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Just as Shao Yun stepped out of the Grand Narukami Shrine, his system interface popped up before his eyes, a single line of text glowing across it:
[You spared Yae Miko… I honestly didn't see that coming.]
His expression darkened instantly. "Can you defeat Istaroth?" he asked coldly.
The system hesitated, seemingly confused by the question.
[You didn't kill Yae Miko, so Istaroth shouldn't cause you any trouble. There's no need to worry—]
"Answer me!" Shao Yun snapped. "Don't give me that useless nonsense!"
Startled by his sudden outburst, the system faltered for a moment before cautiously asking,
[Why are you so desperate to know the answer?]
As Shao Yun strode down the mountain path, he clenched his teeth. "I don't know. Maybe… I just need some sense of security."
He lowered his voice. "Like it said—I chose Lumine. And it granted me the power to kill."
"No matter how much I hate to admit it… that's the truth."
He muttered the words that still echoed in his mind:
Be grateful for the divine power that fulfills your desires. But should you deny the miracle after attaining success, all that you've gained will be stripped away.
Sensing the growing tension, the system quickly changed the subject.
[Let's not dwell on grim thoughts. We should talk about the next objective. If I'm not mistaken, the only thing left is finding your brother-in-law, right?]
Shao Yun took a long breath, steadying himself. "Yeah. Though… you think there's a chance I'll run into him here in Inazuma?"
The system processed the question for a second before replying crisply:
[Mathematically speaking, that probability is extremely low… roughly the same as Paimon getting admitted to the Sumeru Akademiya.]
Shao Yun rubbed his forehead. "Right. Got it. I'll just head back to Lumine then."
…
As he descended the slope, a figure suddenly rushed up from below. They met halfway down the path—
It was Kuki Shinobu.
Shao Yun's gloomy expression softened a little. "Kuki Shinobu?"
The masked woman blinked in surprise. "Mr. Shao Yun! Whoa—when did you come back to Inazuma?"
He shrugged with a faint grin. "Not long ago. But what about you? Don't tell me you've left the Arataki Gang to become a shrine maiden at Narukami Shrine?"
At that, Shinobu almost jumped, shaking her head frantically like a startled cat. "Oh no, no, you can relax! I'd never become a shrine maiden! I'm just here on behalf of Boss Arataki—to deliver an invitation to Lady Yae."
"An invitation?" Shao Yun raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me that idiot's hosting another beetle-fighting tournament?"
Shinobu waved her hands quickly. "No, no! Not a beetle match this time—it's a singing competition!"
She continued, a hint of pride in her tone. "Boss says the theme is something like… 'Songs of Peace.'"
"Peace?" Shao Yun repeated, looking genuinely surprised. "That's… new."
Shinobu nodded. "Yeah. After the civil war, a lot of people lost their lives. Even some of the friends Boss made in prison…"
Her voice trailed off; some things were better left unsaid. Then she continued more lightly, "Plus, after hearing what you said back in The Chasm, he got inspired. He wants to help people move on from the pain of war—to remind them that life can still be beautiful."
Shao Yun fell silent for a moment. Then, with a wry smile, he said, "I didn't expect that. I thought after everything that happened, Arataki Itto would've been down in the dumps for months."
Shinobu gave a small sigh that carried both exasperation and fondness. "That's just how he is—loud, reckless, but somehow… unbreakable."
Shao Yun rubbed his chin, then said sheepishly, "Uh… this might sound dumb, but did he happen to send me an invitation?"
For a moment, Shinobu just stared—then burst out laughing. "Pfft! Hahaha, yeah, that's a dumb question!"
"But if you do want to come, you're welcome, of course."
Shao Yun waved it off immediately. "Nah. Me, showing up at a peace concert? That'd be… ironic. And weird."
He lifted a hand, casually gesturing up toward the mountain.
"Anyway, the fox you're looking for is up there in the shrine. Go on—you'll find her easily."
The word fox caught Shinobu off guard. She froze, blinking through her mask. "F-fox? You mean… Lady Yae? That's the first time I've ever heard someone call her that…"
Shao Yun didn't reply. He brushed past her and continued down the mountain, muttering as he went,
"Calling her a 'fox' is already more respect than she deserves."
…
Inazuma City, Hanamizaka District
The war was over, but the lively bustle had returned. Lanterns glowed softly; laughter filled the air.
At the familiar Naganohara Fireworks Shop, warmth lingered inside.
Yoimiya and Lumine sat cross-legged on the tatami, chatting happily.
Nearby, Paimon sat atop the low table, munching on Yoimiya's freshly made seaweed rice crackers and sipping steaming tea with delight.
As Lumine animatedly recounted her travels, Yoimiya listened, completely absorbed. Her eyes sparkled like fireworks.
"Wow, that sounds amazing! Traveling all over like that… I wish I could experience a life that exciting!" she sighed dreamily.
Lumine smiled softly. "It's not always easy. Trouble and adventure tend to come together. But yes—the world outside is truly full of surprises."
Yoimiya repeated the word 'exciting' under her breath, as if trying to hold onto the feeling it carried.
Then Lumine's eyes lit up with an idea. "Oh—Yoimiya! The Lantern Rite Festival in Liyue is coming up soon. How about joining me?"
That offer ignited Yoimiya's spirit instantly.
After all, the lockdown was lifted—there was nothing stopping her from exploring the wider world.
She grinned brightly. "Sure! Why not? Let's go together—if you don't mind me tagging along, that is!"
Lumine chuckled. "Of course I don't."
And just like that, their next journey was decided.
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