Stepping out of Komore Teahouse with the shrine maiden.
The morning path, filled with birdsong and the scent of flowers.
But most importantly... the person by his side.
Qin Yu inhaled the delicate fragrance beside him, feeling refreshed and invigorated.
So, this was...
Sending him off to work at Tenshukaku first thing in the morning?
A true leader, he had to admit.
Thinking this, Qin Yu quietly glanced at the woman beside him.
The shrine maiden with flowing hair, both valiant and beautiful.
Qin Yu suddenly felt a sense of unreality.
Beside him stood the deity of Inazuma.
Recalling the past...
Saying things like "cute" in front of the shrine maiden.
He hoped it hadn't been remembered.
Qin Yu mused, falling into silence for a moment.
They walked like this for quite some time.
"..."
Sakura suddenly looked over.
"I went to Yashiori Island last night."
"Sealed the Tatarigami along the way."
She said in a casual tone.
As if a shut-in had gone out for an errand and casually discarded some trash.
Having said that, she stared at Qin Yu.
Without speaking, she seemed to be waiting for something.
Qin Yu blinked his eyes.
Was the aloof shrine maiden trying to start a conversation?
But this was hardly a topic for an ordinary person to engage in...
Starting with the resentment of a demon lord.
He couldn't afford to offend, couldn't afford to offend.
"Your Excellency the Shogun is truly amazing."
Qin Yu smiled, seeing that there was no one else around.
After all, she was the god who protected everyone.
Although Ei appeared somewhat fierce.
Always ready to draw her sword and attack.
In reality, she was the most gentle person.
"It was merely a trifle."
Sakura subtly turned her face, looking straight ahead.
Her calm voice now held a hint of warmth.
Was this the feeling of confiding in someone?
The sunlight cascaded down, warming him.
A subtle curve appeared on Sakura's lips.
No, the key was the person she was confiding in.
She had no interest in flattery.
However, what someone said naturally carried weight.
This was the privilege of being by her side.
If you're good with words, say more.
Qin Yu smiled.
Your Excellency the Shogun, is such blatant favoritism really okay?
But he liked it.
"..."
The conversation they had briefly opened up, fell silent again.
It seemed everything that needed to be said had been said.
In just a few sentences,
They had automatically filled in the blanks of the remaining dialogue.
One had to admit... they were quite in sync.
Under the sunlight, Qin Yu quietly moved closer to Sakura.
She probably hadn't noticed.
"..."
The aloof shrine maiden glanced at Qin Yu.
Wondering what she was thinking.
"Ahem."
Qin Yu cleared his throat, feigning composure.
It's over, he'd been exposed!
The young man, about to make a move, felt a bit troubled.
Just then, a morning breeze blew.
The shrine maiden's purple hair fluttered in the wind.
It lightly brushed against Qin Yu's hand, tickling him.
Sakura raised her hand to gently tuck her hair back.
She glanced at Qin Yu again.
"?"
Qin Yu blinked his eyes.
The distance between them... had grown even closer.
It wasn't an illusion.
Someone's lips couldn't help but curve upwards.
"What are you smiling about?"
"I thought of something happy, Your Excellency the Shogun."
On the small path, they slowed their steps.
It seemed that arriving at work on time was no longer important.
...
Outside Tenshukaku.
Two graceful figures emerged together.
One was Hiyori Shiratori, who had worked through the night and still looked ethereal.
The other was, of course, Kamisato Ayaka.
"Take care of yourself."
Kamisato Ayaka furrowed her brow slightly and said softly.
Although the two women were rivals,
They usually interacted like good sisters.
After all, they had once fought over the same blanket.
"It is my duty to share the Shogun's burdens."
Hiyori Shiratori shook her head slightly, her gaze firm.
The Shogun tirelessly worried about Inazuma.
She must be doing the same right now.
She needed to work even harder!
"Let's go, let's get something to eat."
Kamisato Ayaka smiled slightly and suggested.
"What about Kouta?"
"He was exhausted accompanying me last night."
"You!"
The two good sisters, who had just been harmonious, started bickering again.
...
The streets were gradually becoming livelier.
Sakura observed her surroundings.
"Shall we get some breakfast?"
Qin Yu suggested.
"I don't need to."
"Come on, Your Excellency the Shogun."
"To celebrate your triumphant return, how about it?"
Under Qin Yu's persistent invitations,
The shrine maiden eventually followed him to a breakfast stall.
Conveniently, it was close to Tenshukaku.
A perfect location.
"Isn't that Lord Qin Yu? What would you like?"
"First, three Dango..."
After ordering, Qin Yu couldn't help but feel resigned.
Becoming famous after challenging a god wasn't all good.
At least for him, the old slacker, it was a hassle.
He returned to the shrine maiden's side.
Qin Yu presented the Dango to Sakura as if offering a treasure.
"..."
Sakura stared at Qin Yu and let out a soft hum.
Why wasn't it skewered on a bamboo stick?
"One moment."
Qin Yu realized and offered an apologetic smile.
The breakfast was freshly made, and things were hurried.
It seemed they had forgotten.
Qin Yu called out to the vendor for bamboo skewers and placed them on a plate.
"Have some Dango first."
As he spoke, he directly picked one up.
He was indeed a little hungry.
"..."
The aloof shrine maiden stared at Qin Yu.
Qin Yu blinked his eyes.
Suddenly, a bold idea solidified.
He brought the Dango he had picked up to Sakura's lips.
Enduring the peculiar gaze, he asked expectantly:
"Would you like to try?"
"..."
After a moment of silence,
Sakura looked at Qin Yu and slowly opened her mouth.
Just as she was about to bite into the Dango Qin Yu was holding...
"What are you two doing!"
Suddenly, a girl's indignant voice rang out.
Qin Yu paused, his hand frozen, and looked in the direction of the voice.
It was Hiyori Shiratori and Kamisato Ayaka.
They had witnessed Qin Yu feeding Sakura the entire time.
Caught red-handed.
"..."
Sakura glanced at the two women.
And slowly took a bite.
"!"
The sparkle in the two women's eyes gradually faded.