Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

"Takahashi Ren, I care about him."

"..."

The room froze, violet energy hanging heavy in the air.

The moment those words escaped her lips, time seemed to stand still.

The two women stared at each other, the silence thick with unspoken emotions.

Yet their moods couldn't have been more different.

"..."

Ei turned her face away quietly.

What had she just said?

She didn't understand why those words had come out.

The unstable violet energy in her eyes flickered faintly, fluctuating between light and dark.

"Oh...?"

The corner of Yae Miko's mouth curled upward.

What a remarkable statement.

The "aloof" Shogun-sama, showing such an interesting reaction...

Ignoring the chilling energy in the room, Miko leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between them.

Quietly, she moved closer to Ei's face, blinking innocently.

Does Takahashi Ren know you feel this way?

"..."

Ei shot her a sharp, frosty glare, subtly tilting the Musou no Hitotachi in her hand—a silent warning.

If Yae dared to blab to anyone, there would be consequences far worse than just a spanking.

"Hehe... don't be so fierce, Ei," Miko said, covering her mouth as she laughed softly.

Facing the blade, she remained unflinching.

She could feel it—beneath the cold exterior of that violet energy, at some point, a faint warmth had emerged.

It was fragile, like a spark accidentally struck against the cold steel.

A spark that might disappear at any moment before it had a chance to fully ignite.

Miko's smile deepened.

"Ei, you've grown stronger."

"But in doing so, you've also developed a fatal weakness."

If she snuffed out that warmth now...

Wouldn't that make her the villain?

"Weakness?"

Ei frowned slightly, repeating the word under her breath.

Lowering her blade, she fell into thought.

A weakness? That was unacceptable.

It must be eliminated completely.

Ei closed her eyes slowly, letting her thoughts wander.

What is my weakness?

Time passed in silence until finally, she sighed lightly.

"I don't understand."

The violet energy dissipated, and time began flowing once more.

Did she truly not know, or was she simply unwilling to admit it?

"Would you like me to tell you?"

Miko stepped closer, her sly grin returning as she gazed at Ei.

"Go ahead," Ei said calmly, fixing Miko with a steady gaze.

She prided herself on being open-minded—Miko could speak freely.

"Naturally, it's Takahashi—"

Halfway through her sentence, Miko stopped abruptly.

The sly fox raised both hands in mock surrender.

In her enchanting eyes, the blade of the Musou no Hitotachi was reflected, now pressed lightly against her neck once more.

Miko smiled faintly, sealing her lips.

A critical hit.

Ei's expression remained calm as she spoke evenly:

"Say whatever you want."

"Takahashi—"

The dangerous gleam in Ei's eyes intensified, and the blade pressed just a fraction closer.

Miko, are you sure about this?

Take a moment to reconsider.

"...Ei, you're so mean," Miko sighed dramatically, clutching her chest as if wounded.

Putting a blade to my neck and telling me to speak freely?

This is blatant intimidation.

What was so great about Takahashi Ren anyway?

She had been here first, after all.

"Hmph. That means I have no weakness," Ei declared, withdrawing her blade and lifting her chin slightly.

Her words rang out with conviction.

A true testament to the strong and aloof Shogun.

"As expected of Ei," Miko said with a light clap, playing along with her dear deity.

But the faint smile in her eyes hinted otherwise.

Really, was all this effort necessary?

When you asked the question, didn't you already have the answer in your heart?

But...

With someone as pure as you, can you handle this without messing it up?

The thought made Miko sigh inwardly.

She reached out gently and took Ei's hand.

"Let go," Ei demanded, trying to pull her hand free.

"Listen to me, Ei."

This time, however, Miko was unusually serious.

She guided Ei's hand to rest against her chest, over her heart.

There, it was soft and warm.

"Yae Miko!" Ei's eyes narrowed, her voice sharp.

"Shh—do you feel it, Ei? The beating of your heart."

"..."

"And this warmth... don't forget it."

"..."

"If you've found a weakness, then hold it close. Keep it safe."

"Remember, that's something to protect forever."

Miko leaned closer, whispering softly into Ei's ear.

Her normally teasing voice carried an uncharacteristic sincerity.

"Forever..." Ei murmured, her eyes closing as she repeated the word.

Her hand relaxed and fell to her side, clenching into a fist.

As if trying to grasp something fragile yet precious.

After a long moment, Ei spoke earnestly:

"I have no weakness."

Though she couldn't yet name the feelings swirling inside her, as long as she kept Takahashi Ren safe in Tenshukaku, there would be no issue.

He couldn't possibly escape Inazuma, could he?

"Yes, yes, no weakness at all," Miko replied with a resigned wave of her hand.

After all this, that's what you focus on? What a hopeless country bumpkin.

"But there's one more little issue, Ei," Miko added slyly.

"What is it?"

"If he wants your approval, shouldn't he have to face your blade at least once?"

Her words, laced with insinuation, naturally referred to Takahashi Ren.

The sly fox was stirring the pot again.

Ei paused before responding softly, "We'll see."

"Ei, you can't go easy on him," Miko warned.

Ei gave a solemn nod, her expression serious.

This was no trivial matter; there would be no room for favoritism.

"Maybe I should help him practice dodging my blade's trajectory in advance," Ei mused after a moment of thought.

Miko's smile vanished.

This level of bias is too blatant!

---

T/N: so cute :3c

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