Outside the small grove, the atmosphere was heavy.
"..."
The fox lady, beautiful and wise, slowly lost her smile.
Her enchanting, slender eyes narrowed, reflecting vertical pupils, and she glanced at Qin Yu.
True Sight revealed, the great divine ability of the Byakko Kitsune clan.
"Heh, such a terrifying expression, Guuji Yae."
Qin Yu, with a sunny smile on his face, took a step back voluntarily.
Words should only go so far.
If he truly pushed the fox lady to her limit, it wouldn't be as simple as a nip.
That's what he said.
But seeing Qin Yu's face devoid of reverence, even smiling broadly...
He was clearly satisfied with the exchange he'd just had with the fox lady.
What a cute reaction, Guuji Yae.
[Ding, Mood Points from Yae Miko +1]
The smile on Qin Yu's lips widened, a sense of exhilaration filling him.
The fox lady, who loved to tease others, had finally been outplayed once.
You sly fox, you have your moments!
Just as they stared at each other in silence for a long time.
"Heh heh... little one, I'm becoming more and more interested in you."
Yae Miko's lips curved slightly, a captivating smile blooming. She looked at Qin Yu deeply.
Her direct gaze was like that of someone who had discovered a prized prey.
Prey belonging to the fox lady.
At the same time, the tense atmosphere subtly eased.
"Alas... this is indeed quite the dilemma."
Yae Miko turned around, shaking her head with a hint of distress.
"..."
Qin Yu stood still, silently watching the fox lady's retreating back.
A gentle breeze blew, lifting her pink hair and revealing a expanse of fair, delicate skin.
Qin Yu's gaze involuntarily drifted to her perfectly rounded, flawless shoulders.
Finally, it followed the curve of her graceful back downwards.
The ornate shrine maiden attire accentuated her slender waist, making her exceptionally alluring.
It made one want to stealthily lean in and pull her into an embrace.
Qin Yu smiled silently.
The fox lady, simply by standing there, embodied elegance and charm.
Such a beautiful back, it's a shame it can't be used for cupping therapy.
"Qin Yu, do you think..."
Yae Miko seemed oblivious to Qin Yu's gaze, sighing softly.
She tilted her head up, looking in the direction of Tenshukaku.
"Will Ei truly like..."
The fox lady's eyes flickered, muttering softly.
Her back now appeared frail, evoking a sense of pity and a desire to caress her.
She slowly turned around, facing Qin Yu.
Her originally enchanting eyes became hazy.
As if she were about to open her long-lonely heart and confide in Qin Yu.
But...
Qin Yu stood his ground, his expression still calm.
At the very next moment.
"Heh heh... was my performance convincing?"
The melancholy and confusion in Yae Miko's eyes vanished. She winked with a smile.
"Yes."
Qin Yu smiled and nodded gently.
Trying to change the subject, huh?
This time, Qin Yu saw through it but chose not to expose her.
As long as Miss Fox is happy.
"Mhm... what you said just now has given me new inspiration for my writing."
Yae Miko said with a smile, still deep in thought.
"I'm eager to hear about it."
Qin Yu looked at the pensive fox lady, a thought stirring within him.
His gaze shifted to her slightly twitching fox ears.
So cute, he wanted to grab them.
Of course, holding one in each hand would be quite convenient.
With that thought, a question flashed through Qin Yu's mind.
Could the Net of the Four Directions capture the fox lady...
Hmm, this needs practical verification.
But it was just a thought, how could he possibly get an opportunity to lay a hand on the fox lady?
Just as Qin Yu was lost in his thoughts.
"A lonely little fox, working multiple jobs to support the deity she adores, and eventually becoming a great shrine maiden, living happily ever after with the deity. What do you think?"
Yae Miko blinked.
The chief editor was preparing to write a "stick together" story.
"It feels... lacking in conflict and interesting points?"
Qin Yu pondered for a moment and said with a smile.
As everyone knows, Yae Publishing House is known for producing various fan works about Ei.
As for how many of them were the work of a certain pink-haired fox, it remained unknown.
"Oh? What are your thoughts?"
Yae Miko's interest was piqued, and she walked over to Qin Yu.
They walked side-by-side in the small grove, talking.
"Add a humble warrior who climbs the corporate ladder to marry the high executive and reach the pinnacle of life."
Qin Yu couldn't help but reveal a smug smile.
"I disagree."
Yae Miko shot him a glare and directly rejected it.
After much discussion, they both added their personal touches to the light novel.
By the end, the story had become...
"A stomach-churning daily slice-of-life among a bunch of people?"
Qin Yu shook his head.
Why not focus on sweet moments and sugarcoating? Why the angst?
And why would the humble warrior lose the duel and become the fox lady's dog?
"Heh... it's agreeably decided then, we'll use this story for the competition."
A flicker of satisfaction crossed Yae Miko's eyes, and she clapped her hands, making the decision.
"Aren't you the chief editor..."
Qin Yu felt helpless. Was the referee preparing to warm up for the next match?
Isn't this cheating?
"Heh, the final interpretation rests with me."
The fox lady lifted her chin, her lips curving slightly, looking quite pleased.
"Alright."
Qin Yu nodded and walked alongside Yae Miko through the grove.
Wait, why is it the grove again?
Qin Yu felt the tranquil atmosphere with the fox lady and wore a strange expression.
He felt that Yae Miko's attitude towards him had subtly changed in some unknown way.
She's up to her tricks again?
Just as Qin Yu was pondering.
"Let's go buy some sweets."
Yae Miko stopped and said softly.
She tucked her hair into the rustling wind, her heart at ease.
Some things, even a fox lady with both wisdom and beauty, couldn't accomplish.
"?"
Qin Yu looked at her, his gaze questioning.
"Ei... she needs your comfort."
Yae Miko said, raising an eyebrow.
"You know about those dishes, right?"
"Ei originally wanted to make one for you, but she failed."
"Anyway, she's not getting comfort from a certain person right now, and she's frustrated, crying and making a fuss..."
By the end of her description, a smile flashed in the fox lady's enchanting eyes.
Not ridicule, but rather contemplation and tenderness.
Ei, that silly girl, was completely like a child.
If she hadn't told Qin Yu, how long would Ei have bottled it up herself?
The fox lady felt like she worried too much for this family.
"Then I'll go right away...!"
Qin Yu reacted and was about to return to Komore Teahouse immediately.
He'd been out for so long, and the high executive was waiting for him.
"Go to the street and buy some dango and milk."
Yae Miko gave him a disdainful look, so rash.
Why can this guy always stick close to Ei?
The fox lady felt a pang of jealousy.
...
After parting ways with Qin Yu.
Yae Miko walked alone in the small grove.
Recalling her recent interactions with Qin Yu, her lips curved slightly.
"Heh, for Ei and Inazuma? Quite an interesting answer."
"...Fine, let's say you guessed correctly."
The people and things she had experienced over five hundred years had vanished like fleeting passersby.
The fox lady had always been watching others.
... But being watched by someone other than Ei, this was the first time.
The sudden feeling of being understood... felt quite good.
The fox lady chuckled softly and her form gradually disappeared.
While Qin Yu was buying sweets, she would go and see her deity.