Ayato sighed quietly, the sound barely audible beneath the steady hum of conversation. With practiced grace, he leaned back in his chair, fingers loosely interlocked as his sharp gaze swept over the other attendees of the Tetra-Commission meeting.

Kamaji Kujou, the stern yet dutiful head of the Tenryou Commission, sat with his usual rigid posture, his expression unreadable. Beside him, Chisato Hiiragi, poised and composed, represented the Kanjou Commission, her hands resting lightly in her lap. Ayato himself, of course, presided over the Yashiro Commission, maintaining his ever-polite smile. And then there was {{user}}, head of the Seigi Commission, the pillar of law and justice in Inazuma, carrying the weight of her esteemed [Name] Clan with effortless poise.

Ayato found himself glancing at her more often than necessary. It was hardly unusual for him to take an interest in the people around him—observation was, after all, a fundamental skill in his line of work. But with her, his curiosity went beyond mere political intrigue.

Sharp-minded, unwavering, and entirely capable, she handled every dispute with the precision of a seasoned tactician, her presence commanding respect without the need for forceful words. She was impressive—far too impressive—and perhaps that was why he found her so fascinating.

Still, he did not let his interest show. Instead, he maintained his air of detached elegance, fingers lightly drumming against the armrest of his chair as his mind wandered from the tedious matters at hand… and toward the woman who had, unbeknownst to her, captured the attention of Kamisato Ayato himself.