The Raiden Shogun’s expression remained cold as her gaze swept disdainfully over the bags in Luo Qing’s hands.
She didn’t seem too pleased with his answer.
Luo Qing had taken advantage of her so many times, yet he had never brought her any gifts. So, she closed her eyes again, pretending Luo Qing wasn’t there.
“Shogun?”
Luo Qing circled her, confused by her sudden silence and “mysterious master” act.
But he wasn’t one to let things slide, so without warning, he cupped the Raiden Shogun’s face and kissed her deeply.
Her eyes shot open in surprise.
“Mmm…”
After a few seconds, she pushed him away, gasping for air.
“What are you doing?”
“Ah? So now you’ll talk to me?”
“…?”
The Raiden Shogun suddenly felt a strong urge to cut him down. How could this man constantly say such outrageous things?
“Well, what choice did I have when you were ignoring me?”
Luo Qing smiled playfully, ruffling her hair as if soothing her.
“If you don’t want me inside, at least help me take these to her.”
He placed the two bags of light novels and desserts at her feet. After all, Kamisato Ayaka was still waiting outside the Tenshukaku, so skipping his visit to the Plane of Euthymia would save him time.
“You’re leaving already?”
The Raiden Shogun was puzzled.
The night was still young, and judging by Luo Qing’s usual antics, shouldn’t he have stuck around to pester her for a while longer?
“I’m meeting a friend later,”
Luo Qing said as he stroked her head gently.
“See you tomorrow, Shogun.”
Before she could respond, Luo Qing had already left the Tenshukaku. He didn’t want to keep Ayaka waiting in the cold for too long.
After he was gone, the Raiden Shogun glanced at the two bags of light novels and desserts, her brow furrowing slightly.
After a brief exchange of words with her counterpart in the Plane of Euthymia, she waved her hand, tossing the bags into the inner world.
Ever since Luo Qing had raised the affection meter between her and Ei, the two had started finding each other more and more unbearable, constantly bickering over things—usually about Luo Qing or eternity.
They argued almost every day now, always about something related to him or their conflicting ideals.
Just as she was about to return to her meditation, a thought struck her, recalling Luo Qing’s comment about meeting a friend.
A friend? In Inazuma? He was from Snezhnaya—what friend could he possibly have here?
Something felt off.
After pondering for a moment, she sent a thought to Ei in the Plane of Euthymia.
“Use the Eye of Corruption and check on him.”
“Huh?”
Ei was confused.
“Why would I watch him? I’ve got nothing better to do?”
The Raiden Shogun calmly explained, “He said he’s meeting a friend. I want to know who that friend is.”
“… Are you serious?”
Ei found the whole situation amusing. She thought the Shogun was being overly controlling. Did she really need to spy on him just because he was meeting someone?
But the Shogun didn’t mind Ei’s teasing, patiently adding,
“I have a feeling… that friend is a girl.”
“…?”
…
Meanwhile, outside the Tenshukaku.
Kamisato Ayaka stood at the base of the Statue of the Omnipresent God, gazing up thoughtfully at the imposing figure.
She had chosen to wear a light blue kimono when she left the house with her brother Kamisato Ayato earlier. Now, as the night’s cold wind slipped through the gap between her neck and collar, she shivered slightly.
Rubbing her shoulders, Ayaka glanced back at the Tenshukaku.
Luo Qing had been gone for a while now. Normally, dignitaries lived in the lower levels—how long could it possibly take?
As she mused, a familiar figure emerged from the gates, waving toward her.
“Is it really that cold?”
Luo Qing asked softly when he saw Ayaka holding her shoulders.
Wasn’t she a Cryo Vision holder? Could she even feel the cold?
“It’s nothing,”
Ayaka shook her head.
“The wind just slipped into my clothes, and it felt a little chilly…”
“Ah…”
Luo Qing glanced down at her outfit—a light blue kimono, so thin it looked like a gentle tug on the sash would send the whole thing sliding down, exposing her smooth, delicate skin underneath.
If he got a little closer, he might even catch a glimpse of the mysterious landscape hidden beneath the folds of her collar.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Luo Qing shook his head and slipped off his coat, draping it over Ayaka’s shoulders.
“N-No, it’s fine,”
Ayaka blushed, feeling a surge of warmth—not from the coat itself, but from the sweetness of the gesture.
Her voice brightened slightly.
“So… where are we going next?”
“Going? Where else could we go?”
Luo Qing found her question a bit endearing.
It was already late at night—most of the shops in Hanamizaka were closing down. Where did she think they could go?
With a mischievous smile, he bent down, his face nearing hers.
“So, Miss Kamisato, where do you think we should go at this hour?”
“Ah…?”
Ayaka was flustered.
It finally dawned on her how late it had gotten. After wandering Hanamizaka with Luo Qing and waiting outside Tenshukaku for so long, the streets had all but emptied.
There wasn’t really anywhere left to go.
“I guess…”
Ayaka hesitated, unwilling to part ways now that they had finally reunited.
“It’s getting late. How about I walk you home? Though I doubt you need anyone to protect you…”
Luo Qing said casually as he started walking toward Komore Teahouse.
Ayaka watched his back for a moment, her mind a little dazed, before hurrying to catch up.
As they walked, she spoke softly.
“Luo Qing, you don’t need to call me Miss Kamisato…”
Luo Qing chuckled, “Oh? So what should I call you?”
“Just… just call me Ayaka,”
she mumbled, her face flushing pink as she lowered her head.
“Alright then, Ayaka.”
Luo Qing smiled, finding her embarrassed demeanor quite adorable.
“Mm…”
They walked side by side through the quiet streets of Hanamizaka, and soon enough, they arrived at the entrance to Komore Teahouse.
Standing by the door were the teahouse’s hostess, Kaji, and Kamisato Ayato himself, both of whom had clearly been waiting for some time.
It seemed like they had been worried that Ayaka might not come home tonight.
Seeing her brother and the teahouse hostess waiting, Ayaka understood that their time together was coming to an end. It was time to say goodbye to Luo Qing, at least for now.
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