The importance of the Small World to Ye Xi could well be imagined. To put it simply, this was Ye Xi's home! A home in the truest sense of the word!
Now that Ye Xi had left Inazuma, he had actually handed the key to his front door to Yae Miko. This was clearly a profound display of trust in her!
Kamisato Ayaka felt a sour twinge in her heart, and she subconsciously brushed her fingers against the Jade Flute in her pocket. She could easily imagine that if Lady Guuji truly liked Ye Xi, she would surely spend the nights resting in the very bed he had slept in. To be enveloped by Ye Xi's scent... she would surely sleep very soundly indeed.
If Ye Xi had entrusted the Small World to her, that is exactly what she would have done. After all, the scent that lingered on Ye Xi was incredibly comforting.
As her thoughts wandered, Ayaka suddenly realized she was imagining rather scandalous things. Her face turned bright red instantly, and she felt as if steam were practically erupting from the top of her head.
Shaking her head to dispel those unrealistic fantasies, Ayaka stepped into the Small World.
The place looked exactly as it had before Ye Xi's departure. Inside the courtyard, there was a steaming hot spring and a path leading to a small gazebo. The stone table and benches sat there, appearing somewhat lonely.
Steam rose in thick, swirling mists from the surface of the hot spring. From within the water-heavy air, a lazy, wandering voice drifted out.
"Punctual as always, little girl."
Ayaka was momentarily stunned. She hadn't expected anyone to be in the hot spring. Through the shifting mist, she caught a glimpse of snowy white skin.
She saw Yae Miko leaning against the edge of the spring, leisurely reading a picture book. A fluffy pink tail swished restlessly in the water, sending small splashes into the air.
Upon witnessing this scene, Ayaka felt her entire impression of Lady Guuji collapse in an instant!
The Lady Guuji who was usually so sacred, dignified, and poised was currently acting so incredibly slovenly. One had to understand that in the eyes of the common folk, the Guuji was a figure of absolute piety. As the familiar of the Raiden Shogun, she had protected Inazuma for generations. She was a truly great figure!
The Kamisato Clan held the reins of the Yashiro Commission, and because of matters related to rituals and festivals, they had very close contact with the Grand Narukami Shrine.
Ayaka remembered that in her mother's heart, Guuji Yae was a peerless existence. Even the shrine maidens viewed their Lady Guuji as pure and holy an image that had never wavered!
Everyone took it for granted that such an existence must lead a life of exhausting labor. Who could have imagined that the Guuji everyone admired so much could actually be this idle?
When Ayaka finally regained her composure, she hurriedly said, "My mother taught me before she passed that Lady Guuji does not like meaningless waiting, so..."
"Mmh~ you are just as excellent as your mother was."
Yae Miko felt quite satisfied. She extended an invitation: "Come and soak in the spring to relieve your fatigue. The water here is much more comfortable than the springs at the Aisa Bathhouse."
"Eh?"
Ayaka took a startled half-step back, her eyes wide with surprise. Soon, she began to feel bashful. To soak in a hot spring, she would have to disrobe and be completely...
She had never bathed with anyone before, not even another woman. Even though they were both women, this felt far too embarrassing. However, since it was the Guuji's request, she had no choice but to comply.
In Inazuma, there were strict rules for soaking in a hot spring. First, one had to rinse off any surface sweat with running water before entering the pool.
After changing out of her clothes, she tied her hair up high and used a wooden ladle to pour warm water over her body.
At that moment, Yae Miko closed her picture book and said with great enjoyment, "Ayaka, I can call you that, right?"
"Um... it is my honor to have Lady Guuji remember my name."
The woman before her was a fox spirit who had lived for over five hundred years, witnessing the life and death of countless generations. In terms of seniority, being addressed by her given name was a tremendous honor.
"Just call me Miko," Yae Miko yawned and continued leisurely. "Actually, I called you here tonight to discuss a few things. I know you can also hear Xi's inner thoughts. I won't blame you for your previous deception."
Ayaka's small hands trembled.
She had guarded that secret fiercely, which was why Yae Miko had never paid her much mind, allowing her the chance to continuously interact with Ye Xi. Ayaka had expected Miko to punish her for this today. Now that the subject had been broached, she felt a wave of worry.
However, to her surprise, Yae Miko didn't seem to intend to pursue the matter!
Miko continued, "What I actually wanted to say is that besides the two of us, there is someone else who can hear Xi's inner voice: Ei."
"Her Excellency the Raiden Shogun!?"
Ayaka was truly terrified now. If even the Shogun had designs on Ye Xi, what could a mere girl from the Kamisato Clan do to compete? One was the deity of Inazuma, and the other was the deity's fox familiar. As a mere human, it was impossible to compete with them!
Furthermore, a single word from those two could plunge the Kamisato Clan into eternal damnation!
During the day, she had been secretly pleased with that rumor, but she never expected to face such a heavy blow so soon. Because of her own marriage prospects, the Kamisato Clan would at most offend a few other great families. But if the matter involved Ye Xi, they would offend the Raiden Shogun and the Lady Guuji.
Which side was harder to provoke went without saying!
With this, didn't her hopes of being with Ye Xi become even more distant?
Just as Ayaka was consumed by worry, Yae Miko let out a soft chuckle. "Don't worry. Xi has a place for you in his heart. If I were to make things difficult for you, wouldn't that make him unhappy? The reason I called you here is that I want us to unite."
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend. We must eliminate the biggest enemy first!"
Hearing this, Ayaka's eyes flashed with a hint of panic.
"Lady Guuji, do you mean to say..."
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