"Miss Mizuki, let's first talk about things related to relaxing foxes."
Yae Miko chose to honestly discuss with Mizuki the ways to relax a fox.
For Miko, being petted was pretty much the same as a human getting a massage.
Moreover, when transformed into fox form and getting massaged—surely no one would actually have those kinds of thoughts toward a little fox, right?
"First, about the structure of a fox's body..."
Mizuki chose to introduce the relevant knowledge to Miko...
Miko listened to this without much interest. After Mizuki finished, she asked just one question.
"Is there any specific posture required when massaging a fox?"
Mizuki expressed regret about this.
"My skills are still lacking, so I still need the fox to cooperate... But if it's Mr. Cid..."
Mr. Cid indicated: don't drag me into this.
You two great youkai can handle your own matters yourselves.
And if I go first and start, Mizuki, it might become hard for Miko to accept your techniques later.
"I just remembered I still have government affairs to attend to today, so I'll take my leave first."
Facing Mr. Cid's departure, Mizuki instinctively wanted to stop him.
"Wait, Mr. Cid..."
But she was immediately interrupted by Miss Miko.
"Mizuki, Lord Shura Anyakonsen-shou is very busy. He's not like the two of us idle folks~"
Then Miko leaned close to Mizuki's ear and spoke in a volume only one youkai could hear:
"And, Mizuki, your growth—surely it's not just because of that little guy standing behind you, right?"
As soon as these words came out, Mizuki's gaze instantly became sharp.
I have grown too, Miko!
Mr. Cid watched as Miss Baku—the one who had just begun but hadn't even made a move yet—was already completely outmaneuvered by the cunning little fox. For a moment, he couldn't even bring himself to offer encouragement.
When it comes to a veteran leading a newbie: what do you do when you were just about to leave and discover the little newbie already got defeated by the boss?
Option A: Turn back and help the little newbie finish off the boss before leaving
Option B: Let the little newbie take more hits. The more hits she takes, the more she'll learn.
Mr. Cid chose Option B.
Letting the little newbie learn independence through free-range parenting is also an important part. I've already taught what needs to be taught. From here on, it's up to her own fortune.
As long as her techniques can satisfy Miko, there won't be any big problems.
With this in mind, Lord Shura Anyakonsen-shou simply opened a wind field and took off again.
He glanced back at Miko and Mizuki once. Out of a sense of responsibility toward the little newbie he was mentoring, Mr. Cid still gave Miko a slight warning glare with his eyes.
Miko wasn't really afraid of this—in fact, she laughed very happily.
This little guy really isn't good at threatening people. Even his intimidation has zero deterrence.
Then Mr. Cid also realized he couldn't really do anything to Miko anyway, so he helplessly took off and left.
"Miko, why do I feel like you're really happy about something?"
After Mr. Cid left, Mizuki finally activated her own initiative.
For example, using the skill Mr. Cid taught her: sensing emotions through Anemo energy...
Although she could only get a rough sense and not anything precise, she still detected Miko's completely unconcealed delight.
"Is that so... That just means you still don't understand me well enough~"
Miko walked over to the Sacred Sakura tree, still holding the milk dango Mr. Cid had left for her earlier.
"Alright, stop standing around. Let this Guuji evaluate your skills. Show me what techniques you've learned. If the effect is bad and you embarrass that little guy~"
She didn't finish the sentence, but Mizuki already understood Miko's meaning.
"Then, Miko, you'd better prepare yourself. I'll make sure you're satisfied."
Miss Baku had a bit of a temper, but not much.
In short, the entire rhythm was completely under the control of the cunning pink-haired fox.
After Mr. Cid left, the scene that remained was:
A little blue Baku using her short paws to diligently give a massage to the pink little fox who was lying down reading a novel...
As for why they were both in small animal forms?
Probably because five hundred years ago, both of them were still little.