"The Crux Fleet will arrive tomorrow, and I'll be heading to Liyue with them. You'll come with me," Akio said, tossing a crystal to Kaedehara Kazuha.
"Hold onto this crystal. My power will allow you to enter the Imaginary Space, which should be enough to evade the Shogun's gaze."
Akio explained that tomorrow, when he left for Liyue, even if Ei didn't come to see him off, she would definitely be watching from Tenshukaku. With Ei's strength, she would easily see through Kazuha's disguise. Without some special means, Kazuha would be in serious trouble if discovered.
"Thank you, Lord Akio," Kazuha said, looking at Akio with gratitude.
"Just this once," Akio waved his hand dismissively. "You may leave now. I'll come to take you before we head to Ritou tomorrow."
"Understood," Kazuha nodded and turned to leave the room.
"I… I'm sorry, Akio. I shouldn't have lied to you," Kamisato Ayaka said, her head lowered as she nervously fiddled with the hem of her clothes.
"Don't let it happen again," Akio pinched her cheek gently. "Tell me, are you connected to the Resistance?"
"Yes…" Ayaka nodded.
"If you get the chance, try to persuade their strategist. If they don't want Watatsumi Island to be destroyed, they'd better follow the rules," Akio said.
"Alright…" Ayaka nodded again.
After spending a little more time with Ayaka, Akio returned to the Grand Narukami Shrine.
Seeing Akio fly away, Kamisato Ayato and Thoma, who had been waiting outside, exchanged a glance. "Let's go!" Ayato said.
Ayato quickly entered the house, only to find his sister sitting alone in the room, lost in thought. Around her neck was a stunning blue gemstone pendant.
"Ayaka!" Ayato called out, his voice filled with mixed emotions. He had never seen his sister like this before.
"Brother!" Ayaka snapped out of her reverie and stood up to greet him.
"I… I overheard everything," Ayato said to Ayaka.
"Huh?" Ayaka's face turned red with embarrassment. Had her brother heard her confessing to her beloved? How mortifying!
Seeing his sister's shy expression, Ayato could only sigh. His little sister had grown up and now had someone she loved.
"Ayaka, I don't oppose your feelings for Lord Akio," Ayato said with a sigh. "But are you prepared for this?"
"Lord Akio is about to become Inazuma's new god, the most exalted figure in the land," Ayato continued. "And from what I know, Lord Akio and the Guuji seem to be in a relationship as well. So, are you prepared to share him with other women?"
"I… I've already made up my mind," Ayaka said firmly. "Akio is extraordinary! It's impossible for me to have him all to myself. I want to serve by his side, and I'm willing to learn to accept that."
"Besides, in terms of time, I would come after the Guuji. If she can accept it, why can't I?" Ayaka smiled. "As long as it's Akio, I'm willing."
"…" Ayato felt a pang of jealousy.
Ayato could already imagine the terrifying scene of his little sister clinging to Akio and coldly telling him, "There's no place for you in this house anymore!" The thought alone was heartbreaking.
"Huh? Brother, what's wrong?" Ayaka noticed her brother standing there, his expression shifting rapidly, and she waved her hand in front of his face.
"Oh… it's nothing," Ayato forced a smile. He wasn't jealous, not at all. This was his dear sister, why should he be jealous?!
"Alright then. If you're fine, I'll head back now," Ayaka hummed a tune and walked away without looking back.
"…" Ayato felt a wave of sadness. Waaah, my dear sister!
"Master Ayato, my condolences," Thoma said, giving Ayato a sympathetic look before leaving. He still had chores to finish.
"Thoma!!!" Ayato couldn't hold it in anymore. Everyone was like this! How infuriating!
At the Naganohara Fireworks Shop in Inazuma City.
"Yoimiya! Lord Akio is here to see you!" Naganohara Ryuunosuke called out.
"Huh? Akio's here?" Yoimiya quickly stood up and went to greet him.
As Akio opened the door, he saw Yoimiya, her face smudged like a little kitten, and he couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Wh-what's wrong?" Yoimiya asked, confused by Akio's laughter.
"Nothing, Yoimiya. You've got something on your face…" Akio tried to stifle his laughter.
"Ah! I forgot to wash my face! Wait a moment," Yoimiya jumped up, realizing it must be gunpowder on her face, and hurried inside to wash up.
Even with all the gunpowder, her skin was still so smooth. Truly a natural beauty!
Akio marveled, and soon Yoimiya returned, her face clean and glowing.
"Akio, what brings you here?" Yoimiya asked curiously.
"Can't I just come to see you?" Akio teased.
"Well, it's just that you haven't come by in a few days. I was worried you were busy, so I didn't want to disturb you," Yoimiya scratched her head.
"I'm leaving for Liyue tomorrow, so I came to say goodbye," Akio said.
"Huh? You're going to Liyue?" Yoimiya's eyes widened. "So suddenly."
"Yeah," Akio nodded.
"Alright," Yoimiya nodded, then whispered, "Will you be gone for a long time?"
"No, just for a short while. After all, Inazuma is home," Akio shook his head.
"Mhm," Yoimiya nodded. "I'd love to go to Liyue too! But I've got a lot of orders to fill right now."
"Don't worry, I'll take you to Liyue when you have time," Akio reassured her.
"Okay," Yoimiya said, then started rummaging through her things.
After a moment, she pulled out a sachet and ran over to Akio, attaching it to his waist.
"What's this?" Akio asked, curious about the delicate sachet.
"Hehe, it's a good luck charm I made! It's for a safe journey! I know you're strong and probably don't need it, but it's a nice wish, right?" Yoimiya said, a little shy.
Akio was stunned. He looked at Yoimiya's gentle face, wondering if she really felt the way Yae Miko had suggested. Did she like him? Not just as a friend?
"Wh-what's wrong? Don't you like it?" Yoimiya asked, worried when Akio didn't respond.
"No, I love it," Akio shook his head. He decided he'd test the waters when he returned from Inazuma to see if Yoimiya's feelings were more than just friendship.
He liked Yoimiya, this kind and passionate girl. Over the past few days, he'd realized he'd been overthinking things. A girl like Yoimiya would care deeply about her partner's feelings. She wouldn't do anything to make him unhappy.
A/n - Next Target is 400 PS for 2 extra chapter :)