"Miss Sandrone, hello."
Yoimiya blinked and extended her hand.
The doll-like exquisite girl was instantly endearing.
So cute, I want to hug her.
"Hello."
Sandrone leaned forward slightly, intending to shake hands.
Suddenly, the girl swayed.
With a clatter,
Her small hand landed on the table edge, and she nearly fell.
"..."
The two women met each other's gaze.
The atmosphere suddenly grew quiet for a moment.
Sandrone's expression was calm, but a flicker of annoyance crossed her mind.
Already petite in stature,
She realized upon extending her hand that she couldn't reach Yoimiya at all.
Her arms were too short, and she almost tumbled onto the table.
Without mechanical assistance, it was so troublesome.
Had she spent too long in the laboratory, lacking exercise...
"Be careful."
Yoimiya reacted quickly, standing up and steadying her.
"Thank you."
Sandrone tilted her face slightly and said softly.
If Sister Columbia saw this, she'd scold her again.
"Where is your companion? Not with you?"
Yoimiya's brow furrowed slightly, showing concern.
As she spoke, she couldn't help but puff out her cheeks.
To let such a cute girl be alone.
What kind of boyfriend was that!
I suddenly want to punch him.
Qin Yu: *Achoo!*
Who was badmouthing him this time?
"He isn't here."
Sandrone shook her head slightly and smiled.
She pushed her wheelchair closer to the table.
She seemed accustomed to being alone.
"How could that be? Where are your friends?"
"I don't have friends."
Sandrone raised her face, her tone calm.
"But..."
Yoimiya's eyelashes trembled as she observed the girl before her.
Sandrone's hands were clasped, and she looked quiet and obedient.
What was even more concerning was...
She was currently in a wheelchair, her movements restricted.
The delicate, sickly aura in her eyes evoked pity.
Such a girl, yet she was all alone.
Just then.
"Rumble—"
Thunder roared, and the sky darkened.
Inazuma City was about to rain.
Yoimiya directly grabbed Sandrone's small hand.
"Would you like to visit my home?"
Sandrone's lips curved slightly at the invitation, and she nodded gently.
"Yes, please."
...
Inazuma City, Tenshukaku.
Within the solemn and magnificent great hall.
Outside the window, a thunderstorm raged.
"..."
A cold, elegant silhouette hugged her arms and paced back and forth.
It was the majestic General herself.
But currently, she was clearly in a bad mood.
In the flickering lamplight, her disheveled purple hair gleamed.
Ei gazed out at the sea, her purple eyes narrowed.
This restless feeling that had been accumulating over time...
It was Qin Yu.
She suddenly didn't want to let Qin Yu go out to sea anymore.
"..."
Kamisato Ayaka and Hiiragi Chihiro exchanged a glance.
It seemed the General was not in a good mood.
"General, regarding the Sakoku Decree."
"Could we perhaps hold a grand festival to..."
Hiiragi Chihiro tidied her documents and asked softly.
The lifting of the Sakoku Decree was Inazuma's top priority.
How to quickly integrate with other nations after opening up.
This was what she, the head of the Commission, had been agonizing over.
Perhaps a festival could be held to invite envoys from various nations.
And thereby encourage the circulation of merchants...
"Whatever."
Ei nodded without thinking.
"General..."
Hiiragi Chihiro was taken aback.
Are you really alright with being so casual?
Kamisato Ayaka looked at Hiiragi Chihiro and nodded silently.
It seemed the newly appointed head of the Commission still needed time to adjust.
To adapt to her divine being's way of handling affairs.
"Oh my, such heavy rain."
At that moment, a seductive, lazy voice sounded.
Ei stopped pacing and looked at the fox-eared woman in the distance.
"Grand Guuji Yae."
Kamisato Ayaka and Hiiragi Chihiro rose and bowed.
"You two may go and rest."
Yae Miko waved her hand and said with a smile.
Next, it was her private time with Ei.
"Mm."
Ei nodded slightly and turned back to the desk.
"Yes, General."
The two young ladies quietly took their leave.
...
Inside Tenshukaku, silence fell once more.
Ei sat at the desk, her eyes closed in meditation.
She appeared to want to be left alone.
"Ei, you are dissipating the storm outside of Inazuma."
Yae Miko approached Ei, about to sit down.
It's been a while since I've had some close time with my divine being.
There's a free seat, after all.
Did Ei intentionally leave it for me?
She's truly not good at being straightforward.
"You're not allowed to sit."
Ei suddenly opened her eyes and said coldly.
"?"
Yae Miko's smile slowly faded.
This seat was already taken?
The fox-eared woman sniffed gently, her purple eyes narrowing.
She could smell it.
There was a man's scent beside Ei.
"Thinking about Qin Yu?"
Yae Miko asked, observing Ei's expression.
"..."
Ei took a deep breath.
She did not respond.
"Rumble—"
The storm outside grew even louder.
The fox-eared woman burst into laughter.
Ei glared at her and raised her hand as if to spank her.
"Don't be so fierce, Ei."
Yae Miko dodged to the side, teasing.
"I'm going to meditate."
Ei directly asked her to leave.
"You're dissipating the storm because Qin Yu is at sea?"
"No!"
"Alright, alright, my aloof General."
...
Inazuma City.
Kamisato Ayaka and Hiiragi Chihiro walked through the streets.
They still needed to discuss the festival.
"Princess Shirasagi."
Suddenly, someone called out from a distance.
It was a travel-worn young ronin.
"You are..."
Kamisato Ayaka closed her fan and inquired.
This young man had an extraordinary bearing; what were his intentions?
"Greetings, I am Qin Yu's friend."
Kazuha removed his hat and approached the two ladies.
What a coincidence.
Just after parting ways with my good brother, I've run into Princess Shirasagi.
As it happens, Brother Qin Yu said.
Mentioning his name when you meet someone from the Yashiro Commission is always a good idea.