Chapter 26: A Date with Ayaka

"It's been a while, Ayaka."

Teiyu's heart raced as he looked at Kamisato Ayaka standing before him.

Today, she was clearly dressed up. Her snow-white hair was styled into twin ponytails, and her hair accessories resembled the headdress of a samurai.

Her side locks were tied up neatly, and she wore a gradient blue haori over a deep blue pleated skirt, which was decorated with patterns of falling cherry blossoms and flowing water.

Unlike her usual battle armor, Ayaka was wearing a cute skirt today. She looked less like the dignified daughter of the Kamisato clan and more like a charming girl next door!

Teiyu's eyes were drawn to her slender, straight legs beneath the skirt—so different from Yae Miko's voluptuous figure. Ayaka's legs were delicate and straight, embodying the youthful beauty of a girl her age.

Though she was petite, her proportions were perfect. Not only were her thighs slender, but even her calves were longer than average. Her small, delicate feet were adorned with wooden sandals, and inside, she wore pure white tabi socks, which made one want to peek at the beautiful scenery within.

"Teiyu?"

"Hmm?...."

Teiyu turned to the sound of Ayaka's voice, seeing her looking at him with shy eyes. Her long, thick lashes fluttered as if she was startled by his intense gaze. Her teardrop-shaped mole beneath her eye seemed to blur slightly, matching the blush spreading across her cheeks.

"Ah... Sorry, sorry, Ayaka, you're just so beautiful today, I couldn't help but... get lost in your beauty."

Seeing the blush on Kamisato Ayaka's pure and delicate face, Teiyu realized that his old habit of staring at pretty girls had kicked in again.

"Pfft!" Kamisato Ayaka couldn't help but let out a light, joyful laugh at Teiyu's dazed expression.

"You really haven't changed, Teiyu."

Women dress up for those they care about.

Early this morning, Ayaka had woken up early and spent a long time getting dressed with the help of her maids. Her heart had been filled with anticipation, worried that after so much time apart, Teiyu might have changed.

But seeing his reaction now, Ayaka knew he was still the same boy—unchanged in the slightest.

"Oh, right, I have a gift for you!"

"Happy birthday, Ayaka!"

September 28th, the day she was born. Naturally, Teiyu had prepared a birthday gift well in advance.

"Hehe, thank you, Teiyu... What kind of gift is this? It seems like there's a lot in here!"

Ayaka reached out to take the large package from Teiyu, feeling its weight and couldn't help but laugh again, "Who gives a gift that's a huge bundle like this?"

"I... I didn't know what to choose... so I just wanted to give you... all the good things I have."

Teiyu scratched his head awkwardly, feeling a bit at a loss.

Little did he know that this unintentional act delivered a powerful impact on the young girl's heart!

Unintentional flirting is the most deadly!

"Is that so? Thank you..." Ayaka looked at Teiyu's flushed face, feeling a sweet ripple in her heart.

"All the good things just for me, but Teiyu, you don't know, the gift I want the most is..."

"I'll take good care of it." As expected of the princess of the Yashiro Commission, Ayaka quickly regained her composure and called the servants of the estate to take the gift inside.

"Let's go shopping. It's been a while since... we've spent time alone together~~"

With a gentle and serene smile on her face, she stepped down the stairs and smiled at Teiyu.

"Sure." Teiyu matched her pace, and the two of them began walking toward the town.

The weather today was beautiful, just like a gift from the heavens—not too hot, not too cold, with the air filled with a refreshing scent. Fluffy clouds floated lazily in the sky like cotton candy, making people feel relaxed and at ease.

"By the way, Teiyu, what have you been up to lately?"

Despite her distaste for socializing due to her duties, Ayaka always managed to make people feel like they were basking in spring sunshine when she chose to engage in conversation.

"Me? I've been quite busy, you know. I opened a ramen shop."

"I know..." Ayaka's heart sank a little upon hearing his answer, "I'm sorry, Teiyu, I haven't visited you..."

"Oh, it's fine. Aren't I here to see you now? Isn't that the same thing?"

Teiyu made a funny face, causing Ayaka to giggle. He knew that Ayaka was gentle yet strong, with an extremely sensitive heart.

They hadn't seen each other for a long time, and it was natural to feel a bit awkward. Teiyu felt that, as the boy, he should take the initiative and not let Ayaka feel uncomfortable.

"Yes, this is good too." Ayaka felt touched, knowing that Teiyu had broken the silence to prevent her from feeling awkward. The subtle distance between them seemed to dissolve with that playful face.

"So, where are we going today?" Teiyu glanced at the large shadow cast by the clouds, worried that it might get too hot later.

"I've already planned it out, Teiyu. Please follow me." Ayaka suddenly paused, smiling as she placed her hands behind her back. Her snow-white twin tails swayed gently, full of youthful charm.

"Okay." Teiyu smiled back, unable to help but be captivated by Ayaka's pure expression.

As the princess of the Yashiro Commission, Ayaka had always been under immense pressure. Despite her young age, she had to navigate the complex world of politics and carefully handle the power struggles between noble families to avoid causing trouble for her brother, the head of the Kamisato clan.

Such an experience left her with few trusted friends, aside from the family's steward.

When Teiyu was staying with the Kamisato family, he often saw the troubled expression on Ayaka's face.

At that time, she was still a young girl, with a father whose health was failing.

The Kamisato family's status in the Shogunate had also fallen sharply.

After her father passed away, the burden naturally fell on her brother, Ayato.

Seeing her exhausted brother return home every day pained young Ayaka, and with Teiyu's encouragement, she began to take the initiative to learn and grow, striving to ease her brother's burden.

"That was indeed an unforgettable time," Ayaka reflected.

Whenever she thought about those difficult days—those days filled with uncertainty and anxiety—Ayaka felt a deep gratitude toward Teiyu for being there.

During those turbulent times, the Kamisato estate was filled with unrest, and many didn't believe that the young Ayato could shoulder the responsibility. Many of the estate's older servants decided to leave, unwilling to face the impending storm.

Little Ayaka had fallen into despair.

No one expected that the two outsiders who weren't part of the Kamisato family would remain by their side, unafraid of criticism, steadfastly supporting her and her brother!

Thinking about this, Kamisato Ayaka's heart filled with a gentle warmth.

"I'm really lucky to have met you... Teiyu."

…

"We're here." As they talked and walked, they soon arrived at an old estate.

"What's this?" Teiyu looked at the dilapidated building before him, puzzled. "Why did Ayaka bring me to this old, rundown place?"

The estate in front of them could hardly be called a home anymore. There was no nameplate, and the surrounding area was overgrown with weeds, indicating that it had been a long time since the place was last cleaned.

As they climbed the moss-covered steps, Teiyu had to be careful where he stepped.

Entering the small courtyard, they saw a maple tree in the front yard. A gentle breeze blew through, causing the red leaves to fall, adding to the desolate atmosphere.

In the courtyard, an elderly woman sat alone, cradling a cup of hot tea, quietly sipping it.

"Hmm... Who's there?" The elderly woman, hearing their footsteps, turned her head curiously.

"It's me, Grandma." Ayaka's face softened into a warm smile as she walked toward the old woman.

Teiyu approached and realized that the elderly woman was blind. Her face was lined with wrinkles and age spots, and she was frail and stooped. Hearing Ayaka's voice, she trembled slightly as she tried to stand, but her movements were unsteady.

"Grandma, take it easy." Seeing her struggle, Teiyu quickly stepped forward to support her arm.

"Ah... thank you, young man. May I ask who is helping this old woman?" The old lady keenly sensed that it wasn't Ayaka supporting her, so she asked.

"He's my friend."

"I see, it's you! My dear girl, it's been a long time since I've seen you..." The elderly woman sighed.

"There's been a lot going on at home lately, and I haven't been able to visit. But now, I'm here to see you, aren't I~~" Ayaka said playfully, nestling into the old woman's arms.

"Oh, my, you're still so playful..."

A warm smile spread across the elderly woman's face as she gently patted Ayaka's head with her aged, withered hand.

Teiyu watched the scene with surprise—he had never seen Ayaka act so affectionately before.

This elderly woman must be someone very important to Ayaka, someone she trusts enough to show her vulnerable side.

After a bit more playful banter, Ayaka realized she might have overstepped and quickly regained her composure, reintroducing herself as the dignified young lady she was. "Grandma is a friend of mine, and she's a master of the koto."

"Hello, Grandma." Teiyu stepped forward and greeted the old woman politely.

"Ah... hello, child. I've known this little girl, Shirahime, for so long, but this is the first time she's brought a young man to meet me..."

"????" Ayaka made a gesture to Teiyu, indicating she'd explain later why she used an alias.

"Uh... I see..." Teiyu awkwardly went along with the story, saying, "It's the first time I've heard... uh, Shirahime mention she had such a close friend..."

Ayaka leaned in close to Teiyu, whispering in his ear, "Teiyu, I'll explain later. I don't want Grandma to know my real identity. Please help me keep this secret."

Teiyu blushed and quickly pulled away, her warm breath on his sensitive ear making him instinctively want to retreat.

"Alright, I understand." Teiyu nodded to Ayaka, signaling that he would keep her secret.

The old woman returned to her seat on the tatami mat as if she hadn't noticed their secret exchange. She took two small cups from a wooden table and skillfully poured tea for the two of them

. "If you don't mind, come have some tea with me."

"Sure." Both of them responded as they sat down beside the old woman and picked up their cups.

"The tea leaves are dry, and the tea itself is quite bitter—it's almost like drinking water from tree roots."

Though it wasn't the best quality tea, Teiyu didn't mind. After walking for so long, he was thirsty, and the bitter tea quenched his thirst.

"Glug, glug." Hearing Teiyu drink the tea, the elderly woman smiled contentedly.

She spoke kindly to Teiyu, "Teiyu, how did you meet Shirahime?"

"Uh... well..." Teiyu scratched his head awkwardly. "Do you want the truth, or should I make something up?"

"Grandma, Teiyu is my childhood friend!" Ayaka quickly stepped in to help Teiyu out of his awkwardness.

"Childhood friend?" Both of them were surprised by the sudden admission.

Although, in a sense, they really did grow up together, it was the first time Teiyu had heard Ayaka admit it so openly.

"How interesting." Teiyu marveled at Ayaka's rare display of shyness.

"So, childhood friends, huh?" The elderly woman teased, clearly picking up on the subtle relationship between the two.

"Back in the day, I also had a childhood friend." She sipped her tea, letting out a light sigh, clearly reminiscing about the past.

"Uh, what's going on here?" Teiyu watched the old woman get lost in her memories and decided not to interrupt, instead making a funny face at Ayaka.

Teiyu: "(＝.＝)"

Ayaka: " (.﹏.?)"

Teiyu: "(?￣(エ)￣)"

Ayaka: "ヽ(?.>Д<)o"< p>

Just then, the peaceful atmosphere was interrupted by the sound of children's laughter. A group of kids noisily ran into the courtyard.

"Grandma, we came to see you!!!"

"Hehe, Grandma, do you have any candy?"

"Grandma..."

The once-quiet courtyard was now filled with the lively chatter of children, their presence bringing a breath of fresh air to the old house.

"Oh, it's you kids!" The elderly woman's face lit up with joy, her wrinkles deepening as she smiled. "You little rascals, what brings you here today?"

The leader of the group, a young boy, shouted happily, "We missed you!"

"Nonsense, I bet you just want my candy, right?" The old woman squinted her eyes, joking with them.

"Hehe, well, maybe a little..." The boy scratched his head sheepishly, admitting to it.

"I'll go get you some candy. Wait here for a moment." The elderly woman said as she slowly got up to fetch the treats.

——

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