"Ying, you are also an important person to me."
Under the moonlight, Ying blinked her beautiful purple eyes and murmured softly.
After speaking, a faint smile appeared on her peerless face.
Finally... she said it in front of Yu.
Her previously tense heart quietly relaxed.
Ying leaned gently against Qin Yu, her eyes full of tenderness.
So, everything just happened naturally.
"Ying..."
Qin Yu slowly widened his eyes, momentarily frozen in place.
The tender Ying, like a well-behaved little wife, was leaning beside him.
And this breathtakingly beautiful scene was for him alone to behold.
"Yu, what's wrong?"
Ying examined the glowing Dream of the Sword, seemingly unaware of Qin Yu's gaze.
But her trembling long eyelashes still revealed her true thoughts.
He was staring at her so intently... he was getting bolder and bolder.
"I suddenly thought of something happy."
Qin chuckled gleefully.
He realized then that the imposing leader actually had a standard wife-like face.
Well, all that was missing was cooking to become a true wife.
And...
It didn't matter, these were all things that could be taught.
Qin claimed he had experience in this area and guaranteed that the leader would be satisfied.
Just as he was getting a little restless.
"..."
The Dream of the Sword trembled, and lightning flashed.
With a crackle, electricity surged through Qin Yu's palm, making him gasp.
The Dream of the Sword seemed displeased.
"Will you dare to have wicked thoughts next time?"
Ying snorted, casting a cold glance at the now-obedient Qin Yu.
But the slightly upturned corners of her lips still betrayed her happiness.
From now on, if Qin Yu wanted to misbehave, she, the older sister, would protect him and stand up for him.
"Reporting to the great leader, I know I was wrong."
Qin Yu was zapped again, struggling to maintain a sunny smile on his face.
As everyone knew, his strength was his willingness to admit mistakes.
His weakness? He'd do it again next time.
"Sister, Yu knows he's wrong."
Ying soothed him softly, reaching out to stroke the blade of the sword.
The Dream of the Sword finally calmed down.
"Ying, your sister is truly formidable, she almost made me..."
Qin Yu shook his reddened hand, his tone helpless.
"Oh."
Ying stroked the sword, replying casually, a little absentmindedly.
Qin Yu: "?"
Qin's expression changed slightly.
A great sense of crisis suddenly washed over him.
Leader, you can't be cold to me just because of your sister!
Zzzt—
Before Qin Yu could speak.
The Dream of the Sword flickered with lightning and began to tremble again.
"Ahem, I mean, Ying's sister is truly amazing."
Qin rephrased, trying to appease her.
After all, they were about to meet the parents, so he needed to leave a good impression and gain some favor, right?
"..."
The Dream of the Sword flashed, seemingly satisfied with Qin Yu's performance.
Unlike the somewhat naive Ying, she was clearly more lively.
"Yu, is there something else you want to say to me?"
Ying finally shifted her gaze from the Dream of the Sword, looking at Yu with a smile in her eyes.
Occasionally teasing him seemed like a good idea too.
That's right, the pink-haired fox had taught her that.
Oh no, the leader in love was becoming more and more perceptive.
"Yes, I found the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine, and..."
Qin Yu reported his experiences on the journey to Ying.
What if his leader was pleased and agreed to give him a reward?
But soon, Qin Yu realized something was wrong.
"I already know all of that."
Ying glanced at him, her eyes flickering.
She then raised the Dream of the Sword and scrutinized Qin Yu from head to toe.
She was naturally happy about the possibility of resurrecting the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine.
But at the same time...
Ying knew exactly what someone had done.
Like that fox spirit who deserved a spanking...
She had asked her good friend, Yae Miko, to assist Qin Yu, and also to keep an eye on Columbia from sneaking in.
And the result?
Thinking of this, the leader's gaze became even more dangerous.
She couldn't keep this good friend any longer!
"You... know all of it?"
Qin Yu's mouth gaped, and he inwardly knew it was bad.
If she knew everything, wouldn't that mean that he and...!
Wait, and who?
Columbia, Yae Miko, or Lumine?
Pah, was this the time to be thinking about such things?!
A huge "Danger" sign materialized above Qin Yu's head.
But clearly, the leader wouldn't give him time to think.
"Swish!"
A flash of the sword, and Qin Yu immediately raised his hands, like an innocent child.
Leader, let's talk, please listen to his sophistry!
"... You should deactivate your shield."
Ying frowned slightly, raising the Dream of the Sword and poking at it with the tip.
It seemed like it couldn't cut through.
"..."
Ying glared at Qin Yu, why was it so hard?
"Ahem... Leader, put away your sword first."
Qin remained motionless, as solid as a rock, refusing to accept the yandere.
His Authority was connected to the Irminsul, giving him an impossibly high HP, so his shield couldn't be broken directly.
"I'll punish you when we get back to Tenshukaku."
Ying snorted, extending her hand, signaling Qin Yu to take it.
Now, she wanted him to go with her to the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual, to meet her sister.
"Then, Leader, please be gentle later."
Qin Yu grasped Ying's soft, tender hand, half-jokingly trying to ease the atmosphere.
Lingering outside for so long and not entering the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual, Ying was actually very nervous, wasn't she?
After all, it was the first time.
After centuries apart, they were meeting the parents together.
"Let's go."
Qin Yu took a deep breath, soothed her by rubbing her hand, and finally intertwined their fingers.
"Mhm."
Ying nodded slightly, her eyes glowing purple.
"Rumble—"
The next moment, the space before them began to collapse, and darkness enveloped them.
A pulling sensation coursed through their bodies, and they were being transported to a mysterious space.
Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual.
Ying's eyelashes trembled, appearing somewhat nervous.
Sister, we're coming to find you.
"Ying, don't be afraid."
Qin Yu took the opportunity to pull Ying into his arms, shamelessly hugging her.
He had to protect the leader, it wasn't just for personal gain.
"..."
Ying didn't expose Qin Yu's little scheme, but slowly raised her hand and hugged him back.
Bathing in Qin Yu's scent, Ying's lips curled upwards.
Sister, you'll bless me and Yu, won't you?
...
After an unknown amount of time, Qin Yu was still holding Ying tightly.
He couldn't help it, hugging her was just too soft and comfortable.
As expected of the "Leader."
"Yu...?"
Ying's voice rang out, with a hint of unnaturalness.
"Ying, wake me up when we arrive."
Qin Yu closed his eyes, enjoying the rare warm moment.
He was about to meet the parents, and the thought of secretly indulging himself in front of them was surprisingly thrilling.
Although he didn't know why, the Leader's body was becoming increasingly stiff.
Was it because of recent work pressure, requiring a full-body massage?
"Ying?"
Suddenly, Qin Yu frowned, sensing something was wrong.
His back had been poked.
"..."
Ying remained silent, her delicate body warming up.
At the same time, Qin Yu was poked again.
This time it was significantly harder, and it moved to his armpit.
"???"
Qin didn't have ticklish spots, but he realized something.
Danger!
Qin Yu slowly opened his eyes and saw the leader's cheeks flushed as she stared at his back.
"???"
Qin Yu stiffly turned his head, looking at the side of his body that had been poked.
Empty.
"Phew... nobody there, Ying."
Qin Yu breathed a sigh of relief, flashing a smile that wouldn't backfire.
He had been startled, thinking he had been caught.
"..."
Ying glared at him.
Qin Yu's expression stiffened.
Because the other side of his body was poked again.
It was like a child's prank.
Qin Yu reacted, and quickly looked to the other side.
But he had moved too forcefully, only catching a glimpse of slender white fingers.
"Mmph—!"
Qin Yu's face was directly poked.
Before he could even react.
"You're Ying's little boyfriend?"
A lively, curious voice rang out, and Qin Yu froze.
His widened eyes reflected a peerless woman, her appearance identical to Ying's.
Raiden Makoto, Raiden Ei's older sister.
He'd been caught by the parents during a cuddle!