Steep and treacherous mountains, black shadows flickered.
"Damn it, the intel was wrong!"
The man in the straw hat fled in a panic, cursing.
He recalled the terrifying scene at the mountaintop.
A woman in purple, wielding lightning, her posture peerless.
Her icy gaze fell, like a thunder god.
This was nothing like the country bumpkin described in the intel.
Are all the women in your village this ferocious!
"Crack—"
Before the man could finish his curse, thunder roared through the mountains.
For a moment, the world was bathed in purple.
The man subconsciously turned his head, his eyes almost popping out.
Amidst the surging lightning, he saw a fox mask.
Terrifying and ferocious.
It was that woman!
"Caught you, no escaping."
From the country bumpkin's embrace, Qin Yu poked his head out and yelled.
The lightning was too fast, he had to hug the woman's neck.
Though this scene was bizarre in some inexplicable way.
It didn't stop him from talking tough.
"It's you again!"
The man's soul was about to flee his body, nearly crashing into a tree.
They had caught up so quickly.
What was the Tenryou Commission doing?!
A ruthless glint flashed in the man's eyes.
Since that's the case...
He abruptly changed direction, charging into the woods.
"A futile struggle."
Sakura snorted, about to increase her speed.
"Wait a minute, slow down!"
Qin Yu couldn't stand the impact of this speed.
Sakura glanced at him silently.
Already struggling?
She hadn't even accelerated yet.
A clear expression of disdain.
"...Let me down!"
Qin Yu felt despised and spoke forcefully.
A man could never admit he wasn't capable.
"It's better if I handle this myself."
"Stop talking nonsense, let me down!"
Sakura snorted and descended towards the ground.
With a release of her grip, Qin Yu flew out propelled by inertia.
"Bang!"
The large tree shook, startling flocks of birds into flight.
"Thank you very much...!"
Qin Yu clutched his head, his whole body trembling.
Does it sound good? If it sounds good, it's a good head.
After a long while, he heard the sound of a calm landing.
Sakura walked over slowly.
"Quite a mess."
Her clear voice said indifferently.
Qin Yu chuckled.
This country bumpkin was definitely holding a grudge!
He gritted his teeth and stood up, leaning against the tree.
"Not chasing anymore?"
Qin Yu waved his hand.
"It's a dead end ahead, he can't escape."
"The initiative is in my hands, let him scheme."
Upon hearing this, Sakura looked into the woods, her gaze turning dangerous.
"You mean, there's an ambush ahead."
Qin Yu looked at Sakura with some surprise.
He hadn't expected this country bumpkin to be so quick-witted.
Sakura seemed to sense his gaze and glared at him.
"Alright, enough idle chat."
As he spoke, Qin Yu drew the katana at his waist.
The blade trembled, as if with thunder.
"Next, it's time for reckoning."
"..."
A cold figure blocked his path.
Sakura crossed her arms and said coldly:
"It's dangerous ahead, and you still want to go in?"
Qin Yu was stunned, then chuckled:
"You're afraid of danger?"
"I'm different."
"How are you different?"
"I am strong, you are weak."
Qin Yu was speechless, his face darkened.
Who talks like that?
Besides, if it weren't for Sakura's sudden... outburst earlier.
Even with Kujou Sara present, the Tenryou Commission might not have been able to capture him!
"You don't understand, I need to find evidence of collusion."
The Tenryou Commission and the Fatui...
Sakura remained silent, a cold snort in her heart.
She had awakened and heard much from the woman with fox ears.
She hadn't expected that in just a few hundred years.
Inazuma had become so turbulent.
If that was the case, she would cleanse everything with thunderous means.
If anyone resisted, she'd just lop them off.
That was her initial thought.
But...
Looking at the confident young man before her.
Sakura lowered her eyes and said placidly:
"Why did you protect me just now."
"What?"
"Never mind if you didn't hear."
For some reason, Sakura glared at Qin Yu.
Qin Yu smiled slightly, helplessly:
"Just a joke. What version of the answer do you want to hear?"
"What do you mean."
"High EQ or low EQ."
Sakura lifted her chin, "I want to hear both."
"..."
Qin Yu silently gave Sakura a thumbs up.
A very individual choice, as expected of you.
"Fine, let me think."
"This high EQ one is..."
Qin Yu dragged out his words, trying to build suspense.
"...Hurry up and say it!"
Purple energy condensed in Sakura's hand.
A threat, a naked threat.
The person in question raised his hands in surrender and quickly said:
"We're friends after all, it's normal for me to protect you, right?"
Friends...?
Sakura murmured in her heart.
What did friends mean.
Friends like boyfriend and girlfriend?
But on second thought, they had indeed gone through a lot together.
From being a sweet dessert at the start.
To forging blades later.
Then meeting the two women, confronting the Fatui and the Kanjou Commission.
Oh, and the fireworks festival.
Finally, Qin Yu had defied the Tenryou Commission's orders for her.
Although there were occasional misunderstandings, they had moved forward through mutual aid.
Sweet desserts were delicious, and fireworks were beautiful...
Sakura looked at Qin Yu.
She had lost everything in the past, her world dark and bleak.
But today, a change had finally occurred.
The corners of her lips, hidden beneath the mask, curved up inadvertently.
She seemed not to dislike it.
"...I suppose we are friends."
Seeing Sakura's prolonged silence, Qin Yu's face darkened.
Was this country bumpkin this aloof?
"Continue."
"..."
Qin Yu's heart skipped a beat.
He wasn't sure if it was his imagination.
He felt that this country bumpkin...
Her gaze towards him had changed.