Yae Miko nodded.
"Mhm. Exactly."
Kujou Sara gave a cold laugh.
"Hah! Lady Guuji Yae, your accusation is not only dangerous—it's absurd. The Tri-Commission has served the Shogun loyally since ancient times. There's no way any of us would harbor disloyalty."
"I was raised by the Kujou Clan. I've witnessed firsthand the unwavering loyalty of everyone in the Tenryou Commission—especially Lord Takayuki, the head of the clan."
"His reverence for the Musou no Hitotachi surpasses all others. My own respect for the Shogun is not even a tenth of his."
"So tell me—how could someone like him possibly commit treachery against the Shogun?"
"As a Guuji, I understand one thing well," Yae Miko replied calmly. "People tend to believe only what they want to believe. So perhaps… the truth is just something you refuse to see."
"In that case… I'll have to be the villain who lays it bare for you."
Kujou Sara's fingers trembled slightly, but her voice remained firm.
"If you have no proof, then I ask Lady Guuji to apologize for slandering the Kujou Clan."
"And also…"
She pointed at Lumine and Paimon.
"I'm taking those two with me as well."
"Of course. But before that, take a look at this. Ayaka's two little fish really are worthy of being called the familiars of the Lords of the Abyssal Sea—they obtained this quite quickly."
…..
"You want the Shuumatsuban to infiltrate the Tenryou Commission and find evidence of their collusion with the Fatui…?"
Kamisato Ayato, Ayaka, and Yae Miko sat together in the guest hall of the Yashiro Commission.
Ayato shook his head.
"No. This requires careful planning. The Tenryou Commission has strong defenses. If the Shuumatsuban is caught or even noticed, the fallout could be disastrous."
Yae Miko narrowed her eyes.
"Young master of the Kamisato Clan, this fire is already spreading. If we don't act, the next to be consumed will be your Yashiro Commission."
"Don't forget… your Commission is already sheltering a 'wanted criminal'."
Ayato lowered his head.
It was true. The Yashiro Commission was in a perilous position—beset internally by the other two Commissions, and externally by the Fatui.
"Brother, I have an idea."
Ayato turned to look at his sister. Yae Miko also leaned in with interest.
"Oh? What is it, little Ayaka?"
Ayaka nodded.
"Mm. It's about Kogane and Shirogane… They're… I'd rather show you than explain."
Ayato and Yae Miko exchanged glances and followed her.
"Kogane! That's my cupcake!"
"You're not eating it anyway!" Shirogane snapped, eyes full of disdain.
"I was saving it for tonight!" Shirogane cried.
"Shirogane, you're so stingy," Kogane grumbled, puffing out her cheeks.
"Aaaah! You wanna fight, Kogane?!"
As Ayaka, Yae Miko, and Ayato entered the room, they were met with a tense standoff in mid-air between two creatures that looked nothing like the goldfish from before.
They were now fully transformed—whale-like in shape, with slender horns on their foreheads. Shirogane's horn was silver; Kogane's was gold.
Floating water orbs hovered around Shirogane, aimed at Kogane and ready to fire.
The moment Shirogane spotted Ayaka, she dismissed the water orbs and dove into her arms, teary-eyed.
"Uuuu… Ayaka, Kogane was bullying me!"
Kogane, jumping up and down beside them, yelled, "Shirogane! Snitching is so low!!"
Ayaka chuckled helplessly and patted Shirogane on the back.
"It's alright, Shirogane. I have more cupcakes later."
"Really?! Yay!"
At the mention of cupcakes, Shirogane's tears vanished, and she leapt out of Ayaka's arms with a grin. Kogane, however, remained grumpy, cheeks puffed out in frustration.
Yae Miko finally spoke.
"I didn't expect such a change in these little ones after so little time. And they've developed their own youkai power too."
She thought to herself:
"As I suspected… these two goldfish have been accepted as familiars by the Gambler's mount."
"Indeed. They used to be ordinary goldfish," Ayato added in amazement.
Ayaka affectionately tapped Kogane on the head.
"Alright, don't pout anymore, Kogane."
Still sulky, Kogane reluctantly nodded.
"…Fine."
Shirogane was already zipping around in the water, gleefully chanting:
"Cupcake, cupcake…"
"Kogane, Shirogane—I have a task for you both."
They immediately froze mid-movement, turning their full attention to Ayaka.
"We need you to sneak into the Tenryou Commission and find evidence of their dealings with the Fatui."
The two glanced at each other and then proudly slapped their chests with their fins.
"Kogane/Shirogane will get it done!"
Without another word, they zipped out the window and vanished into the night.
Ayato whistled in admiration.
"Ayaka, that friend of yours really is something else."
Ayaka's cheeks turned a faint pink.
"Mm…"
She gazed out the window, silently praying for Kogane and Shirogane's safe return.
Meanwhile, within the Tenryou Commission grounds, the two little whales darted through corridors and chambers with incredible agility.
Avoiding all the guards, they quickly found the room where the evidence was kept.
Just as they were about to retrieve it, they heard footsteps.
They swiftly hid in the shadows.
It was Kujou Takayuki—the head of the Kujou Clan.
He entered the room, searching for something, unaware of the two hidden intruders.
Once he left, Kogane and Shirogane sprang into action and retrieved the evidence with practiced ease.
Overjoyed but aware of the danger, they retraced their steps with utmost caution and returned safely.
They handed the evidence to Ayaka, who carefully examined it and smiled with satisfaction.
She knew this would be the key to turning things around.
Looking at them with heartfelt gratitude, she said,
"Thank you. This mission would've failed without your help."
Kogane and Shirogane swished their tails smugly.
"Hehe, we're amazing, right~?"
"Ayaka, cupcake…"
_
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