Meanwhile, on the other side.
Inside the room, a noble and aloof figure paced back and forth, as if waiting for something.
On the table, various kitchen utensils were laid out.
Among these utensils, a pot that was shaking violently stood out.
The pot was bright red, as if a dangerous aura was brewing within.
"This time, it should be fine."
Ei stared intently at the pot with her deep purple eyes, muttering with a hint of uncertainty.
A wave of frustration began to build.
She had lost count of how many pots had met their end.
As for the previous ones?
Seeing the charred fragments piled in the corner should have made it clear what had happened.
That's right, the dignified General herself was attempting to cook.
However, Ei, who could easily defeat anyone in battle, had no talent for being in the kitchen.
And so, the pot exploded.
Literally.
As for why Ei was here, attempting to cook...
After the previous gathering, when Qin Yu departed, the women in the small house seemed to have no interest in staying any longer.
First Columbina, then Buer...
It was unclear what they were going to do after leaving one after another.
In any case, Ei took the opportunity to leave as well, coming here to seclude herself and hone her "martial arts."
"Where is the Divine Messenger? She said she'd be back soon."
Ei observed the restless iron pot, frowning as she thought of the fox lady.
Indeed, the strategist who had offered her advice had also become her cooking teacher.
"This time, I must succeed."
Ei whispered to herself, her gaze exceptionally serious.
The look of brightening eyes when Qin Yu tasted the dishes prepared by the other women was vivid in her memory.
Therefore, Ei also wanted to prepare a dish for Qin Yu with her own hands.
However, wishes were beautiful.
The reality was...
The violently shaking pot finally reached its limit.
"Bang!"
Suddenly, with a dull thud, black smoke erupted.
Crack—!
Before the impact of the explosion could damage the room, it was entirely blocked by a barrier formed of lightning.
In the black smoke, a figure shrouded in purple, with her head slightly bowed, her expression unreadable.
"The dish for Yu has failed again."
Ei faced the scattered pots and pans, feeling powerless.
She could do anything, but she truly couldn't cook.
"..."
Just as Ei fell into silence.
A touch of pink appeared in the room.
Vaguely, a fluffy fox tail could be seen swishing past, leaving a mysterious arc.
"Ei, there's no need to be so hasty."
Yae Miko appeared, her voice tinged with a hint of helplessness.
She knew that by the time she returned, Ei wouldn't even leave a single pot intact.
What was it that turned her divine being into this?
Thinking of this, the fox lady felt particularly displeased.
"Miko, please help me."
Ei shook her head slightly, taking Yae Miko's hand, her beautiful face etched with seriousness.
The reliable backup had finally returned.
"The pot is gone."
Yae Miko struck a blow without mercy.
She glanced at the utterly tragic cooking scene and shook her head.
My foolish deity, still refusing to admit her lack of talent for cooking?
"I just want to prepare something for Yu."
Ei said softly, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly.
The dignified General could not hide her regret and disappointment.
"..."
Yae Miko gazed at her divine being, lost in thought for a moment.
Ei's current appearance reminded her of five hundred years ago.
At that time, Makoto was still alive, and Sara was also still alive.
Every time Ei played cards and games with them, she was always the first to lose.
Clumsy, a little simple-minded.
Yet, she refused to admit defeat, hiding herself away to practice in secret.
Because of this, Yae Miko, who was in her little fox form, had often made fun of Ei.
Ah, and she had also received a spanking at that time.
And many other daily memories...
"It's so good, Ei."
Yae Miko's lips curved into a slight arc, she said softly.
It was truly wonderful that Ei could once again experience the happiest and purest of times.
"Miko? You..."
Ei looked at Miko, her eyes sparkling, and was slightly taken aback.
She subtly tightened her grip on Miko's hand, her lips parting.
The clumsy and slow Ei seemed to never actively care for others.
Or rather, she never actively revealed her heart.
Even in front of her was the fox lady who had watched over her for five hundred years.
"Heh... I'm fine."
Yae Miko gently turned her face away, her voice still laced with laziness and charm.
She knew Ei's nature better than anyone.
The fox lady, too, did not reveal her inner thoughts to Ei.
But this yearning for something was spreading with ripples from the bottom of her heart, filling her entire being.
The divine being and the fox lady, both carried a hint of tsundere.
As expected of the Electro Archon and her subordinate.
What else could they do? Make do with it.
This was supposed to be the case.
But clearly, the appearance of someone had changed everything.
Especially the clumsy divine being.
"Tap."
Ei took a step forward of her own accord.
"...!"
Miko's eyes slowly widened, her enchanting purple eyes reflecting the approaching divine being.
Ei?
How could this slow-witted fool...
At that moment, a man's figure flashed through Miko's mind.
...Is it because of Qin Yu?
"Miko, are you encountering some difficulties?"
Ei looked at Miko and asked softly.
The once noble and cold divine being, who only pursued eternity, had now stopped.
She was willing to stop and pay attention to the people around her again.
All of this was the change that Qin Yu had brought to Ei.
And now, Miko also felt this change.
The ripples in her heart were growing stronger, disturbing her inner peace.
"Heh... Why are you acting so serious?"
Miko smiled, teasing her divine being. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
She said nothing, merely leaned into Ei's embrace.
My divine being, we have finally returned to the time when we accompanied and protected each other.
"You, you're still like this."
Ei's purple eyes held a gentle glow, and she smiled.
"Ei, you have the nerve to laugh at me?"
Miko seemed somewhat displeased.
Speaking of which, she was supposed to be comforting Ei.
How did the roles get reversed?
Suddenly realizing this, the fox lady wanted to retort.
"Miko, can you comfort me?"
Ei looked at the failed dish and asked softly.
"How do I comfort you?"
"I want... to touch you again, and your tail."
As soon as she finished speaking, the fox lady pushed Ei away, silently resisting.
This meant that Miko would have to revert to her little fox form.
The two women looked at each other for a moment.
"Heh, I really can't do anything about you, my divine being."
Yae Miko's lips curved into a playful arc, and she finally nodded.
As the light flared, a pink little fox jumped into Ei's embrace.
"Only this time."
"..."
Ei gently stroked the soft, fluffy, and cute little fox, her mood relaxed.
A little fox hand warmer, whoever tries it will know.
However, excessive relaxation was not entirely a good thing.
Because...
"Ei! I'm back!"
A deep green light flashed into the room and appeared before Ei.
"?"
Ei, holding the little fox, was slightly taken aback.
Yu, why didn't you use the door?
"?"
The little fox's eyes flashed, about to transform back.
Ei's expression changed slightly, and she instinctively used her divine authority.
She sealed all of Miko's abilities.
...
The air fell silent.
"Madam leader?"
Qin Yu looked at Ei and waved his hand curiously.
To rush back as quickly as possible, he had used his abilities to travel.
Suddenly, he noticed the pink fox.
"?"
Eyeing each other.
Qin Yu's expression gradually became strange.
The little fox began to bristle.
Ei lightly turned her face away, feeling a little guilty.
Finally...
"Madam leader, this pink fox... where did it come from?"
Ei and Miko's hearts tightened.
Qin Yu had finally asked!