Chapter 31: Small Can Be Charming Too (Patreon)

Stussy stood on the windowsill and gave Kenshou one final glance.

A satisfied smile appeared on her face.

Now that he had become one of her blood servants, future operations would become much easier.

She spread her wings again and silently disappeared into the night like a ghost beneath the moonlight.

Some time later, Kenshou slowly opened his eyes.

He shook his head.

His thoughts felt strangely sluggish.

The side of his neck ached faintly, almost as though some insect had bitten him.

He raised a hand and touched the spot.

There was almost nothing there.

He frowned and attempted to remember what had happened.

His memories were strangely incomplete.

He remembered sitting at his desk.

Thinking about how to gain the Divine Lord’s favor.

And then…

Had he simply fallen asleep?

Perhaps he really was getting old.

Kenshou rubbed his temples and sighed.

He straightened his clothes, restored his usual dignified posture, and called toward the door.

“Someone.”

A samurai entered.

“My lord?”

“Bring Ayame here.”

A short while later, Ayame hurried into the study and knelt before her father.

“Father, you wanted to see me?”

Kenshou studied his daughter’s face for several moments.

Then he asked,

“Ayame, what impression has the Divine Lord made on you?”

She had not expected the question.

After thinking carefully, she answered,

“He’s very striking…”

She paused, remembering Dio’s merciless verdict on the sweets and his constantly distant expression.

“But he can be… difficult to approach.”

Kenshou nodded slowly.

Then he asked another question.

“What if I asked you to remain close to him and serve as the Yomogawa family’s personal liaison?”

Ayame stiffened.

Surprise and uncertainty appeared on her face.

Before she could answer, Kenshou raised one hand.

“Think carefully first.”

“Do you truly believe the Divine Lord will eliminate the Kabane for us without expecting anything in return?”

Ayame hesitated.

“He… said he would help.”

“Words alone are not guarantees.”

Kenshou shook his head.

“Why would someone that powerful help us?”

“Because he is kind?”

Ayame fell silent.

Kind.

The word did not fit the white-haired young man she had met.

There had been no compassion in Dio’s cold eyes.

No warmth.

No enthusiasm for saving humanity.

He seemed more like a being who acted solely according to his own desires.

Kenshou saw that his words had reached her.

His tone softened.

“That is why we need assurance.”

“We need a bond strong enough that he will continue standing on our side.”

He looked directly into Ayame’s eyes.

“You are the heir of the Yomogawa family.”

“You are educated, capable, and respected by the people of Aragane.”

“If you stay near him, learn what he wants, and become someone he considers useful, then our family will have a connection to him that no other station possesses.”

Ayame’s fingers tightened around the fabric of her kimono.

“Father wants me to… stay with him?”

“Yes.”

Kenshou’s voice was firm.

“You must have confidence in yourself.”

“You are my daughter.”

“Your appearance, bearing, education, and position are inferior to no one’s.”

Ayame lowered her head.

She remained silent for a long time.

Finally, she nodded.

“For Aragane… and for everyone else.”

Kenshou felt conflicted as he watched her agree.

Was this truly the right thing to do?

Sending his daughter to attach herself politically to an overwhelmingly powerful outsider could lead to consequences none of them could predict.

But he saw no better choice.

In this world, doing nothing was often the same as waiting for death.

If Ayame could secure a connection to the Divine Lord, it could protect both the Yomogawa family and the future of Aragane.

That was how Kenshou justified the decision to himself.

After leaving her father’s room, Ayame changed into a clean kimono and returned once more to Dio’s residence.

This time, Stussy was waiting for her.

The CP0 operative leaned against one of the veranda pillars as though she had known all along that Ayame would come.

A knowing smile rested on her lips.

She approached Ayame and placed a hand lightly on her shoulder.

Then she leaned closer and quietly explained how best to conduct herself around Dio.

Ayame immediately flushed with embarrassment at some of the unfamiliar expectations of personal service.

“Do I really need to do all of that?”

Stussy stepped back and folded her arms.

“You came here because you already made your decision, didn’t you?”

Ayame bit her lip.

After a moment, she gave a small nod.

At that time, Dio was relaxing in the natural hot spring behind the residence.

Warm water rose from underground.

Steam drifted through the courtyard.

A bamboo fence and several short pine trees surrounded the pool, while moonlight filtered through the mist and gave the entire garden a tranquil atmosphere.

Dio leaned against a rock at the edge of the spring with his eyes closed.

Of everything he had encountered in this world so far, this was perhaps the first thing he genuinely appreciated.

Soft footsteps approached from behind.

Wooden sandals against the walkway.

Slow.

Hesitant.

Dio did not turn around.

He already knew who it was.

After a while, a nervous voice spoke.

“Divine Lord…”

Dio remained where he was.

“You’re here.”

He gestured casually toward a folded cloth placed near the edge of the spring.

“Good timing. Help wash my back.”

Ayame paused.

It was a far more ordinary request than she had feared.

She picked up the cloth, knelt near the edge of the spring, and carefully began helping him wash the places he could not easily reach himself.

Her movements were awkward at first.

She was clearly nervous.

Dio noticed immediately.

“You’re too tense.”

“I-I’m sorry.”

Ayame tried again.

This time, her movements became steadier.

Dio closed his eyes once more.

Compared with Stussy, Ayame was inexperienced in almost every aspect of personal service.

But that was hardly surprising.

She had been raised as a noble heir, not an attendant.

Even so, her careful effort had its own appeal.

Stussy had polished professionalism.

Ayame possessed earnestness.

Different qualities.

Different uses.

For Dio, there was value in both.