The warm morning light slowly spread across the horizon, bathing the distant skies in hues of gold. Sunlight pierced softly through the faint clouds, gently awakening Watatsumi Island from its slumber in darkness—like a mother rousing her beloved child.
An invisible breeze caressed the island's unique flowers and plants, causing them to sway and rustle with crisp, pleasant whooshing sounds. Nocturnal creatures scurried toward the light, joining their companions to forage for food. The island's inhabitants, too, rose from sleep and began their daily labors at dawn, just as they always had. Watatsumi Island was as vibrant and full of life as ever.
At the island's heart, the Sangonomiya Shrine shimmered beneath the dawn's glow. The delicate pink shell that encased it gleamed with a faint golden sheen, becoming even more breathtaking beneath the sunlight. However—
Not even this gentle, motherly light could wake the sleeping beauty within her chamber. The room's curtains blocked most of the brightness, allowing only a single sliver of sunlight to pierce through. That golden ray happened to fall upon the young girl's face, adding a faint warmth to her sleeping features.
"Mmm…"
Feeling the gentle heat on her cheek, the girl under the blanket let out a soft, kitten-like murmur. She curled her small body deeper under the covers, but even then, the warmth still reached her. With a small, sleepy sigh, she turned to her side, back facing the light.
Her long, silky pink hair—tinged faintly with lavender—spilled over the pillow like a waterfall. Beneath the strands lay her slender neck and her delicate face. Her slightly parted lips moved with slow, even breaths that carried a faint sweetness.
Splash~
A small fish made of pure Hydro energy floated quietly in the air, swimming toward her face.
Boop~
It gently poked the tip of her nose with its tiny mouth, bouncing back a little from the contact like a small balloon drifting in the air.
"Haa…"
The girl's brow furrowed slightly at the touch, but she soon relaxed again—completely unbothered.
Ding ding~
The peaceful air was broken by a few sharp chimes. It came from a jellyfish-shaped alarm clock on her bedside table—its rounded body bobbing up and down as it rang insistently, like a mother trying to wake her child.
"Mmm… Gorou… turn off the alarm…"
Still unwilling to wake, Kokomi burrowed deeper into her blanket, her voice muffled and drowsy as she mumbled through the fabric.
Ding ding~
Of course, that was only in her imagination. No one came to turn off the clock—least of all Gorou. If anything, the clock only grew louder.
"Gorou… turn it off…"
She muttered again, voice hazy and soft as though she were still dreaming.
Ding ding~
"Go—!!"
She finally lost her patience. Throwing off the blanket, she sat up slowly, bleary-eyed, and looked around her room. Her gaze settled on the alarm clock still ringing furiously beside her bed. Without hesitation, she pressed it down with a decisive click.
Click!
—Peace at last.
"…Goro what? Ugh…"
She sighed, muttering to herself. Her mind still felt foggy. The last thing she remembered was dozing off at her desk last night—so how had she ended up in bed? The thought made her frown faintly.
Her room had been empty then, so she must have crawled into bed half-asleep. That explained why she hadn't even changed clothes. She was still wearing her usual outfit—a flowing, translucent white-and-lavender garment that resembled a jellyfish's ethereal form. The long ribbons and sleeves lay limp across the bedspread, and the collar had slipped slightly down her shoulders, revealing smooth skin and the soft shimmer of her cleavage.
At least she had taken off her stockings. Her white thigh-highs with lavender trim were tossed carelessly beside the bed, not even folded.
"Haa… my head hurts… I must've slept terribly."
Perhaps it was the result of her frequent late nights—her head throbbed faintly the moment she awoke. Her delicate face reflected a trace of self-blame as she let out a quiet sigh, then slipped her stockings back on. The gradient white-and-lavender silk hugged her shapely legs perfectly, outlining their graceful shape. Hugging her knees, she crossed her legs gently, the white silk brushing softly together. Now fully awake, she turned her gaze toward the purple raincoat and matching umbrella hanging neatly by the wall—gifts from someone dear. She stared blankly for a moment.
"Haa…"
Another soft sigh escaped her lips. She rose from the bed and walked to the window, pulling the curtains open wide. Sunlight flooded in, bathing the room in gold. She raised a hand to shield her face, then opened the window to let in the crisp morning air.
A few minutes later—
After greeting the shrine maidens, she finally stepped out of Sangonomiya Shrine, a piece of seaweed-shaped hair ornament lightly held between her lips as she prepared to tie up her hair.
"Lady Sangonomiya!" ×N
Just as she exited the hall, several familiar male voices called out to her—it was her squad captains.
"You're all up early."
She paused briefly, glancing at them before walking toward the reflecting pool. Using the water's surface as a mirror, she began tying her hair, replying casually without turning around.
"..." ×N
But none of them spoke again. The air fell silent.
"…?"
She looked back at them, puzzled.
"You've all come this early… is something the matter?" she asked while finishing her hair. Her soft, pale-pink locks were tied neatly into a long ponytail shaped like a butterfly's wings.
Normally, this would be a shrine maiden's task—but she preferred to handle her hair herself. She had made that clear before. Still, she could already guess why her officers were here.
"Uh…" ×N
The men exchanged uneasy glances. None of them wanted to be the first to speak—but eventually, someone had to.
"Lady Sangonomiya!"
Ookubo stepped forward at last.
"What is it, Captain Ookubo?" she asked, unsurprised. She had expected him to be the first to speak.
"Ahem, we heard that you intend for us—the Resistance—to negotiate peace with the Shogunate?" he asked formally, chest puffed out.
As expected… she sighed inwardly. But—
"It's not the Resistance," she corrected calmly.
"Eh?" he blinked.
"The war is over. The Resistance no longer exists. From now on, you are the Sangonomiya Army. Captain Ookubo, please mind your wording."
Her tone was firm but not harsh, her arms folded as she addressed him.
"Y-Yes, Lady Sangonomiya… the Sangonomiya Army," he replied reluctantly, his voice betraying mild dissatisfaction.
"As for peace talks—yes, you're right. That is what I intend."
She spoke directly, without hesitation. Moving to the other side of the long wooden table used for meetings, she stood with her arms crossed, facing them with quiet authority.
"This…" ×N
The men exchanged uncertain looks, murmuring among themselves. Their expressions made it clear—they did not want peace.
"Lady Sangonomiya, you mustn't!" one of the generals stepped forward in protest.
"Yes! Please reconsider!"
"I also think this is unwise!"
Several others chimed in, their voices growing anxious.
"Lady Sangonomiya, countless soldiers have given their lives for this war! This path was built on the bodies of our fallen brothers! We're so close to victory, and now you want peace with the Shogunate? That would make their sacrifice meaningless!"
"Yes, my lady! Do you really think this is fair to the warriors who died fighting for you?!"
"...Haa."
Kokomi's heart tightened painfully. The weight of their words stirred both sorrow and frustration within her. She recalled something the Shogun had once told her.
"When the Resistance was founded, it was to oppose the Vision Hunt Decree. But now that the decree has been abolished, the Resistance no longer has a reason to exist—nor to fight."
Her voice was calm but cutting as she spoke to them.
"In my eyes, peace talks are the only right choice. It's because so many have died that we must now stop the fighting. We owe it to their sacrifice to seek peace—not endless war."
"!" ×N
The men exchanged uneasy looks. Though none dared to contradict her further, resentment lingered in their hearts. Their pride and grief still burned fiercely, unwilling to fade.
They had long forgotten their original purpose—what had begun as a noble cause had become a cycle of vengeance. Even now, with the decree gone, they could not lay down their weapons.
"That's enough. If there's nothing else, you may all go."
Kokomi sighed softly, recognizing the stubborn fire in their eyes. "Dismissed."
"Yes, my lady…" ×N
One by one, they bowed and departed.
"Haa…"
She sank into her chair, resting her arms atop the table and burying her face in them, exhaustion weighing on her.
"...My energy… it's fading."
Her voice was barely a whisper. She could feel her body growing weaker by the day. She had never been physically strong, and the strain of constant strategy and command had drained her further. Every day, her fatigue deepened; sleepless nights turned into long hours of work, her mind never allowed to rest.
Over time, even her dreams had turned to nightmares. Last night had been her first peaceful sleep in days—the first time she'd truly rested.
(Ugh… so tired.)
Her back ached, her limbs felt heavy. "How awful… am I really falling apart?"
—
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