Under the curious gazes of everyone around them, the two began strolling through the market street. Ogura happened to notice the Shogun and immediately recognized her—after all, she was the same young lady who had once been seen accompanying Lady Kamisato Ayaka. She almost called out, but seeing Ei beside her, she hesitated and only gave a small wave instead.
So this woman really was a noble of the Shogunate—no wonder she could stay at the Shogun's side and even be close to Lady Ayaka. High-ranking people indeed.
The Shogun gave her a polite nod in return.
"You know her?"
Ei asked.
"Sort of. Ayaka once ordered some clothing from her."
The Shogun replied.
"Oh... you seem quite used to this sort of outing. Do you often go shopping like this?"
Ei asked curiously, her tone soft and caring.
"Yes. When I'm bored, I sometimes go out for a walk."
"I... won't restrict you, but still—when you go out alone, be careful. Don't wander off recklessly."
Ei spoke in the gentle, instructive tone of a mother.
"..."
The Shogun turned toward her, speechless.
"What is it?"
Ei tilted her head, not understanding.
"I'm not a child."
The Shogun replied in a low, faintly sulky tone.
"But in my eyes, you are a child. Even if you dislike hearing it, that's simply the truth."
"Haa... whatever you say."
The Shogun averted her gaze, sounding slightly pouty as she refused to continue.
"..."
Ei noticed her silence, her violet eyes flickering slightly. Had she said something wrong again? Today was supposed to be a cheerful outing together—had she already managed to upset her daughter?
"To change the subject... are the citizens still trading with Mora nowadays?"
She asked, trying to shift the mood and keep her daughter from dwelling on irritation.
"Mm."
The Shogun gave a short reply.
"...Do you have any?"
Ei followed up, mostly just looking for something to say.
"...Not telling you."
The Shogun turned her head slightly, answering in a tone that carried mock annoyance.
"Hmm... I don't have any Mora."
Ei replied without disappointment, as if simply sharing a fact. The way she spoke almost made her sound cute—like a mother fumbling to keep a child entertained in a one-sided conversation.
"I guessed as much."
"Well, there's no need for currency within the Plane of Euthymia. And if I need something, I can simply have the Commissions deliver it."
Ei explained as they walked, her voice calm and thoughtful.
Strangely, she was the one speaking the most today. Usually, she was quiet, but now she seemed to be taking the lead in their conversation—perhaps because she wanted her daughter to relax.
"But you're different. You said before that you sometimes go out for a walk, didn't you? In that case, having Mora is essential."
As she spoke, Ei lightly brushed her fingers over the back of the Shogun's hand, her tone gentle and reasoning. Their steps matched perfectly—not too fast, not too slow—a steady, unhurried rhythm.
"...I don't have any Mora."
The Shogun muttered, sounding faintly exasperated.
"You do."
Ei replied with a soft smile, completely unaware of how awkward she was making her daughter feel.
"..."
The Shogun gave her a blank look.
"Don't worry. I won't let you spend money on me. There's no need to lie, Shogun."
Ei pressed her hand to her chest, speaking with such sincerity that the Shogun could only stare helplessly.
Yes, she truly meant it—she wouldn't make her daughter spend money on her. In fact, if she had any herself, she'd gladly spend it for her daughter. Perhaps that was simply... a mother's instinct.
Unfortunately... she was broke. Not a single coin to her name—her pockets were cleaner than her face.
"I—ugh... forget it."
The Shogun sighed. She'd originally planned to treat Ei today, maybe even surprise her with a small gift—but somehow, this had turned into an awkward mess. So much for her plan. Hmph, so dull!
Her enthusiasm for shopping dropped by half instantly. All your fault, you hopelessly straightforward woman! she grumbled inwardly, pouting as she sped up her pace.
"?"
Ei blinked as the Shogun suddenly strode ahead, confusion flickering across her face.
Had she said something wrong again? Was there still distance between them after all?
Sigh...
She quickened her steps to catch up, then gently tugged on the Shogun's sleeve.
"?"
The Shogun blinked in surprise, slowing down as Ei tugged her a little closer.
"Don't walk too far from me... I'm afraid I'll get lost."
Ei said softly, almost embarrassed.
"..."
The Shogun sighed quietly, and then—without a word—slipped her hand beneath her own sleeve and gently clasped Ei's hand beneath hers.
"!"
When Ei felt her daughter's hand take hers, warmth bloomed quietly in her heart. She gently returned the gesture, their hands hidden beneath the wide sleeves of their kimonos, concealed from view and safe from prying eyes.
"Everyone seems... rather well-behaved. Is it always like this?"
Ei glanced around. The townsfolk along the street looked tense and reserved. Even the shopkeepers had gone silent, their chatter subdued to murmurs. The usual bustle of a market street was entirely gone.
"No... not usually."
The Shogun replied calmly.
"Is it... because of us?"
Ei asked, puzzled.
"To be precise... because of you."
"Me? Oh... I suppose that's to be expected, given how I look right now. Should I perhaps dress more casually next time?"
She tilted her head thoughtfully. Maybe she could wear her old outfit from her days as "Shadow"? Or just something simple—ordinary clothing for once. She really didn't own much in the way of casual wear... perhaps she should consider buying some.
The two crossed the small arched bridge and arrived at the lower district of Hanamizaka.
Just then, Ei's gaze fell upon a small street stall in the distance. The vendor appeared to be a young man, and from what she could tell, he was selling food of some kind. The stall looked quiet, with few customers.
Curiosity stirred in her eyes.
"That stall over there... what is he selling? I don't recall ever seeing food like that before."
She pointed toward it, glancing at the Shogun beside her, still holding her hand.
"Let's go take a look."
The Shogun followed her gaze, then took the initiative to lead her toward the stall. Since Ei had finally shown interest in something, she wasn't about to let the chance slip away—this was exactly what today was for, after all.
The stall was located near the Adventurers' Guild, a quiet corner where business slowed to a crawl after sundown. It was calm, peaceful—almost too quiet.
As the mother and daughter approached the small food stall, they discreetly released each other's hands.
"Good evening—"
Ei greeted naturally.
But the moment the young vendor looked up, his eyes widened in shock.
"W-wah! Sh-Shogun-sama! Forgive me!"
The vendor—Tomoki, who ran the stall—immediately pressed his palms together and nearly fell to his knees in panic.
Pfft...
The Shogun barely managed to suppress a laugh, turning her gaze aside to keep from smiling. Was this really the image she projected to the public? Well... maintaining a dignified persona was part of her job, after all.
"There's no need for such formality. I'm simply here to relax for a while and look around."
Ah, truly her mother. Seeing the young man's terrified reaction, Ei instantly understood and responded with practiced composure, using the Shogun's tone of voice—dignified yet gentle. Her speech carried just a touch more warmth than usual, but that subtle difference was enough to show their unspoken harmony.
"Y-yes, ma'am..."
Tomoki rose nervously, barely daring to look at her. His gaze flickered between Ei and the elegantly dressed woman beside her—the umbrella-bearing beauty—and he had no idea which one he should be addressing.
"W-would you like... something to eat?"
He asked awkwardly, his eyes darting mainly to the umbrella-bearing woman but occasionally back to Ei.
"Could you tell me a bit about what you're selling?"
Ei gestured toward the food displayed on the stall.
"..."
The Shogun had been about to speak, but seeing how eager her mother was, she decided against it. It was rare for Ei to show such curiosity.
Well, that was fine too.
As long as Mother was happy, that was all that mattered.
Upon hearing Ei's question, Tomoki immediately rushed back to his stall in a fluster. He was nervous—tremendously so—but also deeply honored. After all, this was an event that might only happen once in a lifetime: the great Raiden Shogun herself had deigned to visit his humble food stand!
Could it be that his hard work had finally paid off?
"O-of course! I sell all sorts of snacks here—takoyaki, dango, and... milk, among other things."
Tomoki hurriedly laid out the mentioned dishes on the counter, presenting them neatly for her inspection as he began explaining in detail.
"..."
Ei's violet eyes drifted across the food before her, scanning the array of items with quiet curiosity. She recognized most of them—or at least, she'd heard of them before—but...
"Milk? Why milk?"
The Shogun, who had been listening in, asked the question that was on both their minds. Milk felt oddly out of place among the other snacks—was it meant to be a beverage? If so, why not sell tea or juice instead?
"Ah, well... this is actually my shop's specialty, heh."
Tomoki scratched his head awkwardly. He'd heard similar questions from other customers before. Yes, the pairing was strange—but he liked it that way. Still, being questioned by two high-born women made him break into a nervous sweat. Especially since the elegant woman beside the Shogun radiated grace that rivaled her own. Was she... the Shogun's daughter? Some secluded noble lady hidden from the public eye?
"'Specialty'? What do you mean by that?"
Ei asked, genuinely curious now. There was a spark of interest in her eyes.
"Yes... you see, there are many long-established shops in the city. No matter what I sell, I can't compete with them."
Tomoki seemed eager to share his story. Perhaps it was his chance for recognition—or at least, a once-in-a-century promotion opportunity. If the Shogun herself tasted his food, his stall might just become famous overnight!
"Hmm..."
Ei crossed her arms lightly, listening with genuine attentiveness.
The Shogun, watching her mother from the side, couldn't help but relax at the sight. Seeing Ei so engaged and interested put her heart at ease. She had been worried that her mother was only humoring her today, forcing herself to join the outing. But now... it was clear she was enjoying herself.
"So I thought, if I can't beat the other shops, I might as well create something new—something unusual. That way, customers can enjoy something fresh and unique."
As he spoke, Tomoki reached under the counter and pulled out several small bottles, placing them neatly in front of them.
Both Ei and the Shogun leaned forward curiously.
They were drinks, each bottle wrapped in paper of soft gray and white hues, sealed with a beautifully tied ribbon at the neck. The design was elegant, refined—clearly crafted with care.
"This is...?"
Ei tilted her head slightly.
"This is my latest creation—'Dango Milk.' The dango is blended into a thick, chewy texture, mixed smoothly with milk."
As Tomoki explained, the Shogun's eyes lingered on the bottles, a hint of skepticism in her expression.
Would that even taste good...?
She didn't voice it, but the doubt was evident in her gaze.
Ei, however, seemed intrigued rather than doubtful.
"These 'Dango Milk' drinks aren't about flavor—they're about novelty! A new kind of texture, you see!"
Tomoki's voice grew animated, as though he were giving a passionate sales pitch.
"Dango mixed with milk... Hmm—how curious. And what inspired you to create this?"
Ei tapped a finger lightly against her arm, her tone calm and thoughtful. Once, she had clung so tightly to the idea of Eternity—but now, she found herself drawn to the creativity and changefulness of the world instead.
"Ah! F-forgive me, Shogun-sama! I didn't mean any disrespect toward 'Eternity!'"
Tomoki suddenly paled, misunderstanding her question completely. To him, it sounded like she was asking, 'Are you defying my concept of Eternity?' He immediately broke into a cold sweat, dropping to his knees and pressing his palms together.
"Oh? Since you mean no disrespect, then what makes this an 'exception'?"
Seeing the young man's reaction, the Shogun couldn't help but feel a mischievous urge rise within her. She spoke again, lowering her voice ever so slightly—just enough to sound intimidating.
"Eh~!! N-no, Shogun-sama! I swear I didn't mean it!"
Tomoki yelped, trembling as he nearly dropped to his knees once more.
Slap~
Ei turned her head slightly and lightly tapped her daughter's hand, her crystalline violet eyes shimmering with a trace of gentle reproach—silently telling her to behave.
"...Haa."
The Shogun sighed, saying nothing further. It had only been a passing impulse to tease him a little—she hadn't expected such an overblown reaction. Definitely a miscalculation.
Ei turned her gaze back to the kneeling young man and softened her tone.
"I told you, there's no need for such formality. Relax yourself."
Her voice carried calm reassurance, meant to ease his nerves. As for the mischievous daughter beside her... that would be dealt with later.
"Sh-Shogun-sama?"
Tomoki looked up cautiously, his face still pale.
"The Eternity I seek would never be swayed by something as trivial as dango and milk."
As she said this, she glanced meaningfully at the Shogun beside her, as if to make a point.
"..."
The Shogun narrowed her eyes slightly in quiet disapproval, her expression saying, 'Really? Did you have to look at me while saying that?' It had just been a little joke—no need to make it sound so serious!
"...Understood."
Tomoki slowly rose to his feet, still looking a bit confused. Something felt different about the Shogun today—she seemed... gentler, kinder, more approachable. Oddly enough, it was the woman beside her whose voice and demeanor reminded him of the usual, fearsome Shogun.
His eyes flickered toward the umbrella-bearing woman almost unconsciously.
"What are you staring at me for?"
The Shogun caught his glance immediately and spoke up with a faintly dark undertone, her expression cool and just a bit menacing—as if to say, 'Keep staring and I'll show you what "cold sweat" really means.'
"Eek! N-no, it's nothing! Actually, uh—this whole thing started by accident!"
That tone—this had to be the real Raiden Shogun! Terrified, Tomoki quickly turned his gaze away and rushed to explain the origin of his creation.
Ei listened attentively, occasionally nodding in understanding. She truly seemed interested in the story of this "Dango Milk."
"I had made too many dango one day when a friend came over for tea. Since they couldn't finish, they gave me the leftovers."
He explained, finally regaining some confidence as he spoke.
"But there were too many, and the milk I had wasn't selling well either. Both would have spoiled soon..."
"So, I just decided to mix them together for fun. And by pure chance, when I got the proportions right—it actually tasted pretty good."
By now, Tomoki's expression had brightened again, his voice brimming with sincerity. It was clear he genuinely cared about his craft. You could always tell when someone put their heart into what they did—and the Shogun could see that too.
"Oh? Born of coincidence, was it? How interesting... Could I try a cup?"
Ei's tone grew light with curiosity as she smiled gently, asking as if proposing a small favor.
After hearing his story, she couldn't help but want to taste it herself. After all, she was already here—why not indulge a little?
"Huh? Y-you want to try it, Shogun-sama?! Of course! Right away! And would this young lady like a cup as well?"
He turned nervously toward the Shogun, waiting for her reply.
"I'll pa—"
The Shogun began, intending to decline. She wasn't particularly confident about something called Dango Milk.
"She'll have one too. Thank you."
Ei interrupted smoothly, deciding for her without hesitation.
"O-of course! Please wait just a moment!"
Tomoki hurried off to the cart, excitedly preparing their drinks on the spot.
"...?"
The Shogun turned to look at Ei, who met her gaze with an all-too-familiar, knowing smile.
"I don't—"
The Shogun started again, only to be cut off once more.
"Drink with me. I'm thirsty."
Ei's calm tone left no room for argument. She had already anticipated her daughter's protest.
You think you can get out of this? Ei thought smugly to herself. Nice try.
"Haa... fine. I'll drink it."
The Shogun sighed quietly in resignation. It was her mother's day out, after all—she'd just go along with it.
Still, as she watched Tomoki bustling about preparing the so-called "Dango Milk," she couldn't help but frown slightly.
Right... when it's ready, she's drinking first.