One cannot deceive one's own heart.
This thought made Raiden Ei's hand, currently gripping her blade, tremble slightly.
"Ei, I can see your feelings for Xi as clear as day."
Yae Miko crossed her arms, a smug, self-satisfied smile playing on her lips.
Raiden Ei, however, sensed only a mocking frivolity in those words. A wave of deep shame washed over her, causing even her pinky finger to go numb.
"I… I don't. I just… wanted to eat…"
"Eat the Tricolor Dango he made with his own hands? Read the novels he wrote?"
Yae Miko cut her off, her tone dripping with even more mischief. She giggled, acting as though she had seen through everything. "As a Guuji, I know one thing very well. People always choose to believe what they want to believe. Thus, some things might simply be things you refuse to see."
Raiden Ei grew even more irritated. Being manipulated by Yae Miko never failed to sour her mood! Yet, she found herself unable to argue.
As the Raiden Shogun of Inazuma and one of the Seven Archons, she had actually lost her composure and drawn her blade before Miko had even finished speaking. Her defenses had completely crumbled. How could she possibly make an excuse for that?
"Hmph!" Ei scoffed. "What could someone who was once lured away by mere Fried Tofu possibly see? So… are you and Xi actually together?"
Raiden Ei took several deep breaths, yet her hands still clenched involuntarily as she asked the question.
Yae Miko was practically glowing with inner delight. Her greatest joy was keeping people in suspense, playing them like puppets in the palm of her hand. For that reason, even her best friend wasn't safe from her teasing. Now, she was a bit curious. How would Raiden Ei react if she knew Ye Xi was planning to leave Inazuma?
So, she said nonchalantly, "Xi said he plans to leave Inazuma."
"What?! No!" The word burst from Ei's lips once more. This time, she didn't hold back at all, her voice firm and resolute. "He cannot leave Inazuma. He isn't allowed to go anywhere! That is my order!"
"What good is your order? If Xi truly wants to leave, neither of us can stop him. You know that better than anyone." Yae Miko waved her hand helplessly and looked at her friend. "So, it all depends on your performance. You just need to cling to him."
"Why is he leaving? Where is he going?"
Hearing Raiden Ei's questions, Miko replied, "At first, he said he was going to gather material for his novel, but in his heart, he was thinking about that matter."
At those words, Raiden Ei understood. She already knew a bit about the things Ye Xi was constantly preoccupied with through eavesdropping on his inner voice. Indeed, she could hear Ye Xi's heart as well.
Back when she first met Ye Xi, she had heard a strange voice. As one of the Seven Archons, she immediately grasped the situation she was facing. Later, after hearing many of Ye Xi's thoughts regarding her as well as his appreciation for her attire she agreed to let him stay in Inazuma. As they spent more time together, she learned even more from him.
For example, the fact that this world was a work of fiction. At first, it was naturally hard to accept, but her pursuit was Eternity. What did it matter what the outside world was like, or what it had to do with Inazuma? By now, she knew just as much as Yae Miko. She was also aware of the arrival of the Traveler Siblings in this world.
Hearing that Ye Xi was leaving because of this made her expression turn solemn. At this point, Yae Miko also cast aside her playful heart, speaking with gravity. "Ei, for the time being, we are likely the only two who can hear Xi's inner voice.
However, there's no guarantee that others won't discover his secrets as well especially other women. You should know that in Liyue and Mondstadt, there are many people Xi cares about. If he leaves Inazuma, I'm afraid he might never come back."
Years ago, Miko had wondered if she was the only one who could hear Ye Xi's heart. So, she had intentionally gathered several shrine maidens to spend time with him, then asked them if they heard any strange voices. None of them could.
Yet, when she brought Ye Xi before Raiden Ei, she noticed that the usually stoic Ei actually showed signs of confusion and panic. At that moment, she knew Raiden Ei could also peer into Ye Xi's thoughts. Once Ye Xi left, she immediately discussed the matter with Ei.
Now, Raiden Ei had reached a decision. She suddenly let out a cold laugh. "So, you aren't actually with Xi. It makes sense. How could Xi ever like a mere smelly fox? No one would like a fox unless there's something wrong with their head."
"Hmph~"
This time, it was Yae Miko's turn to bristle! She never expected Raiden Ei to turn the tables and mock her. The score had been settled. Straining to keep her composure, Yae Miko feigned calmness, but the tail standing straight up behind her did not escape Raiden Ei's eyes. No matter how much she masked her face, her tail was quite honest.
Raiden Ei gave a disdainful smirk. "Your tail is showing, Miko. Anyway, I have already found a way to make Xi stay. See you later~"
Space rippled like water. Before Yae Miko could react, she was ejected from the Plane of Euthymia. Infuriated, Yae Miko couldn't help but stomp her foot.
"How did my tail just pop out like that?! So annoying!" She hadn't expected to lose the upper hand, and the thought left her feeling quite sour.
Just then, a sudden angry shout echoed from nearby. "Who is it?! Who's there?!"
The Okuzume-shū guards stationed outside had finally noticed something was amiss.
"An assassin!"
"Protect the Shogun!"
"We shall defend her Excellency with our lives!"
Yae Miko frowned. With a flick of her kitsune arts, she vanished from the room.
.........
The sun and moon traded places. Morning dew dripped from the green leaves of the branches as sunlight bathed the land of Inazuma once more.
Following the previous night's disturbance, the officials of the Tri-Commission had finally managed to calm the citizens. The flames in the sky were explained away as the Guuji's spells, which was the only reason the people had settled down.
.....
At Mt. Yougou, within the Grand Narukami Shrine, a pink figure slipped into the inner realm of the Sacred Sakura, her movements quite practiced.
At this time, Ye Xi was still fast asleep. Sunlight filtered through the window lattice, falling upon his bed. Upon the white sheets, the shadow of fox ears appeared. Soon after, Ye Xi felt a slight shaking.
"Repeat after me: 'Three-two-one, one-two-three, ahhh' Come on, hurry up."
A seductive voice rang in his ears, and Ye Xi's consciousness gradually cleared. He looked up to see Yae Miko standing at his bedside, nudging him.
What was it that blinded my eyes?
Oh, it's that Sly Fox!
📢 MASSIVE UPDATE FOR BINGE-READERS! 📢
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