Dating, dating, dating...
With no way to avoid it, Qin Yu could only accept reality.
Seeing that Yae Miko wasn't in a hurry to leave, he simply took a stroll by the lake with the beautiful maiden, chatting idly.
After all, Yae Miko was considered his "follower," so it wouldn't hurt to strengthen their bond.
However, as they talked, the conversation took a strange turn.
"Hehe... Lord Qin Yu and Shin'ei have such a good relationship."
Yae Miko covered her small mouth, a pleasant smile on her face.
She seemed to recall something else, tilting her head playfully.
"Lord Qin Yu, have you already... with them?"
Her lively, bright eyes sparkled with curiosity and excitement.
She was just like a girl who, in private, found someone with similar odd interests and exchanged thoughts on peculiar hobbies.
How to describe it...
The pace was a bit too fast!
"Have you also... with the little fox?"
"Cough, cough...! What are you talking about? I don't understand."
Qin Yu's old face blushed, and he quickly shook his head, feigning ignorance.
Were these the kinds of topics one could just casually discuss?
He was a decent person!
"What's there to be shy about, Lord Qin Yu?"
Yae Miko teased, her beautiful fox ears twitching.
She genuinely enjoyed listening to Qin Yu's stories.
Especially the parts involving Raiden Ei, Raiden Makoto, and Guuji Yae.
"Sorry, I really don't understand."
Qin Yu's forehead beaded with sweat; he was finding it difficult to cope.
The white-haired fox lady was lively and seemed to have endless whimsical ideas.
She was certainly interesting.
But this pace was rivaled only by Guuji Yae's!
"Alas, alright then."
Seeing that Qin Yu didn't want to elaborate, Yae Miko didn't press further.
The conversation so far had already brought her great joy.
There would be plenty of time in the future.
"Then, Lord Qin Yu, I look forward to your feast."
The ethereally beautiful fox spirit adjusted her miko attire and bowed to Qin Yu.
Her posture was elegant and respectful.
"..."
"Yae Miko, I have another question."
"Please, Lord Qin Yu."
"Why do you use polite language towards me?"
Qin Yu couldn't help but ask.
After all, Yae Miko was older than him.
Calling him "Lord" constantly felt somehow strange.
"Hehe... Lord Qin Yu, you are bothered by such a thing."
Yae Miko straightened up, her gaze filled with emotion.
After a moment of silence, she let out a soft sigh.
"If I need a reason, it is from the bottom of my heart, filled with respect and gratitude."
"The abyssal filth once devoured all the light in my sight."
And also that Oni girl who followed the Raiden Shogun, named Mikoshi Chiyo.
It was a pity that no remains were left of her, and she would never return.
"But fortunately, Lord Qin Yu saved me, and this land I love."
"This is a kindness I can never repay in a lifetime."
Yae Miko pursed her lips, her smile warm.
Even immortal foxes understood gratitude.
"...I'm sorry for bringing up unpleasant memories."
Qin Yu said softly, feeling apologetic.
His low murmur was as if he were recounting a trivial matter.
But... both of them knew well the sorrow represented by these words.
That was the nightmare Yae Miko had personally experienced.
Fortunately, nightmares eventually end.
At least, on the surface, that was the case.
Coldness, despair.
Could the pain buried in one's heart truly be easily dispelled?
"Ah... I'm suddenly so upset."
Qin Yu muttered, slowly clenching his fist.
How could he easily let go when his own fox was wronged?
"The abyssal filth will eventually be swept away."
"Just you wait, I'll get revenge for you."
"..."
Yae Miko's lips curled slightly, and she nodded gently.
"Then it's a promise."
"Lord Qin Yu."
...
Yae Miko bathed in the warm sunlight, gazing in the direction Qin Yu had departed.
The spring breeze gently lifted her snow-white hair, soft and comfortable.
The beautiful maiden stood still, lost in thought.
Finally.
"Lord Yae Miko."
A woman, also wearing a red and white miko outfit and sporting striking short hair, approached her.
At her waist hung a fox mask, etched with the marks of time.
"Did you hear everything, Kaedehara?"
Yae Miko turned to her and asked softly.
"...Yes."
Kaedehara's eyelashes trembled slightly as she replied in a low voice.
"Why suppress your feelings?"
Yae Miko pinched Kaedehara's cheek and smiled faintly.
This was also your memory.
Another me.
"I trust Lord Qin Yu."
Kaedehara murmured, and was gently embraced by Yae Miko.
In her heart, she had always admired Yae Miko.
Now that both of them had been reborn, their hearts were naturally connected, giving rise to a deep affection like that of sisters.
"Alright, we can have our touching reunion later. Don't let anyone see us and think we're strange."
Suddenly, Yae Miko patted Kaedehara's back and whispered playfully in her ear.
"Wh...?!"
Kaedehara quickly pulled away from Yae Miko, her face flushed.
She instinctively glanced in the distance.
A beautiful, cherry-pink silhouette was leaning lazily against a tree.
Guuji Yae was looking down at her light novel, seemingly oblivious to everything.
Well, she had missed a good opportunity to tease Yae Miko.
"The adorable little fox has arrived."
Yae Miko waved at her.
"Did the plan succeed?"
Guuji Yae put away her light novel and yawned.
The women, with unspoken understanding, did not bring up what had just happened.
"Lord Qin Yu will come to the feast as planned."
Yae Miko nodded, then asked with a hint of oddness,
"Little fox, what you mean is, Ei has already..."
If that were true, it would be a major event for all of Inazuma.
When the child was born, she wanted to be the first godmother!
"We'll find out when the time comes to probe."
Guuji Yae revealed a playful, mischievous smile.
Ei, Ei, you really are something.
To have done something so big behind the back of her best friend...
Since she refused to admit it, she would just have to face the social embarrassment.
"But is it appropriate to use that spell..."
Yae Miko expressed concern, considering that was a spell used by the deity she respected most.
As a former chief priestess and the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine, she had her principles.
"But it's interesting, isn't it?"
Guuji Yae saw through everything.
You've been eager to try it, haven't you?
Putting Ei and Qin Yu in the same room.
And then...
The two foxes exchanged glances, both with smiles of mutual understanding.
That's right.
The so-called banquet was something Zhen Ei didn't know about.
Qin Yu had already one foot in the trap!
"Lord Yae Miko, Guuji Yae, what are you two doing?"
Kaedehara blinked her innocent large eyes, looking confused.
"Speaking of which, did you find anything when you went to Asase Shrine for Hinako?"
Yae Miko chuckled and changed the subject.
"Asase Hinako?"
Guuji Yae raised an eyebrow.
She was the shrine maiden who guarded the sacred artifact.
As for that artifact, it was called the "Kagura's Verity," a divine bow personally bestowed by the Raiden Shogun.
"...That old friend is no longer here."
Kaedehara's voice was somber.
"Alright."
Yae Miko was not surprised and gently extended her hand.
A ghastly purple lightning glow appeared from her palm, eventually transforming into an extremely sharp katana.
"Mistsplitter... No, it is now Mistsplitter Reforged."
A soft murmur accompanied the thunderous roar.
"...Asase Hinako."
"Lord Qin Yu will listen to your story."
"What exactly is your story?"