Feeling the strange gaze from Kazuha, Luo Qing followed behind Kamisato Ayaka and entered Komore Teahouse.
As soon as they stepped inside, his eyes were drawn to the plump Shiba Inu sitting behind the front counter, sporting a small scarf tied around its head. Its mouth curled up in a characteristic Shiba Inu smile.
But then, Luo Qing blurted out in surprise:
"What a chubby pupper!"
"..."
[Taramaru's Frustration Value +1]
Taramaru's expression froze instantly. Standing up, it barked loudly at Luo Qing.
"Mr. Luo Qing, this is Taramaru, the owner of Komore Teahouse," Ayaka explained softly. She, too, took a brief glance at the fluffy dog, noticing that it had indeed gotten a little rounder under its thick fur.
"Ahem... I see," Luo Qing said, feigning embarrassment. "I just knew Taramaru must be a top-tier dog—look at that majestic posture! Clearly a master swords-dog!"
"Woof!" barked Taramaru, as if saying, How did you know I can wield a blade?
"Of course! We should spar sometime if you're up for it."
"Woof!"
"Mr. Luo Qing, it seems you and Taramaru get along well," Ayaka said with a smile.
"Indeed, Taramaru is clearly a talented dog. It's been a while since I've seen such a dignified and handsome pupper."
"Well, Mr. Luo Qing, if you have time, you're welcome to visit Komore Teahouse often. You and Taramaru can chat more. I'll have a word with Kazuha, so from now on, you can come in directly whenever you want," Ayaka said gently. She already understood why Luo Qing had been waiting outside, but it was Kazuha's job, and Ayaka couldn't fault her for doing it.
"Does that mean I'll have more opportunities to visit Miss Ayaka?" Luo Qing teased.
"Umm..."
Ayaka lowered her gaze, a light blush coloring her cheeks, before turning and walking towards the inner tea room.
Seeing her retreat, Luo Qing couldn't resist giving Taramaru a hearty pat on the head before hurrying after her.
They walked to the tea room at the far end of the corridor, sitting across from each other at a low table. Soon, a servant brought in a tray of tea and snacks.
"Lady Kamisato, you seem a bit troubled. Did something happen earlier?" Luo Qing asked gently, noticing Ayaka's downcast expression. He was certain something had happened at Tenshukaku.
"Yes... Something did happen," Ayaka replied, nodding slightly. She hesitated, unsure if she should share.
"If it helps, you can tell me. Sometimes talking about it can make you feel better," Luo Qing said softly, his tone empathetic.
In that moment, he played the perfect caring gentleman.
Of course, it was just a facade.
He was still, after all, a schemer at heart.
"Well..." Ayaka looked into Luo Qing's eyes, hesitated for a few seconds, then slowly began.
"Mr. Luo Qing, have you heard of the Vision Hunt Decree?"
"Of course. The confiscation of Visions in pursuit of eternity—it's even made news in Snezhnaya."
"Yes... The Vision Hunt Decree has affected the lives of many, even altering their destinies. The Yashiro Commission has always advocated for its repeal. I came to Inazuma City to present a proposal to the Shogun, urging her to abolish the decree..."
"It seems... Lady Kamisato was unsuccessful?" Luo Qing guessed gently.
"Yes..." Ayaka admitted with a sigh. Her voice was soft, almost resigned.
"Both the Kanjou and Tenryou Commissions opposed my proposal. It couldn't even reach the Shogun herself."
The Vision Hunt Decree and the Tri-Commission were well-known aspects of Inazuma's politics, and Ayaka's status as a member of the Kamisato family was no secret. Thus, she felt comfortable sharing this information with Luo Qing.
After a moment, she raised her gaze to him again and asked:
"Mr. Luo Qing, do you think the Shogun's decree is truly just?"
"Of course, it's... not."
"What... Hmph... Mr. Luo Qing, you're teasing me..." Ayaka pouted, averting her eyes slightly in a rare show of girlish petulance.
"The Vision is a divine recognition of humanity's virtues. Confiscating it in pursuit of some imagined eternity is indeed a harsh fate for those who possess it."
"Exactly... So why did the Shogun suddenly enact such a decree?" Ayaka mused with a sigh.
"Maybe she's lost her mind?" Luo Qing suggested with a conspiratorial smile.
"Umm..."
"Those are dangerous words, Mr. Luo Qing. You mustn't speak them lightly. If the Shogun or her soldiers hear such talk, it could end terribly."
"It's fine. The Shogun can't hear us from here," Luo Qing replied dismissively, clearly unconcerned by the warning.
They were far from Tenshukaku—how could the Shogun hear them from so far away? She wasn't omniscient.
"Umm..."
Ayaka didn't know how to respond.
As a follower of the Raiden Shogun, Ayaka, despite any reservations she might have had, could never utter such blasphemous words against her deity. She decided the conversation was treading on dangerous ground.
"Mr. Luo Qing, perhaps we should change the topic..."
"Of course," Luo Qing agreed, smiling. "Does Lady Kamisato have any favorite dresses, like the floral ones from Fontaine?"
"Huh... Mr. Luo Qing, how did you know I like those...?"
A blush crept over Ayaka's face, surprised yet again by how easily Luo Qing guessed her preferences.
Since the conversation had shifted away from serious topics, Ayaka relaxed, becoming more talkative. Gradually, the atmosphere in the tea room grew light, and Ayaka's laughter grew more frequent.
Unbeknownst to them, a deep violet eye hovered in the shadows of the ceiling beams, hidden from view yet observing them intently. It remained unnoticed by even Luo Qing, whose usual sharp instincts failed to detect its presence.
Night had long fallen.
Though the pleasant tea conversation had significantly increased Ayaka's fondness for Luo Qing, it wasn't enough to convince her to invite him to stay the night. Seeing that it was getting late, they agreed to meet again another time, and Ayaka personally escorted Luo Qing to the door of Komore Teahouse.
After watching him leave, a sudden breeze blew through the courtyard. In the darkness above, a small figure darted from the rafters, landing lightly before Ayaka.
"Sayu, what brings you here?"
"Huff... because... there's work to be done," Sayu panted.
"Work?"
"Huff... The Lord... said to tell you... to be careful... of a man named Luo Qing," Sayu gasped between breaths.
"Luo Qing?"
Hearing the name, Ayaka's eyes widened in surprise.
Sayu, still catching her breath, quickly elaborated:
"Yes... The Lord said... he's dangerous... He might hurt you... so you have to... stay vigilant... Can't... I'm so sleepy... need to rest," she said, yawning.
"Hurt me...?" Ayaka murmured, glancing in the direction Luo Qing had disappeared.
Her heart filled with unanswered questions.
---
T/N: D-did...the shogun become a stalker...? girl u wild
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
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