Chapter 29
Fun or Mission
Kujou Kamaji was not going to sit idly by while they waited for the full report from the Kanjou Commission to arrive. As the head of the criminal investigation office of the Tenryou Commission, he had taken the case of the Counterfeit Visions directly from its inception. And despite the confidence, not to say stubbornness, that his father had regarding the theory that Kamisato Ayaka was the benefactor behind the creation of those visions and the report of expenses and purchases would be the key to blame her, Kamaji still had his doubts on both points. And regardless of what that report would tell them, he was convinced that the best way to find some clue that would prove the guilt of the youngest daughter of the Kamisato family, or clear her name (as he hoped would happen), was to find the craftsman who made the visions, or at least one of their collaborators.
However, he had already realized for a long time that it would take a lot of work. His investigators had been scouring the entire city and questioning all their contacts but could not uncover anything concrete until now. On the one hand, the imperative need to keep the situation as secret as possible prevented them from asking direct questions. And on the other hand, they suspected that those who did know something refused to speak out, inspired by an incomprehensible feeling of loyalty to these people.
Although, in reality, that feeling was not so "incomprehensible." Even if Kamaji didn't dare say it out loud, especially in his father's presence, he understood to some degree why people could feel grateful to this mysterious craftsman. More than one of them was undoubtedly saved from being separated from their vision and the horrible consequences this would have brought, deceiving the Tenryou guards thanks to their creations. And if it depended on him, Kamaji would let them continue doing it. After all, among all the problems Inazuma was going through at that time (the discontent, the uprisings, the social and economic deprivations), someone making false visions that were little more than pretty accessories shouldn't even be on his priority list.
But he was an officer of the Tenryou Commission and a Kujou on top of that. He had a duty to his family and to the Almighty Shogun. And that had to outweigh any other personal feelings he might have on the subject.
"No news then?" Kamaji muttered slowly with a hint of disappointment.
"No unusual movement among the usual suspects," replied Shikanoin Heizou, one of his investigators in charge of searching for any trace of information about the Counterfeit Visions, in a calm voice.
Both were walking side by side in the interior garden of the Kujou residence. It was early in the morning, and Heizou had shown up to give his report on how his investigation was going. Like the days before, however, there was little to report.
"The city is starting to fill up with festival goers," Heizou added, his gaze drifting a bit to the cherry blossom trees in the garden. "It would be straightforward for the mystery shoppers of that big sale we heard about to blend in and not attract attention. And while one part of the commission is in charge of protecting the festival and the other is focused on the fishermen's revolt in Yashiori... Well..." He shrugged his shoulders, smiling almost mockingly, "To be honest, we're not making it so difficult for them."
"Your words are not encouraging at all, Shikanoin," Kamaji murmured, sounding almost like an exhausted sigh.
"Not everything is lost, sir," Heizou replied in a more animated voice. "I guess you already heard Kamisato Ayaka is also in town, even though she was supposed to have finished all her preparations for the festival three days ago."
"Yeah, I've heard about that.
"Pretty interesting, don't you think?" the red-haired boy inquired in a confident voice. "It would be wise to keep an eye on both her and her servant, the man named Thoma, don't you think so?"
Kamaji was silent for a moment, considering his investigator's proposal. Shikanoin Heizou had just been the first to point at Kamisato Ayaka as the most likely suspect to be that financial benefactor they were looking for, and a later look at Ms. Kamisato's latest expenses had helped to bolster that theory. Outside of Kamaji, his father, and now Commissioner Hiiragi, Heizou was the only one who knew with complete clarity that the Tenryou Commission was investigating her, and he trusted in the young detective's good judgment to keep that piece of information between them. For the moment, it was much better to stay that way. Kamaji didn't want to think about how disastrous it would be if someone else found out about it, especially if they didn't have enough evidence to support the accusation.
"We have to be careful with that," Kamaji replied seriously. "If the Kamisato find out that we're watching them, we might cause an incident that we won't be able to deal with yet."
"I understand your concern, sir, but it ties my hands a bit," Heizou muttered plaintively, placing both hands behind his head. "I know the commissioner wants all of this to be kept as low-key as possible, but you should be aware that sometimes, to get the wasps out, you need to shake the nest a bit."
"And do you have any idea how exactly to shake this wasps' nest?" Kamaji questioned, curious and annoyed by the comment. At that moment, he stopped his advance and turned towards Heizou, watching him waiting for his answer.
Heizou stopped too, and looked back at him. A sly smile piqued his lips, making it clear with that gesture that he indeed had a couple of ideas in mind.
"I warn you, if you mean to bother Kamisato Ayaka in any way, I'll have to ask you to stop right there."
"We don't have to disturb Lady Kamisato yet," Heizou clarified eloquently. "But I've been keeping a close eye on a few other individuals who pique my interest. None for which I have any tangible proof, but ones that I'm sure, with just a little nudge, could steer us in the right direction."
"What kind of nudge exactly?" Kamaji muttered, a little unsure.
"Like I said, I know the commissioner wants to keep this matter as low-key as possible. But if you give me your permission to push these people just a little bit and cast doubt on them, we might get some good results."
"Are you sure about that?"
"About… 85% more or less."
Kamaji hesitated, looking up at the cherry blossoms slowly falling from the trees in the garden, searching among them for the answer that eluded him. Was he desperate enough to make such a move?
"If it goes wrong, I'm willing to accept full responsibility," Heizou added to his proposal, hoping this would make it more tempting.
"It wouldn't be right to leave you with that burden," Kamaji replied with slight trepidation.
"Don't worry," Heizou replied unusually calmly, winking at him knowingly. "Let me take care of everything for you, sir. Just give me your permission; just between you and me."
Kamaji sighed heavily and looked thoughtfully out into the garden again.
"Okay. Do what you consider best, but be prudent."
"Wise is my middle name, sir," Heizou replied, offering a gracious bow to Kujou. "With your permission, then. If all goes well, I'll have good news for you soon."
And with that explanation, the boy leaped into the garden, but his feet did not even touch the ground as his whole body was thrown upward by a strong gust of wind, soaring into the air above the surrounding rooftops, and was lost behind one of these. Kamaji watched him in silence until he could no longer see him.
The truth was that he was worried about what Shikanoin Heizou had planned but more about what could result from his actions, whether these were successful or not.
He moved further down the internal corridor, heading towards his study to continue his work. Beyond what one might think, his role as head of the criminal investigation office comes with much paperwork and not as much action.
A door further down the hall opened, and from it emerged the stout, graceful figure of General Kujou Sara, followed by four purple-armored guards.
"The caravan of merchants from Ritou will arrive in the middle of the afternoon," the general told her men without turning to see them. "They'll be bringing valuable merchandise to sell at the festival, so I want a group to head up the road to ensure their safety for the last leg of their journey. With the ronin assaults that have been around these days, it is better not to risk it."
"Yes, General," the four soldiers answered in unison.
"Go now," she indicated to them in a stern tone, crossing her hands behind her back. The four soldiers hurried down the path, more than ready to carry out this instruction from the tengu general and all the others she had given them in that meeting.
"Sara, good morning," Kamaji greeted as he approached, immediately drawing her attention.
"Brother, good morning," the general greeted him back, leaning her head slightly towards him with respect.
"Is everything okay?"
"Of course," Sara replied calmly, standing tall and upright. "I've only given the men the proper instructions for the rest of the day since…"
She paused briefly, her eyes drifted to the side, and then she cleared her throat a little as if trying to release something that was oppressing her throat.
"Since I'll be absent a couple of hours later," she murmured very slowly, almost as if deep down she didn't want him to hear her.
"Oh, yeah," Kamaji murmured, smiling. "Chisato mentioned you would go out with her for… a walk?"
"Something like that," Sara answered, trying to recover the firmness of her voice. "It's a task to strengthen relations between our commissions and, of course, between our two clans. Also, to ensure Ms. Hiiragi is safe during her stay in Inazuma. Although I fully trust that my men can take care of the safety of any distinguished visitor to the city; I have trained them so hard for a reason. In fact, there is a lot to do on this day. The merchants and visitors to the festival are starting to arrive, and we need to spread out better now that Masahito has left with part of the troops. It may be better to cancel this appointment. I'll go right now and tell Ms. Hiiragi. With your permission, brother..."
Saying all that, she turned around quickly with the clear intention of leaving at that moment and doing precisely what she had described. And she surely would have if her older brother hadn't been quick to reach out and grab her shoulder before she got too far away.
"Sara, calm down for a moment, please," Kamaji muttered, accompanied by an amused little giggle. "I assure you, Inazuma won't catch fire just because you take a couple of hours off."
The general turned over her shoulder to look at him, a look in her eyes that said at a glance that she wasn't quite sure that statement was entirely accurate.
"Actually, I think you could do with just taking an afternoon to yourself," Kamaji pointed out next, removing his hand from her shoulder. "Since, in fact, you will be very busy during the festival, so much so that you will surely not even be able to enjoy it."
"I wouldn't exactly call it an afternoon to myself," Sara murmured, turning away. "Since it is not like I am going to spend it precisely alone."
"Well, I know Chisato and you are very different and she can sometimes be somewhat effusive and inveterate. But I assure you that she is a really nice person. I think the two of you would get along if you got to know each other a little better."
Sara slowly turned to look at her brother again, drawing a visible expression of confusion.
"I didn't know you knew Ms. Hiiragi so well," the general said, coming very close to sounding like an accusation.
Kamaji started, shaken by such a comment but using all his willpower to hide it as much as possible and remain calm.
"Why do you say that?" he asked slowly, outlining a slight smile that tried to be nonchalant.
"I don't know," Sara replied with a shrug. "It just seemed to me that you talk about her with enough… How to say it…? Familiarity?"
"Do you think?" Kamaji mumbled, chuckling, placing a hand behind his head. "Well, the truth is, I don't know her any more than any other member of the Kanjou Commission with whom I should have a courteous and healthy relationship."
Sara's eyes narrowed slightly as she observed her older brother as if expecting that mask of false tranquility to crack at any moment and reveal what was hidden underneath.
If any thought had crossed her mind, she seemed to dismiss it soon after in the form of a long sigh.
"I admire your facility for this sort of thing," the tengu woman snapped into the air, looking thoughtfully out into the garden. "Treat and mediate with people, I mean."
Kamaji smiled, partly relieved at the change in the subject but also pleased by the small compliment.
"Well," he said more calmly, "I admire the facility you have in moving into the military field and supporting our brother and our father more directly on the battlefield."
"Thank you," Sara replied, inclining her head slightly in thanks. "But anyway, I promise to make an effort in this outing and try my best to not hinder the relations between our clan and the Hiiragi clan."
Kamaji laughed, more amused than concerned at her fervent statement. He was about to tell her that she didn't have to take it so seriously and just relax and have fun. However, Sara uttered something else just before, and that inevitably distracted his attention:
"Anyway, it's not like the two of us will be alone. Ms. Kamisato will be accompanying us as well."
Kamaji's lips faded slightly. He diverted his gaze to the other side almost without meaning to and adjusted his glasses slightly with one hand.
"Kamisato Ayaka will go with you?" he asked quietly, singularly serious.
"Yes, Ms. Hiiragi told me she invited her yesterday," Sara pointed out. His brother's unusual reaction, however, did not go unnoticed. "Why?"
"No, nothing," Kamaji quickly shook his head, smiling again and hiding his hands inside the wide sleeves of his kimono. "Just try to have a little fun, okay?"
"I'll… try," she answered with a little uncertainty. "But if any incident occurs, let me know immediately."
"Don't worry about anything. We will take care of any problem, but I assure you that none will arise."
After a few more parting words, Sara headed off to fulfill that "girls' outing" with all the seriousness and importance she would give to any other mission; indeed, that was how she saw it.
Kamaji remained where he was, watching thoughtfully as Sara walked away. If before that outing with Chisato did not worry him at all, things were a little different when he found out they would go in the company of Kamisato Ayaka.
Should he tell Sara about the suspicions about Kamisato's youngest daughter?
No, not yet. Only when there was at least some irrefutable proof that she might be involved. If Sara knew that treason to the Almighty Shogun was even being suspected, she couldn't just stand by and allow it. And he especially didn't want to ruin her free afternoon with just that: mere suspicions.
He would have to wait and see how Shikanoin's investigation progressed and the report from the Kanjou commission. Hopefully, one of the two would solve his doubts.
For her part, Ayaka was already getting ready at that time in preparation for that same outing that had Kujou Sara so restless. She had woken up early, had breakfast, and taken advantage of the early hours to supervise how the preparations for the festival were going; all the "normal" things people would expect her to be doing there in Inazuma. Now more than before, it was vital that she be seen doing the usual stuff of her position, or at least not one that could call into question what exactly she was doing in Inazuma. Ironically, her presence in the city had nothing to do with what the Tenryou commission wanted to pin on her. Still, she knew in advance that any unusual behavior was open to scrutiny, which was the last thing she needed.
It hurt a lot to have had to let Kazuha go, and it hurt more to accept that he was right when he said it would be better to keep their distance these days. But the promise that they would see each other at the festival before his departure motivated her to hold on to and focus her mind on the important matters that occupied his attention.
"Are you sure it's a good idea to attend?" asked Thoma, unable to hide his concern. "I mean, after what your brother informed us yesterday, is it okay for you to be so close to General Kujou?"
"That's exactly why I mustn't give up on this engagement," Ayaka replied from behind the screen in her private room, where two teahouse maids were helping her change and get ready. "If I decline the invitation at the last minute, right after my brother arrived in the city, someone might start to suspect that he indeed knows something and come to warn me and that I'm trying to keep my distance. The best thing is to continue acting normally and show that I have nothing to hide or that I still don't know these suspicions exist. At the moment, the fact that they think they have an advantage over me is precisely our best advantage."
"I understand what you're saying," Thoma agreed. "However, I can't help but think that all this… girls' outing may be a trick by General Kujou to keep you off guard and set you up in some kind of trap."
"Well, like I said, they don't really have me off guard," Ayaka pointed out quite confidently, still hidden behind the screen. "Knowing what I know, I will be alert for any possible danger. Also, Kujou Sara is not that kind of person. If she wanted to arrest or interrogate me, she'd do it head-on, not concurring complicated deceptions, and especially not involving Chisato in them."
"At least let me come with you, so I'll be close in case anything happens. I am your servant and assistant; it would not be strange if I accompanied you."
"That won't be necessary," Ayaka emphasized firmly. "Also, it can't be a girls' outing if you're following us."
"I don't know. I think I can be quite feminine if I put my mind to it," Thoma teased in a more relaxed tone, getting a small giggle from one of the servants in response.
Finished, the two servant girls carefully flipped the screen to one side, revealing their mistress on the other side. Ayaka had dressed in a much more casual outfit than usual: a pretty kimono made of bluish fabric with pink cherry blossom engravings and gold details, and a pink obi around her waist. She wore her hair gathered at the back, exposing her neck and ears, and adorned on the left side with a kanzashi brooch in the shape of a golden camellia, with two small strings with pink petals that fell from it on the side of her head. The maids had also applied rather discreet makeup to her lips and eyes.
"You look stunning, my lady," Thoma said with particular pride.
"Thank you," Ayaka replied, accompanied by a slight nod. "I hope it's not too much."
She then turned to the two women who had assisted her.
"Thank you for your help, both of you. Please continue your regular work. I have already taken too much of your time."
"For us, it is an honor to help you, my lady," one of them answered, leaning her body towards her with marked respect.
"With your permission, lady Kamisato."
Both women withdrew from the room, taking care to close the door behind them as soon as they left.
"Besides, I need you to do something else for me while I'm gone," Ayaka pointed out suddenly, immediately pulling Thoma's attention back to their earlier conversation. The Heron Princess's face had suddenly turned more serious. "I need you to find Ms. Naganohara and share with her the same information my brother gave us. But, of course, without going into details of how we got it. She must alert Master Masakatsu about the situation as soon as possible and let him be cautious."
"Do you think it would be convenient for him to cancel that delivery of visions they are doing?" asked Thoma, equally adopting a more reserved stance. "After all, the Tenryou commission may have its eyes everywhere more than ever."
Ayaka looked to the side, wondering how best to answer that. However, she didn't know if she could be utterly objective after beginning to suspect that Kazuha might somehow be involved in said delivery. What would really be best?
"I think that would leave it up to him," Ayaka pointed out, trying not to be hesitant. "Our responsibility is only to notify him of what happened. Could you do me that favor?"
"Of course," Thomas agreed. "You know you can trust me."
"Thank you. And remember that we must be discreet in our movements."
"Don't worry," said Thoma in a nonchalant tone. "I don't need excuses to meet Yoimiya without making it look suspicious."
"Okay..." Ayaka whispered slowly, unsure if she understood what he meant by that statement.
However, she would have to leave such a task entirely in the capable hands of his housekeeper. She had another mission for her part. And, indeed, similar to General Kujou, Ayaka also saw it as a mission type.
Everyone would think the only person who wouldn't see that sortie as a mission would be Hiiragi Chisato, who had had the original idea of the whole thing from the start. Well… that wasn't entirely like that. Because even though when she suggested it to Ayaka at first, she had no other intention than to go out and maybe do some shopping, now that Sara had joined, she had the mission of trying to get along with her as best as possible. As she had indicated to Ayaka the day before, if her relationship with Kamaji escalated to something more, it would be nice to have a member of the Kujou family to support them, and Sara might be the best option. She just had to convince her that she was a responsible and serious girl and that they could be good friends (or at least a potential family).
But for this, the mediating presence of Ayaka would be essential. If that worked out, Chisato would owe one to the Kamisato's daughter. She would see how to repay him.
Chisato also took her time to get ready, supported by a couple of ladies who had accompanied her from Ritou. Her chosen outfit for that afternoon consisted of a blue and white kimono, with a print resembling the ocean's waves, and a golden obi. She wore her dark hair up as usual, although she would adorn it with a discreet brooch of white flowers for the occasion. For makeup, only a discreet blush and pink shading around the eyes. She had brought that kimono and ornament just in case she had a chance to stay until the festival, and she managed to convince her father to let her attend. Now she would have to opt for a different outfit, but she had heard that there were good kimono shops in Inazuma; she was sure she could find something to her liking.
Being closely escorted by two of the members of her personal guard, Chisato headed towards the front yard of the Kujou Estate, where she had agreed to meet Sara the day before. It was only a few minutes of waiting, but each one was torturous. She didn't know what would upset her more: Sara jilting her… or actually showing up.
Kujou Sara then left through the house's front door, walking with that firm and confident demeanor that distinguished her so much and that stern expression on her face that always intimidated Chisato a bit. Her attire was… well, in fact, it was her usual Tenryou General outfit, with its purple, white, and gold colors, her red tengu mask, and even her red ippon geta that Chisato had never understood how she might have used them daily. She even had her bow and quiver of arrows strapped to her back.
Chisato considered for a moment that perhaps she was going to tell her she would not be able to attend, and she had to leave immediately for some mission; that wouldn't be so strange. However, that changed as soon as she stood in front of her and said with her usual firmness:
"Sorry for the delay, Ms. Hiiragi. I was finishing up a few last earrings before we left. As you understand, there is a lot of work to be done due to the upcoming festival."
"Yeah, sure. I understand," Chisato agreed, although she didn't quite know what delay she was referring to since it was barely a few minutes after the time they had agreed. "You don't have to worry. I can wait longer while you get ready if you need it."
"While I get ready?" Sara asked, clearly confused.
"Yeah, while you change your clothes, I mean," Chisato added, smiling slightly. I suppose you've been so busy that you haven't even been able to change out of your uniform, right?"
"No, I…" Sara muttered slowly, looking discreetly down at her clothes. "I was planning to go like this since once we get back, I have to go back to work... Do you think it is inappropriate?"
"No! No!" Chisato exclaimed forcefully, waving her hands in front of her. "Forget what I said! You look good just the way you are…!"
She laughed right after trying to sound nonchalant, although inside, her nerves were already consuming her.
Perfect start, Chisato. Perfect…!
She berated herself in her mind.
"Well, let's go now, so we don't make Ayaka wait any longer. Okay?"
"Yes," Sarah agreed. "I follow you."
The two young women, closely accompanied by the Hiiragi guards, left through the main gate, heading towards the teahouse.
Author Notes:
How is everyone at this beautiful beginning of the year? I hope you have spent the holidays in peace and contentment.
How time flies, right? It's been a long time since I last posted a chapter of this story. Since then, many things have changed in the world, in my life, and of course, in Genshin impact.
Many know that when this story first saw the light, what we learned about Kazuha, Ayaka, and their respective clans was more or less minor. But in the following months, that changed, and many of the things raised in this story at the beginning are far from what we know now. And also, new characters have been introduced and joined this vast world (from the outset, for example, Heizou or Kuki had yet to be formally introduced when this began).
All this at the time made me doubt whether or not it was worth continuing, and even now, I still doubt it. However, there are still many things that I would like to tell, especially regarding my personal interpretation of Kazuha and Ayaka, two characters that became very important to me. So I decided to write a few more chapters and see how things flowed, both for me as the writer and for you who are reading me. So let's see together how this turns out.
And what's next? If you've read the whole story up to this point, you might have noticed that it is made up of little 'arcs.' First, the entire thing about Katsumoto and the reunion of Ayaka and Kazuha. Then another one made up of our two protagonists reconnecting (in more than one way). And now we enter a new one partly centered on that girls' outing Ayaka, Chisato, and Sara had agreed to. But there will be other things we will see (in the next chapter, you will see a little more about what I am talking about).
I have to say that although I have come up with a way to add some of the new aspects to the story (a clear example is the introduction of Heizou in this chapter), for the most part, we will follow the path that was outlined from the beginning, and that it will inevitably depart from what is already known. So the Canon Divergence tag takes on a lot more importance than before, and it will have even more in the future if we manage to make this story go to the end I have planned.