Yae Miko, caught trying to do something naughty, smiled without a blush or panic:
"It's nothing, I just forgot something at Emma's place and wanted to retrieve it."
However, Sangonomiya Kokomi didn't believe that excuse at all:
"Then why did Guuji Yae look like she was planning something mischievous just now? Are you sure you weren't trying to do anything bad to Yuuko, sir?"
Yae Miko frowned, looking helplessly at Sangonomiya Kokomi:
"deep-sea tongue sole, aren't you being a little too nosy? Even if Emma and I were passionately busy tonight, it wouldn't be your business, would it?"
Sangonomiya Kokomi shook her head: "No. This is my territory, and I won't allow you to mess around here."
Yae Miko frowned again, pondered for a moment, and probed: "Kokomi, are you doing this on purpose?"
Sangonomiya Kokomi did not deny it: "That's right."
"Why?"
Sangonomiya Kokomi said earnestly:
"Because I really enjoy Yuuko, sir's cooking. I need his food to relax my mind and body. If Guuji Yae messes around, I'm afraid the flavor of the dishes he prepares will change."
Hearing this, Yae Miko originally wanted to say something more, but after a thought, she sighed:
"Forget it. Anyway, I have plenty of time lately to develop a physical relationship with Emma; there's no need to rush."
"Besides, Ei isn't here, so it's impossible for anyone to snatch Emma away now."
"I'll take it slow."
That was what Yae Miko thought.
Right now, only Kamisato Ayaka posed a slight threat to her here.
But Yae Miko didn't pay any mind to a pure girl like Kamisato Ayaka.
Compared to rushing things, slowly cultivating affection with Yuuko might be better.
"Time to go back and prepare the decisive swimsuit~"
After speaking, Yae Miko waved her hand and obediently walked toward her house.
Watching Yae Miko's retreating figure, Sangonomiya Kokomi sighed softly again:
"What a woman full of bad ideas..."
Sangonomiya Kokomi was already accustomed to Yae Miko's mischievousness.
Shaking her head, she turned around, preparing to leave.
But just two steps later, she heard the door of the house behind her open.
"Huh? Miss Kokomi, haven't you left yet?"
Yuuko, who had just finished washing the dishes, was planning to go out for a stroll, but when he opened the door, he saw Sangonomiya Kokomi right outside.
"Ah, I was just chatting with Guuji Yae here, and now I'm preparing to head back."
"I see. I was just thinking of taking a walk since the moonlight is nice." Yuuko hesitated for a moment before saying:
"Although I wanted to ask Miss Kokomi to show me around, you seem quite tired, so never mind."
"I'll go look for Miko to wander around with instead."
Sangonomiya Kokomi fell into thought, then reached out and stopped Yuuko:
"No, please allow me to accompany Yuuko, sir, on your walk. After all, I received your hospitality tonight and ate some truly delicious food."
"Uh, are you sure?" Yuuko was still a bit hesitant.
"No, please let me do it," Sangonomiya Kokomi said earnestly.
Mainly, she felt a sudden impulse, so Sangonomiya Kokomi wanted to walk with Yuuko for a while.
And perhaps subtly probe Yuuko's true intentions.
Yuuko thought about it and didn't refuse:
"Alright then, I won't look for Miko. Miss Kokomi, I'll rely on you to show me around."
..."Achoo!"
On the other side, Yae Miko sneezed.
Her expression became suspicious: "That's strange, why do I have a bad feeling..."
"But surely no one should be able to steal my Emma right now."
"Never mind, it must be an illusion."
"It's late at night, Ei isn't here, and that Ayaka girl is too innocent and thin-skinned. How could anyone possibly bother my Emma?"
Thinking this, Yae Miko smiled smugly again... Meanwhile, Yuuko and Sangonomiya Kokomi walked side-by-side on a mountain path on Watatsumi Island.
The faint moonlight illuminated their path, and the scenery was pleasant.
"Yuuko, sir, do you usually enjoy evening strolls?"
"Not really, I just suddenly had the idea," Yuuko said with an awkward smile.
In truth, Yuuko had originally planned to scout the terrain here to finalize plans for his future actions.
And also to go see someone.
However, he ran into Sangonomiya Kokomi right after stepping out, so he temporarily changed his plans.
He decided to walk with Sangonomiya Kokomi and take the opportunity to gather some intelligence from her.
Thus, Yuuko casually asked:
"I'm quite interested in the history of Watatsumi Island, but there aren't many records of it in Inazuma."
The reason he asked this was simple.
The Tsaritsa had previously instructed Yuuko to thoroughly investigate the history of Watatsumi Island before going to Enkanomiya.
She also said that the people of watatsumi island had inextricable links to Enkanomiya.
Facing Yuuko's question, Sangonomiya Kokomi wasn't overly cautious, so she smiled and said:
"It's actually not a very interesting history, but would Yuuko, sir, like to hear it?"
Yuuko smiled: "Please tell me, Miss Kokomi. This might provide reference material for a new novel I plan to write later."
So, Sangonomiya Kokomi began walking and sharing some of Watatsumi Island's history with Yuuko.
Of course, Sangonomiya Kokomi only shared the history known to the public.
The hidden parts, naturally, could not be revealed.
After listening, Yuuko fell into contemplation: "It seems slightly different from what is recorded in Inazuma."
"Oh?" Sangonomiya Kokomi showed an interested expression: "How does Inazuma record the history of the people of watatsumi island?"
Yuuko gave a wry smile:
"The records in Inazuma claim that the people of watatsumi island are foreign invaders with endless desires, and that you once launched an attack on Inazuma out of greed for its resources and land."
Sangonomiya Kokomi shook her head: "That part is true; the people of watatsumi island did launch an attack on Inazuma back then."
"But the reason was different. The real reason was simply that the land and resources on Watatsumi Island at the time were too scarce to sustain the people of watatsumi island."
Sangonomiya Kokomi looked at Yuuko in surprise: "Yuuko, sir, why do you believe my account so readily? What if I was just fabricating a story for you?"
"I don't believe Miss Kokomi is the kind of person who would spread falsehoods," Yuuko chuckled.
The main reason was that Yuuko himself had investigated Watatsumi Island's past somewhat.
So, hearing Sangonomiya Kokomi's narration confirmed that it was the truth.
According to Sangonomiya Kokomi's account,
The people of watatsumi island migrated and came to live on Watatsumi Island years ago.
However, because Watatsumi Island's land was barren, the resources could not support so many people.
Thus, the people of watatsumi island set their sights on Inazuma.
Eventually, the people of watatsumi island followed Orobashi, the deity they worshipped, to attack Inazuma.
The result was predictable: the people of watatsumi island lost, suffering a crushing defeat.
Even the deity they worshipped was beheaded by the Raiden Shogun on Yashiori Island that year.
Since then, the people of watatsumi island were brought under the Raiden Shogun's governance, becoming a vassal of Inazuma.
Sangonomiya Kokomi did not explain where the people of watatsumi island originally came from.
But based on the intelligence he received from the Tsaritsa, Yuuko knew.
The people of watatsumi island were, in fact, the descendants of the Kingdom of the Night, the ancient nation buried within Enkanomiya, weren't they?
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