After a while, Kamisato Ayato and Thoma returned, followed by a small, dejected figure.
Seeing her brother bring Sayu back, Kamisato Ayaka slipped out of Akio's arms and sat to the side.
Kamisato Ayato acted as if he hadn't noticed anything. He led Sayu forward and said to Akio, "Lord Akio, this is Sayu."
"Sayu, come and greet Lord Akio. He is a god," Kamisato Ayato said.
"Huh?" Hearing Kamisato Ayato's words, Sayu looked at the handsome young man in front of her and nervously stepped forward.
In Sayu's mind, someone as important as a god was not someone she could ever expect to meet. She had no idea why a god would come looking for her by name.
Could it be that her slacking off had been discovered? But surely a little laziness wouldn't warrant a personal visit from a god, right?
As Sayu's thoughts raced, Akio observed the small ninja dressed in her tanuki-like outfit. She was undeniably cute.
"Hello there, little tanuki," Akio said with a smile.
"Lord Akio! I'm a mujina, not a tanuki!" Sayu instinctively retorted, but then she remembered who she was speaking to and immediately lowered her head, not daring to say another word.
"Am I really that intimidating?" Akio chuckled. "Sayu, don't be nervous. I called you here because I have a task for you."
"Lord Akio, please go ahead," Sayu said, nodding quickly. While she didn't like working, she certainly didn't want to incur the wrath of someone so important.
"Lord Akio, it's getting late. Let me make arrangements for you to dine at the Kamisato Estate tonight," Kamisato Ayato said, taking his cue to leave. Seeing Akio nod, he pulled Thoma along and left.
"Sayu, do you know the Tenryou Commission?" Akio asked.
"Yes," Sayu nodded.
"Good. Your task is to infiltrate the office and residence of the Tenryou Commission's head and search for some documents. These documents include letters, correspondence with the Fatui, and any ledgers related to the sale of various items. Do you understand?" Akio explained.
"The Tenryou Commission…" Sayu felt this mission was incredibly dangerous! That was the Tenryou Commission, after all! But she still nodded and said, "I understand, Lord Akio."
"However, Lord Akio, if I get caught, please come and rescue me," Sayu pleaded, looking at Akio with pitiful eyes.
"Don't worry," Akio nodded and handed Sayu a golden crystal. "If you're discovered, crush this crystal. It will make you invisible for five minutes. That should be enough time for you to escape, right?"
"Five minutes is more than enough," Sayu said confidently. Her escape skills were top-notch.
"Of course, I won't make you work for free. I'll reward you," Akio thought for a moment and smiled. "If you complete this task perfectly, as a reward, I'll make you grow three centimeters taller. How does that sound?"
"Three centimeters?" Sayu was shocked. She had always dreamed of growing taller. Three centimeters might not be much, but it was still growth, wasn't it?
"Sayu, what do you think?" Akio asked with a smile.
"Lord Akio! Sayu will definitely complete the task perfectly!" Sayu said excitedly, already preparing to leave and get started.
"Sayu, how old are you?" Akio asked curiously. The girl had a standard loli physique, looking like a little girl.
"I'm already 16," Sayu said, ready to leave the Yashiro Commission.
"No wonder Sayu has always wanted to grow taller. At 16, it's not easy for girls to grow much more," Akio thought to himself.
"Wait, Sayu, have something to eat before you go," Akio said.
"No need, Lord Akio! Time is of the essence!" Sayu was already impatient. She transformed into a wind wheel and quickly left the Yashiro Commission.
"This kid, so eager," Akio shook his head.
"For Sayu, growing taller has become an obsession. Now that she heard you could make her taller, she's naturally eager to complete the task," Kamisato Ayaka said with a smile.
"Akio, let's go eat," she added, taking Akio's arm and leading him to the dining room.
After dinner, Akio prepared to return to the Grand Narukami Shrine, but Kamisato Ayaka suggested taking a walk with him.
As they walked through Chinju Forest, the moonlight was particularly bright tonight. Under the soft glow, the forest didn't feel eerie but rather peaceful, with the occasional bird call adding to the tranquility.
Akio and Kamisato Ayaka held hands as they walked along the forest path.
Soon, under the cool moonlight, a clear stream appeared before them.
Kamisato Ayaka seemed to have made up her mind. She looked up at Akio's face and said, "Akio~"
"What is it, Ayaka?" Akio asked softly.
"When you left Liyue, my confession to you was too rushed. I wanted to keep you by my side. Now that we have more time, I'd like to take up a little of your time. Is that okay?" Kamisato Ayaka asked sweetly.
"Of course," Akio pinched Kamisato Ayaka's cheek and smiled. "I'm always here for you."
Kamisato Ayaka nodded. She took out the small paper fan she always carried and stepped lightly into the clear stream, turning to gaze at Akio with deep affection.
"Akio~ Please~ watch me closely~"
Accompanied by a beautiful, melodious tune, Kamisato Ayaka began to dance.
Her graceful movements, illuminated by the moonlight, made her look like a fairy—utterly enchanting.
In Akio's eyes, even the most extravagant words couldn't describe the beauty of Kamisato Ayaka's dance.
As Ayaka danced, even the birds flew into the sky, as if to accompany her.
A dance under the moonlight, a dance that captivated the soul~
As Akio watched Kamisato Ayaka's dance, he couldn't help but feel moved. Whether in his past life or this one, she was like a beam of white moonlight, dancing gracefully in his heart.
When the dance ended, Kamisato Ayaka stopped, beads of sweat glistening on her forehead.
"Akio~" Kamisato Ayaka looked at Akio and asked shyly, "Did you like my dance?"
"It was beautiful," Akio said, unable to find any other words to describe her beauty. The dance was an expression of her love for him, something that couldn't be captured in mere words.
"I… I'm not very skilled at dancing, but if Akio likes it, I'll work hard to improve," Kamisato Ayaka said, her face lighting up with joy at Akio's praise. Indeed, Akio's compliments were her greatest motivation!
A/N: Enjoying the story? Read 40+ chapters ahead on Patreon! Your support helps: Patreon.com/nneol