Matsuura's plan was to "make the fake real." Though the proposal and marriage were fake, as long as the propaganda was strong enough, the fake would become real.
Whether you two actually married didn't matter anymore, because everyone believed you did.
The Hiiragi and Kujou Clans were prestigious families that valued reputation. If they announced a marriage and then immediately retracted it, it would be too humiliating.
This was like "cooking the rice until it's done." Ayato couldn't directly disrupt their relationship.
So, Ayato's plan was to turn the tables. He wouldn't sabotage the marriage—he'd even support it.
But the prerequisite was getting Kujou Kamaji's help.
At its core, the issue stemmed from Hiiragi Chisato's current lack of capability. So, if others could be made to see her as highly "capable," wouldn't that solve it?
The best solution was to make the other Kanjou Commission families realize Hiiragi Chisato's importance.
They needed to understand that without her, they'd be doomed. Wasn't that a unique ability only Hiiragi Chisato possessed?
Then, even if Hiiragi Chisato wanted to marry, these families would have to consider how to preserve her position as head while allowing the marriage.
At that point, they could live together, have children—any excuse would do to gloss it over. As long as they "didn't marry," anything was fine.
If they insisted on marrying, that would give the minor families a headache.
Right now, Hiiragi Chisato had no "real power." Ayato was thinking about how to help her reclaim it.
As the head of the Yashiro Commission, Ayato couldn't meddle too deeply, so he thought of Kujou Kamaji, one of the key parties involved.
It must be said, Ayato's plan was flawless. Not only could it protect Hiiragi Chisato, but it could also deepen their relationship.
Originally, the enemy could have accused Ayato of being the "culprit" who ruined their marriage, pitting the Kujou and Kamisato Clans against each other.
But with this move, Ayato became their benefactor instead—a two-birds-with-one-stone strategy.
At this point, readers hadn't yet realized Ayato's brilliance, focusing more on how handsome he was.
When the situation was explained to Kujou Kamaji in the story, he still didn't grasp the severity, as he believed he could protect Hiiragi Chisato.
[Kamisato Ayato, in a gentle tone: "I understand your intentions, but forgive my bluntness—she shouldn't need to rely on your protection."]
["In other words, if even you subconsciously believe Hiiragi Chisato must be protected by you to overcome this crisis, doesn't that mean she's already lost something?"]
This sentence silenced many readers. Yes, everyone subconsciously assumed that with Kujou Kamaji, the Tenryou Commission head, he could protect Hiiragi Chisato.
But now they realized Hiiragi Chisato didn't need his protection. She could stand on her own, not depend on others.
Without Kujou Kamaji, those minor families wouldn't have found such a "reasonable" way to oust Hiiragi Chisato. She would have had time to slowly consolidate the Kanjou Commission.
Kujou Kamaji could protect Hiiragi Chisato, but he couldn't protect the Hiiragi Clan she wanted to preserve. Dependence always costs something.
[Kamisato Ayato said: "I'm not criticizing you. Wanting to protect someone important is human nature."]
["I also know you're wise and gentle. If not for being clouded by concern, you'd surely think things through more thoroughly."]
["The Hiiragi Chisato you admire is independent, gentle, strong, and full of resolve, isn't she?"]
His emotional intelligence was off the charts. His words respected Hiiragi Chisato while considering Kujou Kamaji's feelings. Now, beyond his handsome appearance, readers admired his character.
Ayato understood deeply and genuinely respected others.
And he wasn't just talk—he was clever, handling matters so Ei didn't need to lift a finger.
Ei: "You handle things, and I'm at ease."
As for Ayato's method, it was what he told "Wang Lang" earlier: marriage wouldn't unite the Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions.
It required the Tenryou Commission to play the "villain," making them seem like they wanted to swallow the Kanjou Commission.
By marrying Hiiragi Chisato, the Tenryou Commission would have a "legal" pretext to take over the Hiiragi Clan and the Kanjou Commission.
Of course, legality alone wasn't enough—there was still someone above.
Fortunately, Ei never cared about factional power struggles, as none could withstand her blade.
Ei: "Hmph, factional power struggles are so boring." / "My sister is Raiden Makoto."
Since Makoto's return, Ei cared even less about such matters, even considering abdicating.
Unfortunately, while she could leave governance to her sister, the divine throne couldn't be passed on. So Makoto constantly forced Ei to govern, teaching her how to rule.
To make her sister happy, Ei didn't refuse, but despite all the teaching, she hadn't improved much, as she didn't care.
Now, Ei's approach was: for external affairs, ask Yae Miko; for internal affairs, ask her sister.
Zhongli has Ningguang; I have Ayato—nothing to worry about.
It was precisely Ei's indifference to factional struggles that made subordinate rebellions common in Inazuma. Whoever was capable rose.
Ayato's task now was to let the "more capable" Tenryou Commission "swallow" the Kanjou Commission.
Of course, not completely merging them to reduce Inazuma's three Commissions to two—that would be too much, and neither the public nor Yae Miko would agree.
It was just about letting Tenryou Commission members manage the Kanjou Commission. Even so, the minor families would not only gain nothing but also be disbanded.
Hiiragi Chisato went from "a burden to be sent away" to "an indispensable shield."
This was a strategy anyone would call "brilliant."
Instantly, the dynamics flipped, and it wouldn't cause a major upheaval. The only pity was that the Traveler's hoped-for "rivers of blood" wouldn't happen.
The minor families wouldn't be punished, but they'd be caught with leverage, making them easier to control with a mix of grace and might.
Kokomi nodded silently—the outcome was set. That Matsuura probably couldn't even see where he lost.
Ayato: Your failure has one reason—you provoked me.
Though Ayato remained calm throughout the story, he was still angry.
Even setting aside the Commissions' open and hidden struggles, he couldn't accept using marriage like this. It was what his mother taught him.
They should pursue the life they desire, not be restricted, especially by such "boring" matters.
A "boring" political game, yet the opponent couldn't outplay Ayato even with the first move.
Ayato hadn't even exerted himself, only deploying one Shuumatsuban member the whole time.
If you're weak, practice more.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Kokomi: About Ayato
"The Shogunate's second fox. The deity isn't skilled at scheming, but her subordinates make up for it."
Lucian's Translation: She says Raiden Ei's mind is rather relaxed, but Yae Miko and Ayato perfectly compensate for it.