Aether hurried to stop her.
"You can't go! If you show up yourself, it'll look like the Yashiro Commission is openly opposing the Shogun! If that happens, the entire Commission could be dragged into this!"
"Even so… I can't abandon Thoma. He's a member of the Yashiro Commission—I will not forsake him."
If she personally intervened to stop the Shogun, Kujou Takayuki would surely use it as an excuse to accuse the Yashiro Commission of rebellion. It would be disastrous. Yet even knowing that, Ayaka was prepared to act—because she already had a plan.
"There's no time… I'm going."
She moved again, intent on leaving—
"Let us go instead! Thoma's our friend. We can't just stand by and do nothing."
Aether's voice stopped her.
"Yeah! We can handle it! We're really strong, you know!"
Paimon puffed her chest proudly. They'd dealt with the gods before—what was one Raiden Shogun to them? If it came down to it, they could just fight and snatch Thoma back.
Aether nodded in agreement, flashing Ayaka a confident smile.
"But… how can I let the two of you—"
Ayaka's gaze softened as she 'hesitated.'
"You said it yourself, didn't you? There's no time to waste."
Aether urged again.
"…Very well. Thank you, both of you. I'll be waiting for your safe return."
Her expression relaxed into a gentle smile, and she bowed politely in gratitude.
"Don't worry~! It's about saving a friend's life—we won't mess this up! Let's go!" Paimon said proudly, hands on her hips. Aether smiled beside her, sharing the same determination—not just for Thoma, but for the girl standing before them.
"Wait—one more thing."
Ayaka stopped them just before they could run off.
"?" ×2
"When you arrive… simply mention the name 'Kamisato Ayaka' to the Shogun. That will be enough."
"Got it!" Paimon nodded, though a bit dismissively.
"And one more thing—under no circumstances must you draw your weapons against the Shogun."
She spoke that final line with grave emphasis.
"Uh-huh~! We got it! Let's go, Aether!"
Whether they truly understood or not was another matter entirely. The two quickly took off, heading toward the site of the ceremony—the Statue of the Omnipresent God in front of Inazuma City.
"…"
As the doors closed behind them, Ayaka exhaled softly and turned back toward the quiet hall.
"Miss Kamisato… are you planning to use them to draw out the Shogun?" the teahouse girl asked cautiously.
"Shh… best not to speak of it aloud. Just understand it in your heart," Ayaka replied quietly.
"Yes, my lady…"
Ayaka walked once more to the window, gazing out at the darkening sky. Her ice-blue eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
Given the Shogun's nature, if she learned that the two were connected to Thoma and the Yashiro Commission, she would almost certainly come to question Ayaka personally. When that happened… it would be her best chance.
As for danger, it should be minimal—she had warned them explicitly not to fight the Shogun and to mention her name. Unless… they acted rashly.
But… surely they wouldn't be that reckless, right?
They wouldn't… right?