"Yes!"
Qin Yu, under the command of his superior, was exceptionally attentive.
He had to grasp all the relevant details and integrate them thoroughly.
Only then could he comprehend the spirit and wisdom within.
He propped himself up with his hands, leaning slightly forward.
As if to scrutinize every detail of the General.
This way.
The two, already close, became even nearer.
"..."
Ei tilted her chin up, clearly enjoying the moment.
She wouldn't hide her affections.
Much like her fondness for sweet desserts.
And now, this feeling had gained another addition.
...
This tranquility lasted for a long time.
Qin Yu was suddenly drawn to the distant firelight.
Over there, sat a solitary tea table.
A light novel lay open, the dessert plate empty.
And a cup of tea, long since gone cold.
Someone realized something.
"General."
Qin Yu suddenly blinked and said softly.
"What is it?"
Ei replied, in a good mood.
"Were you in this room before..."
Qin Yu's mind began to construct a small drama.
The shrine maiden who made a promise with the young man hurried home.
But she didn't know if the young man would keep his word.
With no other recourse, she stayed in her small room.
Reading light novels and savoring sweet desserts.
She also had to keep an eye on her doorstep from time to time.
Waiting for the young man's arrival, observing him from afar.
Then, when he finally knocked, she would appear casually.
"..."
A faint smile touched Qin Yu's lips.
The shrine maiden in this story was quite endearing.
His gaze subtly shifted to the silent General.
He wondered how much of it was true...
"No."
Ei huffed and denied it outright.
She also shot Qin Yu a glare.
The dignified General was back online.
Qin Yu nodded silently.
He had no proof.
The final interpretation belonged to Ei.
But speaking of which...
The dignified General glanced at Qin Yu.
And directly extended her hand.
"General?"
Qin Yu was a little confused.
Ei spread her fair hand, huffing softly.
The aloof General seemed to be urging something.
Could it be that?
Qin Yu realized, and instinctively reached into his pocket.
His expression changed slightly.
Ei glanced at Qin Yu, "I want it."
Qin Yu looked troubled, "This... I can't give it to you right now."
Ei stared silently at Qin Yu.
Having come all the way to Tenshukaku, and yet not having prepared that.
"Actually, it's like this."
With a helpless sigh, Qin Yu took something out.
His palm slowly opened.
It was the sweet dessert.
However, the dessert looked rather pathetic.
It was limp and shriveled, clearly having gone through something.
"This is..."
Ei picked it up gently, her voice hesitant.
The moment she held it, a damp sensation spread.
How could this be a sweet dessert?
Wait a moment.
"Mm."
Qin Yu's expression was apologetic, and he said softly:
"The torrential rain outside Tenshukaku earlier..."
Before he could finish, Ei had already understood.
She shifted her gaze from the dessert.
And began to scrutinize Qin Yu intently.
"Drip."
The sound of dripping water echoed.
Qin Yu pushed aside the hair clinging to his forehead, a wry smile on his face.
"I'm sorry, General."
"You..."
Ei was slightly taken aback.
It was only then that she realized.
Qin Yu, who had rushed back in the pouring rain, was soaked to the bone.
If one looked closely...
The traces of battle were also shocking.
Ei's expression gradually turned cold.
"How could you be so careless?"
The reprimand she intended to deliver morphed into something else.
Realizing something was amiss, Ei's gaze became somewhat fierce.
But upon seeing the somewhat disheveled Qin Yu...
She was a little fierce, but not entirely so.
The dignified General failed to go online.
Qin Yu blinked.
Was this considered a scolding?
But why was it completely devoid of authority...
"My martial arts are not yet refined, it's alright."
Qin Yu smiled, his tone confident.
Not to mention the temporary realm upgrade he experienced when he received Ei's sword strike.
He hadn't even opened the achievement rewards from winning the duel yet.
"You have no sense of crisis, this is reckless."
Ei's fingertips tightened slightly.
But looking at the smiling young man with bright eyes...
So it was like this.
No matter how many crises and hardships he had endured.
He had now successfully arrived before her.
That was enough, wasn't it?
Ei sighed softly.
"..."
The sense of fulfillment in her heart continued to warm her.
But Qin Yu, soaked by the torrential rain,
Would he feel warmth in this empty Tenshukaku?
Thinking of this, Ei raised her hand.
Her gaze fell upon Qin Yu's cheek.
There, a bruise.
And a fresh red wound that had not yet healed.
Under the moonlight that night, the shrine maiden had inflicted a wound.
She had thought it was a final farewell.
But now... a hint of regret surfaced.
The wounds on Qin Yu's body displeased Ei.
And when Ei was displeased, the consequences were often severe.
"General, you..."
Qin Yu's eyes widened slowly.
He watched the slender, approaching hand and did not dodge.
Something seemed about to happen.
The next moment—
"Pop!"
The instant her fingertips were about to touch his face.
A purple glow suddenly bloomed.
An electro reaction.
Qin Yu grunted, his cheeks flushing.
"..."
The sudden change caused Ei to instinctively retract her finger.
She had hurt Qin Yu.
Ei lowered her gaze, sighing inwardly.
Did getting too close only bring misfortune...
Thinking of something, her gaze darkened.
Just then.
"General!"
Qin Yu's voice brought Ei back to reality.
"Please try again!"
"But just now..."
"It's alright, I'm not afraid!"
"..."
Facing the young man's shining eyes and his pained, expectant gaze.
Ei fell silent for a moment, then gently turned her face away.
"If you get hurt, do not blame me."
Her retracted fingertip cautiously approached again.
Time seemed to slow down at this moment.
Finally, a warm touch was exchanged between them.
A novel sensation.
Ei did not dislike it.
She looked at Qin Yu.
Only to find the young man had been staring at her the entire time.
A wide smile bloomed on his bruised face.
Ei's lips also curved upwards slightly.
"Does it still hurt?"
"With you here, General, it doesn't!"
"Then I'll take my hand away."
"Wait, General... it's starting to hurt again!"
"Hm?"