Inside the room, there was a moment of silence.
Sakura gazed at Qin Yu, her eyes clear and cold.
"It's feeding time..."
The girls held their small hands in front of their chests, their mouths slightly agape.
They hadn't expected the final "victor" to be...
Sakura, who had done nothing from the start.
Kamisato Ayaka and Kisaragi Senri looked at a certain person.
Although this was just an ordinary feeding.
They didn't envy her at all.
But could the "fair" referee lady explain...
How did things turn out this way?
"Wuwuwu."
Yoimiya covered her face, trying to charm her way out.
A chill suddenly ran down her spine!
"..."
Qin Yu winked at Sakura secretly.
"Please give me a response, I've been holding my hand up for so long."
Sakura let out a soft hum, her lips moving slightly.
"Crunch."
She stared intently at Qin Yu and took a gentle bite.
This pastry seemed exceptionally sweet.
"!"
A sound of something breaking echoed in the room.
Qin Yu's eyes lit up.
A wave of immense satisfaction filled his heart.
Sakura hadn't refused.
This fierce, cold, yet quiet demeanor.
Even though she hadn't eaten the pastry,
Her heart had already melted with warmth.
Who could refuse to feed such a cute shrine maiden?
"How is it, is it delicious?"
Qin Yu asked.
Sakura snatched the pastry away.
"It's average," she said coldly.
"..."
Qin Yu slowly retracted his hand.
"A cold and aloof shrine maiden, as long as you're happy."
"Alright, the 'punishment' is over."
Qin Yu glanced at Yoimiya and said softly.
Yoimiya, having narrowly escaped punishment, shivered.
She felt the coldness beside her and wasn't happy at all!
Kamisato Ayaka and Kisaragi Senri exchanged glances, reaching a consensus.
The two women seemed to sense a new crisis.
But before that...
"Yoimiya, shall we sit together?"
The two women pulled Yoimiya along, showing sisterly affection.
After all...
There was plenty of time tonight to slowly cultivate their relationships.
"Wuwu... I, I'm not hungry anymore..."
Yoimiya pouted, speaking aggrievedly.
Her attempt to escape was thwarted by the two women, leaving her unable to move.
Qin Yu, help me!
Laughter and playful shouts of the girls echoed from the warm little cottage.
...
After the interlude of the mini-game, dinner also concluded.
Time passed in the flow of their casual chatter.
Discussions about the Vision Hunt Decree and the bright future of Inazuma...
Outside the window, moonlight streamed down.
The night gradually deepened.
"..."
Sakura's gaze, filled with a hint of coldness, shifted towards the window.
Outside the Komore Teahouse, a cold wind blew.
Faintly, dark figures seemed to stir.
She withdrew her gaze and looked down at her hands.
Her fingertips lightly traced the opened packaging.
She, who had only tasted a little of the dishes on the table,
Had not put down the pastry in her hand.
Even though it had already been half-eaten.
"Sakura? Do you have something in your hand?"
Across from her, Qin Yu looked over curiously.
Sakura shook her head slightly, holding the pastry in her palm.
"No," she said softly.
Qin Yu nodded silently.
He had a feeling Sakura was troubled by something.
She had been holding that knife since the beginning...
What had she been contemplating?
"Then it's getting late, I'll be going now..."
"Qin Yu, don't go yet!"
Behind him, Yoimiya was hiding, trembling.
The two young ladies approached Qin Yu.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"I, I..."
Qin Yu smiled and ruffled Yoimiya's hair.
"Good luck to yourself."
...
It was time to part ways.
Qin Yu stood at the doorway, waving gently.
In front of him were the somewhat sleepy girls.
After exchanging pleasantries with the "traitor" Yoimiya, they were all tired.
"Goodnight, Qin Yu."
Kamisato Ayaka's eyes were gentle as she spoke softly.
"Xiao Yu, see you tomorrow."
Kisaragi Senri's cheeks flushed as she secretly looked at him.
Qin Yu frowned slightly.
He felt like these two young ladies were plotting something.
Nothing untoward would happen, right?
Yoimiya blinked, seemingly bidding farewell.
"Goodnight."
Qin Yu smiled slightly, his gaze falling on Sakura not far away.
"And Sakura, goodnight."
"Mm."
Sakura nodded slightly, replying calmly.
Her hand, holding the pastry, tightened subtly.
This time, she would not let go.
...
Inside the cottage, only the girls remained.
They exchanged glances, and silence fell.
"..."
Sakura slowly stood up, about to leave.
"Wait, Sister Sakura."
"It's not over yet."
Yoimiya suddenly appeared, her tone mysterious.
At some point, she had brought out a stack of blankets.
"Here, this is yours."
"This is?"
Sakura took the blanket, asking softly.
"Hmph hmph."
"Of course, we're sleeping together."
"How can you not have your own bedding?"
Yoimiya winked, her tone full of anticipation.
Nothing was warmer than chatting before bed!
"It's late, everyone should rest early."
Kamisato Ayaka had already laid out her bedding to the side.
Seeing the familiar arrangement, it wasn't the first time.
Here, they could temporarily put aside their identities.
And simply enjoy this moment of leisure belonging to young girls.
"Then I'll be imposing on you."
Kisaragi Senri hesitated for a moment before also taking a blanket.
After some thought, she spread it out beside Kamisato Ayaka.
If someone were to try something in the middle of the night...
She would be the first to notice.
Kamisato Ayaka's eyes flickered, and her smile slowly faded.
"Don't you have any thoughts yourself?"
"Sleeping together?"
Sakura murmured softly, wanting to refuse.
With matters weighing on her mind, she wanted to be alone.
To contemplate how to "strike" at a certain person.
And to clear away the things outside.
"Didn't Sister Sakura promise earlier?"
After Yoimiya's barrage of cute appeals,
Sakura finally sighed.
"Alright."
"Yay! Sister Sakura is the best!"
Yoimiya made a victory gesture.
Tonight would surely be a warm and harmonious time!
"Achoo!"
On the other side, Qin Yu sneezed.