"Amidst the divine heron's flight, Ayaka's grace outshines the frost~"
Looking at the poem Akio had left for her before departing, Kamisato Ayaka felt nothing but joy. In the past, she had thought of herself as the "Shirasagi Himegimi", a heron trapped in a cage. But now... she had a beloved by her side.
After bidding farewell to the Kamisato Estate, Akio and Kitsune Saiguu strolled leisurely through Chinju Forest.
"Is that you?" Suddenly, a surprised voice called out from nearby.
Akio turned to see Hiiragi Chisato and her guards. Chisato stepped out of her carriage and approached him.
"Who's this little girl now?" Kitsune Saiguu gave Akio a curious look. "I'll head back to the Grand Narukami Shrine. You take your time."
With that, Kitsune Saiguu flew off toward the shrine.
"Are you Lord Akio?" Chisato ran over, her face slightly flushed as she asked.
As the daughter of the Kanjou Commission, she naturally knew about Inazuma's new deity, Akio. When she had been captured by the Nobushi, it was a god who had saved her. She was certain it must have been him.
Akio nodded, his gaze falling on the exquisite necklace around Chisato's neck. It was crafted from gold, with three golden crystals hanging at the front—the very same crystal he had given her for protection.
"Long time no see," Akio said, looking at the gentle girl before him, her eyes filled with excitement.
"Miss, who is he?" Shinjuku stepped forward, his tone laced with suspicion and a hint of hostility.
"Shinjuku! He's my savior and the legendary new deity of Inazuma, Lord Akio," Chisato introduced him happily.
"Lord Akio!" Shinjuku's expression dimmed. This man's status was even more exalted than that of the Kujou family. A god—a realm mortals could never hope to reach.
Akio glanced at Shinjuku and suddenly remembered. This was the guard who had a crush on Chisato in the game, right? Unfortunately, whether in the game or now, Chisato's gaze would never be drawn to him.
"Lord Akio, you saved my life before, and I never had the chance to thank you. How about you come to the Kanjou Commission today..." Chisato invited.
"Sure," Akio nodded, seeing the anticipation and admiration in her eyes. It just so happened that he also wanted to see what that fool Hiiragi Shinsuke was up to.
"Wonderful!" Chisato was overjoyed that Akio had agreed. "The journey is long, so please ride in the carriage with me."
The two of them boarded the carriage together, while Shinjuku watched with envy. Sharing a carriage with the young lady? It was something he had never dared to dream of.
"Lord Akio..." Chisato sat in the same carriage as Akio, her heart racing. In all her life, she had never shared a carriage with a man other than her father.
"Chisato, I have a question for you," Akio said.
"Please, go ahead," Chisato nodded, feeling a bit shy at Akio's intimate address.
"Have you ever been involved in the affairs of the Kanjou Commission?" Akio asked.
"Huh? Why do you ask?" Chisato was puzzled but shook her head. "I'm sorry, Lord Akio, I haven't been involved in the Commission's affairs. My father doesn't allow me to touch such matters."
"I see," Akio nodded. It seemed Chisato was unaware of the despicable actions of the Kanjou Commission.
The two fell into a brief silence. After a while, Chisato mustered the courage to ask, "Lord Akio, may I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead," Akio nodded.
"I have a friend... we've known each other since childhood. I've always thought of him as an older brother, but it seems he might have... feelings for me," Chisato said, glancing at Akio to gauge his reaction. Seeing his expression remain unchanged, she continued, "How should I reject him?"
"..." Akio was momentarily taken aback. Was she talking about Kujou Kamaji?
Chisato was also nervous. She had brought this up because she wanted to make it clear to Akio that she no longer had feelings for Kamaji.
Before Akio had appeared, Chisato had held a favorable opinion of Kamaji. They had grown up together, and Kamaji was gentle, knowledgeable, and skilled in both academics and martial arts.
If Akio hadn't come into her life, Chisato's heart might have eventually fallen for Kamaji. But ever since Akio had saved her, she realized she had fallen for him—the towering figure who had radiated golden light as he rescued her.
Since that day, Chisato's mind had been filled with thoughts of Akio. Even in her dreams, he was all she saw.
Chisato felt as though she had fallen ill. She tossed and turned at night, unable to sleep. When she sat up, even the moon outside her window seemed to reflect Akio's face.
Chisato gazed at Akio, her eyes growing hazy.
The trope of a hero saving a damsel in distress was a timeless way to win a maiden's heart. Combined with Akio's striking appearance and the irresistible allure of being "Teyvat's Most Devoted," Chisato had truly fallen hard for this god-like man she had only met once.
Akio stroked his chin and asked, "Chisato, are you sure you don't like that boy?"
"I don't. I only see him as an older brother," Chisato nodded firmly. She had long since understood her own feelings.
How pitiful, Akio silently mourned for the poor soul for a second before smiling. "If you don't like him, then make it clear early on. Tell him directly how you feel."
"If you don't like him, reject him outright and cut off his hopes. A direct rejection is a sign of respect for him and an answer for yourself."
"I understand," Chisato nodded. "But wouldn't that be... a bit rude? After all, we grew up together."
"Being ambiguous and not rejecting him is the real rudeness. You're both adults now. If you don't reject him and leave him with false hope, wouldn't that be very disrespectful?" Akio shook his head.
"I know what to do now. Thank you, Lord Akio," Chisato nodded. She had decided that after hosting Akio, she would write a letter to Kamaji to make her stance clear.
Akio nodded. He was practically becoming a life coach now, and his student was a young girl who had feelings for him.
As the carriage rolled on, Shinjuku, who was escorting the convoy, listened absentmindedly to Chisato's cheerful laughter from inside.
Shinjuku's friend, Kenzaburou, walked over and patted him on the shoulder.
"Shinjuku, are you still thinking about this?" Kenzaburou comforted him.
"N-no, I'm just happy for the young lady," Shinjuku forced a smile and shook his head.