Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

Inazuma City, Komore Teahouse.

The sky had grown darker, signaling the time for rest and return.

"Ayaka, won't you reconsider?"

Kamisato Ayato stood at the doorway, concern evident in his voice.

A young lady staying out overnight was far too dangerous, no matter how one looked at it.

"Brother, as much as I hate to see you go..."

"You should head back now."

In front of him, Ayaka stood elegantly with her hand pressed gently against the door, a soft smile on her lips.

The two siblings locked eyes, and for a moment, the scene was warm and heartening.

"...!"

Ayato tried to exert some strength, subtly testing the situation.

And then, as if resigned, he withdrew his hand with a quiet cough.

As expected, he couldn't overpower his adorable younger sister.

When did Ayaka's strength improve again?!

"And Takahashi-san?" Ayato asked, turning his gaze toward the young man nearby.

Ren shook his head lightly.

With Ayaka here, there wasn't much he could do to help.

"..."

The two men exchanged glances, both catching the helplessness in the other's expression.

When did they start feeling a sense of camaraderie in situations like this?

As Ren watched the scene unfold, a faint fragrance suddenly wafted past him, accompanied by a shadow that fell over him.

A lazy yet alluring voice sounded softly near his ear.

"Little one, guess who I am."

"?"

Ren instinctively turned his head.

This voice, so playfully sly...

"Guuji-sama? What brings you here?"

Hearing this, both Kamisato siblings were taken aback.

The sudden arrival of the Grand Shrine Maiden was bound to mean something big had happened.

Indeed, something monumental was underway—after all, the sly fox had come to watch the show.

"Hmm, sharp as ever," Miko said, releasing her hands and giving Ren a teasing poke.

Solid build.

Too bad it won't be of much use soon...

"Guuji-sama?"

"Little one, there's no need to be so formal in the future," Yae Miko said, giving him a look that carried a deeper meaning.

Ren felt a flicker of surprise.

What's with that strange, animal-like assessment in her gaze?

"..."

From behind Yae Miko emerged a cold, elegant figure.

With a boning knife in her hand and a chilling aura surrounding her, she fixed her sharp gaze directly on Ren.

The air seemed to grow colder.

"Mei... you're back."

Ren greeted them with a calm smile.

Let's talk this out first—how about putting the knife down?

"Well then, I won't linger," Yae Miko said, waving her hand with a regretful expression.

She had hoped to stay and enjoy the drama, but it seemed she had to leave now.

What a pity—for the tofu and for the entertainment.

Mei snorted coldly, turned on her heel, and walked back inside, knife in hand.

A thought flickered in Ren's mind.

Is Mei planning to cook?

"Mei-sama, that's not how cooking works!"

"Watch out! The Electro element is coming into contact with an open flame!"

From deep within the teahouse came the panicked cries of the other girls, followed by the faint sound of an explosion reverberating through the building.

"..."

Ren sniffed the air, catching the faint scent of smoke. He sighed.

Are they making dinner or fireworks in there?

The sky was now fully dark.

"Brother, Ayaka will miss you," Ayaka said, standing at the door and waving with a gentle smile.

The next second, thud.

The door shut firmly.

"...My little sister has truly grown up," Ayato muttered, shaking his head as he raised his hand.

Shadows flitted around the Komore Teahouse, the covert movements of the Shuumatsuban.

To prevent any incidents, Ayato had bolstered the area's defenses.

At his side, Yae Miko covered her mouth, laughing softly.

"Hehe... you should withdraw them," she said lazily.

"These precautions are unnecessary."

Her teasing tone made Ayato's brows knit slightly.

"Does Guuji-sama have any advice?"

"There's something rather interesting—want to hear about it?"

Yae Miko walked away, her tone enigmatic.

Ayato's eyes flickered with curiosity as he silently followed.

---

Inside the Komore Teahouse, Ren carefully secured the evidence against the Fatui.

The current plan was simple.

The documents would remain here, safeguarded from theft.

The Yashiro Commission didn't have the authority to present them directly to the Shogun, and the Tenryou Commission would undoubtedly obstruct any attempts to do so.

For now, the only choice was to wait for the Raiden Shogun's awakening and then seize the opportunity to present them in person.

Ren wasn't worried about the safety of the materials.

The Shuumatsuban's forces stationed nearby provided sufficient protection.

The scales of the Vision Hunt Decree were finally tipping—and this time, in his favor.

"Takahashi-san, hurry up!"

Yoimiya's voice called out from inside.

"Coming."

Ren shook his head.

Everything was in place now.

All that was left was to enjoy the rare moment of leisure.

Even if it was only temporary.

As Ren entered the room, a warm mist filled the air.

Several pairs of eyes turned toward him, each belonging to a girl with a distinct aura.

"You're so slow! Everyone's been waiting for you," Yoimiya grumbled, straightening up from her work.

Is he trying to slack off and sneak in for a free meal?

"Yoimiya, Ren was busy with important matters," Ayaka said with a soft smile as she carefully plated the dishes.

The table was laden with meticulously arranged food, looking even more exquisite.

"There you go again, Ayaka, always defending him!"

"Fine, just try this—"

"Nom! Mmm, so good!"

Yoimiya's cheeks puffed out like a hamster as she munched on her food.

"Hmph."

On the other side, Mei held a knife in her hand, poised to strike.

The poor ingredients had no idea what was coming.

"Mei-sama, please, calm down!" Hiiragi Chisato urged, shaking her head desperately.

There weren't enough tables left for her to destroy!

The future head of the Kanjou Commission winced, pained by the potential waste of resources.

"Sorry for being late," Ren said softly, glancing at the group with gentle eyes.

The scene before him filled his heart with warmth.

Everyone seems to get along so well.

Is this what having a family feels like?

"..."

Noticing Ren's gaze, Mei slowly lowered her knife.

Her eyes lingered on the blade, lost in thought.

...

Ren felt a chill.

Why does it seem like Mei's planning how to cut me?

Hiiragi Chisato who was tugging at Mei's arm face lit up in excitement.

"Renny, come sit with me—"

Ayaka stepped forward and interrupted, her tone soft but firm.

"Sit here, Ren," she said, gently taking his arm and guiding him.

"No, Renny's sitting with me!" Chisato declared, wrapping her arms around his.

With the two young ladies clinging to him on either side, Ren shook his head helplessly.

"How about we all sit together?"

Only kids make choices.

After some jostling and commotion...

"Huh?"

Yoimiya blinked in confusion.

Across from her, Ren had taken a seat with the other girls gathered around him.

They exchanged glances, and an awkward silence filled the room.

"You all just left me here by myself!"

"No more hugging and clinging!" Yoimiya huffed, yanking Ren over to her side.

The seating arrangement now stood as follows:

Ayaka, Chisato, and Mei on one side.

Yoimiya and Ren on the other.

"..."

Ayaka and Chisato exchanged glances before looking away.

This setup seemed balanced now.

With Yoimiya keeping an eye on Ren, they could rest assured.

"Alright! Let's play a game while we eat!" Yoimiya announced with a grin, raising her hand energetically.

"A game?" the others asked curiously.

"Yep!"

Yoimiya folded her arms and smirked mysteriously.

"It's a game with punishments."

"The loser has to grant the winner's wish."

Any wish?

Ayaka and Chisato's eyes lit up with interest.

Mei quietly raised her knife slightly.

Would this give her a reason to... involve Ren?

Ren: "?"

Why is everyone staring at me? You're all acting strange.

"Let's get started already!"

---

In the streets of Inazuma City...

"Hehe... what an interesting reaction, Yashiro Commissioner," Yae Miko chuckled softly as she waved goodbye.

In the dim lantern light, moths danced through the air.

Ayato clenched his fist slowly, then released it.

"So that's how it is," he murmured.

After a long pause, he shook his head with a wry smile.

"Master Ayato, you called for me," a Shuumatsuban operative appeared, bowing.

"Withdraw the defenses around the Komore Teahouse."

"But if there's an attack—"

"Do as I say."

"Understood, Master Ayato!"

"Wait."

"Master Ayato?"

After a moment of thought, Ayato's expression grew serious.

"Buy more sweets. Deliver them to the teahouse."

"?"

Since when did the Shuumatsuban become couriers?

"No, wait—"

"??"

Ignoring the confused look, Ayato paced back and forth.

A troubling thought crystallized in his mind.

"Make sure the sweets... go directly to Takahashi-san."

"Understood!"

As the shadow disappeared, Ayato let out a deep breath.

In a voice only he could hear, he murmured:

"The Shogun in the teahouse..."

"And my dear sister... you..."

---

T/N: oooh miko spilled the beans

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