In a room undisturbed by others.
The girl's presence arrived, mingled with a light, elegant fragrance.
Kamisato Ayaka slowly approached, her smile gentle.
Qin Yu quietly retreated.
If he didn't back away now, this girl would practically cling to him.
"Master, are you still avoiding Ayaka?"
Kamisato Ayaka whispered with a hint of disappointment.
"..."
Qin Yu remained silent, merely reaching out to pat her head.
He had always soothed little Ayaka like this.
Someday, he would reveal his true identity.
After confirming he wouldn't be locked in the basement...
The girl bit her red lip, not pressing further.
Ayaka would not give up easily.
Respected Master.
If one day you truly must leave, then I can only...
A moment later, Kamisato Ayaka composed herself.
"Does Master know the story of the shopkeepers?"
"No."
Qin Yu felt a surge of curiosity.
As expected, this girl had invited him here with other intentions.
Seeing Qin Yu adopt a listening posture, Kamisato Ayaka said softly:
"The shopkeeper was once a high-ranking official in the Tenryou Commission."
"In the Shogunate, he held considerable power."
"Until one day."
"A woman named Erika appeared."
Qin Yu blinked slightly.
This woman was the current proprietress, wasn't she?
A traditional tale of meeting and falling in love?
"Heh."
Kamisato Ayaka's beautiful eyes curved slightly as she shook her head gently.
If it were that simple, she naturally wouldn't have spoken of it.
She continued:
"But Erika had a secret purpose."
"She was to monitor someone..."
Her words trailed off, everything left unsaid.
The room fell silent for a moment, only the two of them looking at each other.
Qin Yu suddenly asked:
"Did they develop feelings for each other afterward?"
Kamisato Ayaka nodded slightly.
Qin Yu sighed softly and looked up.
The elegant and well-behaved girl’s gaze was gentle.
She sat opposite him, seeming to anticipate something.
"..."
He had a rough idea of what kind of love story this was.
They hid things from each other, yet knew each other's true intentions.
Wasn't this a mirror of him and Kamisato Ayaka?
The difference was...
They were already married and very happy.
This girl was hinting at him again.
Master, stop pretending and reveal your identity soon.
Reveal it sooner and then live like the shopkeepers?
So many hidden thoughts.
Qin Yu pondered for a moment and said softly:
"Ayaka is looking forward to their current life?"
"I think, it's still not possible."
"..."
Kamisato Ayaka's eyes slowly widened.
"Master, why?"
Must he really refuse Ayaka like this...
Before the girl could show disappointment.
"Don't overthink it."
A hand tapped her head.
And then ruffled her hair vigorously.
"I'm not a child anymore."
Kamisato Ayaka looked up, her cheeks puffed out.
But her eyes began to sparkle.
Qin Yu thought for a moment, then said earnestly:
"If Ayaka one day finds that person..."
"You wouldn't stay in one place with him either."
"Accompanying each other, traveling the world."
"Perhaps that would be a better choice."
Kamisato Ayaka blinked, her eyes now shining with joy.
Yes, why should she envy others?
At this very moment, she was here, and Master was here.
They had beautiful memories.
And in the future, they would experience more beauty.
More importantly, Master hadn't refused her.
That was enough.
"Whoosh..."
Kamisato Ayaka suddenly felt her cheeks grow warm.
"Thank you, Master."
Qin Yu nodded and temporarily excused himself.
It seemed this girl needed some time alone.
"I'll come back to see you in a while."
"Mhmm..."
Qin Yu walked out of the room and gently closed the door.
After a long silence, he let out a sigh of relief.
"Forget it, overthinking is useless."
He would return after Ayaka calmed down.
Qin Yu smiled, preparing to go to the restroom.
He had only taken a few steps.
"Shopkeeper..."
The familiar voice made Qin Yu freeze in his tracks.
He quickly looked downstairs from the stairwell.
A bad feeling immediately welled up in his heart.
A rather familiar young man walked into Uyu Pavilion.
His smile was warm, as pleasant as a spring breeze.
Like the most amiable older brother next door.
"..."
If he wasn't holding a sword in his hand right now.
The current head of the Yashiro Commission, the head of the Kamisato family.
Ayaka's eternal good brother.
Kamisato Ayato, armed and coming to apprehend him.