"That's good then. I know you have your own boundaries," Kuki Miyuki said gently. "It's just… love is such a strange thing. It always comes so suddenly."
"If you truly meet someone who can stay by your side for a lifetime—someone who's at least decent—of course I'll give you my blessing," Miyuki continued. "But there are certain people… who are absolutely out of the question. That's my only request of you."
"I know, sis." Kuki Shinobu nodded. She understood how much her sister cared.
The Kuki family had been shrine maidens for generations in Inazuma. Though not as powerful as the Tri-Commission clans, they were still one of the most respected noble families.
They had never forced their daughters into political marriages. They supported falling in love freely, and didn't care about a partner's background. But there were some lines… that simply could not be crossed.
"Oh, right—Sis, I think the family already knows about you and Brother-in-law," Shinobu said after finishing her noodles.
She had gone back to the Kuki estate yesterday to visit their mother—it had been far too long. That's when she'd heard the news, straight from Mom's mouth.
"Eh?" Miyuki blinked in surprise, looking at Shinobu with clear confusion.
"Come on, Sis. You're practically a shut-in these days—how could you not know?" Shinobu sighed dramatically. "You're already marrying him, and you didn't know?"
"I knew that part," Miyuki replied. "But isn't the Yashiro Commission still handling the official paperwork?"
"The Commission already submitted the formal notice to Tenshukaku the day before yesterday," Shinobu explained. "It's been stamped with both the Narukami Seal and Lord Akio's personal seal. The wedding invitations have already been sent out to the other noble families."
"I see. What did Father and Mother say?" Miyuki asked.
"They approved it, of course. Sure, Brother-in-law is a bit of a flirt, marrying not just you but also the Shogun and several others—but he's a god. And our family was born to serve the gods, so why would they ever object?" Shinobu said.
Her parents were well aware and wholeheartedly supportive. After all, being chosen to serve a god was the highest honor.
"Then that's good." Miyuki nodded, then added seriously, "And your brother-in-law is not a flirt. He's simply full of love—he wants to give every girl a home and a place in his heart. That's how it is with the Shogun, with Lady Guuji, and with me."
"I'm truly blessed to have met Lord Akio. To be cherished by him… is the greatest honor of my life." Her smile was radiant with happiness.
"Sigh… Sis, you're in deep," Shinobu muttered, pressing a hand to her forehead. Every time her sister talked about Akio, she turned into a lovestruck fangirl. Utterly hopeless.
Love really was something else.
"You've never seen Lord Akio's gentle side. He loves me—really, truly loves me," Miyuki said, glowing. "He's the best man in the world. I'd give everything for him."
"…" Shinobu stared at her sister, silently screaming: "What do you mean I haven't seen it? My head's full of Lord Akio right now… Damn it, what's wrong with me?!"
"Well then, since you're done eating, I'll clean this up," Miyuki said with a smile.
"I'll wash the dishes," Shinobu offered, quickly grabbing the bowl and heading into the kitchen like she knew the place by heart.
"Alright then. I'll go tidy up your room." Miyuki nodded and turned to leave.
…
Kamisato Estate.
Kamisato Ayaka was helping Akio straighten his robes.
"So handsome… As expected of my Akio," she murmured, admiring his tall frame and the elegant clothes he wore.
"Of course. How else could I charm my darling girl?" Akio replied smugly, pressing a light kiss to her forehead.
"Hmph~" Ayaka pouted playfully. "You're so full of yourself. Hurry up, Akio—Jean and Lisa will be waiting."
"Alright, I'm off." Akio nodded, gave her a warm hug, then vanished into the sky as a streak of light.
…
"Lisa, when is big brother Akio coming?" Klee asked, sitting on the couch with a delicate little box in her hands.
"Soon, soon. Don't worry, little cutie. We just had a video call with your big brother Akio," Lisa said, ruffling Klee's fluffy hair with a chuckle.
"Okayyy…" Klee nodded and kicked her little legs back and forth.
Not long after, the door opened and Akio stepped inside.
"Big brother Akio!" Klee shouted with joy, springing up and launching herself at him.
"Whoa—easy there, little Klee!" Akio laughed, catching her in his arms.
"Klee missed you so much!" she said, clinging to him.
"And big brother Akio missed you too," Akio replied with a smile. "Jean told me you'll be heading back to Mondstadt tomorrow, so I brought you a little gift."
As he spoke, a miniature RPG materialized in his hand, and he handed it to Klee.
"Huh? What's this, big brother Akio?" Klee asked, tilting her head and taking the mini-RPG.
Akio explained what it was and how to use it, and as he spoke, Klee's eyes began to sparkle.
"Yay! Klee can use this to shoot Bombs?!" she cheered, hugging the RPG tightly.
"Uh…" Jean's face darkened slightly. She stepped forward, looking at Akio. "Darling, are you sure this is a good idea…?"
She was nervous—Klee had already caused enough chaos in the city with her regular explosives. If she had an RPG now, wouldn't she blow up all of Mondstadt?
"It's fine, sweetheart. I infused it with my power—Klee can't unleash full explosions while in the city," Akio assured her. "Besides, our little Klee wouldn't go wild and disappoint Captain Jean, would she?"
"Klee promises!" Klee nodded vigorously, looking at Jean. "Klee won't make things hard for Captain Jean!"
"If you ask me," Akio added, "Klee loves bombs, and it's not good to keep stifling her. Why not let her join the Knights on monster-clearing missions?"
"You already know how strong she is—she won't get hurt. And this way, she gets to have fun and help protect Mondstadt too."
"I… I understand." Jean nodded slowly. She had always been worried Klee might get injured out in the wild. But now, with the power of Akio's Herrscher pseudo-core and this RPG, she finally felt reassured.
"Yay! Big brother Akio is the best! MAster Jean is the best!" Klee looked like she was about to explode with joy.
From the sound of it, Captain Jean was going to let her go out on real missions now—which meant she could finally play with her bombs again!