“… so not all of the older shrines remain what we would sider true.” Their youurer was saying, their usual teacher behind her, nodding along, ied, though she doubtless had little idea of the importance of these lectures, merely taking the special csses as another whim of the powers behind the school, the Three Grandfathers.

  Kudou Shiori. Apparently the granddaughter of a major shrine and fa leader in Kyoto. “Many old families were lost during the louries. The Warring States Era articurly bad, and the Great War also cimed many shrine families. So not every old shrine is necessarily ohat respects the old ways.” She tinued. “In addition, some shrines were destroyed in their ey, so if the family that worshipped the kami survived this, they would move to a newly-built shrine and tiheir worship.”

  This is quite iing. I have made sure to speak to Kana, Ren and those twins, as well as Kana’s father, Izumi-san, over the st few days. I think I have a picture of how the Shrines work and the influehey hold. Still, I’m not satisfied… Hinata tio pay attention, as she was a noble, and all noble girls were taught to be attentive and proper at all times. It was hard to suppress a grin though. I have a lot on my mind, it ’t be helped! After all, her grandfather was running about with new energy a for life, throwing himself into research. He’s really taken a liking to Akio. I’m happy!

  Hinata too, had been busy. Her training at the shrine was hard, and she still hadn’t truly grasped the teiques, unlike Kana, who had been walking around with a very smug smile on her face the st few days. But more fulfilling were her ideas on how to earhings Akio needed most of all right now. Money, influend es. He hem all, and enough that Fujiwara-sama and Ichijou-sama ’t exploit him one-sidedly.

  Still, there was one person who wasn’t paying attention to the lecture Kudou-sensei was delivering nervously, which was quite unlike her. Her cousin Sakura had been gng at her all m, seemingly desperate to say something, and Hinata knew what it would be about. The annou went out to the Fifty-Eight and the Three-Hu night, after the three Grandfathers gave their sent. All marriages of the nobility had to be approved by them. It was rgely a formality, especially for the Three-Hundred, but there had been occasions when families had called off proposed pairings at their advice. Though I doubt I would have seo that, had they stood in my way. No, this is my stand against the nobility, my time to show them disregarding me, my family, is foolish!

  As the special css wound its way to the end, Kudou-sensei looked relieved. It must have been tough for her, having to teach a css of noble girls the same age as her, so Hinata sympathised with her. Still, when their usual teacher asked if there were any questions, Hinata showed no merd put her hand up. Sorry, but I hird-party firmation of the information I‘ve gathered.

  “Yes, Hiroto-san?” the teacher asked, and Kudou-sensei looked nervous, awaiting the question.

  “I was w something, if I may ask? You touched briefly on fas within the shrines.” Hinata began. “I was w, just as an example, which fa would Hikawa-Kawagoe shrine be in?”

  Relieved that the question was easy, Kudou-sensei smiled. “An iing question. As befits a shrihat worships Susanoo-no-Mikoto and his family, it is Susanoo fa, with quite the signifit influence.” She the on to detail some other Susanoo fa shrines, including the fa-leading shrine of Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto.

  So, Ren and the twins were right. Their shrine is iial, and worse, Akio is providing them a lot of aid, with only some nebulous promises of the same iurn. I uand they have obligations to their fa, the nobility is no different, but I o find a way to bind them more strongly to Akio and his cause.

  She listened carefully as Kudou-sensei went over the leadership of the three fas. “… and Amaterasu fa has teically the most iial shrine of all, the Grand Shri Ise, which is always led by a daughter of the Imperial family, but just like the nobility and the shrines don’t interfere with each other, Ise Grand Shrine also remains separate from faal disputes.”

  “Thank you.” Hinata said as the expnation finished. “That was very helpful, Kudou-sensei.”

  “No, Thank you.” She said in relief, only to pause as Hinata tinued, asking another question.

  “Though I don’t quite uand. Everyone here knoe are taking these special csses, right?” Hinata looked around, and her cssmates nodded, even Sakura, though she looked troubled. “In that case, just like the nobility has e together, the shrines should too. Infighting right now makes no sense. After all…” Hinata puffed out her chest proudly. “… if we don’t seize trol of the new order, we’ll be left behind.”

  “Well, uh… ah…” Kudou-seammered, unsure of how to answer.

  “Hinata! Don’t criticise our teacher!” Sakura stood suddenly. “She has kindly e to teach us, and you may not be aware of the circumstances of faith. Even my father and grandfather keep their distance from the shrines and temples, grandfather would speak to Takakura-sama if he o intercede in any religious matters.”

  “I see. My apologies. I was just a little frustrated.” Hinata shrugged off her cousins’ criticism with a polite ugh. “After all, I am starting to see more of matters of faith, such as Hikawa-Kawagoe, and I must admit to being rather fused at their ck ency. After all, matters of divinity should be their purview, no?”

  “True, but…” Kudou-sensei began, only for the ringio indicate it was lunchtime. Relieved, Kudou-sensei ehe css, practically darting out of the . As that happened, Sakura rose, ing over to her table, expression plicated.

  “Hinata, you really shouldn’t upset our volueacher like that.” She chided. “Fujiwara-sama himself requested her to help educate us, so we should be thankful.”

  A perfect student as ever I see. “Look, I’m n to be mean to her.” She struggled to hold in a sigh, as talking to her cousin was always fraught for her. “I have serious questions I want ao. I’ve been able to get information from various shrines, but getting another perspective is vital. Matters are too important to me to make a misstep.”

  “I see. Well, just try and be kinder.” Sakura said after mulling that over. “So, I heard. Yagement, I mean. The rumours it was ing, but are you happy? I know you wao marry into higher nobility.” She left it unsaid that such was never going to happen.

  You ’t help but worry for me, even if I disappoint you? Such a plicated feeling. “Don’t worry.” Hinata smiled brightly. “I know that inally the pn was to agement to Akio so that he is tied to the nobility. But after spending some time with him I decided it was actually what I wanted, for other reasons than noble pride or raising my status. I io stand at his side as he reaches the top of this world. And you know what, cousin Sakura?” Hinata couldn’t help but grin, all her earlier feelings of excitement ing back, pns whirling around her head. “I’ve never been happier. Sometimes I surprise myself! Everything happened so fast, but as we discussed in our heology css, the world has ged. I’m staking everything on Akio. And it won’t be just me. There’s something about him, that attracts people to him, people who want to see the world he sees at the end of this journey.” Her smile turned impish. “Motoko-san too, she’s beesmerised by the world he represents. She’s still hesitating, but I imagine now I’ve been announced as his fiancée, she’ll make her move. By the way, Sakura…”

  “Yes?” she asked, trying to uand Hinata’s enthusiasm.

  “It’s a shame, isn’t it? You would have been the perfect bride to tie him firmly into the nobility, and his growing influence could have shored up Takatsukasa house. I had suspected Fujiwara-sama intehat, but… well, too te.” Sorry Sakura. I have no iion of giving him to you. Besides, the more I learn, the more I realise he has more worth than simply propping up Takatsukasa house.

  “I… no. No sus were ever made, I assure you!” Sakura blushed, and for a moment Hinata felt sorry for her. “I’m a daughter of Takatsukasa, I’ll be marrying into a suitably noble house.” She protested.

  “Sure you will.” Hinata agreed. “Just like my mother did, right?” Before Sakura could ahat, Hinata shook her head. “e on, we should go to lunch. Our bodyguards will be w.” And with that, she left the , Sakura following behind, her expression downcast…

  *********

  “So, how was your theology css?” Kazumi asked her, and Hinata shrugged, taking the pte of food her bodyguard had brought her.

  “Iing, but also disappointing. The shrines seem u first gnce, but they are even more fractured than the nobility. I see we are going to have to take a firm hand with them to get them to fall in line behind Akio.”

  Kazumi smiled fondly, and Hinata cocked her head. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “I’m just surprised.” Kazumi replied. “You seem really into this. Into him. I mean, I guess I get it. You don’t have much exposure to men, none of you noble girls do, so the first good one you were exposed to was bound to capture your locked-away heart. Even so, you are taking it further than I expected you would.”

  “Do you not approve?” Hinata asked, but her bodyguard simply shook her head as they headed for aable. She could feel the eyes of everyone on her and hear whispers around her. It makes sense. Everyone will know I’m engaged now, marriages are the biggest and topic of versation for all of us noble daughters.

  “I wouldn’t say that.” Kazumi disagreed. “I’ve been him and those around him, wary. He seems a genuinely good guy, as far as I tell. I thiry to make you happy, definitely. Maybe it’s even a better match than you could have hoped for. I just worry. His world is definitely a dangerous… huh.” Kazumi stopped suddenly, and Hinata nearly ran into her.

  “My apologies for su imperti intrusion.” The girl who had appeared in front of them suddenly said, her deep red scarf somehow blowing behind her, despite there being no breeze indoors. She was wearing the school uniform, but the lower part of her face was covered with a mask, and her dark eyes were observant, taking ihing around her. “But I must pass on an invitation from my great mistress. Here.” She bowed gracefully, though her footwork was exquisite, always ready to move at any point. Her hands held a delicate white envelope, with fine handwriting, close to calligraphy, reading “Fukumoto Hinata and Oshiro Moonstone Akio.”.

  That’s one of the ninja sisters, right? Fujiwara Miyu-sama’s bodyguard, right? I think her name was Koga Michiru, right? She looked to the table nearby, where Miyu-sama was sitting elegantly. She was older than Hinata, but somehow seemed younger, probably as she was delicate and had a timid personality, very surprising for a daughter of the Fujiwara house, and quite unlike her younger sister Honoka-sama.

  Kazumi took the envelope and after a quick check, ha to Hinata, who slid it open.

  “My mistress hopes you attend with your new fiancé. She is quite curious about many things.” Michiru decred grandly, before darting back to her table, dropping in beside Miyu-sama, who, her invite having been delivered, looked away.

  The tents was an invitation to a small social gathering at Miyu-sama’s house weekend. That’s… shog. Miyu-sama doesn’t socialise with a her bodyguard. I hear when she does her traditional dance performances she mao say a few words to the other dancers, but even so… Hinata couldn’t work out why Miyu-sama would reach out to her, but ohing was for certain. There’s no refusing. Not from a daughter of Fujiwara-sama. My only worry is… “Kazumi, it’s been a few days. Do you think Akio and Shaeu are okay? I know they are doing something dangerous.”

  Before Kazumi could answer, she noticed Mayumi waving her over, her bodyguard in her ary male version of the school unform beside her as ever. So, am I actually going to get to eat any lunch? Hinata sighed inside, her feelings still very raw and plex towards Mayumi, the girl she admired more than any other noble, yet the one who didn’t respect her. No, there’s no point being down about it. After all, I will win in the end.

  “e, Kazumi.” Hinata said boldly, striding over fidently, setting dowe and taking a seat. Kazumi followed, sittio her. “Mayumi-sama.” Hinata said, still keeping up appearahough in her head she was just Mayumi now.

  “Hinata. I see you look more posed.” Mayumi smiled warmly. “After our st… disagreement… I had the feeling you were avoiding me. I was disappointed, as without you, who will tell me what they really think?” She took a delicate mouthful of the spaghetti dish in front of her. Hinata took that moment to take a bite of her own quiche. Swallowing hastily, she dabbed at her lips. Typical Mayumi. Queen of the school. She cut me down like I was nothing, and it was merely a disagreement. Oh well, it hurt me at the time, and I shamed myself in front of everyone. But I do have my pride.

  “Yes, I let myself show you a shameful side of me. I apologise.” Hinata said pcidly.

  “I uand, think nothing of it. Noble poise seldom es naturally to those not born to it.” Mayumi said, and Hinata felt blood in her mouth as she bit down her annoyance. Even so, Mayumi tinued. “I expect yagement was on your mind as well? My grandfather received the missive st night. It’s a bold move, but it does have some merits, I suppose.” She tio eat her spaghetti with small, delicate movements.

  “Some merits, you say?” Hinata felt the urge to burst into tears again, as Mayumi made her feelings pin on her choices, but at the taste of iron in her mouth she held firm, remembering her grandfather, healed and dang a jig without his stick, father and mother happily discussing her e, Akio smiling at her warmly… I shouldn’t get angry at her. Really. It’s hard but it isirely her fault. She doesn’t know aer. None of the noble daughters do. Even Motoko-san, who is the most grounded of them all, only believes in her family arts. Besides, I do still like her, and I wao finally respect me, to be a friend in truth. She’s a beautiful force of nature, ging her would ruin what makes her special. “I’d say I couldn’t be happier. There’s more to nobility than what we are taught. Besides, Akio is quite the catch.” She boasted. “Fukumoto house will take its pce amongst the Fifty-Eight in truth, and Oshiro house will top them all!” she decred, much to the amusement of Mayumi.

  “I see. Well, it’s good to have hope. But pedigree, history, prestige… these will not be overturned. In a few geions, maybe, but…”

  “Pardon for my interruption, Mayumi-sama, but every house, even Fujiwara, Ichijou and Takatsukasa, they started somewhere. And not every daughter and son of even the gra houses married well, no?”

  “Well yes.” Mayumi ceded.

  “So, you’ve been taking the theology csses, right? No, I expect you even have private tutors too.”

  “Right. The oldest Takakura sister from their branch family has been talkihrough it. And grandfather gives me reports on these chosen of the kami. It’s very iing, but they’ll never exceed the nobility. We are the ohat preserve the soul of Japan. Besides, your fiancé isn’t the only one. Ichijou house has uhed a couple ourselves, and there are others. I’m sure he’s adequate, Hinata, don’t gre at me like that.”

  Am I gring? Really? Hinata smoothed her features. “Well, five me if I procim the fiancé I chose as the best of them. But why take my word for it? We’ll show everyone by our as. Maybe I’ll introduce you, so you see what you are missing.”

  “I think not. I do ertain men around e. It’s improper for an Ichijou daughter. Speaking of… it was unusual for Miyu-san to reach out. You aren’t thinking of abandoning me and going under her umbrel are you? I’d miss our versations, and I don’t think a timid girl like Miyu-san would suit you.. Who else I talk to about business and fashion? Speaking of, the stocks I ied in have show gains as usual. How is your portfolio doing, I remember you po i in…”

  Mayumi has no shame at all. I don’t even think she be ashamed or sorry. After all, the world bends to her, it always has. But bring on your foils to Akio, your chosen. As Hinata answered Mayumi early, holy enjoying talking about business as usual, she finished her quiche, gd she actually got to have some lunch. With my support, Akio will show you and all the nobles just who is fit to i the mantle of this new world… after all, as he said to me, we make our own way!

  ********

  “This really is a pain. Are you making any progress, Hinata?” Her brother Hiroto asked her, frowning. Though at least he showed up almost all this week. and it seems I wronged him. Her mother had told her that Hiroto hadn’t been pying around the day he was absent, but advising them on the best way to win over Akio. I’m grateful for that. I guess even my brother could see I was attracted to him. I tried to deny it to myself, but in the end I’m gd I admitted it. I’m eager to get started on our pn for total domination of Tokyo!

  “Sadly I’m still struggling. But I hear it took Aiko weeks to master this too.” No point using honorifics for her now, she’ll be my sister-in-w, and is a rather eaining o that. “We ’t all be lucky like her.” Hinata gestured to Kana, who was leading the session, as annoyingly smug as she had been all week. As if saying that summoned her, Kana came over, smiling.

  “How is it going? I know it isn’t easy. Even I’m only just there.” She tossed her head, chest shaking in her red and white hakama, and Hinata sourly he impressive size. I mean mine isn’t small by any means, but for a Japanese girl Kana is huge. I wonder what Akio likes? Shaeu is petite, but Eri is quite rge surprisingly, though she often hides it in baggy cardigans and jumpers.

  “I feel some small prig, but nothing intense.” Hinata answered, willing to put aside her pride if she could get help. After all, from what she gathered, growing this ability wouldn’t just empower her, but allow her to access the strange nd Akio went to. His descriptions are det enough, but if I could see it, I’d knoe could exploit it. “It’s a shame. I do so want to be of help to Akio as soon as possible.”

  “I’ve noticed that retly.” Kana said, having made up her mind about something, seemingly. “You’ve been calling him Akio for a few days now. and your tone…”

  “Well it’s only natural. After all he is my fiancé, you know.” She said smugly, and for a minute Kana froze, face flushed, before she answered, her voice strangled.

  “You too? Well shit.” She swore, unusual for her. “That’s three now. He’s definitely going to end up in Hell, or Yomi, or wherever cheaters end up. I didn’t see that ing.” She crossed her arms under her ample chest, thinking.

  “I’d say she’s jealous, sis.” Hiroto said, not being subtle about eyeing Kana’s ample assets. Hinata elbowed him in the ribs, bringing a noise of protest from him. Though I don’t disagree. Still, in a way I’m jealous of her.

  “Don’t mind my brother. Whealks to a pretty girl his IQ seems to drop two-dozen points. But, yes, well… it wasly how I saw my e going, even a few weeks ago, but I don’t regret anything. Besides, Akio needs us all, I think. Shaeu fights beside him and has knowledge of the world he found himself in. Eri is his anchor to his past and his sce, the childhood friend he swore to protect. And I… well, I’ll manage his affairs, prevent him making dumb mistakes dealing with those in power, as well as making him as much money as he needs!”

  Men of power always attraen. It ’t be helped. Mayumi’s grandfather and father were the same. But I’ll not let worthless, bad women drag him down or steal time from those of us who matter. On that Eri and I agree. Managing Shaeu is key to that, I think… as for the others… She looked over at the meditating Motoko-san and Natsumi. They were making quicker progress, probably because their family arts had mediation teiques. It was frustrating, but she was ahead of them in being e least. Motoko-san finally decided to speak to her father and grandfather. She remembered their earlier versation, and Motoko-san, no Motoko now, had gathered her resolve. I’ve paved the path for you, so if you ’t win him over now, it isn’t meant to be. Motoko would offer support from nobility and access to the military through her father and grandfather. Besides, she would make an ideal noble wife. Natsumi was a bit of a throw-in, but she retty, eager to fight and would never wish to leave Motoko, so it couldn’t be helped. But what of the girl in front of her?

  “So, be ho with me. You like Akio tht?” Hinata asked, and Kana flushed.

  “Sure I like Akio. He saved me from a fate worse thah, even if it was mostly his fault I ended up in that situation in the first pce. He’s brought prosperity to my shrine and family, and even helped me appreciate gifts I’ve long thought worthless. Ahe first man to…” she trailed off, bright crimson, before shaking her head, long bck hair dang. “Enough of that! It doesn’t matter whether or not I like him, does it? Besides, I don’t have anything to offer.”

  “I wouldn’t say that, but it’s hardly like I want more rivals. You have the gift of seeing the mystical, and also readiions and thoughts, right?”

  “The seeing I trol now.” Kana admitted. Behind them several of the girls and Kana’s father, who was the oldest ohere training, had all stopped to listen in. “It’s even easier since Akio says he made the foundation of my chakra work perfect. In fact, I colleergy so much easier than before. I think I’m almost at the stage of being able to ehe other world, but he told us to not try that until he got back. Where the hell is he?” she pouted. “As for the thoughts and feelings, it's rare, but it happens more frequently now.”

  “That’s quite a gift. In busihat gift would allow me to dominate, make profit without fail. And why did you get your work perfected? I’m his fiancée, I should have been his first pick.”

  “Now who’s jealous?” Kana smirked. “It hurt a bit and still feels unfortable, but yeah… when he es back everyone should get the Chirurgery, as he calls it.” Kana raised her voice, and Ren winced, remembering his own suffering.

  “Fihat reminds me…” This is a good time. The annouo my e is official, and I may not have known Akio long, but ohing I’m sure of is that he won’t disgrace me by bag out now, so I start ag as his wife, looking after his is. “ everyoher around please? I have an annouo make.”

  “Really, Hinata?” Hiroto said, and she elbowed him again.

  As everyohered around them, she straightened up, standing as proud as she could in the red and white shrine clothing she wore during the training. When everyone was giviheir full attention she smiled, ag her mal. “There may be some rumoing around, but yes, it’s true. I have been lucky enough to be accepted as Akio’s third wife. Now, sure, there may be some legal plications, but that is for us to worry about.”

  “My gratutions. To be accepted by Akio-sama is a great thing.” Marika said politely, and Hinata smiled at her charming mahat were fit for a much irl. Keomi offered loud gratutions too, as did Kana’s friends. Some, like the pin, shy girl who always said little, looked fused, but Hinata paid her little mind.

  “Yes, and I io be a supportive wife, one who Akio be proud of, that looks after his is. To that end…” she took a deep breath. This is important. It’s the first step to stop information leaks and head off potential backstabbing. I hate that the shrines here are him such lukewarm support when he is giving them so much! “… I o reiterate just what an opportunity Akio is everyone here. Some of you had little choi the matter…” she looked at the Kikuchi girl from a teically hostile shrine, from what she could gather from the theology csses, as well as the shy girl who Shaeu had dragged in. “… but if you sincerely wish to leave, I’ll make it happen. I don’t want unwilling allies. Just know, if you are out, you bury everything in your hearts about what you know and what happened here. if you betray us, I’ll destroy you!” She warned. At that a muted buzz went around the room.

  “As for those of you who remain, especially our friends from the shrines…” she decred. “… I uand you have your obligations. My family is noble so we too have our share of those. But do not think you deny Akio fair pensation for what he is giving you. I want you to tell your parents, your shrio support him to the full extent you . And if you do, I promise to make sure everyone is suitably rewarded. There will be those who e seeking to damage us, you wealth, power, whatever you want, if only you’d betray us...” she warned. “Just remember… when that happens, you e to Akio or me! If it’s wealth, we have more, power, well, who offer more than this?” She spread her arms. “Cross us at your peril! I don’t want Akio’s heart wounded by betrayal.”

  “That’s… surprisingly kind of you.” Kana said, impressed despite herself. “Scary too.” And several reed, though Kazumi, who had again been watg over her, clicked her tohreateningly at some of the young men who seemed rather taken with her noble tenance as she decred her i.

  “Well, I’m a noble daughter, raised to support her husband.” She said, before smiling, a surprisingly beautiful grin that once more stole the hearts of the boys present and also a couple of the girls. “Besides, I’ve found what I want to do, who I want to love. Something I hought would be mine. You tht, Motoko, Natsumi?” At that, the two flushed, looking away.

  “I find your ses admirable.” Kana’s father said. “Shirohebizumi shrine will fully support his cause. I believe with the results shown here, we vihe entire fa to back Akio-san. Right, Ren-san?”

  “I guess. My father does have to offer his aid to Kiyomizu-dera, as is proper. Though we io push Akio-san and his merits. At the very least, we expect him to have a greatly iial voice.”

  “See that you do.” Hinata decred. “Now, I’ve said all I o. Everyone should get back to training. Sorry Kana.” She smiled at her. “Now if only Akio was back. I’m a bit worried, and I received an invitation for weekend he simply ’t miss.”

  “Well, about that…” Kana said, leaning in close, and Hinata listened, surprised…

  *********

  “So, this doll unicate with Akio?” Hinata asked, fasated. Behind her, Kana had brought her friends and several irls, including Keomi and Marika. “How does that work? And needless to say, nobody talks about this, right?” she reiterated her previous warnings. Information leaks will no longer be tolerated!

  Kana giggled. “Azuki, are you there?” She asked, and moments ter the doll moved, eyes shining ruby red. Joints creaked and it stood, stretg, wiping dust from its dress.

  “Amazing!” Keomi gasped, and several irls echoed her.

  “It’s just too cute, I want ohe girl, Mio said, and her friend Asami echoed her. Even the shy girl, Hisano, was entranced by her.

  “You called me for this? Ugh, annoying!” The doll pined. “Master told me I was only for emergencies.”

  “Sorry Azuki.” Kana apologised. “But it’s been a few days here, and Akio told me he and Shaeu were going into battle. We just… well, his fiancée here was worried! Put her mind at rest!” Kana passed the bme to Hinata.

  Well pyed. Still it’s true I worry, as I don’t know what they are going through in that world I ’t yet see. “I admit to being ed. Do you know how they fare?”

  Azuki sighed. “They stopped their battles to steal a tree. It was quite straill, they returned safely with it, and were well just a short while ago. Even that annoying Hyath is fine.”

  “A tree?” Keomi asked the question they were all w. “Sounds fun, but why?”

  “I happeo be there.” Azuki gave off a long sigh. “Master said… That Rhyming Tree is Rank 5! Rank 5! Do you know how much of our ether the Rank 3 Tree we already have provides? I’m not letting the ce of that massive amount of staher geion slip from rasp! and then they did bring back the tree. So don’t worry. Master is fine.”

  Ether? That’s the resource he needs over there. And why he wanted grandfather to see if he could find a loeeting his criteria, so… that tree sounds like it gives a lot… her lips quirked up into a smile, and her face heated up. Then she was ughing, tears running down her cheeks as she doubled over.

  “What’s up?” Kana asked, and Hinata could barely tain her mirth aement.

  “It’s just too perfect!” she chortled. “Akio… he’s just like me, greedy for everything he grab! Always looking for maximum gain. I was sure before, but… he stopped a war to steal a tree for profit! Just wait until I tell grandfather!”

  Yeah, this was a good day. I’ve started to seal potential leaks of information, made it clear Akio expects their full support for his kindness, and I’ve learhat he won’t hesitate to go for the prize he wants. I wonder if he’ll praise me when he es back? Besides, I ’t wait to show him off to Miyu-sama. I wonder who else will be there…? It took quite a while until her tears of ughter finally stopped…