Lady Ayako had the feeling of being caught doing something bad, feeling slightly guilty and flustered.
Father's face appeared somewhat softened under the moonlight.
"You did very well. As expected of my son."
Father nodded in satisfaction.
Little Ayaka was a bit confused.
But Father soon began to explain to him.
"Cid Kagerou is an honest and upright person. In the words used in Liyue, he would be called a true gentleman. Gaining his approval is both very difficult and very simple.
The difficult part is that anyone tainted by interests will only ever be seen in relation to those interests. The simple part is that if you speak purely from the heart, you will receive the most genuine emotion in return.
After personally interacting with him, I realized that it's already as difficult as ascending to the heavens for me to build a good relationship with someone like him.
Having dealt with officialdom for far too long, how could I possibly avoid mixing in interests?
Unless one day I retire and stop handling affairs entirely, it should be impossible for me to become truly close to him."
Father walked in front of little Ayaka, half-squatting down to help straighten his collar.
"But you're different. Although you've accepted a great deal of the parts of the family that involve interests, at your core you still retain the part that belongs to a child.
I'm very glad you haven't been completely eroded by the interests side. Being fully eroded would be bad—
Very bad. It would cause you to lose many things, even the broad perspective needed to view people properly. And if you can't see problems comprehensively, you'll make mistakes."
The head of the Kamisato family sat down at the doorway, appearing somewhat unrestrained and free-spirited.
Little Ayaka clearly realized that tonight, his father's emotions were fluctuating far more than usual.
Under normal circumstances, the head of the Kamisato family would never do something like this.
It didn't fit the Kamisato family traditions—at least it was fortunate that it was nighttime now, and around the Kamisato residence there were only family members nearby.
"You made a very correct choice. I'm truly proud of you."
Right now, the head of the Kamisato family seemed somewhat weary, yet at the same time somewhat excited.
"All my life I've been like a little insect at night, constantly wandering through the forest searching for a way out.
I've strictly adhered to the rules, yet I always felt the Kamisato family was on the verge of collapse. I kept thinking of using the interests hidden within the rules to save the Kamisato family.
Now the Kamisato family's position is finally about to stabilize, but I've discovered that what saved the Kamisato family was the very thing I had long suppressed within myself..."
The head of the Kamisato family suddenly felt like having a drink.
That wouldn't do. In the health guide that young Cid Kagerou had just given to Sayu, there was a mention of abstaining from alcohol.
Although he himself was no longer a child, he still needed to pay attention to his health.
"Ayato, from now on, the future of the Kamisato family is entrusted to you."
That night, a man named Kamisato Takakado—the head of the Kamisato family—said these words to his young son.
Takakado: "Taka" meaning prosperity and nobility, entrusting the hope that the family would flourish and endure forever.
"Kado": meaning rules and standards, echoing the special trait of the Tenryou Commission that requires strict adherence to etiquette and regulations.
Afterward, the family head's expression became somewhat hesitant, just like the old uncle's earlier...
But in the end, he still spoke these words.
"As for the cross-dressing... I can understand it as a personal preference... but please don't take it too far, and absolutely do not let outsiders find out. The Kamisato family... really cannot afford to lose face over this."
Lady Ayako's face instantly turned bright red...
"Moreover, because it concerns Lord Shura Anyakonsen-shou, the existence of 'Ayako' definitely cannot be kept hidden forever."
"In the future, there may even be banquets that require Lady Ayako to attend..."
The head of the Kamisato family looked at Lady Ayako and sighed.
"Son, do your best. The glory of the Kamisato family truly rests on your shoulders now."