After wandering aimlessly around the vicinity of Watatsumi Village for a while, the Shogun finally decided to head to Sangonomiya Shrine. Sangonomiya Shrine was located in the central area of Watatsumi Island—it served as the headquarters of the island and was also the residence of the Divine Priestess herself, Kokomi.
This dreamlike palace was wrapped in several large, pink shells, imbued entirely with a marine aesthetic that harmonized perfectly with the soft violet hues of Watatsumi Island.
The path to Sangonomiya Shrine was a long suspension bridge, beneath which cascaded waterfalls and layered mountains. Once across the bridge, several pink shells formed stepping platforms, leading up to a staircase before a grand gate adorned with shell motifs. Beyond that lay the front courtyard of Sangonomiya Shrine—
Vibrant flowers and plants, a patterned stone path leading toward the central palace, stone lanterns standing on either side, and a clear spring pond flowing beneath the stone bridge. On the pond stood symmetrical fish-shaped statues that sprayed water toward each other.
And directly ahead—across the stone path—stood the grand palace itself, painted in soft lavender and deep blue, with edges gracefully curved like ocean waves.
—This was Sangonomiya Shrine.
It was not yet dark. The surroundings shimmered in a radiant glow under the sunlight, and the scenery here was undeniably more vivid than the Shogun's own Inazuma City.
Tap, tap...
Feeling the texture of the shells beneath her feet, she approached the main gate. Just as she was about to ascend the stairs, a soldier standing guard stopped her.
"Please wait a moment, miss. Are you here to see Lady Sangonomiya?"
The soldier stood upright, addressing her politely.
"...?"
Her steps paused slightly as she turned her gaze toward him.
"I'm sorry, but Lady Sangonomiya isn't here right now. If you wish to meet her, you can—"
"I didn't come to find her. She's the one who asked me to come."
She interrupted his words and replied calmly.
"Eh? Lady Sangonomiya asked you to come?"
The guard froze for a moment, startled.
"This..."
She took out the badge from her pocket and held it up for him to see.
"This is—! Lady Sangonomiya's personal access pass!"
The soldier's eyes widened in surprise before he immediately bowed apologetically.
"My apologies! Lady Sangonomiya rarely allows anyone else to carry this item. I didn't realize—"
"It's fine. May I go in now?"
The Shogun shook her head slightly, unfazed by his earlier hesitation.
"Ah, of course! Please, go right ahead!"
The soldier bowed again, gesturing respectfully for her to enter.
"Thank you."
She gave a short reply, then stepped forward, ascending the stairs into the front courtyard of Sangonomiya Shrine, taking in the breathtaking colors of the palace before her.
She walked to the pond's edge, gently lifting her hem as she crouched down, wanting to touch the clear water. But when she saw the black silk gloves still covering her arms, she let out a small sigh and withdrew her hand.
Splash~ splash~
The sound of the water spraying from the fish statues echoed softly in her ears, blending harmoniously with the natural sounds around her to create a soothing melody.
Tap, tap~
A few quiet footsteps sounded behind her.
"Are you a visitor? Have you come to see Lady Sangonomiya?"
A woman's voice followed. The Shogun rose and turned around, seeing a shrine maiden with long, straight black hair. Her shrine maiden attire followed the blue-and-white theme unique to Watatsumi Island—complementing the red-and-white of Narukami Island.
"My, you're truly stunning... calling you beautiful enough to captivate nations wouldn't be an exaggeration. You and our Lady Sangonomiya would make such a perfect pair~"
The shrine maiden covered her mouth slightly in mild surprise as she spoke. It was the truth—this was the first time she had ever seen someone so beautiful visit Watatsumi Island. Was she perhaps a friend of Lady Sangonomiya? After all, from her appearance and bearing, she certainly didn't look like an ordinary person.
"You flatter me..."
Hearing the compliment, the Shogun instinctively tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, a faint trace of awkwardness flickering in her eyes before she composed herself again and looked at the maiden before her.
"My name is... ahem, my name is Raiden Mio. I'm... a friend of Lady Sangonomiya."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Tsuyuko, the Shrine Maiden of Sangonomiya, and also its housekeeper."
The shrine maiden named Tsuyuko, with her long black hair, bowed politely to her.
"Nice to meet you, Tsuyuko."
The Shogun replied honestly.
"Miss Mio, are you here to see Lady Sangonomiya? Lady Sangonomiya has gone to a meeting—it may take quite some time before she returns."
Tsuyuko said to her with slight regret.
"No, I have this. She handed it to me before leaving, telling me to look around in the meantime."
She took out the badge that Kokomi had given her and showed it to the shrine maiden as she explained.
"Ah, I see. So you weren't lying after all~ hehe."
Tsuyuko chuckled, a faintly mischievous smile forming on her lips.
"...Lying?"
The Shogun blinked, puzzled.
"Yes. At first, I thought you might be lying—pretending to be Lady Sangonomiya's acquaintance to do something inappropriate. But after seeing the badge in your hand, I can rest easy."
Tsuyuko explained calmly.
"Is that badge very important?"
She asked.
"Yes, extremely. It's one of Lady Sangonomiya's personal belongings. She never entrusts it to anyone else—you're the first. That means Lady Sangonomiya must trust you deeply, Miss Mio."
Tsuyuko smiled gently as she spoke.
"Is that so... how 'lucky' of me."
The Shogun replied with a faint, almost complaining tone.
"Hehe~ judging from the way you speak, you must really be close with Lady Sangonomiya."
Tsuyuko laughed again. That tone of voice—so casual and familiar—it clearly came from someone who knew Kokomi well. There wasn't even a trace of the awkwardness one might expect between strangers.
"Not at all. I'm not close with that woman."
For some reason, she suddenly felt a little shy. Turning her gaze away, she gave a small, prideful huff—it was almost endearing.
"Alright, alright~ not close, I understand. In any case, feel free to explore Sangonomiya Shrine as you wish. With Lady Sangonomiya's badge, you can come and go freely."
Tsuyuko couldn't help but smile playfully. She had already noticed the hint of tsundere in the Shogun's tone but decided not to point it out.
"Ahem... understood."
The Shogun coughed lightly in embarrassment and replied.
"Very well, then. Please take your time, Miss Mio."
With that, Tsuyuko turned and headed toward the main gate, leaving the Shogun alone within the shrine.
"..."
Halfway down the steps, Tsuyuko suddenly stopped and turned to glance back at Sangonomiya Shrine—at the spot where the Shogun had been standing. Her lips curved into a soft smile.
"Please take good care of Lady Sangonomiya, Miss Mio."
She murmured under her breath.
After all... that child can be a little lonely.
"Miss Tsuyuko? Is something the matter?"
The soldier standing guard at the gate noticed the shrine maiden paused mid-step, seemingly lost in thought, and asked curiously.
"Oh, it's nothing... I'm just happy for Lady Sangonomiya, that's all."
Tap, tap...
With that, she turned her gaze forward again and continued walking toward the meeting hall.
"...Eh?"
The soldier stared blankly after her, then glanced back up the steps toward the shrine.
"...What did she mean by that?"
Perhaps Kokomi had left in a bit of a hurry earlier. Though she'd arranged a room for her, she hadn't specified exactly where it was. The Shogun wanted to ask one of the shrine maidens, but she hadn't encountered anyone nearby. As a result, she had no choice but to check each room one by one.
The interior of Sangonomiya Shrine was spacious and somewhat complex in layout. Its design wasn't luxurious but instead carried a refined simplicity—an understated beauty that contrasted sharply with its dreamy exterior. Though minimalistic, it lacked nothing in atmosphere. In short, it was the perfect place for quiet work and peaceful living.
Tap, tap~
Standing by the corridor, she glanced at the door before her and knocked lightly a few times, then listened.
"..."
No response. Not a sound. Perhaps it was an empty room.
Click!
She tried turning the handle—it wasn't locked. The door opened slightly with ease.
"...Excuse me."
Out of habit, she murmured softly before slowly pushing the door open and peering inside—
It was a bedroom, filled with a distinctly feminine air. The overall tone was a warm lavender—walls, furniture, and even the carpet shared that soft, muted color scheme. The chandelier above was shaped like swimming fish.
Lavender curtains hung by the window, split neatly to both sides, allowing golden sunlight to spill into the room and brighten its gentle tones with a warm brilliance. The room itself was moderately sized—not too big, not too small. Both the bed and the furniture were arranged with deliberate care, clearly reflecting the owner's thoughtful taste. Against the wall stood a desk stacked with documents and a few... light novels?
...Light novels?
Why were there light novels here?
She blinked in confusion. Were these things truly so popular now that even remote Watatsumi Island had them?
Still, she didn't dwell on it for long. She was about to step further inside when her gaze fell on the fluffy carpet beneath her feet. Frowning slightly, she looked down at her shoes.
"Haa..."
Letting out a small sigh, she bent down and untied the silk ribbons wrapped around her ankles. The soft ribbons loosened instantly, drooping over the sides of her shoes. She then slipped her fingers between her stockinged feet and the edge of her shoes, gently pulling them free. After neatly setting them by the carpet's edge, she stepped barefoot—her delicate feet sinking lightly into the soft carpet—as she entered the room.
Her eyes were immediately drawn to the photo frame placed on the desk. Curiosity sparked, she walked over and picked it up, examining it closely.
A young girl with soft pink hair stood beside an older woman with the same shade of hair. Both wore shrine maiden-style clothing, though the younger girl didn't seem particularly cheerful—her expression was gentle but subdued, her smile faint and reserved. There was a trace of frailty in her demeanor. From her appearance and bearing alone, the Shogun could tell she wasn't the lively, outgoing type.
"...That's my mother."
"?!"
The sudden voice snapped her out of her thoughts. She turned instinctively—and there she was. The grown-up version of the girl from the photo stood right before her.
"They look alike, don't they?"
Kokomi smiled softly as she looked at the photo in the Shogun's hands.
"I never noticed it before... but seeing this photo again now feels rather strange."
"...I'm sorry."
The Shogun lowered her gaze slightly as she apologized.
"Hmm?"
Kokomi blinked in mild surprise.
"I saw that the door wasn't locked and... sigh, never mind. That's not an excuse. I shouldn't have entered your room without permission."
She admitted honestly, placing the frame carefully back onto the desk.
"Hehe, it's alright. And the fact that the door wasn't locked was my own oversight. If anyone's at fault, it's me."
Kokomi smiled gently, shaking her head in reassurance.
In truth, Kokomi had deliberately left the door unlocked. That way, the woman before her could "accidentally" wander into her room. The evidence was clear—she hadn't gone looking for the Shogun at all. Instead, she had returned straight to her room, arriving just in time to find her there. It had all been planned.
"..."
The Shogun didn't respond. Her gaze lowered instinctively, sweeping over Kokomi's bare feet encased in white silk stockings. Just like herself, Kokomi had removed her shoes before entering. So, she had guessed right—the carpet was clearly there for that very reason.
"This carpet wasn't here originally. I added it later."
Kokomi, noticing the Shogun's gaze, explained softly.
"Why so?"
The Shogun asked.
"The floor used to be plain wood, not tatami like before. Whenever I walked barefoot, it felt freezing cold—perhaps it's due to my body's constitution. So, I decided to lay down a softer rug. It took me a long time to choose this one."
Kokomi explained openly, speaking as if the Shogun were no stranger at all. As she talked, she sat down casually on the edge of her bed. Her long, slender legs stretched slightly forward, the white-stockinged feet crossing and uncrossing playfully as her toes brushed gently against the soft rug. Her entire demeanor radiated calm comfort—natural, unguarded, and quietly alluring.
"...You've finished your meeting already?"
The Shogun tore her eyes away from those teasing movements and met the girl's gaze again, asking curiously.
"Mhm. I wrapped things up early and hurried back—I was worried you might feel lonely."
Kokomi replied in a teasing tone, her shapely legs crossing elegantly as her gloved hand idly brushed along her thigh, the motion both innocent and subtly enticing. A perfect balance of purity and quiet charm.
The Shogun deliberately averted her eyes. Was she doing this on purpose? From the very start, she'd been making small, suggestive gestures—was she teasing her on purpose, knowing full well she wouldn't retaliate?
"You're overthinking it."
She muttered defensively, trying to keep her composure.
"Pfft... perhaps I am."
Kokomi smiled faintly at her reaction.
Clack...
The Shogun turned and stepped closer to where Kokomi sat, holding out the badge Kokomi had given her earlier.
"This. I should return it to you."
Kokomi reached out and gently pushed the badge back into the Shogun's palm.
"Please keep it. I'm giving it to you."
"That's not proper. Isn't this something personal to you?"
The Shogun objected firmly.
"It is. But I never really use it anyway. As the Divine Priestess, I can enter and leave Sangonomiya freely. So rather than letting it sit unused, it would be more convenient for you to have it."
Kokomi replied calmly.
"That still doesn't—"
She started to refuse again, but—
"Shogun-sama... do you still dislike me?"
Kokomi's expression turned sorrowful, her blue eyes shimmering with gentle melancholy as she looked up at her.
"Haa... that's not it."
The Shogun sighed, already knowing this trick of hers—and yet, she still couldn't bring herself to resist.
"Then prove it with action. Please accept it. Otherwise, I won't believe you~"
Kokomi smiled, tightening her hold on the Shogun's hand and giving it a small tug.
"You really are smooth-tongued."
The Shogun muttered, half in complaint.
"So~ what's your answer~?"
Kokomi teased, her playful voice turning sweet and singsong. The roles had completely reversed.
"Haa... fine, I'll accept it."
The Shogun replied softly, her voice small, her expression faintly sulky but undeniably adorable.
"Good~"
Pat~
Kokomi tugged lightly on her hand again, guiding her to sit beside her on the bed.
"..."
The Shogun gave her a quiet glare but obediently sat down. Her small act of reluctant compliance was almost too endearing—and Kokomi couldn't help but think to herself, utterly charmed:
Shogun-sama, with such an honest and docile expression... aren't you afraid one day someone might just push you down?
Meanwhile, the Shogun wondered silently why it was that every woman around her seemed to have such a scheming streak. Only Sara behaved somewhat properly.
The others? Yae Miko and Ei were sly as foxes. Ayaka and now Kokomi—both appeared gentle and composed, yet beneath that calm exterior, they were the type who could easily overpower her if they wanted. Each one was more cunning than the last.
And to think... she was older than all of them!
"(Haa... am I just too soft-hearted after all?)"
She murmured quietly under her breath.