The importance of the Small World to Ye Xi was self-evident.
To put it bluntly, this place was Ye Xi's home!
His true home!
Now that Ye Xi had left Inazuma, he had actually handed the key to his home over to Yae Miko.
This was clearly a sign of his trust in her!
Kamisato Ayaka felt a sour pang in her heart and subconsciously touched the jade flute in her pocket.
She could imagine that if the Guuji Yae Miko liked Ye Xi, she would surely lie down on the bed where he had slept before and drift off to sleep that night!
Being enveloped in Ye Xi's scent would probably make for the most peaceful slumber!
If Ye Xi had entrusted the Small World to her, she would definitely do the same.
Because Ye Xi's scent was so reassuring.
As she thought about it, Kamisato Ayaka suddenly realized she was entertaining some shameful thoughts. Her face flushed red in an instant, and she felt a wave of heat rush straight to the top of her head.
She shook her head, banishing those unrealistic notions, and entered the Small World.
It was just as Ye Xi had left it: the courtyard with its hot spring pool and winding pavilion paths.
Stone tables and benches stood in quiet solitude.
Steam rose languidly from the hot spring, misting the air.
From within the haze came a lazy, carefree voice.
"You're right on time, little one."
Kamisato Ayaka was slightly taken aback. She hadn't expected someone to already be in the hot spring.
Peering through the mist, she caught a glimpse of snow-white skin.
There was Yae Miko, lounging against the edge of the spring, idly flipping through a light novel. Her fluffy tail restlessly stirred up splashes in the water.
At the sight, Kamisato Ayaka felt her entire impression of the Guuji shatter in an instant!
The usually sacred and dignified Guuji was now lounging about in such a slovenly manner.
In the eyes of the people, the Guuji was the epitome of piety—a devoted familiar of the Raiden Shogun, guarding Inazuma for generations. What a noble figure!
As the head of the Yashiro Commission, the Kamisato Clan had frequent dealings with the Grand Narukami Shrine on matters of rituals and festivals.
She remembered that in her mother's eyes, the Guuji was an extraordinary existence.
Even the shrine maidens viewed the Guuji as holy and pure—unchanging in their reverence!
Everyone naturally assumed that such a being must bear an immense burden of toil.
Yet who could have imagined that this revered Guuji, admired by all, could be so utterly relaxed right now?
Snapping back to reality, she hurriedly said, "My late mother taught me that the Guuji dislikes meaningless waiting, so..."
"Mm, you're as outstanding as your mother was."
Yae Miko was quite pleased inwardly and invited her warmly, "Come join me in the hot spring to unwind. The water here is even more comfortable than at Akisha Onsen." "Soft?"
Kamisato Ayaka stepped back half a pace in surprise, her eyes wide with unexpectedness, soon turning to shy embarrassment.
Soaking in the hot spring meant undressing and baring it all...
She had never bathed with anyone before—not even other women.
Though they were both women, this felt far too intimate and shameful.
But since it was the Guuji's request, she had no choice but to comply.
In Inazuma, there were proper etiquettes for bathing in hot springs.
First, one rinsed off surface sweat at a flowing water source before entering the spring.
After changing out of her clothes, she piled her hair high atop her head, then scooped warm water over her body.
At that moment, Yae Miko closed her light novel and said with evident enjoyment, "Ayaka—I may call you that, yes?"
"Y-Yes... It's an honor for the Guuji to remember my name."
The other was a fox spirit who had lived over five hundred years, witnessing the births and deaths of countless generations!
By seniority, being addressed by her given name was an incredible privilege.
"Just call me Miko," Yae Miko yawned lazily. "Actually, I called you here tonight to discuss some matters with you.
"I know you can hear Xi's inner thoughts too. I won't hold your previous deception against you."
Kamisato Ayaka's little hand trembled in fright.
She had guarded that secret well, which was why Yae Miko hadn't paid her much mind before, giving her the chance to spend time with Ye Xi.
From the start today, she had anticipated that Yae Miko would punish her for it.
And now, it was brought up, filling her with worry.
But to her surprise, Yae Miko had no intention of pursuing it further!
Yae Miko continued, "What I want to say is this: besides you and me, Shadow can also hear Xi's inner voice."
"The Almighty Shogun!?"
Kamisato Ayaka was truly startled this time.
If even the Shogun had designs on Ye Xi, what chance did she—a mere girl from the Kamisato Clan—have in competing?
One was Inazuma's divine ruler, the other her divine familiar, a fox spirit.
She was just a human; there was no way she could rival them!
Moreover, a single word from them could doom the entire Kamisato Clan!
Earlier that day, she had been smug about that rumor, but now it felt like a crushing blow!
For her own marriage, the Kamisato Clan might offend a few noble houses at most.
But if it involved Ye Xi, they'd be crossing the Shogun and the Guuji.
Who was more untouchable? It went without saying!
Her hopes of being with Ye Xi suddenly seemed even more remote!
As Kamisato Ayaka fretted anxiously, Yae Miko chuckled lightly. "Don't worry. Xi has you in his heart. If I made things hard for you, wouldn't that just upset him?
"The reason I called you here is to team up with you."
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend. We need to eliminate the biggest threat first!"
Kamisato Ayaka's eyes flashed with panic at her words.
"Guuji, do you mean...?"
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