The sea breeze blew, and waves rippled.
Two beautiful young girls, with their slender legs, strolled on the beach, walking together.
Pure white stockings and mysterious black stockings, semi-transparent and delicate, outlined alluring curves.
It was dazzling, making one wonder where to look.
"Keqing, slow down,"
"Hmph, I'm not in a hurry to find someone."
"Hehe… then who's been mumbling about Qin Yu all the way here?"
"Wait a moment, when did I…!"
The two girls chased and played, their atmosphere harmonious and loving.
It was evident they were close best friends with deep affection.
As one of the Liyue Qixing, the Utmost Talents, Keqing had extensive knowledge of land management and construction.
Meanwhile, Kokomi was the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island, also handling various land affairs.
The two girls coincidentally started a conversation, exchanging experiences and gaining much.
And so, their friendship grew.
"I never expected Kiyoshimasu Island to be so different from the records."
Kokomi raised her hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, gazing at the vibrant island with singing birds and fragrant flowers, and exclaimed.
After speaking, she took a deep breath, a complex expression appearing on her delicate and moving face.
Vast lands meant more living space.
Population, food, natural resources, and so on.
This scene was also what she had dreamed of for Watatsumi Island.
"What's wrong, Kokomi?"
Keqing saw Kokomi lost in thought and waved her hand.
"It's nothing… just marveling at the divine power."
Kokomi covered her chest and murmured softly.
The faith of Watatsumi Island was the God Orobashi.
It was He who created Watatsumi Island, allowing the people to escape the darkness.
Alas, later…
Thinking of this, Kokomi shook her head.
Her god was no longer here.
“…Mm.”
Keqing, who understood some of Inazuma's history, nodded gently.
But when it came to gods…
Keqing let out a soft hum, lifting her chin with a touch of pride.
"While the achievements and wisdom of gods are undeniable."
"In an era where gods are fading, we must ultimately forge our own path."
Keqing's confident and serious words made Kokomi pause.
Our own path?
She repeated it in her mind, her beautiful eyes sparkling.
A thought was quietly planted in her heart.
Perhaps, she should also find Mr. Qin Yu and bring about a change.
"Yes! Thank you, Keqing."
Kokomi looked up, a moving smile gracing her pretty face.
Keqing, who could say such things, was perhaps the one who understood gods the best.
"What are you thanking me for?"
Keqing turned her face away proudly, then suddenly noticed the clusters of mechs patrolling in the distance, glowing with a sapphire light.
"That woman, Surtur, beat us to it."
She frowned, saying with a hint of displeasure.
She, who always pursued efficiency, had been surpassed?
"Mr. Qin Yu's mecha technology is indeed powerful."
Kokomi looked at the construct mechs flying to greet them, her pearl-like beautiful eyes filled with wonder.
Mr. Qin Yu was truly an incredible man.
But…
Kokomi sighed softly as she looked at Keqing's face, which unknowingly showed anticipation and joy.
Such a greedy person, with so many girls around him already.
As the romance consultant of the Yae Publishing House, she dealt with the emotional problems of the women in the tearoom every day.
And he insisted on saying, "I have a friend…"
Miss Kokomi felt full of resentment.
It was too unfair, when no one had even asked her out yet.
Energy -1-1-1
"It's also very impressive that Kokomi can communicate with the Rifthound," Keqing said.
As soon as she finished speaking.
"Roar—"
A low growl sounded from behind the two girls.
The next moment, the beach vibrated.
A massive Rifthound, exuding an oppressive aura, swam ashore and strode forward.
Under the sunlight, its sharp claws and teeth, and its thick, powerful tail, were all fearsome.
But surprisingly, this ferocious creature stopped beside Kokomi, exceptionally obedient.
Or rather, reverent.
"Perhaps I have a connection with Rifthounds,"
Kokomi patted the Rifthound and smiled.
That's right, she and Keqing had arrived at Seirai Island on this very Rifthound as the second wave.
This Rifthound was quite interesting, it turned out.
First, it was captured by Nilou, and then it was reasoned with by Qin Yu.
Completely convinced, it gave up struggling and instead bonded well with the women in the tearoom.
Mm, and currently, it was closest to Kokomi.
"Ah-choo!"
Suddenly, Kokomi couldn't help but sneeze, adorably.
Highly sensitive to elemental energy, she could sense the extremely active Cryo energy on the island.
Mm, and also Electro, Dendro, Hydro.
…And Anemo.
What was going on?
"Are you underdressed? Shall I get you a thicker pair of stockings?"
Keqing looked at Kokomi's legs, slightly visible through her white stockings, and asked with concern.
Still too thin, so easy to tear… cough.
Keqing, with a slight blush, coughed deliberately as if to appear serious.
What was she thinking just now!
"Eh… why would you bring stockings when going out?"
The romance consultant blinked her innocent eyes, bewildered.
Wouldn't it be better to prepare dry rations first?
Besides, even if she were to change them, there were too many.
It felt as if she feared disposable chopsticks wouldn't be enough.
"Ah… well, of course, because…!"
Keqing's face flushed red, sputtering as her fur stood on end.
Just then, a beeping sound came from her backpack.
"Tch, it's that troublesome woman, Ningguang, again."
Keqing signaled that she needed to take a communication and ran off.
"…"
Kokomi smiled knowingly and strolled along the beach.
The sea breeze was pleasant.
She was about to see Mr. Qin Yu again.
Soon, she stopped.
Because not far away, an elegant and cute white cat appeared.
"?"
The person and the cat looked at each other, triggering an elemental resonance.
Hydro energy quietly stirred and submitted.
"Hmm, should I call this a fateful encounter?"
Furina noticed Kokomi, her eyes lighting up.
The Hydro Archon had discovered a young girl who had yet to awaken her Hydro Dragon King bloodline.
"You are…"
Just as Kokomi was about to greet Furina.
"Qin Yu, give me an explanation!"
From the small grove, a voice filled with suppressed anger, cold and commanding, rang out.
The next moment, frost erupted.
"Quick, dodge—!"
A dark shadow, shouting, flew out of the small grove.
"Eh?!"
Kokomi tried to dodge, but she was too slow to react and could only watch the shadow grow larger.
…
"Hmph, always pestering me to bring Qin Yu back to Liyue for a banquet."
Keqing ended her communication with Ningguang, displeased.
"Boom!"
She instinctively looked up, but the scene in the distance made her freeze.
…
"Ugh… Wh-what happened…"
On the beach, Kokomi held her head and slowly sat up.
She subconsciously felt under her hips.
A warm, firm sensation, not sand.
"?"
As Kokomi was about to lift her white-stockinged leg.
She quickly noticed the man lying beneath her, his face covered in ice cream.
Her body stiffened.
Her shoes had long since disappeared in the chaos.
"Ugh… cough cough."
Qin Yu spat out some sand and strange ice cream.
He struggled to look up, also stunned.
On his face, the lingering warmth of the sunshine ice cream, its delicate and smooth texture.
Following the direction of the white stockings…
Qin Yu fell into a contemplative silence.
White.
"?!"
Burning breaths sprayed onto the ice cream.
Miss Kokomi felt a ticklish, strange sensation and her feet tensed.
Her face instantly turned red, and she screamed, pulling down her skirt.
Then she raised her white-stockinged leg and kicked Qin Yu with all her might.
"Pervert, pervert—!"