"Master, you... why didn't you inform us of your arrival? We could have sent someone to greet you..."
Sayo spoke respectfully, her gaze occasionally drifting towards the Komore Tea Room.
She was well aware of the orders that Ayato had sent through Sayu.
At this moment, not only had their lady failed to follow the master's orders, but she had also taken things a step further, spending every day glued to Mr. Luo Qing in the tea room.
And now, with the master showing up unannounced...
This was straight out of one of those dramatic love light novels from Yae Publishing House.
"I came to Inazuma City for some business. I heard that Ayaka has been highly regarded by the Shogun and selected for some sort of special training team, so I thought I'd stop by and see her. Is she inside?"
Kamisato Ayato spoke softly.
"Ah... well..."
Sayo hesitated.
She knew that right now Ayaka and Luo Qing were most definitely entangled in the tea room. If she led the master in there, it would definitely lead to a big problem.
On one hand was the master, and on the other, her beloved lady.
For a moment, she didn't know what to do.
"Sayo, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Ayato asked gently.
Just from her expression, Ayato already had his answer.
Not only was Ayaka in the tea room, but that guy, Luo Qing, was certainly in there as well!
He felt anxious, very anxious.
"Ah... I... I'm fine, thank you for your concern, Master."
Finally, Sayo made up her mind to stand by the master's side.
Resolving herself inwardly, she bowed respectfully to Ayato and said,
"Master, the young lady is resting inside. I'll take you to see her right away..."
With that, Sayo, as if bravely facing a noble sacrifice, opened the door to the Komore Tea Room for Ayato.
Upon entering, they turned right, following the wooden corridor down to the end, where Ayaka and Luo Qing's room was located.
In the otherwise quiet hallway, Ayato's footsteps sounded particularly heavy.
Upon reaching their door, before he could even knock, the sound of a conversation between a man and a woman could be heard from inside.
"Mmm... it hurts... Master, is it still not done?"
"Almost done, Ayaka, just hang in there a little longer..."
"Mmm... mm..."
!!!
Ayato's brows furrowed deeply.
What on earth were the two of them doing in there?!
Without hesitation, Ayato pushed open the door to the room with a grand gesture, while Sayo covered her eyes, too scared to look at what was happening inside.
The next moment, they saw Ayaka kneeling on a tatami mat, her head tilted back, her fair, delicate face being gently massaged by a pair of large hands. From her expression, it seemed like she was even enjoying it.
Ah, so it was just a face massage...
No! A face massage was still not okay!
"Mmm... Sayo, didn't I tell you to knock before entering... Eh?! Brother?!"
In an instant, the atmosphere in the room froze.
Ayaka's pupils widened in disbelief at the scene before her eyes.
She glanced at Ayato's tightly furrowed brow, then at the hands of Luo Qing still cupping her cheeks. Her face immediately flushed crimson, all the way to her ears, and she wished the ground would swallow her whole.
Exchanging a glance with Luo Qing, she motioned for him to retract his hands. Hastily standing up, Ayaka lowered her voice and said,
"Brother... why... why are you here?"
Inside, Ayaka was filled with regret. If she had known this would happen, she wouldn't have agreed to Luo Qing's request earlier.
"I had some business in Inazuma City, so I thought I'd drop by to see you. And this is..."
Ayato spoke softly, his eyes narrowing as he stared directly at Luo Qing.
If looks could kill, Luo Qing would have been shredded to pieces by now.
"Uh... he..."
Ayaka hesitated, wondering whether she should hide Luo Qing's identity from her brother.
But before she could decide, Luo Qing smiled slightly and stood up, politely introducing himself.
"I am Luo Qing, a merchant from Snezhnaya, and also the swordsmanship instructor appointed by the Shogun. You must be Ayaka's brother, Ayato."
"..."
Ayato was speechless for a moment. This guy really doesn't hold back, does he?
"So, you are Mr. Luo Qing. Then that disk sent to the Yashiro Commission..."
"Yes, I sent that to you, Ayato. How did you find it?"
"..."
How did I find it?It felt like my ears were assaulted, that's how!
"The melody was... quite unique. It had a certain flair to it. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Mr. Luo Qing."
Ayato's eyes narrowed further as he continued, "I wonder, what exactly were you and my sister doing just now?"
"Oh, nothing much. Ayaka and I were just playfully sparring, Ayato, nothing to worry about."
Luo Qing smiled.
Subtext: Yep, exactly what you think. And by the way, we've done this countless times when you weren't around!
"..."
"Ayaka, why haven't you ever mentioned Mr. Luo Qing to me before?"
Ayato turned his gaze to his sister.
In his memory, Ayaka had always been sensible and aware of the bigger picture. She handled the Yashiro Commission's affairs with grace.
How had she ended up entangled with someone from the Fatui?
"Brother... Mr. Luo Qing saved me on my way to Inazuma. After that, we traveled together, and he shared many things with me..."
Ayaka replied quietly.
She didn't know what else to say.
The plan had originally been to finish her training, return to the Yashiro Commission, and then explain everything to Ayato, including the fact that Luo Qing meant her no harm.
But now that Ayato had shown up unannounced at the Komore Tea Room, all her plans had fallen apart.
"So that's how it is."
Ayato smiled slightly and turned his attention back to Luo Qing.
"Mr. Luo Qing, I have some family matters to discuss with my sister tonight. Would you mind stepping out for a while?"
"No problem at all."
Luo Qing waved his hand, smiling as he said, "Since Ayato has business, I won't take up more of Ayaka's time."
He then looked over at Ayaka.
"See you tomorrow, Ayaka~"
After all, they had plenty of time. Ayaka would be attending training at the Tenryou Commission tomorrow, and Luo Qing wasn't worried about not seeing her again.
"Yes... Mr. Luo Qing, goodbye..."
Ayaka's face flushed as she avoided calling him "Master" in front of her brother.
After Luo Qing left, Ayato sighed, sitting down across from Ayaka. He spoke softly.
"Ayaka, you know who he really is, right?"
"Snezhnaya... the Fatui... but brother, I trust Mr. Luo Qing. He would never harm me."
Ayaka replied quietly, "When I was on my way to Inazuma, I encountered a group of hilichurls. If not for Mr. Luo Qing and his men coming to my aid, even with my Vision, I could have been hurt..."
"So, you trust him?"
"I..."
"Setting aside whether or not he intentionally set that up to win your trust, you must understand that the Fatui are behind many of the events related to the Vision Hunt Decree.
Getting involved with them could spell trouble for the Kamisato Clan, and even the Yashiro Commission."
"Brother... I know, but..."
Ayaka lowered her head.
She wanted to argue, but didn't know what to say.
"Sigh..."
Seeing his sister like this, Ayato felt a pang of sadness in his heart.
He sighed and shook his head.
Suddenly, his gaze fell upon the tracksuit in the corner.
His heart sank even further.
---
T/N: Sayo this time...
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