“My, my…”
Yae Miko pressed a fair, slender finger lightly against her red lips, tilting her head slightly as soft pink hair slid over her shoulder.
Leaning closer, her fragrance washed over Lu Heng’s face without impediment.
“Really now, little guy… I just wanted to know if your heart skipped a beat when you saw me.”
Assaulted face-to-face by this five-hundred-year-old fox, young Lu Heng’s ears flushed red instantly.
“Ahem! Guuji-sama… we’re in public, mind your image!”
Afraid this pink-haired fox would drop more bold statements, Lu Heng hurriedly pushed the sizzling plate of top-grade fried tofu toward her, bootlicking-ly handing her a pair of clean chopsticks.
“Guuji-sama, since we bumped into each other, this meal is on me! Why don’t you try it while it’s hot?”
Miko lowered her eyes to the golden, crisp fried tofu, a faint spark passing through her eyes.
She let out a soft laugh and accepted without hesitation, extending her hand to take the chopsticks.
She elegantly picked up a plump, juicy piece of fried tofu and brought it to her pink lips.
“Mmm…”
As the crispy outer skin burst, sweet and savory juice filled her mouth.
Even the ever-poised Guuji Yae couldn’t help letting out a satisfied soft hum, her white neck bobbing slightly while her fox eyes squinted into slits in pure delight.
Beside her, Lu Heng helplessly covered his face, complaining endlessly inside.
*I thought this pink fox would always be a dangerous mastermind behind the scenes, but a plate of fried tofu made her reveal her true colors.
Damn this woman, she’s annoyingly cute.*
“All right then, little guy. For the sake of this plate of fried tofu…”
Swallowing the delicious morsel, Yae Miko gracefully wiped the corner of her lips with a silk handkerchief, returning to her half-smiling demeanor.
“Seeing you frowning earlier, you must have something troubling you? If your attitude is sincere enough, I might show mercy and listen to your worries~”
Lu Heng’s pupils dilated.
Right!
The person in front of him was the true power behind the scenes in Inazuma, holding the Shogun’s favor above and leading the Grand Narukami Shrine below—the undisputed top fox under the deity!
If her channels intervened, would he still fear the Tri-Commission’s blockades?
Lu Heng discarded all dignity in an instant, switching his expression to adoration and flattery in one second flat.
“O wise and beautiful Guuji-sama—!”
He clasped his hands together, dramatic and full of emotion.
“Truth be told, I am truly at my wit’s end! To promote the Almighty Shogun’s cause of Eternity, I ran my legs off at the Tri-Commission! But their procedures are clearly a joint effort to strangle me!”
“My heart aches! If only a divine fox with sky-reaching influence and boundless power were willing to extend a helping hand…”
“Heheh…”
She casually picked up another piece of fried tofu, chewed it slowly, and only then glanced at him.
“Little guy, don’t look at me with those watery eyes,” Miko smiled like flowers, but her words were icy cold.
“I. Will. Not. Help. You.”
Lu Heng’s flattering smile froze instantly.
*Then why are you eating my fried tofu so happily?!
You came purely to freeload and watch me make a fool of myself?!*
Seeing Lu Heng’s expression crash from heaven to hell, Yae Miko seemed to savor something sweeter than fried tofu, chuckling so hard her chest heaved slightly.
“My, my, this expression is much cuter. If everything is calculated so clearly, life becomes quite boring, you know?”
She extended a lightly scented finger, tapping Lu Heng’s forehead.
“I won’t interfere in this matter. However…” Miko stood up, adjusting her ornate kimono skirt, looking down at him.
“In my view, you’re not at a dead end yet, are you?”
Looking at the stunned Lu Heng, Miko leaned down slightly, her red lips opening to drop a soft line:
“Heheh… You hold the greatest legitimacy in your hands. Why seek legitimacy from the Tri-Commission?”
A bolt from the blue!
The fog cleared, and Lu Heng felt instantly enlightened!
Right!
The Tri-Commission blocked his procedures because he tried to work within their framework.
Since he was the *Sobayonin* personally appointed by the Raiden Shogun—
Why should he walk their path?!
As long as the one in Tenshukaku gave the nod, couldn’t he just establish an independent department outside the system?!
What were they going to do, tell him it was non-compliant?
Heh, divine authorization!
Old geezers!
Meanwhile, Kujou Sara, who had been sitting stiffly beside them, was completely bewildered.
She couldn’t help interrupting, “Guuji-sama, what do you mean by that? What do you mean ‘not seeking legitimacy’? The Tri-Commission each have their duties; they represent the Shogunate…”
“No!”
Lu Heng interrupted instead, standing up abruptly with eyes glowing like fire.
“The Tri-Commission cannot represent the Shogunate! In Inazuma, only the Almighty Shogun’s will is the sole legitimacy!”
He turned around to face Yae Miko and bowed deeply and sincerely.
“Thank you for enlightening me, Guuji-sama! Lu Heng has learned well!”
“Heheh, I’m quite full. Thank you for the treat.”
The stunning Guuji turned around, walking gracefully toward the door.
Before leaving, she tilted her face slightly, her narrow fox eyes filled with allure and anticipation.
“You annoying little guy. Remember, next time you want to seek cooperation, bring chips and invite me yourself. Otherwise… even I might get angry~”
A gentle breeze blew, and the pink figure vanished outside the door, leaving behind a faint, lingering chuckle.
“Lu Heng… what kind of riddles were you two speaking in?”
Kujou Sara frowned tightly, utterly unable to grasp their encrypted dialogue.
“Assistant Sara.”
Lu Heng turned around.
The frustration from bureaucratic red tape over the past few days evaporated completely.
Chest puffed and chin held high, the smile returned to his face.
He stuffed the unwrapped pink omamori back into his coat and waved his hand.
“Let me buy you a drink! We’re leaving!”
Stepping out of the ramen shop into Hanamizaka’s cool night air, unlike Lu Heng’s relaxed mood, Sara remained silent.
Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks, gripping the tachi at her waist tightly.
Taking a deep breath, her golden eyes churned with emotion.
“Lu Heng… I need to go back for a bit.”
Lu Heng stopped and looked back at her, dropping his usual grin.
He met her golden eyes earnestly, stepping forward until a single meter remained between them, his gaze calm.
“You want to ask for an answer?”
“Mm.”
“I see…” He paused, his voice soft.
“It’s fine. Go ahead. If you’re confused in your heart, don’t rush to make a decision. Give yourself a little more time.”
Before she could react, Lu Heng turned around, grabbed a delicacy box he had bought from a street stall, and waved at her over his shoulder, his voice returning to that annoyingly lighthearted tone.
“Sara, when you’re done, come find me at Tenshukaku!”
Hearing him address her so naturally by name, the Tengu General’s spine stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Watching his back fade into the night, Sara’s tense shoulders relaxed slightly, her tone softening against her control:
“I never gave you permission to call me by my name…”
A soft sigh vanished in the night breeze.
Then, she turned around and strode firmly toward the main residence of the Kujou Clan.