"That may be true, but think about it—I'm the great general of Watatsumi Island. If people found out that my identity at Yae Publishing House is… those two words… how embarrassing would that be?"
Gorou's ears drooped as he spoke helplessly to Lora.
"I don't think so at all. I think it's great," Lora said, shaking her head. Then she added, "But seeing how scared you are, why not go find Lumine and Paimon? They're probably treasure hunting around Inazuma City right now. If you go wander around with them, it might help calm you down a bit."
"That sounds good…" Gorou nodded. "Besides, Lady Sangonomiya asked me to buy some books on agricultural science. I'll head off now, Lady Lora."
After bowing slightly, he took his leave and departed.
Watching him walk away, Lora suddenly felt like a wise and caring big sister.
Yep. Big-sister Lora—confirmed.
She clenched her fist and sighed.
"Ah… what a pity Hélie already went back to Fontaine."
After holding Miko in her arms for so long, the sudden absence of that warm, fluffy presence left her feeling oddly empty.
"Come to think of it, I remember there's a delivery company in Inazuma called Komaniya Express. Isn't it run by a cat? I wonder if she can turn into a small animal like Miko."
Muttering to herself, Lora turned a corner and headed off in another direction.
...
By evening, when Miko and Kokomi finished their day-long discussions and returned to the harbor, Gorou had already purchased the books and supplies the priestess requested and had them loaded onto the ship.
The Guuji walked over with a smile and handed him a letter.
"General Gorou, this letter is for you. But you must only open it after you've boarded the ship."
Her smile made the general uneasy. He accepted the letter and instinctively stepped back, half-hiding behind Kokomi.
At that moment, he spotted someone approaching in the distance.
"That's Lady Lora!"
The two women looked over as well.
Sure enough, Lora was walking toward them. She seemed to be carrying something in her arms, though from this distance they couldn't quite make out what it was.
"What is that?" Kokomi narrowed her eyes slightly.
As Lora drew closer, they finally saw it clearly.
It was a cat with two tails.
"Isn't that… the little cat from Komaniya Express?" Miko said, clearly surprised when she recognized Kirara in Lora's arms. "Lady Lora, how did you manage to bring her here?"
"Simple. My overwhelming personal charm," Lora replied matter-of-factly.
Both Miko and Kokomi looked at her with identical expressions of confusion.
"What are those looks for?" she frowned. "Can't I have personal charm? Kirara, tell them—isn't it because I'm kind that you let me carry you?"
Kirara's tail flicked nervously.
"Y-yes…"
"Don't stutter," Lora said helplessly.
Miko sighed, then turned to Kokomi.
"Well then, this is where we part. I won't see you off any farther—just board the ship. As for the future relationship between Watatsumi Island and Inazuma, the final decision will still rest with the Shogun."
"I understand," the priestess replied with a nod.
She bowed to the Guuji, then bid Lora farewell before departing with Gorou and boarding the ship back to Watatsumi Island.
Once they were gone, Lora set Kirara down.
The nekomata immediately shifted back into her human form and stretched.
"Miss Lora… what exactly is your identity? Even Lady Guuji Yae calls you 'Lady.'"
"Me?" Lora smiled. "I'm actually a very, very powerful yokai. Much stronger than you or Miko."
Miko nodded.
"That's right. A very powerful old yokai."
"…Could you drop the word 'old'?" Lora shot her a helpless look.
It was technically true—but hearing it said out loud always sounded like an insult.
The Guuji then turned to Kirara.
"So how exactly did she manage to trick you?"
"Um… it wasn't really tricking," Kirara said, scratching her head awkwardly. "When Miss Lora first came to Komaniya Express looking for me, I thought it was a delivery job. But then she asked me to turn into a cat, and of course I refused."
"But then she offered a condition I couldn't refuse…"
Miko raised an eyebrow.
"What condition?"
"Money. Lots and lots of money!" Kirara said excitedly. "And Miss Lora promised to introduce me to plenty of business opportunities so I could even open a Komaniya Express branch in Fontaine!"
"Ah… I see." Miko nodded in understanding.
So it was the irresistible power of money.
She asked again, "And you're not worried she might be lying to you?"
Kirara shook her head.
"Not at all! I've seen Miss Lora together with the Shogun before, so I know she wouldn't lie."
"She's actually quite good at fooling people," Miko remarked dryly.
Lora shot her a glare.
"Shut up."
The Guuji obediently closed her mouth, though her expression still looked rather innocent.
Lora then turned back to Kirara.
"How about coming to Tenshukaku for dinner tonight? My treat."
"You're not the one paying for it, though," Miko added from the side.
"Do I need to pay to eat at Tenshukaku?" Lora asked, looking at her in disbelief.
"…Well."
Technically she didn't.
But seeing the smug look on Lora's face, Miko suddenly felt the urge to punch her.
Unfortunately, that wasn't a fight she could win.
...
When they returned to Tenshukaku with Kirara, Venti still hadn't come back.
It wasn't until the dishes were nearly ready that he quietly slipped in through the door, a bottle of wine in hand, clearly trying to sneak back to his seat unnoticed.
Unfortunately for him, Lora spotted him immediately.
"Where did you wander off to this time?" she asked with a frown. "How do you always manage to find somewhere to drink every single day?"
The bard laughed and set the bottle on the table.
"That's something you wouldn't understand," he said with a grin. "It's a bard's special talent—I can always find a place to drink, and I can always find someone willing to drink with me."
He leaned back slightly, looking quite pleased with himself.
"Besides, today's the final day of the Irodori Festival. The whole city is lively tonight. How could I possibly not stop for a drink?"
"…"
She sighed in resignation and waved him off.
"Fine. Go help serve the food."
"Alright!" he replied cheerfully.