Raiden Saku’s weighty words were quite convincing.
Seeing his earnest and responsible assurance, Yoimiya couldn’t help but believe him, her mood finally brightening: “That’s truly wonderful!
Inazuma needs someone to set things right now!” These words pleased Raiden Saku greatly, though a drop of cold sweat still formed on his forehead: “Listen, Yoimiya.
I know you’re straightforward, and I like that about you, but we should think carefully before saying certain things.
Your phrasing about ‘setting things right’…
isn’t quite appropriate.
It’s fine when I hear it, but if my sister Shogun heard this, she might get angry!” Yoimiya jolted in alarm, sweat beading on her forehead as she realized her indiscretion.
She cautiously scanned her surroundings and the sky, fearing a thunderbolt might strike down at any moment.
Then she quickly clasped her hands in prayer: “Forgive me, forgive me, forgive me Shogun-sama!
I spoke carelessly, I spoke carelessly!
That’s not what I meant!” After completing her prayer ritual, she opened her eyes and looked up at the sky.
Hmm, the weather was clear – no thunderbolt had struck.
Only then did Yoimiya breathe a sigh of relief, as if granted a pardon.
Raiden Saku looked at her speechlessly: “Alright, alright.
Shogun-sama is magnanimous and won’t mind this.
Besides, she doesn’t have the energy to pay attention to a young girl like you.
Yoimiya, for your sake, I’ve decided to oppose Shogun-sama and reorganize all of Inazuma!
How do you plan to thank me?” This made Yoimiya somewhat embarrassed, her heart flustered: “What do you mean ‘for my sake’?
Don’t joke like that, Saku-sama!
It should be for all of Inazuma!” “Fine, fine, for all of Inazuma.
But I just witnessed you conducting illegal transactions with fake Visions, and now I’ve decided to let you off and not pursue what just happened.
Given my magnanimity, Yoimiya, how do you plan to thank me?” “Ah?” Yoimiya looked slightly troubled.
“But Saku-sama, you also agree the Vision Hunt Decree is wrong, so why are you still holding onto what just happened?” “Hmm?
What did you say!?” “Nothing, nothing!” Yoimiya quickly changed her tone awkwardly.
“That’s right!
To thank Saku-sama, and to celebrate your return to Inazuma, let me treat you to a meal!” Saying this, Yoimiya happily pointed straight ahead: “How about Kiminami Restaurant?
It’s right up there – it’s a place I frequent.
Don’t let its small size fool you, the food is excellent!
Even the young lady of the Kamisato Clan visits often!” Raiden Saku looked in that direction, feeling somewhat nostalgic: “Kiminami Restaurant, you say?
Now that you mention it, I do miss their flavors.
Over the years abroad, I’ve tasted many delicacies and exotic flavors, but I’ve always yearned for Inazuma’s authentic tastes.
Very well, Kiminami Restaurant it is!” “Great!
Saku-sama!
Let’s go!” Raiden Saku asked Yoimiya to wait a moment, then walked around the giant Sacred Sakura to find Atsuko who had been waiting there.
“Atsuko, you should go home and visit your parents first.
I imagine you’ve been homesick for a long time – spend some quality time with your family.” “Will you be alright, Saku-sama?” “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.
I’m going to have a meal with a friend, then I plan to head straight to Tenshukaku.
If luck is on our side, by the time you see me again, I’ll be the new Electro Archon.” “Are you really sure about this?” Atsuko sounded concerned.
“Don’t worry, everything will be absolutely fine.” Since Raiden Saku said so, Atsuko nodded in agreement and left the place to return home to her parents.
After seeing Atsuko off, Raiden Saku turned back to find Yoimiya.
Thus, Yoimiya led Raiden Saku up Hanamizaka toward the Kiminami Restaurant.
Although it wasn’t mealtime, smoke rose from the Kiminami Restaurant’s kitchen, and the aroma of various foods filled the street—clearly, it was open for business.
Both Raiden Saku and Yoimiya coincidentally chose the outdoor seating of the Kiminami Restaurant.
The seats happened to face the cooking counter inside.
Sitting here allowed them to watch the food being prepared and cooked, offering both visual and olfactory enjoyment.
As soon as the two took their seats, Kiminami Anna, the owner and head chef of the restaurant, came out to greet them.
Anna, of course, knew Yoimiya, but the man beside her—Raiden Saku—was unfamiliar to her.
She warmly welcomed the two guests: “Welcome!
So it’s you, Yoimiya!
And this guest…
I don’t think I’ve seen you before.” Yoimiya naturally introduced Raiden Saku to Anna: “This is my friend, Saku-sama, a truly remarkable person!
The reason he looks unfamiliar is that Saku-sama has been traveling abroad for the past few years and only returned today.
This meal is to welcome him back, so it’s my treat!” When Yoimiya said “my treat,” she patted her chest with great enthusiasm, causing the fair, tender Slimes wrapped in bandages to tremble noticeably, drawing a sidelong glance from Raiden Saku.
Well…
it couldn’t be helped.
The sight was as delightful as a feast, making it impossible not to glance.
Seeing Yoimiya’s enthusiasm, Anna warmly attended to Raiden Saku: “So it’s Saku-sama.
My apologies for not recognizing you earlier.
Our menu is displayed here.
Please feel free to order whatever you and Yoimiya would like.” Raiden Saku looked up.
Sure enough, the various dishes offered by the Kiminami Restaurant were engraved on wooden plaques, which were hung in a circle inside.
Customers only needed to look up to see all the options clearly.
Instead of ordering directly, Raiden Saku politely turned to Yoimiya beside him.
“Yoimiya, what would you like to eat?” Sitting next to him, Yoimiya rested her cheek on her hand, tilting her head charmingly as she looked at Raiden Saku: “You’re the guest, so you order first!
You go ahead!” “Alright, then let me take a look…” While the two were discussing their orders, Anna observed them closely.
Running a long-standing shop in Hanamizaka had sharpened the owner’s intuition.
She quickly sensed that the relationship between Yoimiya and this Saku-sama seemed unusual!
Yoimiya was famously pure and lively, beloved by everyone in Hanamizaka, with quite a few young men secretly smitten with her.
Yet, until now, no one had heard of Yoimiya accepting anyone’s affections.
It was rare enough to see her dining alone with a member of the opposite sex, let alone walking down the street with a male peer!
But now…
Watching Yoimiya rest her cheek on her hand and enthusiastically explain the menu to Raiden Saku, Anna felt her suspicions confirmed.
She was so cheerful, and their interaction so natural—their relationship must be anything but ordinary.
But…
Anna couldn’t help but glance at Raiden Saku again.
His attire and demeanor clearly marked him as no ordinary person.
Even the young mistress Kamisato Ayaka and the second young master Kujou Kamaji, whom she knew, couldn’t match the presence of this man before her!
Just which noble family did this Saku-sama belong to?
Looking at Yoimiya again.
As lively and cheerful as ever, as vibrant and eye-catching as always.
If these two were truly together, if Yoimiya were to marry into this prominent family in the future, could she still maintain her current lively and pure personality?
A restrained Yoimiya—would she still be Yoimiya?
Could she find happiness, or even joy?
The more Kiminami Anna thought about it, the more she shook her head inwardly.
Ah…
though they share mutual affection, I fear they may not be a good match!
Not a good match indeed!
Fortunately, Raiden Saku didn’t possess Nahida’s convenient mind-reading ability.
If he could read Kiminami Anna’s thoughts at this moment, he would surely be left speechless.
Good grief, this proprietress is thinking way too far ahead!
Thank you so much for worrying so much about Yoimiya on her behalf!
Soon, Raiden Saku and Yoimiya finished ordering, selecting their favorite dishes.
Under Kiminami Anna’s skilled hands, dish after dish was served, and the two enjoyed the delicious food, eating with great delight.
Not only did they eat with great delight, but their conversation was equally lively.
With Yoimiya around, was there ever a worry about awkward silences?
As they ate and chatted, the sense of distance and unfamiliarity from their long separation quickly faded, and their relationship seemed to progress even further than before.
What does “progress further” mean?
Back then, Yoimiya was still young, and her feelings for Raiden Saku were mostly those of a sibling or a friend.
Now, Yoimiya had grown up, already at the age of budding romance.
Coupled with their reunion after a long separation and being close in age—or at least appearing to be close in age—without even realizing it herself, her former sibling-like affection was gradually transforming into another kind of emotion.