"Is there anything you need to convey, Lord General?"
Qin Yu coughed lightly, leaning closer to Ei with a serious expression and cupping his ear.
As for the stern gaze from the superior earlier?
Regrettably, the increasingly bold Qin Yu had already ignored it.
"You're too close."
Ei spoke softly, her aloof and majestic demeanor unchanged.
As the Electro Archon, no one would dare to stare at her continuously.
However, the superior's serious expression hid a different reality under the table...
"Lord General? I didn't hear you clearly."
Qin Yu moved even closer, a harmless smile on his face.
He appeared to be merely trying to help his superior...
While his finger was reaching out, gently twirling Ei's soft strands of hair, round and round.
Like a tireless little bee, he became increasingly engrossed.
"..."
Ei's gaze swept around.
Once she confirmed that no one was paying attention to them...
She lifted her hand, which had been resting on her lap, and reached for Qin Yu's waist.
She pinched him hard.
"Hiss."
Qin Yu's face stiffened, and he gasped.
His upper body, which had been close to Ei, retreated honestly.
This single action had completely tamed the impulsive Qin Yu.
"Lord General?"
He looked at Ei, whose expression was calm, as if she had done nothing. He inquired with his eyes.
The damage a small gesture could inflict on Qin Yu.
Surely the superior wouldn't be so brutal!
She should know how strong her grip was.
"Hmph."
Ei tilted her chin slightly, pretending not to notice Qin Yu's expression.
Although she hadn't yet placed Qin Yu on any divine statue.
She was still willing to administer such minor punishments.
With that thought, she glanced at Qin Yu, who was secretly grimacing.
Perhaps she could be a little gentler next time.
Ei picked up a skewer of dango and took a small bite.
"..."
Qin Yu observed secretly, his eyes widening slightly.
A smile played on the superior's lips, making her look exceptionally sweet.
He suddenly felt a craving to taste it.
"?"
Ei glanced at Qin Yu and raised her hand.
This time, a flash of lightning flickered from her fingertips.
"Cough, alright."
Qin Yu obediently sat back down, no longer disturbing the superior as she enjoyed her dessert.
Qin Yu, having become picky, declared that one day, he too would be fed by his superior.
Just as their little interaction concluded.
"..."
A pair of alluring eyes blinked, having taken in all the subtle actions between Ei and Qin Yu.
"Alas, my foolish Ei."
Yae Miko sighed softly, a hint of emotion in her heart.
You are truly happy now.
...So happy that I envy you.
"..."
She suddenly reminisced about the days when she was a pink-furred little fox, held in the arms of Ei and Makoto.
And Kazari.
That white-furred fox who nagged her to cultivate diligently.
And everyone else, noisy and boisterous... although she never won their debates.
Thinking of this, Yae Miko's smile, tinged with laziness and allure, grew even more profound.
But beautiful pasts eventually fade.
She was the only companion left from those days of cultivation.
But Ei was different.
With Qin Yu by her side now, she would no longer be alone.
May you continue to be happy, my god.
However, if you become reclusive again...
"Heh."
A mischievous thought flashed through the kitsune's mind.
"Then don't blame Qin Yu for being snatched away by someone else?"
The kitsune picked up a piece of fried tofu and put it in her mouth.
Mm, thank you for the hospitality.
However, the delighted kitsune did not notice.
As she dwelled in her memories, a fleeting light appeared in her eyes.
Ei slightly raised her gaze and looked at her.
Miko, you have watched over Inazuma alone for five hundred years.
But if a fox always gazes at others, where will the fox go?
The chief priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine, the inheritor of the fox lineage, the eternal companion and friend.
No matter how you disguise yourself with different identities, you cannot hide the occasional fatigue and loneliness.
Rest assured, Miko.
From now on, I will no longer be willful.
If possible, go and pursue your own happiness.
Ei and Yu will bless you together.
...
Silence filled the room for a moment.
"Speaking of which... where are Ayaka and the others?"
Qin Yu felt a strange sense of absence, his gaze sweeping around.
Why had that girl Yoimiya also disappeared?
Feeling that something was missing, Qin Yu subconsciously shifted his gaze to the table.
He was a bit hungry, having not eaten anything since coming out this morning.
"What is this?"
But Qin Yu only glanced at it before realizing something was amiss.
A plate of grilled fish had silently appeared before him.
Why did this grilled fish draw his attention...
"Isn't this Keqing's 'Desperate Survival Grilled Fish'?"
Qin Yu looked at the meticulously prepared grilled fish, struck by a sudden surprise.
Not only that.
There were also special dishes from Ayaka, Yoimiya, and the other girls...
Qin Yu's eyes lit up, and he suddenly understood why the girls were absent.
Had they been preparing these dishes all along?
"This is wonderful."
With that thought, Qin Yu couldn't help but reveal a somewhat smug smile.
Everyone was so warm.
"..."
Ei glanced at Qin Yu, who was beaming with joy.
So Yu really liked the dishes made for him by girls.
But...
Ei's hand, hidden under the table, subtly clenched.
Among these dishes, there was no work of hers.
She could do anything, but she really couldn't cook.
What should I do, Miko?
Lord General is requesting aid from her off-screen friends.
...
Time slowly passed.
Suddenly, a sliver of an opening appeared at the door.
"Qin Yu, come out quickly!"
It was Yoimiya, whispering with her voice lowered, peeking from the doorway.
"I apologize, I need to step out for a moment."
Qin Yu explained the situation to the women inside and then got up to leave.
"..."
The moment he turned around.
Columbina, with her elegant posture, slowly withdrew her hand and placed it on her lap.
Silently, her skin became even paler.
Beautiful, fragile.
As if she might crumble at any moment.
"Time is still running out."
"Did my contact with Qin Yu accelerate this process?"
...
Qin Yu arrived in the corridor outside the door.
As expected, another group of people was crowded there.
"You guys..."
Qin Yu pointed at Yoimiya and Keqing.
Then he looked at Ayaka and Shikanoin Heizou, with a helpless expression.
You two young ladies, do you know you're skipping work again?
The superior is still inside...! Enjoying dessert.
No more pretending, the entire Shogunate is slacking off.
Then who is shouldering all the responsibility?
Kamisato Ayato: ?
"Qin Yu, hurry to the courtyard."
"Sister Sandrone is waiting for you."
Yoimiya pushed Qin Yu, urging him in a low voice.
"Alright, I'm going now."
Qin Yu didn't ask any further questions and quickly went to the courtyard.
As expected, the beautiful and exquisite brown-haired girl was waiting for him.
"My partner..."
But Sandrone's expression was not good.
"What happened?"
Qin Yu approached Sandrone and took her hand.
Her hand was cold.
Sandrone slowly lifted her face, her azure eyes filled with seriousness.
"Sister Columbina, stay away from her."
"What?"
Qin Yu was somewhat surprised but found Sandrone clinging to his collar with all her might.
"She carries a curse that will make her disappear forever...!"
Sandrone's words sent a jolt through Qin Yu's heart.
Before he could press for details.
"It's alright, Sister Sandrone."
An elegant and serene figure quietly appeared.
In the sunlight, her skin was exceptionally pale.
It was Columbina.