"Are you sure... just ordinary friends? This old lady has eaten more salt than you've eaten rice~"
Grandma smiled, looking at Sangonomiya-sama, her meaning was clear: nothing could hide from her eyes.
"Go away, that's just your heavy taste. Don't worry about other people's business all day. Sangonomiya-sama, you can handle this matter yourself, no need to mind others' opinions..."
Seeing Sangonomiya-sama blush and unable to speak, the old man quickly spoke up to break the awkwardness.
Old man: This old hag always talks nonsense when she has nothing to do, making people feel awkward. She really has nothing better to do— idle!
"Thank you all for your concern. I will consider this matter carefully. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave..."
Kokomi felt like she had received a great pardon. She was extremely grateful to the old man for breaking the awkwardness, and as if escaping, she quickly left this place of trouble with Feng Yi.
"Feng Yi, please don't mind what Grandma said just now. This matter is actually very complicated..."
Kokomi lowered her head shyly, thinking about how to break the awkward atmosphere.
"It's alright. The night is long, you can take your time."
Feng Yi indicated that he could listen to Kokomi's slow explanation while enjoying her massage service in the evening.
"So... that would be good!"
Kokomi sighed in relief, secretly feeling at ease. There was still some time before evening, and she could use this time to think of a suitable way to explain.
"Sangonomiya-sama? Oh my, I didn't expect to see you here. My daughter is participating in the shrine maiden selection this year. If she can get into Sangonomiya, that would be great. Sangonomiya-sama is kind-hearted and will surely not mistreat her..."
As they were walking, a middle-aged woman suddenly approached, greeting Kokomi with a warm smile.
"Ah, I often tell my daughter that if she has a chance, she should learn well from Sangonomiya-sama. Sangonomiya-sama is so young yet already knows how to deal with people, and she's also intelligent... My daughter has always looked up to Sangonomiya-sama as a role model."
"If she passes the selection and successfully enters Sangonomiya, I will take care of her..."
Kokomi nodded with a smile and prepared to leave. She just wanted to take a leisurely stroll with Feng Yi.
But things often don't go as planned. The more you want to avoid trouble, the more trouble actively seeks you out.
"Sangonomiya-sama, I'm finally meeting you. I want to report to you about this year's agricultural production decrease..."
"Sangonomiya-sama, isn't this Captain Feng Yi of the Shark Squadron? Will he be staying on Watatsumi Island from now on?"
"Sangonomiya-sama..."
Just as Kokomi was about to leave with Feng Yi, a group of villagers suddenly ran over, bombarding Kokomi with questions.
"Phew... Everyone, please calm down a bit. I'll listen to everything. However, for longer issues, I suggest you write them as reports and submit them to Sangonomiya. I will review them slowly when I have time..."
Kokomi felt helpless. It seemed she couldn't leave for a while.
She apologized to Feng Yi and then began to answer the villagers' questions.
This wasn't the first time Kokomi had encountered such a situation. Ever since she took on the role of 'Living God Priestess' of Watatsumi Island, there had always been endless work to do. Even when she occasionally went out to relax, extra work could always be added.
One must fulfill their duties when in their position.
Kokomi had never thought of shirking her responsibilities. She had made this resolve the moment she became the 'Living God Priestess.'
'After the peace talks end and Watatsumi Island's production and development get on track, it should be much easier, right?'
Kokomi was not a workaholic. She didn't like working and, like ordinary people, wished for her work to be less demanding.
After half an hour of answering questions, the villagers left one by one, satisfied.
"Feng Yi, I'm sorry for making you wait."
Kokomi said, slightly tired.
"It's alright. I regret that I couldn't help at all."
Feng Yi shook his head and smiled. He couldn't really chime in on these matters concerning the livelihood of Watatsumi Island's people.
"Please don't say that. I'm already very sorry for making you wait so long... Now that things are handled, let's head back to the Watatsumi Island administrative hall."
Kokomi smiled slightly. She had gathered a lot of useful information during this outing and needed to go back to formulate a plan.
The impromptu work she had just done had consumed a lot of her energy, and she needed to replenish it.
"Sangonomiya-sama, I didn't expect to find you here. I have something to report to you. A batch of our ceremonial utensils has been delayed in delivery, and I'm worried they might have been hijacked..."
But before Kokomi could walk a few steps, another shrine maiden caught up.
"I've already found those items. No need to worry."
"Really? As expected of Sangonomiya-sama, you're so amazing! I've briefly organized the recent official documents, and they're already on your desk.
Also, according to the schedule, there's a meeting today about developing the textile industry..."
The shrine maiden looked at Kokomi with admiration. Sangonomiya-sama was so reliable, and her efficiency was astonishing.
Coincidentally meeting Sangonomiya-sama, the shrine maiden took the opportunity to report on recent work.
"Schedule... Now?"
Kokomi seemed a bit dazed. She had been so focused on walking with Feng Yi that she had forgotten about this.
"Yes, those two young ladies who came from afar are already waiting for you in the conference hall."
"Alright... Feng Yi, I wanted to walk with you a bit more, but now I suddenly have some urgent matters. How about we meet again tonight? I'll wait for you at the Watatsumi Island library tonight."
Kokomi said apologetically.
"No problem, see you tonight."
Feng Yi nodded and bid Kokomi farewell for now.
He also wanted to return to Narukami Island to catch up with Kamisato Ayaka and Yae Miko, and maybe do some radish pulling.
He missed them dearly after not seeing them for many days.
Walking on the stone-paved roads of Inazuma City, Feng Yi was surprised to find a crowd surging in front of the Yae Publishing House novel shop, with continuous voices of people trying to buy books.
"Please give me one... No, please give me ten novels, any genre will do! Please!"
"This is all my allowance for a month. Please give me three of the cheapest novels!"
"Hahahaha... I'm so lucky! I only bought 50 books and managed to draw a lucky card. Miss Yae... Hehe, I'm so looking forward to Miss Yae's fan meeting!"
The voices were noisy and chaotic, but Feng Yi could still discern useful information.
These customers were buying novels like crazy, seemingly just to draw a lucky card and attend Miss Yae's fan meeting?