The crowd at the station was fairly dense. As the two made their way through the throng, they occasionally had to turn sideways to slip past others. Around them were elderly people, children, and the usual office workers.
Woo~
The passenger train known as "Mugen" slowly pulled into the station, its dull engine rumbling and air pressure hissing as it came to a stop before the waiting crowd—right on the tracks facing the waiting area.
Psssh~!
After a sharp hiss of released air, the doors opened. Strangely, no one disembarked—only passengers boarding at this stop. That alone made the Shogun slightly suspicious... She could see that there were already several passengers seated inside, presumably from earlier stations.
She unconsciously halted for a moment, her gaze lingering on the distant train window—
"...What's wrong?"
Ei, noticing her sudden pause, asked in confusion, giving a gentle tug on the hand hanging by her side.
"It's nothing... Let's get on."
Snapping back to herself, the Shogun brushed aside her thoughts for now.
"Mm..."
Watching the Shogun step aboard first, Ei narrowed her eyes slightly, finding it odd. Still, she shook her head, dismissing the thought, and followed.
Not only the two of them—most of the waiting passengers behind also boarded in one wave.
Mother and daughter found seats by the window. Ei sat by the window, while the Shogun took the aisle seat. There were no armrests between them, so a slight reach was all it took for their hands to brush.
"Phew..."
Sinking into her seat, Ei let out a content sigh, resting her head lightly against the backrest. She closed her eyes slightly to relax. It was still summer, and the muggy heat outside had been unbearable. The cool air of the train's interior washed over her in a soothing wave, easing her discomfort.
Seeing her mother resting, the Shogun stayed silent so as not to disturb her. Meanwhile, she subtly lifted her head to look around.
The carriage lighting was provided by warm-toned incandescent tubes that painted the long, narrow cabin in a faintly cozy glow. The polished wooden floorboards, the smooth metal walls, and the simple yet clean décor all lent the space a calm, refreshing atmosphere. Though the train was fairly full, it didn't feel crowded at all.
To be honest, this was her first time riding a train. She had flown on airplanes in Fioré's world, but this... this was new—and it stirred a faint excitement in her heart, almost like a child's.
Tap tap... ×N
People continued passing down the aisle beside her, brushing past with scents of countless strangers—young men, mothers with children, elderly folk.
But one girl in particular caught her attention. Her outfit was ordinary enough, but her complexion was unnaturally pale, her eyes shadowed with deep, dark circles. Her expression was tense, her eyes unfocused—an air of extreme nervousness hung about her. In this otherwise peaceful setting, she looked completely out of place.
"..."
The Shogun cast her a brief glance, then lowered her eyes, pretending to look at her own lap. Yet once the girl had walked past, she subtly turned her head to watch her leave, her eyes narrowing in quiet suspicion.
"Shogun?"
"..."
She didn't hear the voice calling her—still staring in the direction the girl had gone, lost in thought.
Tap...
A soft, slender hand suddenly pinched her arm.
"!"
Startled, she turned quickly.
"..." ×2
Ei was looking at her with a hint of concern, still gently holding her arm.
"What's wrong?" the Shogun asked.
"You've been acting strange ever since we got on. Did something happen?" Ei asked, worry in her voice.
"It's nothing. I might just be overthinking things."
The Shogun shook her head slightly and shifted her position, placing her hand over Ei's in reassurance, gently patting it.
"..."
Ei stayed silent, feeling the warmth of her daughter's hand, though her worry didn't fade completely.
"Bento~! Bento~! Anyone want a bento~?"
Just then, a clear, girlish voice rang out from outside the window. Curious, the Shogun glanced over to see a bespectacled girl walking along the platform, calling out as she sold bentos.
"Bento~! Anyone else want one?"
After handing a box to a passenger in the next carriage, the girl approached their car.
"...Miss, over here."
Seeing her draw near, Ei softly called out, beckoning her closer.
"All right... Miss, would you like to buy a bento?"
The girl obediently walked up to the window and asked politely.
"Mm... What kinds do you have?"
Ei leaned forward curiously.
"There's beef, pork, rice balls, sushi... all kinds, really." The girl answered.
"Then... I'll take the sushi."
Ei pointed to a small box beside her.
"Got it. That'll be thirty sen."
The vendor handed the lunch box through the window. Ei accepted it, opening her coin purse. After a brief pause, she deliberately handed over slightly more than the total.
"One moment, I'll get your change."
"Mm... thank you."
Ei sighed inwardly in relief. This way, she wouldn't have to count—letting the girl make change was easier.
"Here's your change. Thanks for your purchase~! Anyone else want a bento~?"
After giving her the coins, the vendor girl continued toward the next carriage. Ei closed the window and looked down at the sushi box, unwrapping it.
"You're hungry?"
The Shogun asked helplessly when she saw her mother buying food.
"Mm... a bit. Let's eat first."
Ei replied while peeling the wrapping.
"Pfft... glutton."
The Shogun couldn't help but tease.
"...You're one to talk."
Slap...
Ei playfully smacked her daughter's thigh in mock retaliation, shooting her a look before continuing.
Rustle...
The box was open. She skewered a piece with a wooden pick and popped it into her mouth, closing her eyes in delight. Then she picked up another piece and held it to her daughter's lips.
"Here, have one. Ahh~"
Like coaxing a child to eat.
"(Bite...)"
The Shogun blushed faintly and averted her gaze, reluctantly opening her mouth to take the bite. She began to chew quietly.
—it's actually pretty good.
She admitted to herself.
Ei ate another piece, then set the box down on her lap and leaned against her daughter.
"Cough... Do you have another pick?"
The Shogun asked softly, her face a little red.
"Pfft... use mine."
Ei grinned, picking up her own used one and raising a brow.
"I'm not—"
She was about to refuse. After all, it was her mother's pick... it felt a bit awkward.
"If you don't use it, then no food for you."
Ei said with feigned stubbornness, hiding the spare pick to make her point clear.
"Don't you have another one?"
"There was, but it broke. See?"
Crack~
Ei casually snapped the spare in half with one hand out of sight, then held up the broken piece with a straight face.
"...Are you a child?"
The Shogun sighed, seeing through her trick immediately.
She's so childish~!
"Says the one acting like one herself."
Ei shot back smoothly, tossing the broken pick into the trash bin beside the seat.
"Ugh... fine... I'll use yours—"
"How about... I just feed you myself?"
Ei interrupted, taking things one step further.
"You—! Raiden Ei..."
The Shogun's patience was at its limit.
"Do you want to eat or not?"
Ei's tone was playful, but her violet eyes shone with innocent mischief—so pure that scolding her felt impossible.
"You... you're awful."
The Shogun pouted, turning away in frustration. Honestly—how could her mother bully her like this?!
"Here~ open up... ahh~"
Seeing her behave, Ei began feeding her again.
Blushing fiercely, the Shogun obediently accepted the bite, though her heart pounded in embarrassment. Worse, Ei even made her say things like "I want more..."
As expected, she's totally pretending around Miko! But with me, she drops the act, huh? Unbelievable... this woman's thousands of years of experience really show—she's been hiding it well~!
Woo—!
Gulp~! ×N
As Ei continued to feed her flustered daughter, the Mugen Train began its journey, slowly gaining speed as it departed the station—racing into the distance toward the vast plains swallowed by the darkness of night!
Whoosh~!
The train roared forward, the cold wind howling and slapping against the windows, producing a low, rhythmic rumble.
The vast plains outside were shrouded in darkness—no lights anywhere in sight. Only the glow from the train's lamps kept the world illuminated, making it look like a fiery dragon slithering across the night from afar. Yet from inside the carriage, it was nothing but endless blackness beyond the glass, with only faint, receding silhouettes of mountains breaking the monotony.
"What else did that girl named Shinobu say to you?"
Ei tossed the empty sushi box into the trash bin and sat back down. Most of the sushi had ended up in her daughter's stomach—or rather, in her own hands feeding it to her. She herself hadn't eaten much, but that didn't bother her. She'd bought it for her daughter, after all—seeing her eat happily was enough.
"She said I should take this train and meet up with the Flame Hashira."
The Shogun dabbed the corner of her lips with a handkerchief, trying to put the embarrassing memory of being hand-fed by her mother out of her mind.
In her impression, the Flame Hashira was a bright young man with fiery red hair, a lively spirit, and an overwhelming sense of righteousness. His charisma was bold and upright—a man hard to forget.
...
"I'm worried something might happen to Rengoku-san during this mission. The situation's urgent, and he's heading there alone, so... I'd like to ask you to go with him."
"You want me to protect him?"
"Mm. But don't misunderstand—his strength is considerable. Still, even the strongest can fall to traps or overwhelming numbers. Please, lend him your strength. After all... hehe, before he left, he told me he wanted to fight alongside you."
"Understood. Since it's an assigned mission, I won't refuse."
"...Thank you."
"Besides, since you were the one who recommended me for it... I won't let your faith go to waste."
"Hehe... thank you, Shogun."
When Shinobu heard that, she blinked in surprise, then smiled sweetly. It wasn't her usual polite smile—it was genuine, heartfelt.
Thump...
Without warning, she stepped forward and hugged the Shogun gently. The faint fragrance of her hair filled the air between them. Because of their height difference, Shinobu had to rise slightly on her toes to reach her neck.
"!"
The Shogun instinctively wanted to pull away—but perhaps sensing her awkwardness, Shinobu didn't mind. Instead, she only tightened her arms gently.
"Shogun..."
"...What is it?" she asked, unsure how to respond.
"Please... come back safely. You and Rengoku-san—both of you. Don't... don't disappear like my sister did. At least... send word, so I'll know where you've gone. Can you promise me that?"
"...Mm. I will."
Her voice softened as she answered.
...
"Shogun?"
"...Hm?"
Snapping out of her memories, she found herself staring into Ei's slightly pouting face.
"You've been daydreaming this whole time. Hmph... can I really not hold your attention anymore?"
Ei asked with a faint hint of jealousy. Even as her mother, she couldn't help but want her daughter's focus all to herself. Seeing her lost in thought stung just a little.
"Ei... you..."
"By the way, where's that Flame Hashira you mentioned? I haven't seen him in this carriage."
Quickly changing the topic, Ei avoided the moment before it could grow any more awkward.
"...He's probably in another car. I'll go check. You stay here and don't move."
She decided to get up—partly to find him, partly to keep Ei calm.
"I don't want to."
Ei immediately grabbed her arm, frowning. She regretted asking the question the moment it left her lips.
"Ei..."
The Shogun gave her an exasperated look.
"I don't want to sit here alone."
"I'll be back in a moment."
The Shogun's tone softened in reassurance.
"You... sigh... fine. Just hurry back."
Ei reluctantly released her arm, her brows still furrowed, her expression that of a sulky child. The Shogun gave her one last look before turning and heading for the next carriage.
Click!
Once the door closed behind her daughter, Ei leaned her head against the cool window, her reflection shimmering faintly against the glass—an exquisite beauty wearing a faint pout.
"Phew..."
After a few seconds, she sighed softly, and the pout melted into a tender smile.
Perhaps... she really was just being childish.
...
"Delicious!!!"
As the Shogun opened the door to the next carriage, a powerful shockwave suddenly blasted toward her!
Whoosh~!
The gust lifted her hair and stirred the dust in the air; even the windows trembled slightly from the impact.
"..."
She narrowed her eyes silently, brushing her windswept hair back behind her ear with one hand, while conjuring a faint barrier of lightning around herself—just in case the source of that commotion decided to continue.
"Delicious!!"
Whoosh~!
Another wave of pressure struck her shield and dispersed harmlessly, sparing her hairstyle from further assault.
"Delicious!!"
Whoosh~!
A third gust followed. She sighed lightly and stepped forward, moving toward the source of the thunderous voice—where a certain exuberant man was seated, eating with astonishing enthusiasm. Taking the seat across from him, she finally spoke.
"You're the Flame Hashira—Kyojuro Rengoku?"
Her tone was calm, soft but cold.
"Delicious!!!!"
Whoosh~!
This time, the force behind his exclamation was even stronger—it rippled across her lightning shield.
Lowering her gaze, she noticed the bento box in his hands. It looked identical to the kind Ei had bought earlier. Probably from the same vendor. But then... why were there so many empty boxes piled around him? Just how much could this man eat?
"Hmm? I am Kyojuro Rengoku! And you—ah! I remember you! You're the one Lord Ubuyashiki recently appointed as the Thunder Hashira—Raiden!"
His wide, unblinking eyes fixed on her with fiery enthusiasm as he exclaimed her name.
"That's me."
The Shogun replied simply.
"Hahaha! What a coincidence~ I told Shinobu I wanted to go on a mission with you—and now, here we are!"
Rengoku placed his empty lunch box aside and flashed her a bright, beaming grin.
"She told me as much."
The Shogun replied coolly, deliberately ignoring his dazzling smile.
"By the way, I forgot to ask—are you here on a mission as well?"
"She instructed me to board this train and meet with you."
Glancing briefly at the night-scape rushing past the window, she answered.
"Ah, I see! I understand her intent now! She must've been worried about me handling this alone—so she sent you to assist me!"
Clap!
Rengoku slapped his palm with sudden realization, his grin never fading.
"You know her quite well, don't you?"
The Shogun's voice lowered as she asked softly.
"Mm! That's just how she is. I can tell Kocho really likes and trusts you. It's the first time I've ever seen her care so much about someone."
Rengoku rested an arm on his knee, smiling as he regarded her with genuine admiration in his eyes.
"..."
She didn't answer. Memories of the violet-haired girl who had seen her off at headquarters flashed before her eyes. Perhaps... she still owed that girl something in return.
Hum~
The next moment, a familiar warmth filled her chest. Her body stilled briefly as she touched her hand to her heart.
'Didn't I tell you to stay in your seat and wait?'
She mentally addressed the voice that had just rejoined her.
[You weren't coming back. I was worried—and besides... it's boring being alone.]
Ei, now kneeling within the Plane of Euthymia, pouted slightly as she spoke, sounding a little sulky.
'Ei...'
[No need to apologize—it's my fault.]
Before she could say anything further, Ei preemptively cut her off, her tone soft but slightly petulant.
"By the way, Raiden—I've been meaning to ask something."
Rengoku's voice broke her from her inner dialogue. She looked at him questioningly.
"Your power—the thunder you wield—it isn't a Breathing Style, is it? I can tell. The Breathing Styles are human techniques, mimicking the elements. But the energy you control... feels like the elements themselves."
Despite the depth of his words, Rengoku's face showed nothing but his usual bright composure, as if the question carried no burden at all. Perhaps that was the true mindset of a seasoned swordsman.
"Good eye..."
The Shogun exhaled quietly, her lips curving faintly as she offered rare praise.
"Heh... thank you for the compliment."
Rengoku smiled modestly.
"What you saw was 'Elemental Power.' You're right—it's the essence of the elements themselves."
The sisters Raiden Makoto and Raiden Ei had bestowed upon her both the will and authority of thunder. In a sense... her very existence was the product of the two.
—
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