Raiden Makoto and Qin Yu had forged an inseparable bond, etched deep within their souls.
Therefore, she could perceive certain peculiar things.
All were existences that had formed a profound connection with Qin Yu's soul.
For example...
A woman whose singing was melodious, elegant, and serene.
A pink-haired and a white-haired fox, unsure if they were prey or predator.
Not to mention the tangled red threads still lingering at the periphery.
Moreover...
Even more red threads were extending towards Qin Yu, preparing to join.
But these girls were merely gathered around Qin Yu for now, taking no concrete action.
Those who had truly infiltrated...
Were the young woman with the Electro Vision.
And...
One of the Seven Archons of the Seven Nations, the Dendro Archon, Buer, the Great Tree King.
The "perfect wife" and "gentle as water" madam, as Qin Yu called her.
Wait a moment, wasn't there also an overlapping red thread there?
???
The question arose, where was her good sister?
Raiden Makoto slowly widened her beautiful eyes, as if opening a new world.
This complex and ever-changing situation...
Had she been gone for so long, and Teyvat had begun a new Archon War?
Thinking of this, a flicker of worry and concern crossed Makoto's gaze.
Could Ei truly handle it alone without her help?
No, this couldn't go on any longer...!
...
"Does something feel uncomfortable?"
Qin Yu looked at Raiden Makoto, whose expression was constantly changing as if she had stumbled upon forbidden knowledge, and asked with concern.
Qin, who was confident he wouldn't screw up, hadn't yet realized the seriousness of the situation.
"Qin Yu, I..."
Makoto, holding Qin Yu's hand, was about to say something.
"Makoto, you're finally back!"
Just then, Ei rushed into her embrace.
This feeling of fullness and reassurance.
Sister... it's Sister...
This time, I won't let you leave my side again.
"Ei?"
The sudden impact almost made Makoto fall, but she was held by Ei.
The two sisters embraced deeply, a picture of exquisite beauty.
"That's nice."
Qin Yu had already let go of his hand, smiling as he admired the figures of the two women.
He was delighted to witness this hard-won beauty.
Suddenly, Qin blinked his eyes.
Because...
Makoto looked over.
She slowly raised her hand and clenched it into a fist.
Finally, she made a threatening gesture towards Qin Yu.
Like a mother cat protecting her cub, fierce yet cute.
Qin Yu:?
What's going on?
Before Qin Yu could ponder further, Makoto relaxed her small fist.
Her gaze refocused on her sister, who was tightly hugging her.
"Ei, why are you still like a child?"
Makoto murmured softly, a happy curve forming at the corner of her lips.
She raised her hand and finally gently stroked Ei's head.
"Makoto, I've been waiting for you for so long."
Ei said in a muffled voice, burying her face in Makoto's embrace.
"Ei, you're not going to cry, are you?"
Raiden Makoto gently cupped Ei's face, looking at her watery purple eyes, and teased.
She'd been seen through by her sister again.
You promised me when we parted in Khaenri'ah.
To accept the authority of a god and become the Electro Archon of Inazuma.
And gods do not shed tears.
...Right?
"I haven't cried at all."
Ei turned her face away slightly, stubbornly insisting.
She didn't want to show any vulnerability in front of her gentle sister.
Besides, Yu was here.
"Sigh... it's all my fault, sister."
Makoto said softly, not seeing through Ei's little secret.
All her emotions could only turn into a sigh.
Ei...
During the long past, you must have suffered greatly.
You must have gone through an extremely difficult path, and there must have been many times you wanted to cry, right?
But don't be afraid.
Sister is back, and I will stay with you from now on.
...And your little boyfriend.
"Alright, cheer up!"
Makoto raised her hand and pinched Ei's little nose, showing a warm smile.
What's with all the sadness during a happy reunion?
If you keep this up, I'll have to spank you, okay?
"Yes, Sister."
Ei's emotions finally calmed down a bit upon seeing the familiar warmth and liveliness.
But in the next moment, her hand was firmly held.
"Ei, while you're happy, you can't completely let your guard down."
"Sister?"
Ei blinked her purple eyes and looked at Makoto, who had a serious expression, filled with confusion.
Her sister rarely showed such an expression.
...Except when watching her play games, and always losing.
That's right, in multiplayer games, Ei was always the one falling behind.
"A new round of struggle has begun, you've become too lax."
Makoto pretended to be serious and nodded, pulling Ei to look at Qin, who was observing from a distance.
Don't worry, Sister will help you win this "Archon War."
The first Electro Archon, Raiden Baal's elder sister, Madam Baal, has decided to join the battlefield.
Qin Yu:?
He keenly sensed the palpable tension in the air.
"Is there something strange about me?"
Qin Yu subconsciously looked at himself.
No problem, still as handsome as ever.
But soon, he couldn't smile anymore.
"Ei, if there's a chance, I'd like to catch up with the Great Tree King."
Makoto said, holding Ei's hand, as if casually.
Meanwhile, she cast a glance at Qin.
"Okay, she's still in Inazuma."
Ei nodded slightly, not thinking much of it.
The two original gods had a good relationship.
"..."
Qin Yu's expression changed slightly. Catching up with Madam Great Tree King?
At this moment, he finally realized with a chill down his spine.
Could it be that...
Just as he thought he was about to relive a scene from the Archon War.
Makoto merely made a small fist gesture at him in secret, saying no more.
Because there were more important things to do.
"Ei, plant the Sacred Sakura."
As soon as she spoke, Raiden Makoto took out the seed.
Planting it would bring eternal protection to Inazuma.
...Free from the Heavenly Principles' constraint.
"You need to rest now."
Qin Yu looked at Makoto, who had just recovered, and reminded her.
This kind of soul power depletion...
"I know, but the Sacred Sakura still needs to be planted as soon as possible."
Makoto shook her head gently, indicating she was fine.
With that, she took Ei's and Qin Yu's hands and placed the glowing seed into theirs.
At the same time, a deep fatigue flashed across her face, and her body went limp.
Activating the Sacred Sakura required extra soul power.
Of course, it could be slowly recovered.
"Sister!"
Ei quickly supported Makoto.
"My soul needs to reside in Ei's body for a while."
"Of course, if you're bored, you can find me in the Realm of Slumber."
Makoto gently hugged Ei and comforted her softly.
She needed to sleep after just recovering.
No need to rush.
We will be able to meet in reality soon, Ei.
"Mmm... have a good dream, Sister."
Ei nodded slightly and said softly.
...
The seed of the Sacred Sakura was planted by Ei and Qin Yu together, taking root and sprouting.
And Makoto, who had temporarily fallen into a deep sleep, her soul transformed into cherry blossoms and scattered, eventually merging into Ei's body.
Ei was now in a state of one body, two souls, temporarily.
At the same time, a touch of green also merged into the cherry blossoms.
"Yu?"
Ei sensed Qin Yu using his authority and looked at him with a questioning gaze.
"The authority of dreams should help Makoto wake up sooner."
Qin Yu embraced Ei, smiling.
It was the power left by Madam Great Tree King, hoping it would be of some help.
Perhaps she would wake up in the blink of an eye.
"Mmm, thank you."
Ei's eyes softened, and she gently closed them.
Perhaps because of her sister's slumber, she also felt a bit sleepy.
"Sleep for a while, I'll watch over you."
"..."
There was no response.
Qin Yu blinked slightly, looking at Ei sleeping in his arms, his gaze softening.
As expected of a high-ranking official, falling asleep whenever she pleased.
"Sweet dreams."
Qin Yu's heart was calm, and he didn't take advantage of the situation.
He was a proper gentleman.
"..."
Ei seemed to hear Qin Yu's words, her lips moving slightly.
Cherry blossoms drifted down, playfully brushing against her cheeks, making her even more ethereal.
Qin's heart began to waver.
How could a high-ranking official's sleeping face be so beautiful?
"Cough... I'll kiss you, and if you don't speak, I'll assume you consent."
Qin began to probe.
"..."
No response.
Qin Yu's eyes lit up, and he gently leaned down, about to kiss Ei's lips.
Closer, and closer still.
Just as Qin was about to count how many eyelashes the high-ranking official had.
"Mmm..."
Her long eyelashes fluttered, and Ei slowly opened her eyes.
The emerald green in her purple eyes flashed and then disappeared.
Then she saw...
"Mwah."
Qin Yu, holding Ei, gently kissed her lips.
"—!"
Ei's eyes widened, and she instinctively pushed Qin Yu away.
"Cough cough... you're awake, Ei."
Qin Yu, caught red-handed in his mischief, raised his hands somewhat awkwardly.
High-ranking official, please don't hit me!
But...
"Qin Yu... you...!"
Ei looked at Qin Yu, her gaze momentarily stunned.
Then she slowly covered her lips.
A seductive blush began to spread across her beautiful face, her ears turning red.
The silence was the most dreaded thing.
"Who are you?"
Qin Yu's smile slowly faded.
Ei wouldn't directly call him Qin Yu now.
Wait a minute, if she said that...
Who was he kissing just now?!
[Ding, Emotional Points from Ei's Sister, Raiden Makoto +1]
Qin's brain began to overload.
Holy crap.
This time, he'd truly "stolen a kiss."