Book 12: Chapter 208: What With Shimizu?
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Shimizu was no stranger to failure. As a child, she possessed only average talent and a frail, sickly body. Her performance in the Genji Clan's training and trials was barely passable, leading to constant failure. She beca used to ridicule and exclusion. Even when she stumbled upon the false ancient mirror by sheer luck, she remained a loner.
Even after eting Lily and Rei, her suffering didn’t end. Each incident during that ti left a deep impression on her fragile mind. Now that she had reached a higher level of strength, those early hardships seed trivial. Yet, the shadows of trauma in her fragnted mories still clung to her.
Fortunately, Lily had helped soothe those lingering fears. But Shimizu often questioned why she had done so. Soone like Rei or Ayaka would never believe such mories to be real. Even if they did, they would assu sothing else was at play and struggle to grasp the entire truth.
Shimizu truly had once pushed Lily off that cliff, even if it was accidental. There was a ti when her hatred ran so deep she was capable of hurting her. This was the root of her guilt and anxiety. Still, she wasn’t naïve. She had long suspected that perhaps her actions were not her own. But if that were true, who had been pulling the strings?
Why would the Boundless Imperial Princess choose to possess her body after so many centuries? If she had indeed been controlled, then it must have been her. That was the only conclusion Shimizu could draw, though she was far from certain it was true.
Had she truly been controlled? Or was she simply deceived? Maybe the princess only entered her body after her suicide attempt, once her mind broke. Or worse, perhaps the Boundless Imperial Princess was rely a manifestation of the darkest parts of herself. If so, then her guilt could never be undone. The fact that she had once tried to harm Lily would remain an eternal stain.
But was it truly Lily she had hard? Shimizu had no proof, only a gut feeling that it had been her. Even if her deanor back then was cold and distant, her intuition said otherwise. What really happened in those lost mories?
The weight of her doubts, her emotional wounds, and her tangled relationships had only forged her will into sothing unbreakable. It was nearly impossible to make Shimizu truly yield.
The more she despised and blad herself, the more desperately she sought redemption. Being with Lily gave her a sense of superiority and satisfaction—but why? Because she wanted Lily’s acknowledgnt. She wanted to be needed by the only woman she loved. Only then could she affirm her own worth.
Shimizu was never naturally dominant, unlike Rei, whose pride seed innate. For Shimizu, it was about filling a void, trying to silence the self-loathing inside. These traits had ford out of survival, not design. She never gave them much thought, simply following her instincts to chase fleeting comfort. She had believed Lily enjoyed being dominated by strong won, but she was wrong.
Lily didn’t enjoy it. Despite her gentle deanor, she carried a fierce ego and quiet competitiveness. Her happiness ca from seeing her sisters smile, even if it ant enduring embarrassnt herself. If she truly enjoyed submission, there would be no sha in it.
Rinne had hoped Shimizu would co to understand this, that rather than taking from Lily, she should help her grow into a more decisive and commanding presence. Lily was destined to bear trendous responsibility. She needed to beco not just strong in battle, but regal in bearing, worthy of confronting the cunning powers above Takamagahara. Sadly, Shimizu lacked that kind of insight. Her punishnt had co because she had crossed the line.
To the senior sister, it was acceptable for Lily to dote on Shimizu, even excessively, but true submission was sothing Lily owed to her alone. Her goal was to shape Lily into both her subordinate and a sovereign leader, soone who would one day command all others. It was a delicate and difficult transformation. But for now, they had more imdiate concerns to handle.
The senior sister still had many ways to discipline Shimizu, though most remained unused. For now, she chose to proceed gradually, prioritizing the greater matters at hand. Yet her temper remained, and Shimizu had already crossed a line. Punishnt would co when needed. After all, any ordinary woman locked in that tiless void for ninety-nine days would have gone mad long ago.
Just then, Lily entered the room.
Shimizu stood beside Rinne, her face expressionless and still, as if nothing had occurred. But Lily, ever perceptive, imdiately sensed that sothing felt off. Shimizu’s calmness was too perfect, too rehearsed.
Still, Lily had no idea what had taken place. She knelt before her senior sister respectfully but made no formal gesture toward Shimizu. Though Lily never bowed to her, sothing about the mont made Shimizu's heart sink.
Lily still offered a soft greeting. "Sister Shimizu."
Shimizu simply nodded. Though she appeared composed, a faint flush lingered on her face. Speaking now would be risky, her voice might betray everything.
What had the senior sister done to her? Even her spirit body had been pushed to its limits. Shimizu shuddered to think of what this woman was truly capable of. What frightened her most was that she had no way to fight back.
After answering a few of Lily’s questions about her breakthrough into the Celestial Stage, Rinne turned her gaze to Shimizu. “By the way, there’s one thing I’d like you to return to Lily.”
Shimizu flinched, struggling to suppress the strain in her voice. “What is it?”
“The ruler,” Rinne replied calmly. “It may not be a valuable treasure, but it’s sothing I entrusted to Lily. There’s aning behind it. It’s not right for you to keep it.”
“Oh? It’s just a wooden ruler. If you want it back, senior sister, then… take it,” Shimizu replied, her voice oddly strained.
Lily noticed the trembling in Shimizu’s legs and frowned. This was her spirit body. Why would it be shaking?
“Sister Shimizu, are you feeling unwell?” Lily asked with concern.
“I… I’m fine,” Shimizu answered quickly.
“You don’t need to return it to directly. Just give it back to Lily when the ti is right,” Rinne added.
“I understand. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave,” Shimizu said, bowing politely.
Lily had worried they might quarrel, but seeing them interact calmly brought her a sense of relief.
“I believe Lily will break through within the month,” Rinne said. “When that happens, Shimizu, you’ll need to find a way out of the abyss. In the anti, strengthen your defenses and prepare for battle. Even with Lily’s advancent, the coming conflict will not be easy.” ꭆаΝȎ𝐁Ë𝙎
“I understand,” Shimizu replied.
“To ensure your safety, you must also learn the fifth technique of the Tsukuyomi Swordstyle. With it, no ordinary Supre God will be able to challenge you. To master the fifth technique, you’ll need Ayaka as your dance partner. She has reached the Celestial Stage and wields the Heavenly Charm Bell, the finest dancing instrunt available. She’s your ideal choice.” Rinne glanced at Shimizu, her eyes glinting with subtle intent. “Ayaka is wise, principled, and unwavering. She has both intellect and bravery. She will be your most reliable ally, Lily. Treat her with care.”
“Yes, senior sister.” Lily nodded without hesitation.
But Shimizu felt a spark of resentnt stir within her. ‘You’re strong, senior sister. I admit defeat. But don’t overstep. How dare you parade Ayaka in front of to make your point?'
“To unlock the fifth technique, you’ll need to undergo Pair Training with Ayaka,” Rinne continued. “You don’t have to reach the Waterless Moon level, but you must co close. Without that, the technique won’t respond to you.”
“What?” Shimizu stiffened. Her voice dropped to a frustrated whisper. “Is that… really appropriate? If anyone finds out, it could ruin Lily’s reputation. After all, at least symbolically, she and I are… married.”
“When the ti cos, only a few of us need to know. I trust no one will speak of it, right, Shimizu?”
“Of course,” Shimizu replied with a forced smile.
Lily blinked in confusion. She had no intention of revealing anything publicly, so why would her senior sister ntion this in front of Shimizu? It didn’t seem necessary, and she knew well how such words might provoke her.
“That will be all for now. Return once you have retrieved the ruler, Lily. I have sothing more to share with you.”
Shimizu’s thoughts raced. Her spirit body was still under the influence of Rinne’s mysterious ability. If she acted out again, she feared losing control. ‘So she brought that up in front of on purpose… just to provoke . This woman is dangerous. One sign of disrespect, and everything she does from then on will be calculated to put in my place.’
Even as she simred, she couldn’t help but admit to herself, ‘Still… her thods are frighteningly effective.’ Feeling cornered and powerless, Shimizu withdrew her consciousness from the Mirror Dinsion, returning to the real world with Lily.
“Sister Shimizu, are you alright? You don’t look well.”
“Don’t touch !” Shimizu snapped, her cheeks burning red. It was the first ti she had ever rejected Lily’s concern so harshly.
‘If Lily touches now, that cursed ability might flare up again…’ Shimizu hadn’t expected it to follow her back into her physical body. Unlike the ti she helped Lily shoulder the effects of that drug on their journey to Heian-kyo, this was different. She couldn’t resist it. Worse still, she had no idea how long it would last, or what might happen if she lost control.
Without a word, Shimizu handed the ruler back to Lily. She squeezed her thighs together and walked off in an awkward, strained gait. Her steps were stiff, but quick. Before Lily could follow, she stopped her. “Don’t co with .”
“Sister Shimizu…” Lily stared after her, confused and concerned. But rembering Rinne’s instructions, she refocused and sent her consciousness back into the Mirror Dinsion.
Outside the room, Shimizu staggered before collapsing to her knees. Clutching the door handle for support, she let out a stifled groan.
“No… If I move again, if I walk another step… I might lose control.”
“Your Highness?” Yanagihada happened to pass by during her patrol and stopped, startled by the sight.
Shimizu lowered her head quickly, hiding her expression. In a composed tone, she said, “I’m not feeling well. Help back to my quarters.”
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