"Hiding behind the folding screen? Ayaka, when did you become so shy? I remember when you were little, you used to... mmmph mmmph mmmph!"
"Su Bai, you are back! Hurry and taste this new candy from Inazuma City. It is absolutely delicious~"
Hearing Su Bai's voice, Ayaka's face initially lit up with joy, but her expression quickly turned awkward.
Why is he suddenly bringing up my childhood? No, I absolutely cannot let him say it.
Thinking this, Ayaka directly took a piece of candy from her pocket, stuffed it into Su Bai's mouth, and promptly covered his mouth with her hand.
With his mouth covered by Ayaka, Su Bai looked at her with a hint of teasing in his eyes. Ayaka might have appeared well-behaved in the eyes of others when she was little, but whenever she went out to play with Su Bai, "well-behaved" was the last word to describe her. However, Su Bai felt that such behavior was exactly how a child should act.
Seeing Ayaka interrupt Su Bai, a hint of disappointment flashed in Lumine and Paimon's eyes. While completing Ayaka's commission, they had inquired about the young lady of the Kamisato Clan. Everyone unanimously agreed that Kamisato Ayaka was the very definition of elegance.
If it were anyone else, they might be interested in Ayaka's elegance. But who was Lumine? She was the notoriously shameless Lumine. She only thought that it would be incredibly fun to learn about the unknown, hidden secrets of such an elegant young lady's childhood.
Looking at Ayaka's shy appearance right in front of her, Lumine found it highly amusing. Meanwhile, Su Bai sighed inwardly, realizing he had actually picked up some bad habits from Cloud Retainer.
"Ahem, Ayaka, what were you trying to say just now? Looking at your flustered state, did Ayato invite Itto to dinner and not bring enough Mora? I remember something like that happening once before. If I had not happened to pass by, Ayato would have been detained there to wash dishes and pay off his debt."
Seeing that Su Bai understood her hint, Ayaka finally let go of his hand. Feeling the lingering warmth on her palm, a faint blush crossed Ayaka's face, but she quickly regained her composure, her expression turning serious.
"No, my brother would not make that kind of mistake twice."
"This matter is about Master Masanori, who forges fake Visions. He was accidentally captured by the Shogun's Army while forging a Vision, and we need to go rescue him."
For those who bravely resisted the Vision Hunt Decree, Kamisato Ayaka could not simply stand by and let the Shogun's Army take them away. Moreover, Master Masanori's craftsmanship in forging fake Visions was highly skilled. Having him around could prevent many people from having their Visions confiscated.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let us go save him quickly!"
Paimon urged them anxiously while flying in the air. Lumine nodded from the side, highly agreeing with Paimon. She deeply admired people who bravely resisted oppression.
"Um, I am afraid this matter can only be entrusted to you, Traveler."
"If our Kamisato Clan interferes in this matter, it would mean that the Yashiro Commission, which we manage, is openly defying the enforcement of the Vision Hunt Decree. As one of the Three Commissions of Inazuma, opposing the orders issued by the Raiden Shogun is a crime that even the Kamisato Clan cannot bear."
"I am truly sorry. If you need any help, I can provide you with some material assistance."
Ayaka's tone was filled with apology and helplessness. It was not that she did not want the Shuumatsuban to take action, but if the Shuumatsuban failed, it would undoubtedly hand a leverage point over to the Kujou Clan. Given the nature of the current head of the Kujou Clan, he would definitely not let the Kamisato Clan off easily.
"Alright, Ayaka, you do not need to worry about this. I will go to the prison myself. If I go to bail him out personally, there should not be any problems."
"But the crime Master Masanori committed is not a minor offense like Itto's. If you go, Su Bai..."
Ayaka was somewhat worried about Su Bai. After all, he had been her friend for over ten years, and she did not want to see him get hurt. Furthermore, harboring unexpressed feelings in her heart, she certainly did not want any accidents to befall him.
Seeing Ayaka care for Su Bai so much made Lumine feel as if she were being force-fed a massive handful of dog food. Damn it, she had eaten a ton of dog food back in Liyue. Upon arriving in Inazuma, she thought she would not have to endure any more, but it turned out this dog food had just changed brands and was still being shoved into her mouth.
"It is alright. We still need to go and see the specific situation before making a judgment. Also, if I remember correctly, Master Masanori seems to have a good relationship with Yoimiya. Even if we do not go, Yoimiya will go to rescue him."
"Rather than letting Yoimiya go rescue him alone, it would be better to inform her of the situation first, and then I will go bail Master Masanori out. This way, at the very least, Yoimiya will not end up on the Shogun's Army's list of suspects."
Su Bai rubbed the bridge of his nose. Based on his understanding of Yoimiya, if Master Masanori was truly captured, she would definitely go to the prison to save him. Although Yoimiya's strength was decent, there was still a gap compared to Sara. If those two clashed, it would be genuine trouble. Su Bai did not think for a second that Sara would spare Yoimiya's Vision.
...
Is that so? That makes sense.
A slight ripple stirred in Ayaka's heart. The Shuumatsuban had reported more than once about Su Bai and Yoimiya playing around together in the past. Even after two years apart, was his relationship with Yoimiya still this good? It was truly enviable.
"Ayaka, what are you thinking about?"
"Ah, n-nothing. I was just thinking about some matters regarding the Vision Hunt Decree."
Ayaka's calm expression might have fooled others, but her slightly flustered eyes were seen through by Su Bai at a single glance. Having been Ayaka's friend for so many years, Su Bai knew her very well. However, seeing that Ayaka had no intention of speaking about it, Su Bai naturally did not ask further. After all, Ayaka had grown up, and it was perfectly normal for her to have a few secrets.
"If there are no other issues, then Lumine and I will be on our way. Come to think of it, it has been a long time since I visited Inazuma City. I wonder if my friends there will still recognize me."
"They will definitely recognize you. After all, your friends have spent so much time playing with you. It would be strange if they did not."
Not knowing what Ayaka was thinking of, she covered half her face with her fan, but her smiling eyes suggested she was recalling something quite amusing.
"Su Bai, please be careful on the road. If there is any danger, you must ensure your own safety first before trying to rescue Master Masanori. Do not push yourself too hard."
"Thoma and I will have a meal prepared at the Komore Teahouse, waiting for your good news. If necessary, I will send someone to provide backup for you."
...
Thoma, who had just finished cooking and brought the food to the gazebo, froze on the spot upon hearing the Young Lady say they were going to the Komore Teahouse to treat Su Bai and the Traveler to a meal. Looking at the few dishes in the gazebo, the corner of Thoma's eye twitched.
All that food I made while sweating buckets...
Oh well, the Komore Teahouse it is.
At worst, he could prepare a less complicated hot pot. After all, this was the Young Lady's decision, and as a retainer, it was not his place to object.