Qin Yu watched as Ei, or rather the pink-haired fox, slowly finished the last of the mochi milk, his gaze gentle.
The quiet atmosphere, exclusive to the two of them, seemed to be never enough.
"..."
A certain pink-haired fox rolled her eyes.
This was the first time she had witnessed her own god and Qin Yu so close.
Did even her little fox form not suffice to win Ei over?
"Yu?"
Ei stared intently at Qin Yu.
She still wanted more mochi milk.
"There isn't a drop left."
Qin Yu smiled helplessly, raising his empty hand.
In his other hand, he cradled the little fox.
She lay quietly in Qin Yu's palm, lazy and elegant.
As expected of Miss Fox, taking the initiative.
"Mhm."
Ei nodded slightly at his words, turning her face away somewhat unnaturally.
It was then she realized she had drunk several bottles in a row in front of Yu.
Thinking of this, the aloof General snorted.
She had originally intended to maintain her dignity in front of Qin Yu.
Why hadn't he tried to persuade her to drink less just now?
"It's alright, I'll buy more next time."
Qin Yu chuckled, clearly enjoying the process of feeding the "great leader," reveling in it.
He wished he could feed her all day long, filling Ei up.
Images of Ei with puffed cheeks, saying she didn't want any more, flashed in his mind...
Qin Yu's lips began to curl uncontrollably.
"If you wish, I permit you to move into the Tenshukaku."
Ei looked at Qin Yu with a serious expression.
After all, the Tenshukaku was vast. Yu could just sleep there if he moved in, it wouldn't be a problem. kuAiδugg
However, sleeping...
Ei's eyes flickered slightly.
Speaking of which, Yu had always lived at Komore Teahouse, under the same roof as other girls...
"Ahem, isn't Komore Teahouse quite good?"
Qin Yu coughed lightly, his gaze drifting to the ceiling.
The aura of the great leader was too strong.
"Mhm, it's alright."
Ei nodded softly. She didn't dislike the liveliness and warmth here.
Or rather, she liked any place where Yu was.
This sense of fulfillment was something Ei had only experienced by her sister's side.
"Ei."
Qin Yu looked at Ei, who was murmuring softly, gently taking her hand and giving it a little squeeze.
It didn't matter, he would always be by Ei's side.
"As for cooking, take your time, I'll be with you."
Qin Yu glanced at a certain black, unknown substance and smiled.
[Ding, detected Ei's mysterious cooking, check-in successful.]
[Reward: Super delicious Sweet Flower and its seeds]
Qin Yu: ...
He didn't know where to start with the吐槽.
What use was a Sweet Flower!
[Even a certain gluttonous celestial beast can't resist this temptation.]
Celestial beast?
Who could it be.
...
"Yu, thank you."
Ei felt the warmth emanating from Qin Yu's palm, not resisting.
After a moment's hesitation, she leaned against Qin Yu's shoulder somewhat clumsily and stiffly.
That night, she had even given him her first kiss.
Now, just holding hands and cuddling, it shouldn't be a big deal.
After all, Qin Yu was her trusted confidant.
"Ei, it tickles."
Qin Yu shifted slightly, taking the opportunity to embrace Ei's waist.
The astonishing softness and perfect curve of his grip made his heart race slightly.
He subconsciously stroked it.
Very smooth, very soft.
"..."
Ei glared at Qin Yu.
Qin Yu, chuckling, began to feign ignorance.
He also shifted into a more comfortable position for both of them.
After all, this was the great leader's first time cuddling, and she needed Qin Yu's gentle comfort and guidance.
As for the certain pink-haired fox, Qin Yu had long since ignored her.
She couldn't cuddle with him, so she could go somewhere else.
"Why are you so experienced?"
Ei tilted her head slightly, her narrowed violet eyes holding a peculiar meaning.
For some reason, she thought of that gentle, water-like woman.
The First Dendro Archon, Lesser Lord Kusanali.
Why was she appearing by Yu's side, and why hadn't she left yet?
The great leader sensed something was amiss.
"Ah... well, that's..."
Qin Yu hesitated, his mind racing.
Wife, lend me your wisdom!
At this moment.
"...No."
Ei suddenly leaned down and reached for Qin Yu's waist.
"Ei...?!"
Qin Yu was startled, his mouth agape.
Great leader, is this sudden action appropriate?
Was he about to drown?
"!"
Not far away, the little fox slapped the table.
Miss Fox was expressing her displeasure.
It was one thing to cuddle in front of her, but what else were they going to do?
However...
"Yu, you smell of the Divine Daughter?"
The air instantly froze.
Ei stared intently at Qin Yu, her gaze now filled with scrutiny.
Speaking of which, the Divine Daughter had mentioned having matters to attend to earlier and had been away for a long time.
Could there be something between them?
"We had a conversation before."
Qin Yu, realizing, instinctively glanced at the pink-haired fox.
"..."
The little fox ignored him, as if she didn't recognize Yae Miko.
However, her seemingly cute appearance belied the danger brewing in her eyes.
Little one, if you reveal what she previously entrusted you with to Ei...
Think carefully about the consequences.
Facing the suspicious great leader and the little fox's piercing gaze, Qin Yu felt increasingly pressured!
"What is this?"
A clear, cool voice sounded.
Ei had already retrieved something from Qin Yu's waist.
Pink, still carrying a warm fox scent.
Indeed, it was an omamori.
"A small gift from Guuji Yae."
Qin Yu, caught red-handed by the great leader, told the truth.
"...A gift?"
Ei murmured softly, as if understanding something.
Her gaze swept over the pink-haired fox.
"..."
The pink-haired fox propped her face with one hand, lazy and elegant.
Her violet eyes were deep, seemingly unfathomable.
"With this, you can help the Divine Daughter complete the Divine Sakura ritual."
Ei carefully placed the omamori back, her gaze dimming slightly.
The Grand Rite of the Divine Sakura.
A ritual she was unwilling to face.
Because for her, the Divine Sakura represented...
"I heard that the Divine Sakura is the avatar of the First Electro Archon."
Qin Yu said.
Ei was silent for a moment, then nodded gently.
The First Electro Archon, that is, Makoto, her sister.
But...
"Still thinking about that World Tree branch?"
Qin Yu took Ei's hand and asked softly.
"I... want to find traces left by my sister."
Ei closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly.
If she could, she really wanted to see her sister again, and introduce Yu to her.
"I suspect Guuji Yae has found a way for you."
Qin Yu's eyes lit up, as if he understood.
"..."
The pink-haired fox remained silent, giving Qin Yu a deep look.
This feeling of being guessed again...
Had she encountered her destined nemesis?
Miss Fox's eyes flickered, and ripples began to stir within her heart.
After five hundred years of solitude, she now felt fulfilled simply by Qin Yu noticing her inner turmoil.
Could it be that she...
"What?"
Ei's eyes opened in surprise.
"Yae told me nothing."
She instinctively shook her head, about to deny it.
"But Guuji Yae specifically provided the ritual map and the omamori today."
"This is definitely not a coincidence."
Qin Yu stated with certainty, his gaze inadvertently meeting the pink-haired fox's.
Guuji-sama, are you not going to speak yet?
Miss Fox raised her chin slightly, remaining silent.
In her elegance and laziness, there was a hint of provocation.
Come and gloat when you've truly guessed it.
"The Divine Sakura might have clues about my sister."
Under Qin Yu's prompting, Ei quickly reacted.
The day her sister passed away, the Divine Sakura appeared and protected Inazuma.
Perhaps there was a connection!
"But why didn't she tell me?"
Ei looked at Qin Yu again.
"She's worried that if no clues are found in the end, it will only add to your disappointment."
Qin Yu said softly.
A devoted companion would not bear to see a god who had regained happiness, suffer again.
The god had protected her and was a deeply affectionate friend.
Therefore, when the god encountered difficulties, she would secretly resolve them.
And her god only needed to bask in the sunlight and remain happy forever.
"Yae... so she was always..."
Ei's gaze softened as she looked at a certain pink-haired fox.
If not for Qin Yu, she would still know nothing.
Why did she hide it and not tell her?
Qin Yu looked at the pink-haired fox who was acting proud in front of the god.
I wonder if Guuji-sama is satisfied with my guess this time?
"..."
The pink-haired fox lay back down, not responding.
She buried her face in her fluffy tail, appearing sleepy.
...
...
Heh.
Fine, you guessed right.
Yae slightly opened her eyes, ripples appearing in her violet gaze.
Has she finally found someone who can see into her?
But... Qin Yu.
Obsessed with unraveling my thoughts, unwilling to back down, do you truly know the consequences of captivating Miss Fox?
Thinking of this, she licked her lips.
The prey has appeared.