Beyond the many red torii gates along the mountain path stood the Grand Narukami Shrine.
Petals fell from the Sacred Sakura all year round, seemingly without end. Li Qiuzhi, Yoimiya, and Kuki Shinobu entered the shrine and spotted Yae Miko beneath the eaves.
"My, my, what a rare visitor." Yae Miko looked at Kuki Shinobu with a smile.
"It's been a while, Lady Guuji."
Kuki Shinobu put away her black face guard and greeted her politely.
The face guard was mainly for defusing awkward situations, such as when she went out to discuss business and happened to be recognized by children who knew her former identity.
Since she was here to ask Yae Miko for a favor, keeping it on would have been impolite.
"Oh, Miss Kuki Shinobu, you know Lady Guuji?" Yoimiya looked at the two of them in surprise.
"Well, there's a very complicated story behind that." Kuki Shinobu shook her head, indicating that she would explain later, then looked at Yae Miko.
"I came to apologize for the Arataki Gang putting up advertisements everywhere."
Without the black face guard concealing it, Kuki Shinobu's beautiful face was revealed to everyone. Perhaps because she always wore it, she had an air of mystery.
Putting it away now gave her a refreshingly different look.
"Oh?" Yae Miko looked troubled. "That makes things rather difficult. Posting advertisements at the Grand Narukami Shrine not only raises suspicions of interfering with official duties, but also of disrespecting the Shogun.
"If I simply let it slide, wouldn't that mean I had failed in my duties as Guuji?"
Seeing Miko's sly gaze, Li Qiuzhi was somewhat speechless. Why did she seem even fonder of pranks than Hu Tao?
"Then what do you suggest, Lady Guuji?"
Kuki Shinobu was well acquainted with the unpleasant side of