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"It has not been a while since the last time we visit the Grand Narukami Shrine. We went to clean up posters around the shrine with Shinobu a few days ago right?"
Lumine silently listens to Paimon's remarks and takes a look at the neatly wrapped sweets in her hands. She steadily walks through every step forward to the shrine up in the Mountain Yougou. Last night they received a mail delivered anonymously, a package of Inazuma desserts, and a letter without the sender's name. But reading through it, Lumine could tell who it was from. And just to make sure of it, she reached the letter from her side pocket and make a quick read.
I assume you didn't forget whose birthday it is today, little one? Yes, that's right. Today, we celebrate the birthday of ... the Almighty Raiden Shogun.
Our Almighty Shogun meditated for a long time and racked her brains out to think of what to wrote to you, but she didn't find any inpiration in the end. As Eternity's servant and friend, I am of course, obliged, to write this letter on her behalf .. and invite you to see her.
Here, take this dessert. When you see her, just wish her happy birthday. Nothing more, nothing less. You understand, little one?
Surely it screams a certain shrine maiden fox of the Sacred Sakura indoctrinated her and sent the package to certain someone. Sometimes the lady guuji decision is rather difficult to comprehend for Lumine. The letter basically told Lumine to deliver her gift to Ei but isn't it much easier if she gives it herself? Lumine can't help but groan for doing another errand after what she contributed to bringing the vision hunt decree down and fighting the Shogun in an imaginary dimension.
Alas, Lumine did plan to pay Ei a visit today but hasn't prepared any gifts, so the package did help her a bit. And it's a rare request without malicious intent —at least not very obvious. Maybe she can trust Yae Miko for this one.
"Traveler?", Paimon called her out and bring her to reality.
Lumine put back the letter and continue walking on the engraved stone path, they can already see the Torii gate facing the first building of the shrine. "Hm? Yeah. I didn't expect she used to train as a shrine maiden judging from her current appearance.", Lumine recalls the photo Yae Miko slipped into her Mora pouch from another day, "But whatever floats her boat, as long as she is doing what she likes, I'm happy for her."
"Right right. And Paimon was also surprised that lady Yae told us to go to her shrine rather than Tenshukaku. Ei really trying her best to be more open and come out from her chamber very often nowadays.", said Paimon, mentioned in the back of the letter which was drawn as a mini-map that basically told them to go straight to the Sacred Sakura.
"That's a good improvement I think. As a ruler observing the nation you ruled and interacting with its people is important."
After a minute walk going around the shrine, they saw Raiden Ei and Yae Miko near the Sacred Sakura tree having a nice tea time.
"Oh, it looks like we have an unexpected guest. Welcome, little one. Come here and take a seat. We have tea to share with you.", Yae Miko greet them with open arms by the time they stepped in.
Lumine only give her a smile and approach their shared table. So she needs to play the role of the special guest this time —a prepared surprise gift for Ei she guessed. Politely, Lumine sits next to an empty side of the table and put the package down, gently unwrapped it.
"Happy birthday, Raiden Ei. It might be not much but I hope you like it. I remember you said you like sweets, right?", Lumine said with a wide smile.
"Oh, thank you. This is a nice surprise, traveler. Where did you know today is my birthday?"
"We got a letter from lady Ya—"
At that single word, Yae Miko formed a sinister smile that it feels like she radiate a dark aura, sending an alarm signal that Lumine's back shuddered from it. She was almost sure if she uses her elemental vision, she can see her gloomy mist coming from the shrine maiden's back. Before thunder strikes her out of nowhere, Lumine slaps Paimon with a novel nearby her line of sight.
"Pie-Paimon! He-have you checked out this novel? It's quite popular at the Ira- Irodori festival. You should read it!", Lumine stuttered, cutting Paimon's line in hasty.
"Ouch! What was that for?!", Paimon gets annoyed but immediately forgets what she was about to say, "Is this... the second volume of [ Pretty Please, Kitsune Guuji? ]? The novel was that popular???", Paimon frowned in disbelief.
"To my own surprise, it was indeed popular. I guess Inazuma people would like to indulge in fantasy where their shogun shows her more... meek side.", Yae Miko follows up.
"Are you suggesting I'm that rash with my way of ruling, Miko?", Ei squinted at the fox lady.
"Archons, no. You are sweet in your own way, Ei. But mortals do have delusions about certain things to compensate for their expectations."
"That's a roundabout way to say people are disappointed in me.", she huffed.
"Oh, they did. But the shogun is no more, am I right? You are the one who ruled Inazuma now. Certainly, people would be glad to welcome you however you present yourself."
Ei didn't respond to that last remark while taking a sip of her tea. "So, Traveler, you haven't answered my question.", and turned her attention back to Lumine.
"Ah, actually we heard from a shop owner in Ritou you see... While stocking up for our supplies, a shopkeeper told us about an annual prayer for the shogun. After asking some questions I found out it was your birthday.", Lumine lied a little. But it's true she knew Ei's birthday first from a shopkeeper. Yae's letter is only a reminder with some bonuses. "I thought it would be nice to share the sweets you like on your belated day."
"... Thank you, Traveler. I am very grateful for your thoughtfulness."
They spend the entire afternoon enjoying desserts and tea. Ei seems to get a little greedy with the tricolor Dango and claimed it all as hers, another childish side Lumine witnessed from the Raiden Ei. Yae Miko also share half of her dango milk to Ei. Lumine did notice her intention to give an indirect kiss but Ei looks unbothered by it. Maybe for immortals being, a small playful interaction barely means anything to them. Although Lumine need to keep a watch on Paimon from time to time as she tried to snatch a portion for herself. Thankfully, an electro-formed fox from Yae Miko can keep Paimon in her place.
A few hours passed and the sun started to set on the horizon. The blue bright sky turned warm and dark to greet the next shift of the day.
"Then we will come again another time.", Lumine bowed to say farewell to the two women that still enjoy their time together, "I should head back to the inn to prepare for what the guild may commission me tomorrow. And it looks like you two need more private time."
"Private time? But Lady Yae is the one who invites us—"
"Paimon.", Lumine shushed her down and sighed, "I will take my leave now. Have a pleasant evening, Raiden Ei, Lady Yae."
"Hum. Thank you for coming today, Traveler. I have been enjoying our gathering."
"You are welcome to my shrine any day, little one. Considering I must reward you for your nice little surprise."
"I would look forward to it.", albeit she really didn't. She doesn't want to fall for another trick by the cunning fox. Today is an exception, and they had a great time thanks to her invitation letter.
After sending off the traveler and her companion with a wave of her hand, Ei tapped the table to get the fox's attention.
"Are you somehow dissatisfied with your little birthday party, Ei?", she responded.
"No. In fact, that was quite a nice show you set up, Miko. I heard you mentioned my birthday to the traveler."
"I don't know what you mean by that. The traveler said herself she heard it from a shopkeeper.", Yae giggled behind her kosode.
Ei let put a sigh. It's always like this. Yae Miko rarely admits what she pulled behind the scene while it was obvious she is the one who set it up. And Ei is used to it. It has become a part of their little role-playing, a part of the script for her own amusement.
"... So be it. But regardless, you always have your way to make things interesting. Thank you, Miko."
"As a loyal servant of the Almighty Raiden Shogun, I only do what I should do to serve you."
"That... I appreciate."
A long awkward silence.
Ei stays quiet watching the sun finally set, it felt like an eternity. Only the sound of her finger clicking the teacup and the crickets starts singing by the pond below the shrine. Night flowers serve as natural lamps to light it up, followed by lanterns around the shrine appearing like a miniature starry sky illuminating the place. By then she noticed the odd silence she was in. She just realized there is no one around the shrine throughout the day. No guests, no guards, no shrine maidens, only them, and the traveler with her companion. It's as if Yae...
"Miko, by any chance, are you preparing another gift?"
"I thought you would never notice.", Yae gets up and slightly look back by her shoulder, "Come, let's enjoy the rest of the day in my chamber."