The return journey in that carriage was long and tedious. As the wheels turned slowly beneath us, I watched the scenery pass by in silence. Upon arriving at the residence, I was guided once again by Ei, who seemed to have become my personal GPS.

“Turn right, then left,”
Ei instructed with almost mechanical precision. I was already getting used to her directions, and I couldn’t help thinking of those navigation apps for drivers. Still, the monotony of the trip did nothing to make my situation any easier.

After walking through the corridors for quite a while, I finally reached the Shogun’s room. The bed—large and plush—looked like an oasis of comfort amid all the stress I had piled up. I dropped onto it like a sack of potatoes and let out a deep sigh of relief.

“Ugh… I think I’m going to sleep,”
I said with a big yawn, already feeling exhaustion take over. But just as I was closing my eyes, Ei’s voice interrupted my plans, preventing me from reaching the longed-for sleep.

“Don’t even think about it. You may not be the Shogun, but that doesn’t mean you can neglect your personal hygiene. Get up and take a hot bath, then put on your pajamas.”

Ei’s tone was firm, leaving no room for discussion.

“And what if I don’t?”
I asked lazily, far too comfortable in the softness of the bed to move.

“Hmph. If you don’t, forget about me helping you tomorrow.”
The threat was clear, and though I sighed in frustration, I knew she was right. I didn’t have many options.

“Alright, alright, I’m going,”
I muttered as I reluctantly got up. Dragging my feet, I headed to the bathroom, filled the tub with warm water, and sank into the soothing heat. I felt the water ease the tension in my muscles, and for a moment, I almost forgot the surreal situation I was in.

After the bath, I dried off, put on my pajamas, and finally collapsed onto the bed, where I fell asleep instantly.

The next day, I woke up with a strange feeling. I slowly opened my eyes and, to my dismay, heard Ei’s voice in my mind. None of this had been a dream—much less a nightmare that ended upon waking.

“I see you’re awake. Good. Go take a bath, then get dressed and fix your hair,”
Ei said, with the same firmness as the night before. Still half-asleep, I let out a heavy sigh but got up and followed her instructions. I got dressed, then, with my usual clumsiness, tried to braid my hair. The result was, as always, disastrous.

Just then, one of the guards entered the room, making me freeze on the spot.

“Shogun, the High Priestess has come to visit you.”

I felt panic seize me. Yae Miko?! Here?! Ei sighed in my mind, exasperated.

I finished fixing myself as best I could and went out to the courtyard, where I found Yae Miko sitting elegantly at a tea table, a steaming cup in her hands. Her sharp gaze landed on me the moment I appeared.

“Oh, Shogun, please, sit,”
she said, gesturing to a chair beside her. On the table, another cup of tea was already prepared for me. I sighed inwardly, nervous. I couldn’t even try to pick up the cup—my hand would surely tremble, and the last thing I needed was to spill tea in front of the cunning priestess.

“Goodness, Miko, why do you have to be so perceptive?”
Ei grumbled in my mind, aware that the situation was not in our favor.

“Repeat after me,”
Ei instructed quickly. “If I may ask, what is the reason for your visit, High Priestess?”

I gave a slight nod and, trying to maintain my composure, said in the most neutral voice I could manage:

“What is the reason for your visit, High Priestess?”

Yae Miko smiled with that unmistakable smile of hers, the kind that never fully revealed her intentions. It was then that I suddenly noticed something I had somehow overlooked until now—fox ears! My eyes went wide at the sight of them. How had I not noticed before?

My surprise did not go unnoticed by Miko, who narrowed her eyes, studying me with a new spark of suspicion.

“Focus and calm down!”
Ei warned me, visibly frustrated. “I suppose I forgot to mention it, but Yae Miko is a kitsune. It’s something everyone in Inazuma knows.”

“Now you tell me, Ei?!”
I thought desperately, feeling panic threaten to overflow. I swallowed and looked away, trying to regain my composure, but I could feel Miko’s gaze piercing me, as if she could read all my thoughts.

Finally, Yae Miko broke the silence and answered my question:

“I came to talk to you.”

The words were simple, but her tone suggested something far deeper. Without wasting any time, Ei spoke in my mind with a clear note of resignation.

“…Officially, you’re fried. More fried than the tofu Yae had for breakfast this morning.”

I couldn’t help tensing up even more, aware that the situation was becoming increasingly difficult to handle. What did Yae Miko want from me? How long could I keep up this charade before everything came crashing down?