"Did you find your room?"
Kokomi asked knowingly, though her tone feigned casual curiosity.
"...No."
The Shogun answered honestly.
"Then, allow me to show you the way..."
With that, Kokomi rose gracefully from the edge of the bed and took a few steps forward. The Shogun followed closely behind—after all, this was Kokomi's home, and it only made sense to let her take the lead.
"After showing you the room, I was thinking... haa... I'd like to... take you... to—mm..."
Mid-sentence, Kokomi suddenly faltered. A sharp pain struck her head, forcing her to clutch her forehead as her breathing grew uneven and strained, her voice breaking between shallow gasps.
"...?"
The Shogun froze at the sudden change, confusion flickering in her eyes as she turned toward her.
"To... the shrine... behind the mountain... for a... little... walk..."
Kokomi's vision began to blur, the world spinning around her. Dizziness clouded her thoughts, and her consciousness started to slip—but through sheer willpower, she forced herself to finish her words.
Her body weakened, her steps faltered, her thoughts scattered.
Thud~!
A moment later, her body gave out completely, collapsing to the ground.
"!"
Reacting instantly, the Shogun darted forward, catching the girl from behind before she could hit the floor. She pulled Kokomi's limp form into her arms just in time—had she fallen straight onto the hard floor, she could've been badly hurt.
"What's wrong with you?!"
She sat down quickly, holding Kokomi close, her tone edged with alarm.
"..."
The girl in her arms was breathing weakly, her eyelids half-lowered and unfocused, her lips pressed together as though in pain.
"Hey, Sangonomiya!"
The Shogun raised her voice, gently cupping Kokomi's pale cheek and turning her face toward her.
"Haa... haa..."
Kokomi's breathing was shallow, uneven. She didn't respond right away.
"This is bad..."
Seeing her in such a state, the Shogun's expression darkened. She turned toward the door, ready to shout for help.
"Someone—"
"Please... don't... call... anyone..."
But before she could, Kokomi weakly lifted her hand and pressed it against the Shogun's, her voice trembling with frailty.
"Why not? You're clearly ill!"
For once, frustration crept into the Shogun's voice.
"It's fine... I'm just... a bit overworked. Shogun-sama... please... do me... a favor, will you?"
Kokomi's eyes slowly regained a bit of focus as she pleaded softly.
"Just say it. At a time like this, don't bother asking if it's okay."
The Shogun snapped, her tone impatient—but her eyes betrayed her worry. This girl always made her anxious. From the very beginning, it had been this way.
"There's... a back door... around the corner of the corridor. Please... take me outside through it."
Kokomi murmured weakly.
"Do you still have any strength left?"
The Shogun asked.
"A little..."
Upon hearing that, the Shogun carefully lifted Kokomi's upper body from the ground, then crouched down in front of her, offering her back.
"Hold on."
"Mm..."
Kokomi's delicate arms looped weakly around her neck, her body relaxing completely as she leaned forward, resting against her back.
"Ready?"
"Yes."
Step...
The Shogun rose to her feet, wrapping her arms carefully around Kokomi's legs and adjusting her grip so the limbs were securely draped around her waist. With steady steps, she carried Kokomi out of the room.
Beyond the back door of Sangonomiya Shrine stretched the serene beauty of the mountainside. A winding path ran between the slopes, leading deeper into the forested hills. Following Kokomi's directions, the Shogun began walking toward the depths.
"...So warm."
Kokomi murmured softly against her neck.
"My body heat?"
The Shogun asked while walking.
"...Mm."
Kokomi answered faintly. With her breath brushing against the back of the Shogun's neck, each exhale sent a subtle, tingling warmth through her skin—both distracting and oddly intimate.
"...Your breath tickles."
The Shogun complained quietly.
"...Sorry..."
Hearing her complaint, Kokomi obediently shifted her nose away from the skin of the Shogun's neck, resting her cheek gently against her shoulder instead.
"Don't talk... you'll faint again if you push yourself."
The Shogun scolded softly.
"Shogun-sama—"
"Don't talk~!"
"Mm..."
Chastised, Kokomi fell quiet, her silence tinged with a faint hint of wounded pride.
"Haa..."
The Shogun sighed quietly and quickened her pace, finally reaching the destination Kokomi had mentioned—a small, natural pond. It wasn't large, but big enough for one person to soak and swim freely. The water was clear and blue, small fish darting gracefully through the depths.
Splash~
Above, a gentle waterfall fed the pool. The stream wasn't turbulent, its sound soft and calming. Around the edges bloomed lotus flowers, completing the tranquil scene.
"This is it... please set me down on the stone platform..."
Kokomi murmured weakly.
Turning her back toward the platform, the Shogun carefully bent her knees, lowering Kokomi from her back and helping her settle onto the flat stone. Kokomi sat there, first slipping off her shoes, then inching forward along the stone until she sat at the edge, letting her white-stockinged legs dangle into the spring.
"Haa~"
The moment the cool water soaked through the thin fabric of her stockings, a sigh of relief escaped her lips. Then, without hesitation, she released her hold on the edge, sliding gracefully into the water—without even removing her clothes.
Splash~
The sound of water rippled through the clearing. Beneath the surface, Kokomi curled up like a mermaid, her arms wrapped around herself, her long hair flowing weightlessly in the water. In the shimmering blue, she looked like a sleeping beauty suspended beneath the surface.
The Shogun said nothing, simply turning her back and sitting cross-legged on the edge, arms folded as she waited patiently for the girl to recover.
Blub~
A few bubbles rose to the surface. The Shogun turned her head instinctively.
Splash~!
Kokomi suddenly broke through the water's surface, emerging like a lotus from the pond. The motion of her arched body, paired with her soaked, translucent robes, was almost too mesmerizing—a vision of a mermaid reborn from the depths.
"Haa... haa..."
Kokomi brushed her wet hair back, sweeping her bangs from her forehead as her complexion regained its color—she looked far better than before.
"Are you alright now?"
The Shogun asked with concern.
"Yes, much better."
Kokomi caught her breath and smiled softly. Then, without hesitation, she let the fabric slip from her shoulders, baring her smooth, glistening skin to the open air—revealing the elegant curves of her figure.
Still half-dressed, Kokomi sank back into the water again, her motions graceful and fluid. Like a mermaid at home in her element, she glided effortlessly across the pond, her movements driven not by her arms but by the rhythmic sway of her hips and legs, tracing gentle ripples across the water's surface.
Splash~
Less than a minute later, she rose again, wiping water from her face before swimming toward the edge where the purple-haired woman sat. However, she hadn't put her top back on, and when she stood up slightly, the entire scene before the Shogun's eyes was... far too vivid.
"///~!!"
The Shogun's face flushed bright red as she jerked her gaze away, turning her entire body aside.
"///..."
Kokomi blushed faintly as well, though she fully understood the reason behind the Shogun's reaction. Still, she made no move to cover herself, instead leaning back against the far side of the pond, her body still submerged beneath the warm spring water.
"Thank you..."
She murmured softly.
"...It's nothing."
Came the Shogun's muffled reply.
"..." ×2
An awkward silence settled between them. Kokomi reclined against the pond's edge, her back turned toward the Shogun, while the Shogun sat rigidly at the outer rim, refusing to look back. The two remained frozen like that, caught in the gentle stillness of the springs.
"Shogun-sama..."
Kokomi's gentle voice broke the silence a moment later, soft and hesitant—clearly, she was just as shy.
"...What is it?"
The Shogun paused for a second before answering, her tone subdued.
"Why... won't you turn around?"
Kokomi asked softly.
"You... haa... you're asking something you already know///"
Her face flushed pink as she looked away.
"Pfft..."
Kokomi couldn't help but laugh at her reaction, though she herself wasn't much better off.
"Don't laugh. What's so funny about that?"
The Shogun snapped, frowning lightly.
"I'm sorry... I just didn't expect you to get embarrassed so easily... Shogun-sama."
Kokomi quickly stifled her laughter, her tone apologetic.
"...Is that so strange? You're the one who's being improper."
The Shogun turned back just long enough to retort—but the moment her gaze landed on Kokomi's bare back, she froze. The soft lines of her shoulders, the smooth skin at her neckline, the alluring curves—
"I wasn't being improper—"
Splash~
Kokomi turned around suddenly, her tone faintly aggrieved as she looked at the Shogun to defend herself. But she hadn't realized that the Shogun had also turned around at the same moment. Their eyes met—so did the sight before them.
"..." ×2
Both froze.
"///!!"
Splash~!
The Shogun reacted instinctively, scooping up water with her hand and splashing it directly onto Kokomi's face!
"Wah~!"
Kokomi gasped softly, covering her face as the cool water hit her. Her startled cry was unexpectedly adorable.
Why was she the one being splashed? Wasn't it supposed to be the other way around? She was the one who should've been flustered—not attacked! So unfair!
Kokomi pouted internally, still covering her damp face.
"Could you at least put your clothes back on?"
The Shogun asked in exasperation.
"...Why?"
Kokomi blinked innocently, wiping water from her face—her tone almost indignant.
"What do you mean, why? We're both women—"
"Exactly. Because we're both women, it's fine, isn't it?"
Kokomi interrupted calmly, her voice as composed as ever—though her soaked form was anything but.
"Haa... you really are..."
She sighed inwardly, too tired to argue further, and turned her back again.
"..."
Kokomi watched her turn away once more, her eyes dimming slightly. She brushed aside her damp pink hair and leaned forward against the pond's edge, resting her arms on it and pressing her chest lightly into the water.
"You can turn around now."
Her tone was soft—almost disappointed.
"?"
The Shogun turned her head hesitantly. Kokomi was now lying against the edge, her body hidden beneath the surface with only her collarbones visible above the water.
"Ahem..."
The Shogun cleared her throat awkwardly before shifting to face her from the side.
"You're really... pure-hearted."
Kokomi rested her cheek on her folded arms, gazing up at her with gentle, affectionate eyes as she spoke in a teasing tone.
"That's a rude thing to say."
The Shogun's body stiffened, and she narrowed her eyes in mild annoyance.
Kokomi didn't respond, simply continued to watch her with quiet warmth. Then, slowly, she reached out—her damp hand brushing softly over the Shogun's gloved one, resting lightly atop it.
"..."
Her gaze turned distant, thoughtful, her fingers trembling faintly against the soft fabric.
The Shogun didn't pull away. She looked down at the hand over hers, then at the girl beside her, and sighed quietly.
"Touching me with wet hands..."
Tap~
She gave the other's hand a light, teasing pat.
"!"
Kokomi blinked, regaining her senses as she pulled her hand back slightly. She noticed that the Shogun's black silk glove now bore a few dark, wet marks where her fingers had touched—contrasting sharply against the smooth, fair skin above it.
Tap~
Then, as if intentionally defiant, she placed her hand right back where it had been, gently rubbing it again with quiet stubbornness, further dampening the fabric.
"What's wrong with you?"
The Shogun didn't react to the small gesture this time. Instead, she finally voiced the question that had been bothering her—why had Kokomi suddenly collapsed earlier?
"...?"
Kokomi blinked, looking up at her blankly, as though she hadn't quite understood.
"Haa... I mean your body. Why did you suddenly faint?"
The Shogun sighed, repeating the question patiently.
"Mm... it's nothing serious. I was just... 'out of condition,' that's all."
Kokomi understood her concern and shook her head gently to reassure her. Though, truthfully, she was the one who needed reassurance right now—but she wouldn't show it.
"'Out of condition'?"
The Shogun frowned.
What kind of explanation was that?
"Mhm..."
Kokomi nodded obediently, still resting her delicate hand atop the Shogun's.
"When you're 'out of condition,' you faint like that? Isn't that a serious issue?"
The Shogun asked with a mix of confusion and frustration.
This was clearly an illness—why wasn't she treating it seriously? How could she take her health so lightly?
—She didn't understand. Everything about this girl puzzled her, as if her logic ran in circles.
"It's not like that... It's just worse than usual today. Haa... my 'energy'... ran out for the moment."
Kokomi hesitated slightly before answering truthfully, her voice weak and fading. She still hadn't recovered.
"...What?"
The Shogun froze. "Energy?"
"Energy," Kokomi repeated softly.
"Energy—you mean... you're a doll too?!"
The Shogun was genuinely startled. If she needed to recharge, didn't that mean she wasn't human? Like her? Though, unlike Kokomi, the Shogun didn't actually need recharging.
"A... doll? No, no, it's just a metaphor," Kokomi explained quickly, realizing the misunderstanding. "It's just that... I can't always maintain that intense, constant state of focus. Haa... It's... exhausting."
Her voice weakened again as she rested her head on her arm, looking utterly drained.
"I see... so you've been overworked. I suspected as much—seeing how tired you looked before, I had a feeling."
The Shogun nodded knowingly. That moment earlier when she'd held her forehead—of course, that had been a sign too.
So it was just a metaphor after all. Haa... she really scared me there.
"Haa... looks like I still haven't mastered hiding it. I'll have to... keep training."
Kokomi's tone dimmed, tinged with disappointment and fatigue. Her thoughts grew slightly pessimistic under the weight of exhaustion.
"Idiot~"
The Shogun muttered under her breath, half a sigh, half a scolding.
"Shogun-sama... do you really... dislike me that much?"
Kokomi's voice trembled faintly, lips pursing in visible hurt.
Pinch~!
A second later, the Shogun reached over and gave a light pinch to Kokomi's hand resting on hers.
"Ow~!"
Kokomi winced, her eyes narrowing slightly from the sting, but she didn't pull away—perhaps she didn't have the strength, or perhaps... she didn't want to.
"I meant your behavior is idiotic,"
The Shogun clarified bluntly.
"My behavior?"
Kokomi blinked in confusion.
"Why force yourself like this? Why call it 'training'? Wouldn't it be better to simply take care of yourself properly?"
The Shogun asked, her tone a blend of exasperation and concern.
"Because I'm the Divine Priestess."
Kokomi answered quietly.
"And I'm the Raiden Shogun,"
The Shogun countered.
"It's not the same. My body's frail... Even if I'm no ordinary human, I'm still far weaker than you."
"All the more reason to protect your health! You already know you're weak, yet you push yourself anyway?"
Her voice rose slightly, carrying a rare intensity—one that made it impossible for Kokomi to argue.
"...Because I'm the Divine Priestess. I'm Watatsumi Island's only leader. I don't want my people to see me as weak."
Kokomi's tone softened again, but her words were resolute.
"Don't place so much weight on your title. Sometimes, those very responsibilities only weigh you down."
Even as an artificial being, Ei still ensured she rested properly each night—she even enabled her sleep function for that very reason. So how could this fragile, flesh-and-blood priestess neglect herself so carelessly?
"..."
Kokomi fell silent.
"You don't want to disappoint your people—I get that. But there's a limit, isn't there? When you break your body like this, what will you gain? Their praise? Your own pride? No—you'll gain nothing. Only the pain of exhaustion and a mountain of work left undone."
Tap~
This time, the Shogun turned her hand and held Kokomi's instead—reversing the gesture.
"..."
Feeling the warmth of that firm yet gentle grasp, Kokomi looked up. Their gazes met—two different hues of beauty locking together. In that moment, their eyes reflected only each other.
—
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