Kapitel 8: Reasoning with Adults in the Moonlight

An unmistakable tension filled the air as I watched my parents standing at a distance, joined by a fox man who bore an uncanny resemblance to Haruhime. An uneasy knot formed in my stomach as I prepared myself for the impending confrontation that loomed before us.

My father's stern countenance spoke volumes, his furrowed brow betraying his concern and frustration. With urgency in his tone, he demanded to know our whereabouts.

His demand sent Mikoto and the others scurrying behind Tsukuyomi, seeking comfort in her reassuring presence amidst the mounting uncertainty. Sensing the gravity of the situation, the goddess stepped forward to address the newcomers.

"Greetings, everyone. I am Tsukuyomi, the goddess of the moon," she introduced calmly, her words carrying an air of sincerity. "How may I be of assistance to you all?"

My father's demeanor softened slightly, realizing he was in the presence of a deity. With a respectful bow, he apologized for the earlier inquiry.

"I apologize for the abruptness. We were searching for our daughter, Kamisato Ayaka," he explained, urgency lacing his voice.

My mother, her expression tinged with apprehension, stepped forward to reinforce his plea. "He's right. We are her parents, and we have been worried sick. Furthermore, this nobleman here also seeks his daughter, so any help would be appreciated."

Tsukuyomi's expression softened with understanding as she exchanged a meaningful glance with the fox man beside my parents. In response, he stepped forward, his posture exuding a mix of superiority and vigilance, a silent command in his demeanor.

"I am Sanjouno Kyosuke, head of the Sanjouno clan," he introduced, his voice resonating with authority hardened by courtesy. "Just like what the lady said, I am searching for my daughter, Sanjourno Haruhime. Therefore, I would like to know her whereabouts immediately."

Despite those haughty words, Tsukuyomi maintained her composure and nodded, gesturing toward us, the children, who gathered behind her. "Certainly, Ayaka and Haruhime were here, safe and in good company with them."

With that assurance, both of my parents' expressions soothed, relief washing over them at the knowledge of my safety. However, Haruhime's father seemed to harbor an undercurrent of displeasure for reasons unclear.

Advancing toward Tsukuyomi, the man addressed her with an accusatory tone. "With all due respect, it is rather irresponsible of you as a goddess to allow these deprived children to take my daughter away and indulge in late-night play with her."

The goddess widened her eyes in response to his accusation, making her feel responsible for the problem that the fox man seemed to suggest.

"Mister Kyosuke, please be considerate. It is rude to reprimand Lady Tsukuyomi like that," my mother interjected, attempting to diffuse the escalating tension.

Haruhime's father, however, sneered dismissively and replied, "You may be forgiving towards the goddess, but I find this utterly unacceptable. I won't allow such lowlifes to influence my daughter, and I hope you and your husband would do the same."

"Lowlifes? Lord Sanjourno, we're speaking to a goddess. Have some little respect." my father retorted, his voice tinged with incredulity.

Haruhime's father remained steadfast, undeterred by my father's words. "So what if she's a goddess? There are other deities more significant than her," he proclaimed confidently.

With that harsh comment, my father was angered and muttered, "Why you!"

While this heated argument unfolded, Haruhime hid behind me, her body was quivering with fear. Sensing her distress, I sighed wearily and approached the group to fix the problem.

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Moving past Mikoto and the other children, I approached the adults who were embroiled in their heated exchange, their voices ringing with tension in the still night air.

Approaching closer, I stood between my father and Haruhime's father, hoping to diffuse the escalating conflict. The atmosphere crackled with unresolved emotions, and I knew that a calm, rational approach was needed to address the situation.

"Everyone, please," I implored, my voice steady despite the turmoil swirling around us. "This argument will only result in further tensions. So, let us resolve this matter calmly."

"Ayaka, you're safe!" my father exclaimed, his voice tinged with a blend of relief and concern. My mother, too, showed similar emotions, her worry changing into a glimmer of hope.

Haruhime's father, on the other hand, remained defiant, his gaze fixed on me with a standard of skepticism. "So, you're Kamisato Ayaka, the daughter of the Kamisato clan leader. I would expect better judgment from someone of your prestige."

"I understand your concern, Lord Sanjouno," I responded, maintaining a collected demeanor. "However, your daughter and I were just engaging in innocent play with the children. There was no hostility in our actions."

Haruhime's father scoffed at me, his demeanor obstinate. "Innocent play, you say? Yet my daughter was led astray into the darkness of the night, away from the safety of her home."

His words struck a nerve, igniting a spark of indignation within me. Despite my initiatives to reassure him, Haruhime's father seemed dubious to acknowledge that our actions were safe.

"When you say the safety of your home, do you mean locking her up in her room, prohibiting anyone from interacting with her?" I opposed, my tone calm though with a hint of frustration.

The revelation hung in the air like a heavy haze, bewildering everyone into a dumbfounded silence. Their expressions are a mix of disbelief and concern at the revelation of Haruhime's restrictive noble upbringing.

Haruhime's father, however, remained unmoved, his features contorted into a semblance of obstinate resolve. "My action is merely to ensure her safety, away from external depravity."

Amidst this unnerving exchange, my father stepped forward, and with an authoritative voice, he proclaimed, "Lord Sanjouno, do you think what you're doing is somewhat overbearing to your daughter's well-being? She deserves at least the freedom to leave the comforts of her room and form connections."

"He's right, Mister Kyosuke," my mother added, "please consider Lady Haruhime's emotions and happiness. She needs some love and companionship, not confinement."

Haruhime's father seemed slightly impacted by my parents' words, a flicker of doubt crossing his features. However, his stubborn resolve remained unshaken as he retorted, "You may see it that way, but I am merely protecting my daughter's image and preserving the reputation of our noble lineage. So, I will not waiver in my decisions."

As the tense standoff continued, I realized that reasoning with this man would demand more than just words. That said, I turned my gaze to Tsukuyomi, silently imploring her to intervene and help us find a resolution to this impasse.

Noticing my attention towards her, the goddess immediately realized my silent request and nodded at me before stepping forward to confront Haruhime's father.

"Mister Sanjouno, as a goddess, I implore you to give your daughter the freedom she needs," Tsukuyomi requested. "Young mortals like her deserve the chance to form connections and experience the world beyond the confines of their homes. Through such experiences, they'll develop the image and reputation you're protecting."

In response to her divine words, Haruhime's father scowled at the goddess, clearly reluctant to acknowledge. "Goddess or not, you have no right to dictate how I raise my daughter! My decisions are absolute!"

The impasse persisted, and it became evident that persuading this man required more than logical arguments. What should I do? How can we reason with someone as stubborn as him?

"Oh my, what do we have here? An altercation?"

"!!"

Suddenly, a familiar voice reverberates at a distance. We all turned our attention and noticed Ayato, accompanied by Lady Miko, Captain Sara, and Shinobu. However, the most surprising of all is the person behind them. It was Raiden, the goddess of thunder, lighting, and rain.

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Tension thickened in the air as we found ourselves confronting the imposing presence of a formidable deity, flanked by my brother and the three esteemed guests. The entire clearing became charged with an unsettling energy, intensifying the gravity of the dispute unfolding in our midst.

Raiden, perceptive to the unfolding events, advanced with purpose, her demeanor exuding authority and insight. With a penetrating gaze, the deity surveyed the scene, her expression betraying no partiality. It was evident that her judgment held immense consequence, poised to shape the outcome of the conflict between my parents and Haruhime's father.

Speaking of which, upon seeing her, the mentioned fox person instantly rushed onwards and prostrated himself before her. "Oh, great thunder goddess, please help me save my daughter from these foolish individuals. They-"

"Silence..."

"Eek!"

Raiden's interruption pierced through the distressed Sanjourno, her divine gaze commanding absolute respect. In response, the man flinched, visibly intimidated by her presence.

Once he was silenced, the goddess turned her attention to us, her inscrutable countenance demanding an explanation for the turmoil that had unfolded.

"You, explain," Raiden commanded, wanting a concise narrative of the circumstances as she pointed her finger directly at me.

Taken aback by her instant address, I soon understood the seriousness of the situation and decided to recount the events leading up to this altercation.

Starting from the beginning till the present, I told everything, including Mikoto's invitation, my encounter with the goddess Tsukuyomi and the other children, the revelation of Haruhime's strict upbringing, and finally, the disagreement regarding Mister Sanjouno's stubborn denial of everyone's pleas.

As I finished narrating, I couldn't help but feel the weight of the thunder goddess's judgment hanging over us, uncertain about what her verdict would be.

"Hmm, I see... Now how about you? Explain yours," Raiden commanded, turning her attention to Haruhime's father, who appeared visibly restless under her scrutiny.

He took a few deep breaths before starting to narrate his side of the story while smirking at me. I was shocked that he got the nerve to accuse Tsukuyomi of permitting Mikoto and the other children to take Haruhime against her will and coerce her to play with them, which was not the truth.

"Stop, I've heard enough..."

Fortunately, Raiden's stern voice cut through his words, halting his questionable narrative in its tracks. He flinched once more, revealing his discomfort towards the deity's authority.

Once he was silenced again, the thunder goddess closed her eyes and began to reflect. The air hung heavy with anticipation as we awaited her judgment.

Looking around, I noticed everyone was focusing on Raiden, silently awaiting her verdict. For a few while, the whole area was getting more tense until eventually, she opened her eyes.

"I have decided," she announced, her voice reverberating with authority. "The children... will no longer be allowed to play at night..."

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A heavy atmosphere of defeat settled upon us, enveloping the clearing in a somber shroud. Raiden, the deity of thunder and lightning, rendered her judgment, decreeing an end to our midnight escapade. While her decision was reasonable, it left us feeling deflated, unsure of how to fill the void left by our nighttime excursion.

"Fufufufu... What a shame."

In stark contrast, Haruhime's father appeared to revel in Raiden's decree, his faint chuckles punctuating the silence of the clearing. My nerves grated upon his amusement, intensifying the frustration and irritation within me.

"What are you finding humorous?"

Suddenly, Raiden directed a question toward the seemingly delighted fox person, her voice cutting through the tense atmosphere like a blade. Haruhime's father, visibly taken aback, squirmed under her scrutinizing gaze.

"Oh, it's nothing, Lady Raiden. I'm simply relieved that you have resolved such a troublesome situation affecting Haruhime's image. If you excuse me, I shall take my daughter-"

"Stop, I'm not done speaking yet."

Raiden's interruption halted the fox man's attempt to approach Haruhime, indicating that she had more to say before any further actions could be taken.

"While I decree that no children shall engage in nighttime activities, it doesn't mean they're forbidden from doing so during the day. Hence, in the interest of fairness, the young mortal named Haruhime shall be granted freedom from the confines of her home."

"!!"

As Raiden spoke her verdict, a mixture of surprise and relief washed over us. The oppressive atmosphere began to fade, replaced by a glimmer of hope for our friend, Haruhime.

"What?! Lady Raiden, this must be a mistake. Why would you-"

"Huh? Do you question my judgment?"

Raiden fixed a stern gaze upon Haruhime's father, who appeared to challenge the goddess's new decree. He shrank under her divine scrutiny, unable to offer a refutation.

"No... I don't..."

"Good."

After that interaction, Raiden then turned her attention to the three esteemed guests.

"Miko, Shinobu, escort that dubious mortal and his daughter back to their home, and make sure he obeys the decree."

"Alright then~"

"Affirmative, goddess Raiden."

With that compliance, Lady Miko and Shinobu made their way towards us. Then both of them crouched to our level and spoke to Haruhime.

"Okay, it's time to go, young lady."

"...."

"Don't worry, the fearsome goddess over there guarantees that you can play with Miss Ayaka and the other children during the day."

In response, Haruhime timidly nodded, her expression a blend of comfort and apprehension as she followed the two esteemed guests and her father, leaving us at the clearing.