Walking a bit further in this direction and circling around, the two finally returned to the event grounds decorated with lanterns.
This area was clearly the planned main activity space.
Aside from the yokai wandering about, there were also various simple stalls and vendors set up all around.
The stalls varied in shape, and the owners and customers were a diverse lot, which made for quite an interesting sight.
In a corner, there was a mobile shop with a sake banner and a simple shed, with a cleared open space around it where a few scattered tables and chairs were set up, serving as a makeshift tavern.
Many passing yokai would stop here to rest, and business could be considered quite good.
Guided by Makoto, Clementine looked towards a wooden table at the very edge, where Kitsune Saiguu and the others, who had arrived earlier, were already seated.
Even Ei, who had gone her separate way after leaving, was already sitting there.
Perhaps because they had taken a detour, they were the last ones to arrive.
Fortunately, those who arrived early had saved seats for the two latecomers.
The two quickly took their seats and greeted everyone.
After the pleasantries, Kitsune Saiguu, noticing that the two had arrived arm in arm, clicked her tongue twice and asked with a teasing look: “You two are so late.
What good deed were you off doing together?
Confess, why did you come from that direction?” She probably knew it was unlikely to get the answer she wanted from Makoto, so she simply turned her gaze toward Clementine.
The Thunder Dragon returned an honest and innocent look: “There were a lot of people on the road, so we just took a detour for convenience.” I don’t know if it was Clementine’s imagination, but aside from Ei, who was more focused on observing the passing yokai, the other three friends who had gathered to question them all wore expressions of subtle disappointment.
Omiya Chiyo’s disappointment even slipped out: “That’s it?” The Thunder Dragon was confused and wanted to say something.
Clementine, feeling a bit bewildered, cast a look of help toward Makoto.
“Look at Chiyo, she’s so strange.” Makoto smiled and nudged her shoulder, replying: “It’s fine, just ignore her.” Then, Makoto glanced sideways at the few who looked amused by the situation and said with playful dissatisfaction: “You lot are quite keen on watching the fun, aren’t you?
Or perhaps you don’t have enough work assigned to you usually?
I’ll send you off to build fortifications by the seaside tomorrow.” Sasayuri, who had been keeping a straight face, couldn’t help but laugh when the teasing remark came out.
“No, no, how would we dare to watch the fun?
We are all professionally trained; we strictly do not watch the fun that the Shogun says we cannot watch.” Makoto softly scoffed and muttered something vague.
Clementine didn’t quite catch it, only hearing something about success being imminent.
Oh no, I’m the only one out of the loop.
Clementine thought to herself, feeling bad.
The only thing that comforted her was that Ei, looking over at the sound, also wore a puzzled expression.
At least she wasn’t the only one out of the loop.
Soon, Kitsune Saiguu whispered a few words to Ei, and Ei showed a look of realization and glanced at Clementine.
She thought for a moment and even pushed a plate of snacks near her toward Clementine, probably wanting to offer some comfort.
Clementine couldn’t help but smile; what on earth was going on?
She was truly curious.
Seeing the Thunder Dragon start to ponder with a strange expression, Kitsune Saiguu, seemingly afraid that the other would figure something out, hurriedly brought up another topic.
“Ah, right, I wanted to introduce this little fox to you all today.
Please, look.” Sure enough, everyone’s gaze was drawn to the pink fur ball on Kitsune Saiguu’s shoulder.
Kitsune Saiguu: Plan successful.
Clementine also looked at the tiny pink fluff.
It was a little fox, with fur entirely a cherry blossom pink, fading to white at the belly.
There seemed to be a white, cherry blossom-like pattern on its hind legs, and even at a glance, one could tell it was extraordinary.
At this moment, the little fox was trying hard to curl itself into a ball, lying steadily on Kitsune Saiguu’s shoulder, occasionally lifting its eyes to observe the crowd without making a sound.
Kitsune Saiguu, with a tone of pride, picked up the little fox and showed it to everyone: “This is the most spiritually gifted descendant in my Kitsune Saiguu bloodline.
How is it?
Isn’t it cute?” The little fox cooperated by letting out two “ying ying” squeaks.
Makoto was very supportive, reaching out to take the pink little fox, holding it in her arms and petting it twice, praising it softly.
It was the first time Clementine had seen such a young and soft yokai cub, so she reached out to poke the cheek of the little fox in Makoto’s arms.
The little fox extended its paw with pink pads to push away Clementine’s finger, let out two “ying ying” sounds to express its dissatisfaction, and then simply found an opening to wiggle out of Makoto’s arms.
Kitsune Saiguu nervously glanced at Makoto, and seeing that she had no particular reaction, turned to catch the scurrying little fox and scolded it a bit, looking quite like a parent lecturing at a New Year’s dinner table.
Clementine felt a little regretful that she wasn’t very popular with cubs, and turning her head, she found Makoto looking at her.
She thought about it and remembered that Makoto had liked the little fox quite a bit, but as soon as she poked it, the fox had run off, so she felt a bit guilty.
“Sorry, I caused you to have no fox to pet.
If you still want to, I’ll go catch it back.” Makoto’s expression was one of amusement; he patted Clementine’s arm and comforted her: “It’s fine.
If it doesn’t like our Cle, it only means the little fellow has no taste, not that there’s anything wrong with you.” “As for the fox running off, there’s nothing to be done about that.
Since there’s no fox to hold, how about compensating me with a dragon to hold?” Clementine thought about it and said: “How about changing it to another wish?
This kind of thing cannot be called compensation, right?
After all, if you asked me usually, I would agree anyway.” Makoto replied: “If you put it that way, then I won’t be polite and will make you owe me a wish.
And as for letting me hold you, no backing out allowed.” Clementine nodded and agreed.
On the other side, the little fox that had just scurried away from Makoto approached Ei.
Although the two Electro gods looked identical on the outside, the little fox clearly preferred this less talkative Shogun.
Ei seemed a bit at a loss for the little fox’s unprovoked affection, even her arms seemed to have nowhere to rest.
But the little fox stubbornly clung to her front lapels, keeping itself from slipping out of Ei’s arms.
Makoto leaned in toward Clementine, watching the interaction between her sister and the little fox with a smile.
“This little fellow actually likes Ei quite a bit?
Then I take back what I said earlier; she does have some taste after all.
By the way, what is her name?” Kitsune Saiguu replied: “She is still young, and there hasn’t been time to give her a name.
Since both Highnesses are here, why doesn’t the Shogun bestow a name upon her?” Makoto watched with interest as her sister frantically tried to pull the little fox off her lapels, only for the fox to quickly grab onto the hem of her clothes again.
“She likes Ei more, so let Ei handle this.” Hearing this, Ei felt a bit helpless.
She considered herself an unrefined warrior, not very good at dealing with such fragile little things, but the little fox kept clinging to her, giving her the feeling of tofu falling into ash.
She tried hard to position the little fox in front of her so they could face each other, and thought earnestly.
“Saiguu, are you planning for her to take your place later, as the next Guuji of the shrine?” Kitsune Saiguu nodded in agreement.
“After all, the Kitsune Saiguu bloodline is actually very rare, and I have quite high expectations for this little one.” Ei pondered for a moment.
“In that case, how about the name Miko?” She examined the little fox again and continued: “The pink fur looks very much like cherry blossoms, and Inazuma has many of these plants, so it seems quite fitting.” “The Yae cherry blossoms bloom thick and lush, you must remember that every petal carries a debt of affection.
Inazuma is full of Yae cherry blossoms, so how about the surname Yae?
I also hope you will protect Inazuma well in the future.” Ei lifted the little fox’s two front legs, positioning the fox at a height where she could make eye contact just by lowering her head slightly.
“Yae Miko, your new name.
How is it?
Do you like it?” The little fox let out a happy squeak.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
“And If you’re enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!”