"Sister Ei, Sister Shogun," Ayaka greeted the two Raidens with a smile, unlike Lumine and Paimon, who were completely stunned.
"Ayaka, you're here too," Ei smiled slightly, and the Raiden Shogun nodded in acknowledgment.
"Huh? These two are the Raiden Shoguns of Inazuma? There are two Raiden Shoguns?!" Paimon suddenly exclaimed. "Wait! Isn't that Akio's room? Why are both Shoguns coming out of Akio's room?"
"Don't tell me the Raiden Shoguns are also your lovers?" Paimon looked at Akio in disbelief.
"Mhm," Akio nodded. "What? Didn't expect that, did you, little Paimon? You've got some brains after all."
"Ugh! Paimon has always been smart," Paimon said disdainfully. "Akio, I never thought someone like you, with such a serious face, could be so... so unfaithful!"
"No, no, I'm not unfaithful. I just want to give the girls who love me a warm home," Akio said with a smile. "They're all my wings!"
"Wow! That's such an infuriating thing to say," Paimon said, hands on her hips. "Right, Lumine? Lumine?"
Paimon called out to Lumine, but Lumine didn't respond. Paimon looked over and saw that Lumine's face was red, and she was staring at the ground, not saying a word.
The fact that both Shoguns had come out of Akio's room early in the morning—anyone with a normal brain would know something was up!
Damn it... I knew Akio was unfaithful, but I didn't expect him to be this wild! He actually had both Raiden Shoguns serving him at the same time.
"Lumine, are you feeling sick? Did you catch a cold from the rain?" Paimon flew over, concerned, seeing Lumine's flushed face.
"N-no, I'm fine," Lumine shook her head.
"Alright, you can talk to the Shoguns now," Akio said. "Just to clarify, there are actually three Shoguns. These two are the ones who have been ruling Inazuma all these years."
"Three Shoguns?!" Paimon was completely dumbfounded. So, does that mean there are four gods in Inazuma? Wow! How are the other nations supposed to compete with that?
"You chat," Akio said, then took Ayaka's hand and led her to the Sacred Sakura tree.
"Lord Akio, tonight... I want to stay," Ayaka said, her eyes filled with longing, as if she had mustered a great deal of courage.
"Ayaka is already 16, the age when one can marry, Lord Akio," Ayaka said seriously. "I... I'm a little envious of Sister Miko and the others..."
"Why is Ayaka so bold today?" Akio pinched Ayaka's soft, delicate cheek and smiled.
"Mmm..." Ayaka's eyes widened, her face turning red as she fidgeted. "Actually, Sister Miko told me about these things a long time ago."
"I... I never had the courage to say it, but I also want to sleep with Lord Akio at night," Ayaka said in a small voice, her head lowered. "I really, really want to."
"Then tonight, my dear, you'll stay," Akio said, gently rubbing Ayaka's cheek.
"Okay~" Ayaka rested her head on Akio's shoulder, smiling happily.
"By the way, I heard Miko has been busy with a lot of things lately, always dragging Kitsune Saiguu and Hanachirusato to see you. What are you all up to?" Akio asked curiously. "Sometimes I can't even find you."
"Ah~ that," Ayaka waved her hand. "Sister Miko said we can't tell you. Besides, we're preparing for the Divine Coronation Ceremony."
"So mysterious? Tell me, my dear, just between us. Miko won't know," Akio whispered, leaning closer to Ayaka.
"Mmm..." Hearing Akio's voice, Ayaka felt a little intoxicated, but she had promised Yae Miko to keep it a secret. She couldn't hold back...
"Alright then," Ayaka couldn't refuse Akio. She leaned in and whispered in his ear, "Actually, Sister Miko has been teaching us the Taihei Kagura dance. We're going to perform it for you at the Divine Coronation Ceremony."
"The Taihei Kagura dance?" Akio was surprised. Wasn't that a dance dedicated to the gods? Oh, right, he's a god. Never mind.
"Who's in it?" Akio asked.
"Well... Sister Miko, Sister Hanachirusato, me, Yoimiya, and Chisato," Ayaka said.
"Wow, all of you? No wonder I couldn't find Yoimiya the other day," Akio said, finally understanding.
"We all want to perform the most beautiful dance for you, so we've been spending a lot of time practicing," Ayaka said seriously.
"Well, well~ Sister said we couldn't let Akio know. Let's see which little traitor spilled the secret," Yae Miko suddenly appeared behind Akio, wrapping her arms around him, her soft body pressing against his.
"So it's little Ayaka, the traitor," Yae Miko said with a mischievous smile, looking at Ayaka.
"Wah... Sister Miko, I'm sorry..." Ayaka, caught red-handed, lowered her head and whispered.
"Since you've spilled the secret, little Ayaka, you'll have to accept Sister Miko's punishment," Yae Miko said, clearly fond of this adorable girl.
"Alright, Miko, my dear, my Ayaka just couldn't bear to keep it from me," Akio said with a smile. "Unlike you, keeping a dance a secret from your husband?"
"Hmph," Yae Miko snorted, then gently bit Akio's neck. "I just wanted to give you a surprise. Actually, I've known for a long time that Yoimiya, Ayaka, and Chisato wouldn't be able to keep it from you."
"My dears, after the Divine Coronation Ceremony, I'll give you a grand wedding," Akio said seriously.
"R-really?" Ayaka was pleasantly surprised. Yae Miko, being a youkai, didn't care much for human customs, but Ayaka, being a human girl, had always dreamed of having a romantic wedding.
"Of course, I'll announce it to the world," Akio nodded. "After the Divine Coronation Ceremony, I want our wedding to be blessed by everyone."
"Wah..." Ayaka was so moved that she started to cry.
"Why are you crying, Ayaka?" Akio wrapped his arm around Ayaka's shoulder.
"I'm just so happy..." Ayaka said softly. "Thinking about marrying you makes me so happy. I've dreamed about it so many times, and now it's finally coming true."
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