"Thank you, Yu."
Under the moonlight, Ying leaned softly against Qin Yu's shoulder.
Feeling Qin Yu's warmth, she closed her eyes contentedly.
And of course, her sister's presence.
The branches of the World Tree grew even brighter in her embrace.
"Sister, can she...?"
"Perhaps. Can you find her soul?"
"I don't know..."
Ying sighed softly and shook her head.
She clearly saw a glimmer of hope, yet lacked the crucial final step.
"Ying, don't rush. Take your time," Qin Yu whispered in her ear, his gaze filled with tenderness.
It must be lonely being alone for such a long time.
He reached out and gently wrapped his arm around Ying's waist.
The moment he touched her, Ying's entire body stiffened.
But the once aloof General had now been melted by tenderness.
She ultimately did not resist, implicitly allowing Qin Yu's audacious move.
Ying was pulled into Qin Yu's embrace.
"Don't worry, I'll always be by your side from now on," Qin Yu murmured, closing his eyes and breathing in the faint fragrance emanating from her.
At that moment, his heart was clear.
He only knew that Ying needed his companionship, and nothing more.
Ying nodded slightly, the corner of her lips curling upwards.
"I really like this gift."
She said softly under the moonlight, then looked up at Qin Yu again.
The evening breeze grew even gentler, and Ying's gaze became a little dazed.
The young man who had once raised his sword against her, challenging her, had now grown to such a level.
And now, he was bold enough to make a move on the great leader.
Ying didn't dislike this feeling.
She took a deep breath, about to retract the branches.
"Don't you want to see more?" Qin Yu smiled, resting his chin lightly on Ying's fragrant shoulder.
The scent from her hair made him intoxicated.
He couldn't help but want to explore more.
"Yu... you're too close..."
Ying finally realized her precarious situation and wanted to pull away.
But how could one easily escape once embraced by Qin Yu?
With the atmosphere at this point, it would be wrong not to do anything.
"Ying, just hold me a little longer."
Qin Yu said softly, raising one hand.
He gently brushed aside a strand of her hair by her ear, admiring the perfect profile of the great leader.
A mischievous thought flashed through his mind, and Qin Yu blew softly.
"Mmm..."
Ying's eyelashes trembled violently, and she let out a soft hum.
How could the great leader, who only knew how to fight, handle this kind of attack?
It was a foul.
"Heh."
Her adorable reaction made Qin Yu chuckle.
The normally aloof and dignified great leader was actually so sensitive.
This was a weakness...
"By the way, Ying, you said before, didn't you?" He leaned closer to Ying's ear.
"That you'd reward me with something when we returned to Inazuma City. How about making that happen now?"
"What do you want? I...!"
Before Ying could finish speaking.
Qin Yu had already lowered his head and nuzzled her cheek.
Ying's body stiffened, almost losing her response again.
"Kiss me."
Qin Yu flashed a mischievous smile, no longer hiding his intentions.
Subordinates shouldn't kiss their superiors.
But no one said the opposite wasn't allowed, right?
"Yu, don't push your luck...!"
"Great leader, just one kiss. I won't tell anyone."
The devil's whisper was full of temptation.
"..."
Ying tilted her head slightly, looking at Qin Yu.
She pursed her cherry lips.
If it was just a reward, then...
"Yu, only this time."
Ying turned around, facing Qin Yu, and emphasized.
The latter smiled without a word, not calling her bluff.
My great leader, once there's a first time for something like this.
There will be a second, and a third.
Until...
Qin Yu didn't urge her further.
He knew that the great leader needed to prepare herself.
Finally.
Ying raised her hands, gently caressing Qin Yu's shoulders.
And finally hooked her arms around his neck.
"?"
Qin Yu was a little surprised.
The great leader, you're quite something.
"?"
Ying glared at Qin Yu.
She was just imitating a pose from a light novel illustration.
So, next would be...
"Peck."
Under the moonlight, their breaths gradually drew closer, entwining.
Ying, who had intended a quick kiss, was held tightly by Qin Yu's waist, unable to move.
The initiative had always been with him.
Now, it was too late for Ying to break free.
He, Qin Yu, had received the Raiden Shogun's first kiss.
...
"Sigh."
Qin Yu looked at the street, now empty except for him, and shook his head helplessly.
Purple energy swirled around him.
The great leader had already left.
She had teleported away on a bolt of lightning, without a single word.
"So... I'm alone again."
Qin Yu scratched his head and instinctively clicked his tongue.
The great leader's taste was like a sweet confection.
Sweet and soft.
Thanks for the treat.
"Whew... I should go back to sleep."
Qin Yu realized it was already late into the night.
He pressed his forehead, a deep weariness flashing in his eyes.
After being "rewarded" by the great leader, and after calming down a little, various negative states began to surface.
Traveling between the worlds of the World Tree and breaking off branches had taken a significant mental toll.
If his soul hadn't been soothed by Columbina's singing earlier, he might not have been able to cope now.
"I'll thank her when I see her sometime."
Qin Yu sorted out his thoughts and walked towards the Komore Teahouse.
However, Columbina probably wouldn't come to Inazuma.
The thought of the Harbingers in Inazuma City made his head ache.
If more of them were to come...
Qin Yu quickly extinguished that terrifying thought.
"Hmm... what else... the Sakoku Decree is about to be lifted."
"A festival?"
"According to Hiiragi Chihiro, she plans to invite people from all countries here."
"Mmm... Nahida wants to see a performance of the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's dance with her own eyes, so we'll need to invite dancers from Sumeru."
Qin Yu sighed.
Speaking of which, the original Greater Lord was gone, so who could dance it?
Yes, he was the one who sent her away.
Although the Greater Lord's consciousness had said she only recognized him and that she needed to find another like him.
But reality was cruel; gone was gone.
...
Komore Teahouse.
Qin Yu yawned and tiptoed in.
Good, he hadn't been discovered on the way.
In the darkness, Qin Yu slipped into his room and locked the door.
He didn't notice a small, shrouded figure on the bed stir.
"Whew, safe."
Qin Yu, suppressing the growing fatigue, took out something he had been hiding all along...
The gathered item from Yoimiya, a mysterious white bandage.
He looked at the bandage in his hand, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
After all, this was a girl's personal item.
Should he return it to Yoimiya when he had the chance?
Hiss, wouldn't that make him seem like a pervert?
But if he didn't return it... it would also be perverted.
The thought of the girl's bright smile made Qin Yu feel helpless.
If there was an opportunity, he'd have a good talk with her.
"I'll put it away for now..."
His head hurt more and more.
Just as Qin Yu was about to hide the bandage, a strong force grabbed his waist.
Qin Yu, already groggy, was immediately pushed onto the bed.
In an instant, his mind went blank.
"My sun, you're finally back."
The white-haired loli pressed down on Qin Yu, nuzzling him happily.
It was Nahida, who had successfully logged in.
However, the response she expected did not come.
"Whew... whew..."
Qin Yu had fallen asleep instantly.
"Mmm, get some good rest."
"After all, you were... with Mama for so long."
Nahida noticed Qin Yu's fatigue and thoughtfully pulled the blanket over him.
After doing so, she contentedly snuggled into Qin Yu's bed and started cuddling.
Qin Yu showed no reaction.
"..."
Nahida blinked her large eyes, secretly glancing at the door.
No one was there.
"Peck, goodnight."
The white-haired loli's sneak attack was successful.
And Qin Yu...
was fast asleep, clutching the bandage.