Clack!
Watching the fair hand place a shogi piece onto the board before her, she frowned in slight difficulty. Her slender fingers unconsciously rose to support her chin in a thoughtful pose.
"...I see. So Musou Isshin possesses such mysterious and unbelievable power. Truly, as expected of Shogun-sama."
After placing her piece, Ayaka listened to the series of stories the other had just recounted. She could not help covering her lips with her folding fan as she spoke in surprise.
"We were rather startled at first as well, but over time we grew used to it. After all, it once truly was a personal blade. Ei and I still do not fully understand it."
She reached out, took a piece, and set it diagonally across from Ayaka's.
"Then that means Shogun-sama and Lady Ei have already witnessed several worlds different from our Teyvat, have you not?"
Ayaka withdrew her earlier surprise and returned to her usual calm, composed manner. She lightly tapped her chin with the fan and casually placed another piece.
"...Mm, that is true. It left us deeply amazed. As the saying goes—there is always someone greater, and heavens beyond heavens."
She did not hide it, answering plainly.
"Indeed... though perhaps only you and Lady Ei possess such fantastical power."
Ayaka sighed with admiration.
"No. If one must say it, we merely borrowed Musou Isshin's light. The truly powerful one should be this blade itself. The real sword."
She did not raise her eyes, still staring at the increasingly passive state of her board, unable to stop herself from frowning.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the wooden windows and spread across the simple hall of the Kamisato Estate, making the already golden tatami mats shine even brighter.
At this moment, the two of them sat in the reception hall of the Kamisato Estate, kneeling on opposite sides of a low table at its center. Upon the board atop the table, they contested in skill. Though it was a contest of skill, she knew well that she was not talented at such things. She could only be suppressed by the other side.
During the match, they chatted with practiced ease. By coincidence or otherwise, the topic drifted to their travels through worlds by means of Musou Isshin. Ayaka gradually became interested after hearing it, so she took the initiative to ask much more, and she answered freely. She trusted Ayaka greatly and was not worried about revealing it.
Originally, she had intended to keep it hidden a while longer. After thinking it over, speaking now seemed better. It would make things easier later.
"Those worlds... what are they like? More wonderful?"
Ayaka asked curiously.
"Haa... I do not know how to describe them. I suppose each has its own style."
That was all she could say.
"Is that so... Haa, hearing that makes me want to see them for myself."
A trace of longing appeared in Ayaka's ice-blue eyes.
"...Would you like to go with me?"
Hearing that, she finally lifted her gaze toward the ice-colored girl who was staring at her somewhat absentmindedly. Then she revealed a beautiful smile and invited her.
"I... Haa... could I really? To go together with Shogun-sama... um...///"
With no one else around? A world for just the two of them? Such scenes only appeared in her dreams.
Just imagining it made her face flush slightly, though the folding fan concealed it from view.
"Of course you can. If you mind me, or if you are unwilling, that is also fine. I understand."
Hearing her hesitation, she worried Ayaka might have concerns, so she offered her an easy retreat.
"No! Mm... that is not what I meant. Of course I want to travel with Shogun-sama. To lean against each other with you in some unfamiliar world, even for a moment. But... Haa..."
At that point, Ayaka sighed softly. Even her elegant beauty dimmed a little.
"...What is wrong?"
She asked.
"It is only that you know Inazuma's current condition as well. Though the Vision Hunt Decree has been abolished, the Sakoku Decree still remains. People's livelihoods are still somewhat weakened, and the Yashiro Commission has many matters to handle. Ayaka... cannot easily leave..."
The girl lightly bit her lip. A trace of sorrow appeared on her delicate face, and her eyes were filled with guilt toward her. She did not even place another piece.
"Haa... I told you already, I understand. This is not your fault. It is ours."
Seeing her pitiful expression, she felt somewhat saddened as well and comforted her gently.
"Shogun-sama... I..."
Ayaka felt even more guilty upon hearing that.
"It is fine. If you cannot go, then you cannot go. Why trouble yourself so much? I am not the sort who grows childish simply because I was refused."
She smiled and comforted the girl before her with warmth.
"Besides, inviting you at such a time was inappropriate to begin with. That is my fault. I should not have asked. Seeing you so distressed over it makes me uncomfortable as well."
She lowered her eyes and spoke softly.
"...Shogun-sama, you... truly have changed quite a lot."
Ayaka stared blankly for a moment, then smiled indulgently.
"Me? How so? I have not changed at all."
She unconsciously gathered the loose strands of hair by her ear.
"Hehe... Mm... perhaps I was mistaken then."
Ayaka followed her lead, then returned her attention to the board.
The Shogun had become much softer. At this moment, she was as adorable as a shy young maiden, more and more to Ayaka's taste.
Surely...
It would only become easier to push her down in the future.
As she thought that, a mysterious smile nearly curved Ayaka's lips before she quickly suppressed it.
Golden sunlight formed tiny drifting specks of warm dust in the air. The glow brushed over the two women seated in the hall, draping them in a faint golden veil. Even the black low table between them shimmered under the light, and the wood-grained pieces became all the more dazzling beneath its gloss.
Clack~
"A move."
Ayaka seized her chance, picked up a piece, shifted position, and drove it into the center of her opponent's formation.
"...Encirclement."
Seeing the direction of the move, she was startled inwardly. Somewhat hastily, she moved other pieces to guard her king piece, then raised her eyes with concealed unease to look at Ayaka.
"..."
In her eyes, Ayaka merely covered her lips with the folding fan, her icy gaze calmly fixed on the board, completely unlike her own hidden anxiety. One could only say Ayaka truly excelled at such things.
"Tesuji."
Ayaka's delicate, elegant voice rang out again, followed by another move.
"..."
She was momentarily distracted when suddenly—
"Hehe... Shogun-sama, there is no board on my face, you know~?"
Noticing her absent gaze, Ayaka smiled dotingly and spoke in a soft voice.
"...!"
She snapped back to herself and awkwardly lowered her eyes to the board, only to realize that at some unknown point she had already run out of moves.
But heaven always leaves a path open.
Holding to that thought, she bravely made her next move.
Clack!
Just as she was about to look up and see Ayaka's expression—
"...Check."
Clack!
Ayaka's clear, icy voice entered her ears. While suppressing a smile, Ayaka placed her piece and looked up at her as she spoke, as though she had long predicted that next move and had been waiting for her to take the bait.
A single general piece had taken her down directly.
Everything had been arranged perfectly against her.
The corner of her eye twitched unconsciously. Her expression turned awkward, while the beautiful white-stockinged feet tucked beneath her shifted slightly, her toes wriggling cutely and producing faint sounds of fabric.
"You have lost, Shogun-sama."
Ayaka added fuel to the fire with that remark. She might not win in martial skill, but if she could not even win at board games, then she would no longer bear the Kamisato name today.
"Haa... This is only the first round. You merely won by a slight margin. Victory and defeat have not yet been decided. Again..."
She spoke in a muffled, stubborn voice, clearly unwilling to accept it.
"Pfft~ Very well, very well~ Again."
Seeing how adorable she looked, Ayaka indulged her completely and reset the board.
"..."
Hearing that doting tone, the Shogun narrowed her eyes and shot Ayaka a glance, yet still accepted her words. It was not as though Ayaka had only taken care of her once or twice. As childhood friends, insisting on another round was hardly anything excessive.
Surely it was not excessive at all!
...
After she forcibly demanded that the next round begin, several minutes passed...
Clack~
"..."
As the other side placed a piece, her brows furrowed slightly.
Though the match had already reached a heated stage, she increasingly felt that her side was about to collapse again. No... it would be more accurate to say it had already collapsed. Especially after seeing the position of the opponent's pieces, the situation looked worse and worse.
Across the board, the enemy formation had already begun surrounding and suppressing her. Thinking about it... she somewhat regretted the move she had made earlier. If this continued, would she not simply fall into the other side's trap again?
"Mm~? Mm~? Hmm~?? Hmm~?"
A delicate humming drifted into her ears. She unconsciously looked up at Ayaka seated across from her. Ayaka's expression remained as usual, casually holding her folding fan against the point of her chin, her eyes filled with relaxed confidence. She had even begun humming a little tune from Heron's Court.
Was it really that exaggerated?
She instantly felt that, in Ayaka's eyes, she was no opponent at all. At least in shogi, that was certainly the case. Absolutely so. She was sure of it.
Still, the tune was soft and graceful rather than distracting noise. On the contrary, it was rather pleasant to hear.
Clack~
She placed another piece, her eyes fixed on Ayaka's face as though trying to read something from it. However—
"Hehe~"
Ayaka merely laughed upon seeing it. Looking over the direction of the board, she calmly placed another move without the slightest concern.
Now it was her turn again.
"Shogun-sama..."
At that moment, Ayaka suddenly spoke.
"...Mm?"
She had just been about to raise her hand when the unexpected call interrupted her. It was the first time Ayaka had addressed her during this round. Before now, they had silently played in peace. Of course, the humming did not count.
"About Miss Pandora..."
Ayaka lifted her gaze toward her.
"...What about her?"
She asked patiently.
"Nothing serious. I simply wished to ask about her circumstances. After all, she is a child you brought from another world. Since she now lives in Inazuma, she may be considered one of its residents. I feel I ought to understand her a little."
Ayaka answered. Since she had been brought back by the Shogun and Lady Ei, and now resided within Tenshukaku, it was only natural to learn her background.
"In that world, she had no one to rely on. Even the place she lived was crude and pitiful. Besides, she is not a bad person. Her identity in that world was somewhat problematic. If I had left her there alone, I would not have felt at ease. Better to bring her directly to Inazuma."
She explained to Ayaka.
"..."
Ayaka listened in silence, slightly opening her fan as she looked at the camellia painted upon it.
"As for deeper reasons, I shall not explain them all now. You may ask her yourself in the future. She will hide nothing from you."
She did not reveal every detail regarding Pandora. If she started, it would take quite some time. Better for Ayaka to speak with Pandora personally another day. With Pandora's obedient and gentle temperament, the two would likely get along well.
"Mm... that may be the only way."
Truthfully, Ayaka had planned the same. Though she trusted the Shogun deeply, there were some matters she firmly believed must be seen firsthand.
Just as she was about to place her next move, the front gate of the Kamisato Estate was suddenly opened by someone.
It was Thoma.
Yet he did not enter the hall immediately. Instead, he merely poked his head out from beside the screen outside, directing his gaze toward Ayaka, who was playing against her.
The Shogun had her back to him and did not notice. Ayaka's attention was fixed on the board and she did not look up either. For a moment, Thoma was left in an awkward position.
"Pii~!"
With no other choice, he pinched his throat and made a tiny breathy signal to attract his young lady's attention, while also trying not to let the Shogun notice. It was an extremely difficult task.
"...?"
At that moment, Ayaka happened to lift her eyes slightly toward the Shogun, only to catch Thoma peeking from beside the distant screen in the corner of her vision. He was mouthing words silently with great difficulty while waving a hand toward her.
"..."
Ayaka's eyes flickered. Then, with a troubled expression, she signaled that she could not get away, subtly indicating the Shogun seated before her with her gaze before quietly shaking her head.
"!"
Seeing this, Thoma rubbed his forehead, suddenly torn with indecision.
"...Is something wrong?"
When Ayaka did not place her move in due time, the Shogun looked up at her and asked with quiet concern.
"...! Thoma, you've returned?"
The instant she looked up, Ayaka immediately greeted him aloud, decisively shifting all blame onto her house retainer and exposing his hiding place without changing expression in the slightest.
...Thoma?
Hearing that, she also turned toward the entryway.
The very moment she turned, Thoma—who had been peeking behind the screen only a second earlier—jumped out and stood openly before them.
"Ahaha! Y-Shogun-sama is here as well... look at me, I seem to have interrupted your game. Haha..."
He scratched his head and smiled awkwardly at the two of them.
"...It is fine. There is no need to be so stiff. Did you have something to discuss with your lady?"
Seeing his manner, the Shogun understood his purpose and spoke directly.
"Uh... y-yes. Might I borrow a little of your time?"
Thoma nodded rapidly, his face practically moved to tears as though he had seen an angel.
"Can it not be said here?"
Ayaka asked curiously. The Shogun was not an outsider, so why deliberately hide it from her? It made the matter seem strangely mysterious.
"Mm... well..."
After hearing his lady speak, Thoma hesitated. He was not someone unable to read the atmosphere, and he had just been about to compromise when—
"If it is important, then do not concern yourself so much. Ayaka, you should go. Do not delay what must be handled."
She did not make things difficult for Thoma. If he wished to speak privately, he naturally had his reasons. There would be time to ask later. Besides, she did not believe him to be that sort of person. So she gently urged the childhood friend before her.
"But you..."
"I am fine. The match is not yet finished. We may continue once you return."
She shook her head with a light smile and reassured her.
"Mm... I shall return shortly."
Ayaka was obedient and did not argue further. She signaled to Thoma, and after he stepped back outside, she rose, took her folding fan, and stepped away from her seat.
As she passed the woman beside her, she reached out with intimate ease and rested a slender hand upon the other's rounded shoulder, rubbing it gently.
"...(soft laugh)"
Feeling the touch upon her shoulder, the Shogun turned and met her gaze, lifting the corner of her lips in response. Their eyes held a tenderness long familiar beyond words. During it all, her hand also reached up to lightly touch the back of Ayaka's hand resting on her shoulder.
For a moment, the interaction between them resembled an old married couple... yet also inseparable close companions.
Utterly intimate.
Seeing the breathtaking woman smiling at her, Ayaka's heart trembled. Secretly, she ran the tip of her tongue along the inside of her lips. Then, after the other turned back toward the board and offered only her side profile, Ayaka crouched down and wrapped both arms around her shoulders.
"Shogun-sama..."
She called softly.
"...?"
The other snapped back to herself and turned toward her in slight confusion.
Chu~
In the next second, Ayaka gently cupped the far side of her cheek with one hand and decisively kissed her soft lips, making a sweet kissing sound as she did.
"...///!!"
The one being kissed immediately blushed bright red and covered her mouth with the back of her hand. Her body jolted, nearly losing balance, forcing her other hand to brace against the tatami as she tilted slightly sideways.
"Y-You did it again~! How excessive...///"
A moist, adorable embarrassment shimmered in her eyes as she complained to the dangerous white heron before her in a half-pouting tone.
"My apologies... Shogun-sama was simply too tempting."
Ayaka hid part of her face behind the fan while the fingers of her other hand traced thoughtfully over her own cherry lips, savoring the aftertaste.
"I-If you continue like this, I truly will be angry..."
The Shogun endured the heat on her face and straightened herself once more. Beneath her, her white-stockinged feet shifted unconsciously as she gave a soft little warning. Though, truthfully, the warning held no force at all. If anything, it only made one wish to break it.
"Pfft~ You say that every time..."
Ayaka laughed and teased her while standing.
"This time I mean it~!"
The other immediately protested in dissatisfaction.
"Yes, yes~ I shall return soon to accompany you~"
As though not taking those words seriously in the least, Ayaka smiled at her as usual and left the hall, slipping on her sandals before stepping out through the Kamisato Estate gate.
"...Haa."
Watching her departing back, she pressed a hand lightly to her chest and let out a breath. That kiss had left her heart pounding wildly even now.
Her face felt so hot.
"Haa... truly mischievous..."
She muttered a small complaint, raising a hand to touch her lips that had been kissed by Ayaka more times than she could count. Ayaka's fragrance still lingered there, making her blush all over again.
Enough... best not think about it anymore...