With and Without You (AetherxAyaka)

Chapter 25: The Hot Pot Game

"I see... so Kojou Sara stayed her hand. It would appear she still has some honor to her." Thoma said as he gazed out of the window.

Even as the conversation grew, his mind remained with the others; but looking out the window helped sooth Thoma's nerves. It allowed him to focus more in attempt to understand why the general would let Aether and the others go.

"I wonder if we should try establishing contact with her... Perhaps we could coax out some information." He said hopefully.

"Unlikely." A voice called from behind Thoma

Ayaka had been quite for some time now, deeply absorbed in thought. She too had been trying to understand the matter. She may be a relatively polite and kind women, but this matter was very serious; therefore, there was no point in trying to believe in the impossible.

Ayaka knew more than most when it came the other Commisions and the politics they play in hand. Both restrictive degrees established by the Shogun had happened rather suddenly. Ayaka also knew due the meetings she had attended, the other two Commisions indifferently and willingly upheld these decrees without any complaint or questioning. It was enough to warrant her and Ayato's suspicions, though Ayaka had looked far more into the matter than her brother had. Ayato simply didn't have the time to play detective.

Regardless, Ayaka had seen this blind devotion by the other two Commisions amany times now.

Ayaka opened her eyes and wrapped a hand around her chest

"Don't forget. Kojou Sara is also carrying out the Vision Hunt Decree. She obeys the orders of the Raiden Shogun without question..." Ayaka reminded

Ayaka took a deep breath and dropped both her hands down to her waist, now facing Thoma with full attention.

"... In her eyes, Master Masakatsu us of no threat to the decree. This is why she was so willing to allow his escape. It's purely a matter of politics... we mustn't reach out to Kojou Sara. If our true motives were ever divulged, she would act agaisnt us without a second thought." Ayaka continued.

Aether nodded agreeing with Ayaka. He too had seen politics in play, this wasn't something particularly new when it came to the card table.

Thoma sighed.

"True... Though if you ask me, Master Masakatsu's release is an unexpected blessing..." Thoma turned away from the window now facing Aether and Ayaka "... We are one step closer to victory and it couldn't have been done without Yoimiya and Aether!"

Thoma placed his hands on his waists and laughed.

"You're turning out to be more reliable than we expected." He added.

Aether smiled

"Thanks for the compliment, admittedly Yoimiya and I busted our asses off..."

Paimon had realized she wasn't apart of the compliment, accepting the compliment regardless

"*hehe* don't mention it." Paimon said while putting her hands behind her back.

Ayaka cleared her throat

"*ahem* Indeed Thoma..." Ayaka blushed "...things may have turned out very differently without Aether and his help."

Of course Ayaka had meant the jail breaking of Master Masakatsu, but had also thought on a broader spectrum. She was also thinking and including about their time spent together.

"I just hope that if things are different with me here... it's all things for the better" Aether said

"They very much are..." she mumbled