Chapter 263: I Know This Place Better Than You Do
"The Shogunate's choice of location for the Yashiro Commission really is something," Bai Luo mused, swirling the Dandelion Wine in his cup without touching the dishes laid out before him. "Nestled between mountains and rivers, elegant indeed… though a bit too secluded. If anything happened, could they really send word to Inazuma City in time?"
The familiar sweetness of Mondstadt's Dandelion Wine filled his mouth, bringing back memories of the nights at Angel's Share—and of Diluc's unmatched collection.
"Thanks to Lady Guuji's care," said Kamisato Ayato, raising his cup with his usual graceful smile, "the Yashiro Commission was able to stand firm through the storm. Without her, we might not be sitting here so peacefully today."
Beside him, Ayaka quietly poured herself a cup of tea, her manners flawless as ever.
"The Guuji, huh?" Bai Luo chuckled, downing his wine in one go. "She's quite the character. We haven't known each other long, but 'hit it off at first sight' doesn't even begin to describe it. Shame though… she still refuses to accept the fruit I offered her. Otherwise, we could've been much better friends."
Ah yes, getting Yae Miko to eat one of his Sunsettias had somehow become one of Bai Luo's few lingering obsessions.
Especially since she had learned what that fruit could actually do… which meant convincing her next time would be a real challenge.
"As a being of the yokai kind," Ayato replied with a calm smile, "perhaps Lady Guuji has a preference for richer, more savory tastes. Rather than fruit, perhaps a few plates of fried tofu would help your friendship blossom, Ausbilder-dono."
Ayato drained his own glass of Dandelion Wine, his composure flawless.
Though their words were polite, beneath the calm surface, both men were already several rounds deep into a silent duel.
Bai Luo's first remark had been a veiled threat—a reminder that if he wanted to, he could strike the Kamisato estate before Inazuma City even had time to react.
Ayato's counter came swift and smooth—invoking the name of Yae Miko, the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine.
If Bai Luo was visiting the Kamisato household, Ayato would surely inform Yae Miko.
Even if she didn't appear in person, there was no doubt she'd be watching from the shadows.
After all, she'd never sit idly by and let Bai Luo wreak havoc on one of her closest allies.
"Come, Ausbilder-dono," Ayato said with practiced warmth, handing Bai Luo a pair of chopsticks. "Please, have a taste. These are the finest dishes from the International Trade Association."
He even pushed a few of the most expensive plates closer to him, ever the gracious host.
"If only Teyvat had takeout," Bai Luo muttered, staring at the spread without picking up his chopsticks. "Then I'd show you all what real Liyue cuisine tastes like."
Honestly, looking at this table full of so-called delicacies made him lose his appetite entirely.
It was like serving pineapple pizza to a camp of hungry soldiers—downright insulting.
"...Takeout?" Ayato echoed, momentarily thrown off by the unfamiliar word.
"Ah, don't mind it," Bai Luo waved him off casually.
After all, this was a meal the Kamisato household had gone out of their way to prepare.
Even if it didn't meet his standards, there was no need to be that rude.
He glanced at the plates in front of him, then at the braised pork that had somehow ended up near Ayaka.
Bai Luo sighed and shook his head slowly.
"You call yourself an older brother," he said, "yet you don't even know your sister dislikes dishes heavy in animal fat?"
With that, he pushed his own lighter dishes toward Ayaka and pulled the braised pork in front of himself instead.
Ayato: "..."
Ayaka: "..."
Was their silence because of Bai Luo's audacity? His sheer lack of decorum?
Not exactly.
As children of the Kamisato Clan, both Ayato and Ayaka had been raised to embody the elegance and restraint befitting nobles. No matter how much they disliked a dish, they were never to let it show—composure above all.
Because of that, even Ayato himself wasn't entirely sure what foods his sister actually disliked.
He only remembered that whenever dishes involving animal organs appeared, Ayaka would look just a little uncomfortable.
But fatty meats? She would always eat them without flinching, calm and collected—or so he thought.
That was why he'd "casually" pushed the braised pork toward her earlier, assuming it was something she enjoyed.
He'd originally believed Bai Luo's comment about her preferences was just another one of his teasing lies, until he noticed Ayaka's subtle reaction beside him.
Her expression remained perfectly composed, her lips curved in a polite smile, but beneath the table, her hands were gripping the hem of her kimono tightly, the faintest tremor betraying her.
That tiny movement told him everything.
The Ausbilder hadn't been bluffing—he'd hit the mark exactly.
Or worse… maybe Bai Luo had already figured it out beforehand.
Maybe that bouquet of wildflowers he'd sent—the one Ayaka had so carefully arranged—wasn't a gesture of whimsy at all, but a message.
The realization sent a chill down Ayato's spine.
That smile on Bai Luo's face… it wasn't just casual charm. There was meaning behind it.
Of course, the truth was far less complicated.
Bai Luo simply wanted the braised pork for himself.
As for how he knew Ayaka's food preferences…
Well, he had Mihoyo's official voice lines to thank for that.
Every little detail about the elegant lady of the Kamisato Clan—aside from her "ideal partner" list—was already written there.
Everything she'd ever said to the flowers in her courtyard… and everything she hadn't said. Bai Luo knew it all.
At the table, conversation between Bai Luo and Ayato flowed smoothly—cups clinking, polite words concealing blades beneath the surface.
Meanwhile, Ayaka, seated beside them, stayed mostly silent.
Just sitting there, maintaining her poise, was already her limit.
Any ordinary girl in her place would have crumbled by now—flushed red, too embarrassed to speak, perhaps even excusing herself from the room.
Ayato had originally hoped that between exchanges, his sister might chime in, her soft humor easing the tension and diffusing Bai Luo's sharp remarks.
But seeing her current state, he abandoned that plan immediately.
Instead, he offered her a reassuring smile before turning back to face his guest—continuing their verbal sparring with the same calm politeness, blocking every move the Ausbilder made.
"Pardon me," Bai Luo suddenly said, breaking the flow of conversation as he rose from his seat. "I need to step out for a moment."
Under Inazuman etiquette, standing up without the host's permission was considered rude—especially in a house like the Kamisatos', where adherence to tradition was second nature.
Since Bai Luo's arrival, Ayato had counted at least a dozen breaches of etiquette already.
But what could he do?
This wasn't a guest he could afford to reprimand.
So he smiled politely, masking his sigh. "Allow me to guide you, Ausbilder-dono. Our estate is rather large—I'd hate for you to lose your way."
Bai Luo waved a hand dismissively.
"No need."
He said it with the same easy, careless tone as before, turning toward the hallway.
"I know this place better than you do."
Ayato froze mid-step.
"..."
. . . . .
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