"The Eldest Miss of the Kamisato Clan!?"
"It's the Shirasagi Himegimi! It's the Shirasagi Himegimi!"
"Why would Lady Ayaka come to the Grand Narukami Shrine so early in the morning!?"
"Could she be here to draw an Omikuji?"
"Come to think of it, Lady Ayaka is of marriageable age. Could she be here to divine her romantic future?"
"Which lucky lad could it be!? To marry the Shirasagi Himegimi... that would be a blessing earned over several lifetimes!"
"..."
Kamisato Ayaka's appearance at the Grand Narukami Shrine at the break of dawn immediately drew a crowd of shocked onlookers.
The Kamisato Clan was part of the Yashiro Commission, one of the three branches of the Inazuma Tri-Commission, and was the authority closest to the Raiden Shogun.
Ayaka herself was the younger sister of the current clan head, Kamisato Ayato. Naturally, someone of her stature would become the focus of attention wherever she went.
"Lady Ayaka, the Guuji has not yet awoken. Would you like me to announce your arrival?"
A shrine maiden hurried forward to bow. Before the beloved and admired Shirasagi Himegimi, even a Miko had to set aside her usual reserve.
"Miss Maki, please do not trouble yourself. I am here to find Lord Ye Xi."
Declining the Miko's kind offer, Ayaka waited quietly beneath the Sacred Sakura, making not a sound. She knew Ye Xi must have heard her. However, hearing that Yae Miko was not yet awake made her mind wander.
Could the Guuji have slipped into Ye Xi's Small World? Could they have already...
Once one crosses that line and gets a taste of such intimacy, lingering in bed at this hour would certainly make sense. But if that were the case, she would be heartbroken.
In all fairness, that Guuji whether in personality or figure possessed a charm far exceeding that of other women. Every movement, every smile, exuded sexiness and coquetry. Furthermore, her identity as a Kitsune made her even more irresistible.
The unattained is often what causes one to sink deeper into obsession; the more one sinks, the more enchanted they become, and the more enchanted, the more infatuated. In Inazuma, countless people were drawn to the Guuji,
some even willing to commit crimes just for a chance to be near her. Ye Xi was inseparable from such a being; he was already in a better position than anyone else. To overstep bounds would be easy for him.
If the Xi she so dearly cherished had truly fallen, she would surely hide in a corner and cry for days.
Upon hearing that Ayaka was looking for Ye Xi, the surrounding people began to discuss in hushed tones.
"Ye Xi? Is that the youth who stays by the Guuji's side?"
"Could it be that Lady Ayaka is actually interested in him?"
"The one who used the power of the Sacred Sakura to create a Small World?"
"Shh Lord Ye Xi is a chosen one favored by Narukami herself!"
"Yes, yes! The Sacred Sakura is the manifestation of Narukami's power! Being able to wield that power, he might even be a future successor!"
"As expected of Lord Ye Xi. Not only is he close with the Guuji, but he even has Lady Ayaka's heart. I'm so jealous I could die!!!"
"Sigh, what's the point of asking for a romance fortune? I've already lost on looks! If I had a face like Lord Ye Xi's, finding a wife wouldn't be hard at all!"
"..."
The air was thick with the sour scent of envy. Not only was he in contact with the Guuji, but he was also close with Lady Ayaka. If word of this got out, every person in Inazuma would be green with envy!
Setting the Guuji aside for a moment, Ayaka was known as the Shirasagi Himegimi because she was as elegant and noble as a white heron. Her refined beauty and her intelligent,
polite speech made her the very image of a princess. To be touched by even a sliver of her grace was a life-long honor, let alone being the object of her affection!
Most importantly, the details of Ye Xi's appearance were a mystery. People only knew that a few years ago, this youth had suddenly appeared by the Guuji's side. At first, there was some controversy. A sacred shrine maiden should not be overly close with a youth of his age.
But after learning that he could easily borrow Narukami's power to open a Small World, the gossip stopped. Narukami was the Electro Archon herself! She was the Raiden Shogun who ruled over Inazuma! If even the Raiden Shogun lent him her power, who among the citizens would dare object?
However, no one knew that Raiden Ei hadn't actually lent Ye Xi that power; rather, the power had chosen him. It was only when Raiden Ei sensed the loss of power within the Plane of Euthymia that she turned her gaze toward him.
Learning that Ayaka was here to see Ye Xi, who resided within the Sacred Sakura, everyone felt a surge of envy.
Just then, the petals falling from the tree began to swirl in the air as if entering a pool of rippling water, cleverly bouncing away. Space was distorting. Soon, a small vortex appeared in the air, resembling a pond.
"Lady Kamisato, to think you'd have the time to visit me. Please, come in."
Ye Xi's clear, bright voice drifted from within. Upon hearing it, a look of joy blossomed on Ayaka's face, like a lotus flower blooming in an instant. The sight dazzled the nearby fortune-seekers.
"Wait outside. There is no need to worry about me," Ayaka instructed her two servants before impatiently stepping into the Small World.
"This... Eldest Miss? El"
"Eldest Miss!"
The two servants stood there, lost. They were meant to ensure her safety, but they hadn't expected her to leave them behind and enter a barrier especially with a vigorous young man! If the Clan Head found out, their heads would be on the line!
The people outside collectively sucked in a breath.
"Lord Ye Xi's voice is so clear and warm."
"As expected of someone favored by Narukami."
"To hear his voice is to know the man. He must be handsome and refined!"
"Naturally. I was fortunate enough to see Lord Ye Xi once. When he was only fifteen, he already possessed a scholarly aura!"
"What? He was like that at fifteen? He truly is a match made in heaven for Lady Ayaka!"
"..."
Hearing the crowd speak so boldly of their lady, the servants couldn't help but scold them.
"Silence! Do not dare to speak of our lady so flippantly!"
"Our lady is a refined maiden, pure and holy. Do not tarnish her name!"
The crowd immediately quieted down, their voices falling into a hushed silence.
Inside the Small World.
Outside a pavilion, by a small pond.
Ye Xi stepped forward to welcome the famous Shirasagi Himegimi, his friend in Inazuma. She was also a character he had been very fond of back when he was an illustrator. Seeing the dignified Ayaka step through the spatial rift, a look of deep appreciation crossed his eyes.
"Good morning, Xi."
"Being able to see you like this in the morning... I can't help but feel that the rest of the day will go smoothly."
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