Xing Qianli chuckled foolishly.
She pursed her lips, carefully wiping Qin Yu's face with gentle and delicate movements.
*Little Yu, he's truly so handsome.*
If only time could freeze at this very moment.
Qin Yu's face grew darker.
With the beauty beside him, he should have been enjoying this.
But this lingering touch was taking too long!
Finally, he couldn't bear it any longer.
"Little Yu, wait a moment!"
Xing Qianli cried out in surprise.
Qin Yu grabbed her hand and wiped his face haphazardly.
"Phew, that's better."
Qin Yu let out a long breath.
Xing Qianli's mouth hung open in a daze, her pink cheeks extending to her earlobes.
*Little Yu touched my hand again just now...*
"Are you two done?"
The shrine maiden and the little tanuki had been waiting in the woods for a long time and couldn't help but call out.
"Sister, we're coming right away!"
Qin Yu didn't look at the girl in front of him and turned to leave.
Xing Qianli's small mouth parted, unsure what to say.
Lowering her head, she could see the trampled grass.
It lay there, lonely and uncared for.
Her nose tingled a little.
Just then, a familiar voice rang out.
"Why are you standing there like an idiot?"
Xing Qianli quickly raised her head, her eyes shining.
Qin Yu, who hadn't walked far, stopped and looked at her curiously.
*What's wrong with this silly girl now?*
"Stay by my side, don't wander off."
"Okay!"
The maiden followed, walking alongside the young man.
Her nimble and delicate figure danced like a butterfly in flight.
...
In the forest at night, a gentle breeze blew.
A dark shadow emerged from the ground.
A small body wriggled, carrying a bundle on its back.
It was a tanuki.
It stealthily looked around.
The chirping of insects created a tranquil atmosphere.
"Nuhahaha, I've successfully escaped!"
"Whoosh—"
At that moment, a whistling sound broke the air.
Before the tanuki could react.
Its vision spun, and its nape was grabbed.
The sudden sense of weightlessness made it flail its short legs.
It cried out in alarm, "Wh-who's there!"
A young and cute face appeared before it.
"Sayu, I've caught you."
"Hurry up and hand over that woman's things."
Sayu mumbled listlessly.
At this time, she should have been snuggled up in her blanket, sleeping.
*I'm going to be short again, alas.*
"Nu! Such a big tanuki!"
"Damn it, Sayu isn't a tanuki!"
"You are!"
"I'm not!"
The two little ones glared at each other, neither able to best the other.
Just then, the grass not far away was parted.
Qin Yu and the others followed the sound.
And then they saw Sayu...
Arguing with a little tanuki?
[Ding, Emotional Points from Sayu +1]
[+1, +1, +1]
[...]
Qin Yu was speechless. They were even arguing about this.
*Is this how tanuki and 'tanuki' communicate?*
"Hurry up and hand over the shrine maiden's belongings."
"Nu, what are you talking about? I don't understand."
The tanuki tilted its small head, grinning and playing dumb.
Qin Yu grabbed the tanuki and shook it vigorously.
"Nu—!"
"Help, I'm going to faint!"
Sayu shuddered beside him.
*Such a violent big brother.*
After a series of wails.
Shiny things fell to the ground.
Piled up in a small hill.
Mostly Mora, along with some peculiar trinkets.
Qin Yu held the tanuki and shook it up and down.
"Nu, sniffle, sniffle, I really don't have anything else."
Qin Yu shook it again, his gaze filled with surprise.
*Where did this little thing get the place to store so many things?*
*It's even richer than me!*
*Is there any justice in the world?*
"Alright, the shrine's missing items have been found."
Shikanoin Heizo smiled and put an item away, letting out a sigh of relief.
Qin Yu released the tanuki, letting it plop to the ground.
The little tanuki lay on its back, spreading its limbs.
"Nu, human warrior, so scary."
*Questioning my life as a tanuki.*
Xing Qianli, who was following Qin Yu, squatted down and poked the little tanuki.
*Wow, its belly is so soft, feels great.*
Xing Qianli's beautiful eyes curved, shining brightly.
She casually took out a snack.
"Little one, want some?"
The little tanuki suddenly sat up and took the snack.
"Nu, human sister, good."
"My name is Xing Qianli, and what's your name, little one?"
Xing Qianli extended her soft little hand.
The little tanuki nuzzled it, showing unusual affection.
"Nu, no name."
"Little one, do you have other friends?"
"No, I've always been wandering, so pitiful."
Xing Qianli blinked, her gaze becoming even gentler.
"Be good, okay? Don't take other people's things anymore."
"Nu, I know I was wrong."
The little tanuki hugged Xing Qianli's hand, seeming tired.
It fell asleep in her arms just like that.
Xing Qianli brushed the fallen leaves off it, her eyes filled with joy.
"Little one, are you willing to stay by my side?"
"Nu..."
Qin Yu watched everything unfold and smiled faintly.
*It seems we have a strong connection.*
It's good for Xing Qianli and the little tanuki to have each other's company.
After all...
Being able to leave that suffocating Yashiro Commission, as they were now,
was ultimately a luxury.
"You've worked hard, Qin Yu."
Shikanoin Heizo ignored the tanuki and looked at Qin Yu, saying:
"The mission is complete. Please return to the shrine with me."
"The Guuji has been thinking about you for a long time."
Qin Yu's mouth twitched. "That woman, if she takes a liking to someone, it's bound to bring bad luck."
Shikanoin Heizo chuckled, covering her mouth.
"The Guuji specifically instructed me to reply: 'Thank you for the compliment'."
*This was also within that woman's calculations?*
Qin Yu shook his head.
He could imagine the fox woman's delighted expression after saying those words.
Being predicted was not a pleasant feeling.
In the distance, brilliant fireworks lit up the sky.
Adding a dazzling stroke to the starry night.
Qin Yu and Xing Qianli looked towards Mt. Aocang.
"The shrine festival is about to begin. Please follow me."
"I promise it won't disappoint you."