It could only be said that it had been a long time since he last petted foxes—even when Cid did it himself, his hands felt a little rusty.
Along the way, he also needed to guide Miss Yumemizuki on some practical little techniques.
"Foxes actually release different pheromones when they're feeling comfortable versus when they're not. You also possess Anemo energy, so you can use your elemental power to surround the fox's body…"
In the end, Yumemizuki Mizuki proved to be an excellent student. As a Baku, she possessed perception far beyond ordinary people, giving her a tremendous advantage in gathering information.
Moreover, once she learned something, she quickly grasped the underlying principle and could apply it to similar situations.
On the other hand, little Yoimiya was much less adept when it came to learning how to pet foxes. Fortunately, her only goal was to play with the foxes, so mastering advanced techniques to make them even more comfortable wasn't really a necessity for her.
"The sky's getting dark. I should take little Yoimiya home now."
The older gentleman said as he looked out the window at the fading light.
Yumemizuki Mizuki also understood that it was indeed time for Mr. Cid to leave.
As Lord Shura Anyakonsen-shou, he was probably quite busy. It wasn't easy for him to carve out time to help her like this.
"Mhm, I understand, Mr. Cid."
Yumemizuki Mizuki watched as the older gentleman began tying rope around little Yoimiya and herself.
"Mr. Cid, by the way—where are we meeting tomorrow?"
The older gentleman thought for a moment. Definitely not at the entrance to Tenshukaku.
"Tomorrow morning, let's meet at the Kamisato Estate."
"Alright, got it."
Yumemizuki Mizuki nodded to show she understood.
She then helped Mr. Cid finish the bindings.
"Thanks. I'll head out first."
Watching Mr. Cid activate a wind field, Mizuki said,
"There's no need to thank me. What I can do for you, Mr. Cid, is really very limited… when you've clearly helped me so much…"
After all, this time Mr. Cid had untangled the hundred-year-old knot in the heart of this five-hundred-year-old little youkai—the question of "Why is Lady Yae so cold toward me?"
"Mhm… If you really feel bad about it, then could Miss Yumemizuki do me a favor?"
"Mr. Cid, please tell me."
"After some time, I'll be holding discussions with people from the Akademiya. I'm not entirely at ease about the Akasha system. When the time comes, could I trouble Miss Yumemizuki to keep watch?"
Faced with Mr. Cid's request, the Baku girl—who now knew she could actually be of help—looked somewhat delighted.
"Leave it to me, Mr. Cid."
"Mhm. Then, see you tomorrow."
Mr. Cid's voice carried a hint of carefree ease.
"See you tomorrow, Mr. Cid."
Miss Yumemizuki, on the other hand, sounded a little reluctant.
"See you tomorrow, big sister Mizuki!"
And then there was little Yoimiya, still brimming with energy and as cute as ever.
In the end, Mr. Cid flew up into the sky under the lingering, reluctant gazes of Miss Yumemizuki and the fox pack.
And this scene, naturally, was witnessed by Yae Miko, who was watching through one of her fox statues.
Heh heh~
So annoying~
At that moment, Yae Miko had the sudden urge to let her tails out and slam them against the floor in frustration, but five hundred years of cultivated composure still suppressed the impulse.
Right now, Lady Yae was smiling very brightly.
You're really something, little guy~
First you come to Inazuma and charm a whole bunch of foxes into making you their fox immortal~
Then you charm away my divine master,
And right after that, you charm away the shrine maiden I like right in front of my face…
Last time I was still wondering if you were going to charm away my Yae Publishing House too—I didn't expect I'd still underestimated you…
I wonder what you said to Mizuki…
To think you managed to charm her too…
Now the way Mizuki looks at you is exactly the same way she looked at me back then…
So infuriating—and yet you're actually beneficial to the people of Inazuma, so I can't even touch you.
Why doesn't this great Lord Shura Anyakonsen-shou consider charming me away and making me your shrine maiden instead?
Today, the Guuji was smiling especially happily—and the smile grew brighter and brighter.
It was just a little frightening.