[You want to ask Raiden Ei for martial arts advice, but you don't know how to begin. After all, showing no interest in martial arts is part of Raiden Makoto's character. If you suddenly act out of character, it might make Ei suspicious.]
[However, after learning about your concerns, Makoto said she had a clever plan. She knew how to make Ei teach you martial arts without raising any suspicions.]
["My little sister is as dumb as a melon. If you just do this… and then that, Yilan, I guarantee she'll obediently hand over all her martial arts skills."]
[In the consciousness space, Makoto's star-like violet eyes sparkled with intelligence, while the slight curve of her lips gave her the smile of a sly, fox.]
[On the third day, after patrolling the surrounding area and confirming there was no danger, Ei returned to Tenshukaku. As Raiden Makoto's shadow, she naturally lived with her sister.]
[Imagining her sister had prepared a delicious meal for her return, Ei couldn't help but quicken her pace. But when she arrived, she found her sister Raiden Makoto sitting at an empty table, quietly watching her.]
[Entering somatosensory mode]
"..."
Yilan had grown used to switching between somatosensory mode and reality mode. He didn't reveal any flaws and kept a gentle smile—just like Raiden Makoto's—on his face as he looked at the Raiden Ei of this era.
Her appearance was just as he remembered, except now she still lived under her sister's protection and seemed even more clueless, more naive, and… more like a little brat.
She stood frozen at the door, staring at the empty table with disbelief, clearly unsure how to react. Her eyes flicked toward Makoto, looking pitiful.
(Wow… Where are my tri-color dango, my tamagoyaki, and my lotus cakes?)
Are Raiden Ei's this era really this silly?
Yilan almost laughed out loud but held it in. Following Makoto's instructions, he let out a long, heavy sigh.
"Ah—!"
This "ah" was the critical part of the performance. At the very least, it startled Ei. Her mind immediately flooded with terrible possibilities as she rushed forward, asking, "Sister, why are you sighing?"
"Ei, you and I are sisters by blood. Some things shouldn't be divided so strictly, but sometimes… I still feel like I give too much."
"Diplomacy with neighboring nations, managing Inazuma's internal affairs… Even after exhausting official duties, I still cook for you… while you only need to train in martial arts every day… It just feels unfair. Maybe I should stop cooking and leave it to the servants."
As Yilan delivered this according to Makoto's script, he mentally spoke to her:
[Hey, this is what you really think!]
[How could that be? I'm a gentle, kind older sister. How could I possibly have any complaints about my cute little sister?]
No, this has to be what you really mean.
Yilan was speechless. Makoto really was gentle—but she was also undeniably devious.
On the other hand, Ei nearly broke down when she heard him. Her usually blank expression twisted into one of pure panic.
"Sister, how could you say that? No one's cooking is as delicious as yours!"
Everything was going according to Makoto's plan.
Yilan sighed again, then followed the next line in the script: "I'm just thinking ahead."
"Ei, we've spent thousands of years together, and we've seen how fleeting the world can be. Many once-happy families fell apart over petty inequalities."
"But Ei, I don't want us to be like that. I want to be your good sister forever."
Yilan felt like he deserved an award for this performance—it was emotional, heartfelt, and even moved his co-star.
Ei choked up and said, "I want to be your good sister forever too."
"So, to avoid future misunderstandings, I've decided not to cook for you anymore." Yilan—still playing the role of Raiden Makoto—put on a cold, resolute expression.
"Ah—!"
Ei looked devastated. Her conflicted little face clearly said she couldn't live without her sister's cooking… but also couldn't argue.
"How about this."
Yilan softened his tone. "Cooking is my proudest skill. If you want me to keep doing it, you'll have to offer your proudest skill in return."
"But all I know is martial arts… and you don't even need that, Sister…"
"That doesn't matter." Yilan walked over and gently stroked Ei's head. "What matters isn't whether I need it—it's about fairness."
"We are beings chasing eternity. In that pursuit, balance is crucial. If one side of the scale shifts—even slightly—time will only magnify the imbalance until everything collapses. Do you understand, Ei?"
"I understand, Sister. I'll do my best to teach you martial arts from now on!" Ei replied seriously.
At that moment, Makoto's voice echoed proudly in Yilan's mind:
[See? When you don't know how to explain something, let the other party come up with the answer—don't make up some weak excuse that'll make Ei suspicious. Let her want to help you.]
Yilan muttered back: [Doesn't your conscience hurt, messing with your poor sister like this?]
[You think acting's fun, don't you?]
[…Yeah, it's fun.]
[Then that's all that matters.]
Makoto giggled inside his mind, and Yilan sighed—she really was a crafty one.
[Oh, by the way, since I can't control my body, cooking will be up to you, Master Yilan. But don't worry, I'll teach you how to make everything.]
"..."
Listening to her mischievous laughter, Yilan suddenly had the urge to flip up her skirt and spank her right then and there.
[Day 4: With Makoto's help, you successfully convinced Ei. So aside from official duties, you began learning martial arts from her.]
[At night, just before sleeping, Makoto asked in the consciousness space whether you wanted to learn how to use elemental power.]
[While Makoto isn't as skilled in martial arts, she's the true Electro Archon and bearer of the Electro Gnosis—her command over elemental energy surpasses Ei's.]
[Naturally, you agreed. That night, in the consciousness space, Makoto taught you until dawn.]
[Day 5: Kitsune Saiguu came to discuss official business. You noticed a pink-haired little fox on her shoulder. You asked to hold it—and ended up rubbing its belly extensively.]
[Day 6: Work, martial arts training, playing with foxes, and Makoto's lessons continued into the night.]
[Day 7: Work, martial arts, foxes, and more late-night teaching from Makoto.]