Okiya Subaru Eavesdrops
And just now, the way Genta had addressed Ying... "Grandma"?
Xia Yu fought down a laugh, gave Genta's head a gentle pat, and corrected the children. "Ying may be an elder to Ayato and the others, but she really doesn't look old at all. I mean, look at Zhongli—doesn't he seem pretty young too? So you can just call her 'Auntie Ying,' or 'big sis' works fine as well."
"Auntie, I think," Mitsuhiko decided after a moment's thought. After all, Uncle Zhongli clearly didn't look like he belonged to the same generation as Xia Yu. If Miss Ying was friends with Uncle Zhongli, then "Auntie" was probably the safer choice.
Okiya Subaru's eyes narrowed slightly. He had caught three words in Xia Yu's remark—"doesn't look."
Which meant that Miss Ying, like Zhongli, was actually much older than she appeared. The thought immediately called to mind that "thousand-faced witch," Vermouth. Could this Miss Ying, and this Mr. Zhongli, be as advanced in years as Vermouth was? And if so—did that, too, have something to do with their special standing in the Teyvat Syndicate? Okiya Subaru turned the question over silently in his mind.
"This Miss Ying is really that strong? Even you couldn't beat her, Xia Yu?" Ran exclaimed.
After spending so much time around Xia Yu, Mouri Ran had come to know exactly how capable she was—and now, learning that there was someone out there even stronger, she couldn't quite believe it.
"That's perfectly normal." Xia Yu waved a hand carelessly. "It's not like I'm some kind of master. I've been sent flying plenty of times myself."
At her words, the children—including Haibara—couldn't help showing astonished expressions. They simply couldn't picture what someone even stronger than Xia Yu could possibly be like.
"All right, we can talk about this another time. Kids need to get to bed early—we're all up at the crack of dawn tomorrow."
Seeing how late it had gotten outside, and remembering that they would be heading to the preliminary venue in the morning to cheer for Kazuha and Barbara, Xia Yu shooed the children off to bed.
The adults, however—Hattori Heiji and Okiya Subaru included—were kept behind by Sonoko to make cheering goods together with Ran and Xia Yu.
Originally, the plan had been to make them only for Kazuha, and the three girls would have been enough to handle it.
But once they learned that Xia Yu's friends Barbara and Nilou would also be competing, it was only natural that support goods for them were needed as well—so Hattori Heiji and Okiya Subaru got roped into helping too.
Once things were more or less finished, Okiya Subaru excused himself to use the restroom and slipped out of the room.
As he walked toward the bathroom, he took the opportunity to survey the layout of the Kamisato estate.
The residence followed a classic Japanese architectural style—overall design simple yet refined, with meticulous attention to detail and the use of space. From the main gate to the inner courtyard, the buildings incorporated abundant natural elements: wood, bamboo, stone, and a great many cherry trees.
Okiya Subaru had some familiarity with the layout conventions of this kind of architecture, which allowed him to make a rough estimate of where the Kamisato clan head's room and study were located.
He glanced around carefully, confirmed that no one was watching, swiftly evaded the security cameras, and slipped neatly into a secluded side path.
Orienting himself, he lightened his footsteps and made his way toward Kamisato Ayato's study.
When he drew near, he noticed a faint light glowing from within—the study was occupied. His heart lifted at the sight. He stopped and quietly observed his surroundings, making sure he hadn't been spotted.
A quick survey revealed two servants standing guard at the study door. Knowing he couldn't enter through the main entrance, Okiya Subaru pivoted lightly and headed in another direction.
He circled around to the side of the study and edged up close beneath a window, hoping to get a better sense of what was happening inside.
The window was shut, but a thread of warm light leaked through the gap.
Okiya Subaru approached with the utmost care, doing his best not to make a sound.
Pressing himself flat against the wall, he peered through the gap in the window and saw the Kamisato clan head he had met before speaking with Thoma—the man who had introduced himself as the house steward. Fragments of their voices drifted faintly through the crack to his ears.
"Have they found whoever wrecked the finals venue?" There was a chill beneath the smooth courtesy of Kamisato Ayato's tone.
"Not yet, my lord. However, with the Takano Group's assistance, we've narrowed it down to several rival suspects." Thoma answered with practiced deference.
"Good. See to it that we identify exactly who is responsible—and quickly."
"Yes, my lord." Thoma's reply was crisp. Then, with a hint of hesitation, he ventured, "Once we know who the culprits are... shall we notify the police?"
At that question, Okiya Subaru's eyes narrowed slightly. He seemed, quite genuinely, to be interested in how Kamisato Ayato would answer.
What he heard next was a soft laugh, followed by: "Heh. There's no need for that. I have my own ways of making them pay—twice over."