Okay, let's just start by saying. Amenoma Kageuchi? Absolutely worth it. 100/10. Like Ayaya's cuteness. Would grind again. I've got it strapped to my waist now—not for combat, mind you, but purely for the aesthetic. Gotta flex the goods. Do I look like I could get arrested for this? Maybe. But then again, I'm already a wanted criminal, so at this point, it's just another accessory. Might as well wear a sign that says "I cause problems on purpose."
Still, you gotta admit—Amenoma looks good on me. Real good.
Anyway, back to business. Time for the next step in the legendary Operation: Rewrite History with Coolness and Maybe Slight Chaos.
Objective: Find Hydro Daddy.
That's right. Kamisato. Freaking. Ayato.
The man, the myth, the Hydro Sword Daddy himself. Where was I going to find him? If my anime instincts were correct—and they always are—he'd be at the Yashiro Commission. That's where all the important people hang out, right?
So, back to the Kamisato Estate I go.
On the way, I bumped into Thoma. Literally. I rounded a corner too fast and nearly faceplanted into his chestplate.
"Whoa! Shigeru? You okay, buddy?"
I straightened up like nothing happened. "Thoma! My favorite househusband! Nice armor. Smells like detergent."
He blinked, then laughed. "You're still the same. Hey… is that a new sword?"
I struck a pose, hand resting casually on the hilt. "Why yes. Feast your eyes on Amenoma Kageuchi. Forged it myself. With the blood of my enemies and some mildly illegal ore."
He gave an impressed whistle. "Looks amazing. Very… you."
"I know, right?" I flipped my hair like it was blowing in the wind, even though there was no wind. "It gives better stats than my old one. Plus, it makes me look like I've got my life together. Which, of course, I don't."
"Progress is progress," Thoma said with a chuckle.
"Indeed. Anyway, have you seen your boss? The one who looks like he owns five yachts and probably reads war strategies for fun?"
He pointed toward the back garden of the estate. "I think he's there. But uh… be careful. Ayato's not exactly the 'drop by for tea' kind of guy."
"Noted. Thanks, Thoma. If I die, tell Lumine she owes me lunch."
Thoma waved, probably used to me saying weird last words by now.
I snuck—well, strutted—around the estate like I belonged there. Which, to be fair, I kinda did at this point. I helped Ayaya. I impressed Thoma. I was basically a member of the family.
And then I saw him.
Kamisato Ayato. Standing at the edge of the garden, gazing out at the horizon like he was in a dramatic movie scene. Wind rustling through his pristine hair. Cloak swaying just slightly. Looking like he was about to make a philosophical monologue about duty, sacrifice, and maybe the price of tea.
I fanboyed internally.
Stay cool, Shigeru. Stay cool.
I was about to walk up to him when—
WHAM!
"WHAT THE FU—"
I got slammed to the ground, face-first. Two masked ninja dudes had me pinned before I could even say hello.
"Ghh—ow—damn! You guys don't mess around!"
Ayato didn't even flinch. He just slowly turned around, one elegant brow raised. He looked completely unbothered, like this was just another Tuesday.
He raised a hand.
Instantly, the Shuumatsuban agents backed off and disappeared into the shadows like discount Batman.
I sat up, brushing dirt off my coat. "Damn. You've got personal ninjas. You know how cool that is?"
Ayato offered no reply. Just a calm, calculating smile that said, "I've already planned ten steps ahead of you, peasant."
Not gonna lie. I love how he looks at me like I'm a trash.
"Hydro Daddy," I greeted him solemnly, placing a hand over my heart.
His eyebrow twitched. "State your business, outlander."
I grinned. "I'd say 'it's complicated,' but actually—it's not. I'm here to change the fate of this country. And maybe cause a little trouble along the way."
He narrowed his eyes slightly. The kind of look that could strip paint off a wall.
"Also," I added, "I have dango. Would you like one?"
Silence.
Then, to my surprise, his lips twitched upward—just slightly.
Shit. It's happening. Shigeru vs. Ayato: The Diplomacy Arc.
This is gonna be good.
***
Milord. My King. My Hydro Boba-loving Main.
I clasped my hands together like I was about to propose. To a man. With the most beautiful sleeves in Teyvat. Sleeves that could slice a man's pride in half just by fluttering in the wind. I'd watched that idle animation so many times that I could probably reenact it better than I could walk. Not even ashamed. I'd trade my left kneecap just to see that idle animation in 4K slow motion with dramatic lighting and opera music.
"Before anything else, can I ask you one thing?"
Kamisato Ayato didn't even blink. Still had that mysterious smile like he's already read the next five lines of my dialogue. The kind of smile that says, I know your secrets, your browser history, and how many Primogems you wasted on losing the 50/50.
"What is it that you need?"
My body moved before I could stop it. Hand extended. Eyes glistening. Voice cracking like I was about to give a wedding vow.
"Can I shake your hand?"
He tilted his head, mildly confused. Man really paused like an NPC calculating a dialogue tree.
"...That's fine."
He reached out. I touched greatness.
I swear my soul left my body and high-fived Celestia.
Tears welled up. A tear rolled down my cheek like a dramatic anime protagonist after winning the championship.
"Finally... my lifelong dream has come true... Even if the Raiden Shogun skewers me with her Booba sword, I will die with a smile."
Ayato blinked. Slowly.
"That's... a bit much. But I appreciate the compliment."
Bro's used to weirdos, but even he had to take a pause after that. I bet he made a mental note to never leave me alone with his tea stash.
Anyway. Enough simping. Serious mode. Kind of.
I coughed. Straightened my back. Slapped my own cheeks—ow—and said, "Alright, I'm actually here for something serious."
Ayato raised a brow. The mysterious smile remained. That was either good or terrifying. Or both. Like watching a cat prepare to pounce.
"I know you're pulling strings behind the scenes to support your sister. The resistance. The diplomacy. The discreet assassination of paperwork. And I just wanna say... I really appreciate it."
Before he could respond, shadows flickered. Great. Ninjas.
A whole squad of Shuumatsuban suddenly popped out like they were summoned by the phrase "serious business."
"Milord," one of them said, eyeing me like I was a walking cursed scroll. "This stranger knows too much. He might be a threat. We should dispose of him."
Dispose?? I'm not a rotten cabbage, I'm a person!
Ayato chuckled lightly and waved them off. Waved them off. Like they were mosquitos, not death ninjas.
"Don't try. He can take you all on. Even alone."
My jaw dropped. AYATO. MY KING. I CAN'T. THAT WAS TOO COOL.
I was about to cry again.
"You know a lot for a stranger," he said, gaze narrowing like he was dissecting my whole life. "Tell me, what do you really want from me?"
OH BABY. IT'S HAPPENING.
I grinned. Eyes sparkling. Brain doing somersaults.
"A deal," I said.
Ayato blinked. "A deal?"
I nodded. "Yup. Not help. Not backup. A deal."
Now for the dramatic pitch.
"I plan on going head-to-head with the Raiden Shogun."
Silence.
One of the ninjas choked on their own breath.
Ayato didn't flinch. Bro probably already expected something ridiculous the moment I opened my mouth.
"I need you to help me sneak into Tenshukaku. When the time is right. Just hide me somewhere. I'll handle the rest."
He squinted. Probably wondering if I'd escaped from a mental hospital.
"And if you fail?"
I grinned like a feral gremlin. "Then you can ask me anything. Anything. I'll even join your secret ninja organization, wear purple and everything. I'll even stop drinking bubble tea for a week—okay, maybe two days. I'm not a monster."
Ayato chuckled. A soft one. It almost made my knees buckle.
"And if you succeed?"
"Then you go on a date with a feisty tailor from Fontaine. You definitely know her."
That made him blink. Twice.
"...Chiori?"
I nodded. "Yup. Her."
He stared for a moment.
Then said, "You do realize she's friends with my sister, right?"
I shrugged. "Friend. Foe. Future sister-in-law. Tomato, tomahto. I don't mind. Ayaka will live. Probably. Eventually."
Let's be real, Chiori's a menace in heels. That woman once stabbed a guy with a sewing needle, threw him out of the window, and told him it was part of her new embroidery technique. She walks like she owns the entire Hydro region despite being from Inazuma. She once made a noble cry just by adjusting his collar. But look, you can't spell 'chaos' without 'Chiori'.
And if Ayato thinks he's too calm and composed for her, that's exactly why they work. Opposites attract, right? Right. I ship it so hard I'm willing to risk my life for it. Imagine the fanfics. The drama. The sewing-themed wedding. The fashion war between Inazuma and Fontaine. I want a front-row seat.
Ayato tilted his head, visibly processing what level of lunacy he'd just agreed to interact with.
"Marriage is a serious matter, especially for the head of the Kamisato Clan. But… taking risks is how one gains powerful allies."
My grin widened.
Oh, the chaos. Oh, the drama. I could already hear Chiori's sassy comments and Ayaya facepalming. Kamisato dinner tables were never going to be peaceful again, and I was living for it.
"We have a deal."
Ayato extended his hand again. We shook on it.
Cue fireworks in my heart.
OH MY ARCHONS. I JUST MADE A DEAL WITH MY HYDRO MAIN.
—And I wasn't ready, but that's okay.
Because I, Shigeru never is. And somehow, I still live to tell the tale.
__________________________
End of Chapter 48
Quests Completed:
*Shake the Hand of the Legendary Hydro Boba Main
* Convince Ayato to help sneak into Tenshukaku for the upcoming confrontation with Raiden Shogun.
*Endure the judgmental stares of Ayato's ninja crew without cracking.
*Arrange for Ayato to agree to go on a date with Chiori from Fontaine (yes, the feisty tailor).
Rewards:
*+10 to strategy-related decisions or battles.
*+15 to charm and fashion sense in all situations,
* +5 to charisma when dealing with high-ranking officials or anyone who's particularly composed.
*+20% "Shigeru's Luck" Buff
*A Handshake with Ayato (Legendary Tier)
*Wedding invitation (Pending. Soon)