"Why are you suddenly asking about her?"
Qin Yu was slightly stunned, and he cautiously tried to move closer to Ei.
The Great Leader was right in front of him; this was a death trap.
Don't ask, just play dumb.
"Speak quickly."
Facing the Great Leader's increasingly cold gaze, Qin Yu coughed lightly.
Nothing had happened...
Linking arms, going shopping.
Even if they had held hands, it was because of the special circumstances at the time, a necessary sacrifice to probe the Fatui's intelligence.
Incidentally, Columbia's little hand was cool, soft, and comfortable to the touch.
And she herself would need to stay by his side for regular "mana replenishment" from now on, establishing an unbreakable connection and bond.
Wait a minute, did something strange sneak in there?
"We seem to... have gotten along quite well."
Thinking of this, Qin Yu's forehead began to sweat slightly.
He just realized that after puppeteer Sandrone, he seemed to have "kidnapped" another Harbinger, and it was the third-ranked young lady.
Her Majesty the Cryo Cocolia, hear my thanks.
"You agreed to go together?"
The wind by the pond suddenly turned chilly.
Ei let out a soft hum, a strange meaning flashing in her eyes.
The Tsaritsa definitely had ulterior motives regarding Qin Yu.
He initially thought that as a Fatui envoy, Columbia wouldn't make any subtle moves.
In fact, after she arrived in Inazuma, the Fatui had indeed become more restrained.
But that didn't mean she could get close to Qin Yu.
"Yes, her abilities are well-suited for dealing with malevolent spirits, so I thought we could cooperate."
Qin Yu's gaze was sincere as he explained seriously.
"Mm, but you still need help."
Ei nodded after hearing this, temporarily letting Qin Yu off the hook.
Qin Yu's heart stirred.
Help? What kind of help?
Qin Yu hadn't yet grasped the severity of the situation.
"Be careful during this ritual."
Ei didn't elaborate, looking at Qin Yu's increasingly mature and resolute face, she said softly.
This matter had a significant impact on Inazuma and must be taken seriously.
"Is there a reward?"
Qin Yu smiled and quietly took Ei's hand.
Although he was by the Great Leader's side, one thing was one thing.
For his last reward, Qin Yu had exchanged for Ei's first kiss.
Then what about the next reward?
Qin Yu squeezed Ei's small hand, a strange anticipation flashing in his eyes.
"Whatever you want."
After a moment of silence, Ei uttered an ambiguous statement.
The air fell silent again.
Under the moonlight, the aloof General fluttered her long eyelashes, looking cold and captivating.
But regrettably, she seemed to have missed Qin Yu's hint.
"Great Leader, what I mean is..."
Qin Yu opened his mouth, preparing to be more explicit.
No more pretense; he wanted to sleep on the floor of the Tenshukaku and spar with Ei.
"Enough, we'll talk about it later!"
Unexpectedly, Ei suddenly glared fiercely at Qin Yu and vanished in a flash of lightning.
"Great Leader?"
Qin Yu looked at the empty space beside him, momentarily bewildered.
A tingling sensation spread through his body.
They were having a perfectly good conversation, why did she leave so suddenly?
Qin Yu suddenly had an epiphany, his eyes widening.
The Great Leader's reaction was exactly the same as after their kiss that night...
Was she shy?
Thinking of this, Qin Yu's gaze brightened, and the corners of his mouth curved upward.
Ahem... stay calm.
"Alright, let's get ready to go!"
Qin Yu stood up abruptly, filled with energy.
...
Outside the Komore Teahouse.
The lights were warm, and the scene was silent.
Quietly, two slender figures emerged simultaneously from opposite sides of the corner.
"Miss Lumine, good evening."
In the evening breeze, Columbia, as pure and beautiful as an angel, tilted her head and greeted with a smile.
"Good evening, Miss Columbia."
Sister Lumine also responded, her gaze unconsciously appraising her.
The atmosphere felt a little strange.
"Hmph, the strongest team is making its move!"
Paimon put her hands on her hips, staring intently at Columbia, full of wariness.
"Is there anything strange about me?"
Columbia lowered her eyes, a meaningful curve appearing on her lips.
"No, Paimon is just a bit shy."
Sister Lumine quickly covered Paimon, who had wide eyes, and gave her a warning look.
Idiot, you're going to blow our cover!
"Mmm—"
Paimon nodded, understanding.
They had accepted a commission; they couldn't mess it up.
"Cute little one."
Columbia reached out and pinched Paimon's cheek, seemingly unaware of anything amiss.
Sister Lumine breathed a sigh of relief and subtly glanced in a certain direction, blinking her eyes.
"..."
There, several girls of varying styles, but all stunningly beautiful, were quietly waving, making gestures of encouragement.
Kamisato Ayaka, Yoimiya, Shirasagi Chirijo.
And Keqing, holding Nahida.
Almost forgot, and the Yae Publishing House's romance consultant, Kokomi, who was just tagging along.
Kokomi: Who is she, where is she?
Why are so many girls surrounding Mr. Qin Yu!
The girls: Isn't this your plan?
"?"
That's right, Sister Lumine had accepted a commission from all the girls.
And the commission was simple:
Solely defend against Columbia and prevent any strange occurrences between her and Qin Yu!
"..."
Kamisato Ayaka's eyes flickered.
Her brother had said that Columbia had traveled a long distance to Inazuma, immediately asked for Qin Yu, and even went shopping arm in arm with him.
There was definitely something going on.
"Don't rush, Qin Yu hasn't arrived yet."
Columbia lightly brushed her hair aside and took out a notebook to start sketching.
She murmured, as if whispering secrets to someone.
"..."
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Not far away, Sandrone yawned slightly and said lazily,
"Sister Columbia, I'm counting on you this time. Keep an eye on my partner."
She was communicating directly via a communication device.
That's right, Lumine and Keqing were hidden dangers who needed to be guarded against.
And since her most trusted Sister Columbia was here, Qin Yu definitely wouldn't be "snatched."
"Don't worry, nothing will happen."
Columbia chuckled, speaking meaningfully.
The current situation was clear.
The seemingly simple team of Qin Yu, Columbia, and Lumine was being watched by a large group of girls from behind.
And Lumine and Columbia were both considered "neutral parties" from their respective factions.
This was a war to prevent Qin Yu from being "snatched"!
However, things were never that simple.
Never mind whether the so-called "neutral parties" were actually double agents...
Suddenly, the girls sensed something, and their expressions changed slightly.
"Oh my, you two are here too."
A woman with fox ears walked over slowly, joining the two girls.
How could she miss such an interesting event?
"..."
Columbia's smile faded slightly, and she put away her notebook.
Yae Miko's lips curled.
The collision between two "bad women" was always subtle.
"Guuji Yae? Aren't you..."
Sister Lumine blinked. This wasn't in the script!
"Heh, I'm still worried about that cute little one. After all, he tried so hard to please me before."
Yae Miko bit her lip slightly, putting on a helpless expression.
In reality, she had been sent by Ei to keep an eye on Columbia.
But these ambiguous words, when heard by others...
The girls secretly observing: ?
Qin Yu!!
Just then, someone arrived late.
"Good evening, everyone..."
Qin Yu, who had just arrived, gradually froze mid-smile.
He looked at Yae Miko on his left.
Then he looked at Columbia on his right.
Finally, he looked at Sister Lumine in front of him.
"Ahem... what's going on?"
Qin Yu felt helpless, wondering why he was caught in the middle again.