Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

The room was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. The oppressive atmosphere continued to thicken.

"..."

Yae Miko arched an elegant eyebrow and slowly straightened her posture.

Her dear Shogun-sama didn't seem to be in the best of moods.

What, she wondered, could be troubling Ei's heart?

"Ei, come sit," Miko said with a soft smile, patting the seat beside her.

Come here, let's be close.

"..."

Ei remained silent.

Miko clicked her tongue inwardly.

Oh, my divine Shogun...

Even in my presence, you're lost in thought about someone else?

It was irksome, to say the least.

For some reason, a faint sense of unease stirred within her.

"Ei?"

"..."

After a brief silence, Ei sat down but deliberately ignored the space Miko had made for her.

She placed the document she had been holding firmly onto the table.

The sly fox's smile grew even sweeter.

"My, my. You came bearing gifts, how thoughtful," Miko teased.

"Let me see."

Reaching out gracefully, she made to take the document.

If her hunch was correct, this document held the key to ending everything.

With it, "Mei" could finally disappear.

Smack!

Suddenly, Ei's hand pressed down on the document, holding it in place.

Her gaze, sharp and warning, locked onto Miko.

"Oh?"

Now it was Miko's turn to be surprised.

What exactly is Ei protecting?

Could it be...

Her lips curled into a mischievous, knowing smirk.

Things are getting interesting.

"So that's how it is."

Miko leaned in closer, her alluring figure bending toward Ei.

She stared at Ei's profile and murmured softly:

"Should I call you Ei... or Mei?"

The most beautiful being in existence, one that could enthrall anyone.

And yet, this same being was undergoing a subtle change.

A change that didn't sit well with the sly fox.

"Ei," came the calm reply as Ei slowly moved her hand aside.

Miko took the document and began reading.

The decoded key was already marked within.

As she skimmed through the contents, she casually asked:

"Planning to wrap things up?"

"Yes."

"Hmm, when?"

"When I feel like it."

"Been honing your combat skills lately?"

"Yes."

"What about light novels?"

"Terrible."

"And desserts?"

"Passable."

"What about Takahashi Ren? How's he treating you?"

"Very well."

The room fell into sudden, absolute silence.

Ei frowned slightly, looking at Miko.

"?"

"?"

The two locked eyes, neither speaking for a long time.

Yae Miko's smile slowly faded.

At last, she identified the source of her irritation.

Well, well, my dear Shogun-sama...

You've been hiding something from me, haven't you?

Ei took a deep breath, her violet eyes glowing faintly.

This sly fox... she's deliberately provoking me.

It seemed like it was time to give her a spanking.

As Ei raised her hand, preparing to act, Miko spoke up playfully:

"Oh my, Ei, how fierce you are."

"You wouldn't silence me, would you?"

"Am I, your loyal companion, less important to you than Takahashi Ren?"

Miko clutched her chest dramatically, pretending to be heartbroken.

"Hmph, who's Takahashi Ren?"

Ei closed her violet eyes, her tone indifferent.

Not someone I'm familiar with.

"My, how cold of you, Shogun-sama," Miko quipped, surprisingly refraining from exposing Ei's lie.

Her tone, however, dripped with mockery.

"Say one more word, and I'll cut you down," Ei warned.

"Alright, alright, my mistake," Miko chuckled, covering her mouth.

Someone's ready to draw her blade, but I won't name names.

"Ei, everything is about to end," Miko said with a faint sigh, her voice tinged with melancholy.

"You don't seem particularly happy about it."

She sounded like a forlorn wife, abandoned and left behind.

"..."

The ever-cold Ei remained stoic, her eyes still closed.

"Ah, Ei, you're as distant as ever," Miko remarked, shaking her head as she stood, taking the document with her.

"..."

Ei gave no response.

Miko's lips curled into a sly smile as she turned toward the door.

"In that case, maybe I'll go find Ren instead."

"After all, he had the nerve to manipulate even the Kanjou Commission."

"I find myself growing rather curious about him..."

Slowly, Ei opened her violet eyes.

"Perhaps I'll keep him by my side forever," Miko continued, her tone almost casual.

"I imagine he'd be quite entertaining to toy with."

Ei's gaze turned sharper, her expression becoming dangerous.

Sensing this, Miko glanced back over her shoulder with a playful grin.

"Or perhaps it doesn't matter to you at all, Ei?"

The moment the words left her lips, violet energy erupted within the room.

Sching!

The air shimmered as a blade materialized, its edge crackling with electro energy.

Miko raised her hands in mock surrender, her sly smile unfaltering.

Her sharp, fox-like eyes shifted to the blade's reflection.

In its polished surface, Ei's face was reflected—serious, beautiful, and resolute.

"Takahashi Ren..." Ei said quietly, her tone firm.

"I care about him."

---

T/N: actually down for a single female lead and that just being ei

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