"Do you like drinking it? If you do, drink a few more bottles. I have plenty at home anyway."
Sayu nodded gently.
Then she slowly started sipping her Milk again.
On his shoulder, the little fox watched Sayu drink the Milk she had given to Yuuko.
For a moment, she didn't know how to react... She had bought all that Milk because she was worried Yuuko might be malnourished from writing at home every day.
She had spent a lot of Mora to buy many bottles and gave them to Yuuko.
Now seeing Sayu drink it...
It felt as if all her money had been spent on a love rival!
Suddenly, Sayu noticed the little fox's gaze.
She immediately hid the dango milk behind her back, acting possessive of her food:
"You can't have this... This is Sayu's..."
Little fox: "..."
I bought this for Yuuko to drink, and you're being possessive of it in front of me!
At this moment, the little fox's heart was incredibly conflicted.
However, despite feeling a bit wronged, she still couldn't bring herself to treat someone as innocent as Sayu as a rival.
This feeling was akin to an adult's tolerance for a child.
Hmm, I can't get angry at a child. Sayu is still an innocent girl, and it's not her fault... Yae Miko kept comforting herself mentally.
Although her home had been thoroughly 'stolen' by Sayu.
Yae Miko still had a high degree of tolerance for an innocent being like Sayu.
Yae Miko would absolutely not be jealous of a mere loli!
Afterward... Sayu, after taking a sip of Milk, skillfully leaned towards Yuuko.
And Yuuko, smiling, took a tissue to wipe Sayu's mouth... Alright, Yae Miko was still a bit sour... After her mouth was wiped, Sayu suddenly seemed to remember something and asked:
"Lord Yuuko... can Sayu ask a question?"
Rarely seeing Sayu with such a curious look, Yuuko raised an eyebrow in surprise and said:
"Ask away. As long as it's not about length or time, I'll answer it."
Sayu nodded obediently, then remained silent for a while before finally asking:
"It feels like Great Yae... Miko is very good to Lord Yuuko... The shrine maidens at the shrine also often talk about this. What exactly is the relationship between Lord Yuuko and Yae Miko?"
"The shrine maidens seem to be very concerned about this question as well..."
"The shrine maidens all say that one person wouldn't be especially good to another without reason, unless they harbor special feelings..."
Sayu asked this question purely out of curiosity.
After all, from her perspective, Yae Miko was indeed inexplicably friendly towards Yuuko.
She had even dispatched her to protect Yuuko before.
Coupled with the fact that Kano Nana, the shrine maiden she usually interacted with, often talked about this.
Now that she finally had the chance, Sayu wanted to ask.
The little fox on his shoulder perked up instantly.
To be honest, she was also surprised that Sayu would ask such a question.
Similarly, she was also very concerned about Yuuko's opinion of her.
Well asked! Sayu, I don't blame you anymore... Yae Miko praised her in her heart.
Hearing this question, Yuuko also fell silent for a rare moment. After a long time, he finally replied:
"What kind of relationship, you ask? To be precise, it's a superior-subordinate relationship, or perhaps a friendship."
After speaking, Yuuko looked up at the ceiling again and softly exhaled:
"When I first arrived in Inazuma, I was unfamiliar with the place, and she slowly guided me to settle down in Inazuma."
"And honestly, without her strong support, my light novel career would never have reached this point today."
"So, the reason I can live such a relaxed life now, with no shortage of food and shelter, is largely due to her."
"Although she's a bit scummy sometimes and loves to tease people, I actually respect her."
"Honestly, I feel quite lucky to have a woman like her by my side."
"Actually, I understand her feelings towards me; I've just been pretending to be oblivious all this time."
Yuuko sighed slightly: "It's just that I don't want to disrupt our current relationship right now. Once I muster up the courage, I will reciprocate her feelings."
"Hmm... I still don't understand..." Sayu's face showed a thoughtful expression, but she eventually shook her head, giving up on thinking.
An innocent Sayu was, after all, still an innocent Sayu and didn't understand such matters.
Afterward, Sayu suddenly noticed that the little fox wasn't glaring at her anymore and said, puzzled:
"It feels like it's not angry anymore... and... it seems a bit happy?"
Hearing this, Yuuko glanced at the little fox on his shoulder and also noticed that the little fox had indeed calmed down quite a bit compared to before.
It seemed to be in a better mood.
However, Yuuko didn't know why the little fox's mood had improved.
"It's good that you two are getting along well. How nice it would be to have a good relationship."
Sayu replied:
"Hmm... Actually, it's not that I don't want to get along with it, it's just that... I inexplicably find it a bit scary..."
"What's scary about the little fox? It's so cute. Why don't you try holding it, Sayu?" Yuuko picked up the little fox with both hands and offered it to Sayu.
Unusually, the little fox didn't resist this time.
Clearly, she was in a very good mood.
Naturally.
Since Sayu had asked that question earlier, Yae Miko was now very grateful to Sayu.
In that case, being hugged a little was fine!
However, Sayu was clearly still a bit afraid, retreating slightly: "No... It's still really scary..."
Actually, Sayu didn't understand why she instinctively kept her distance from the little fox... "Is that so?" Yuuko didn't force it and placed the little fox back on his shoulder.
Afterward, as Sayu finished resting, she immediately planned to leave.
Before Sayu left, Yuuko tried to say:
"Sayu, it's so dark already, are you really not staying overnight?"
Sayu glanced at the resentful little fox and shook her head:
"No... It's staring at me again. I feel very uncomfortable..."
"Is that so?" Yuuko sighed softly: "When will you two ever get along...?"
The little fox let out a cry, seemingly expressing its dissatisfaction.
"Never mind." Yuuko sighed again, then said to Sayu:
"Since you're going back, then hurry back. It's getting late. Oh, and it's quite dangerous when it's so dark. Should I see you off?"
Sayu shook her head: "No need... Ninjas don't need protection."
"Then get back early." Yuuko nodded.
Anyway, Inazuma was very safe now, and Sayu herself had some combat ability, so Yuuko wasn't too worried.
Finally, Sayu curled up into a ball and rolled away.
After Sayu left, Yuuko also breathed a sigh of relief:
"My home was really lively today..."
At this moment, the little fox on his shoulder let out a cry, seemingly urging him.
After saying that, he placed the little fox on the ground and smiled:
"You wait a moment. I'll wash the dishes first. I won't forget the massage."
The little fox cried out in dissatisfaction again, but then didn't continue to protest.
While Yuuko went to the kitchen to wash the dishes.
The little fox lay on the living room table, her expression visibly relaxed and happy.
She was in a very good mood.
Recalling Yuuko's words about her earlier.
Even now, Yae Miko's heart felt warm.
Although many annoying things had happened today.
But now, after hearing those words, Yae Miko was very happy.
"So that's it... That's how Yuuko sees me..."
A faint blush spread across her fox face.
Note:
Dear readers,
The Lunar New Year is approaching, and I wish you all a new year filled with success, good fortune, and prosperity!
Holiday Announcement:
I'm writing this to announce that I will be taking a short break from posting to celebrate the holiday from February 15th to February 22nd, 2026. I will officially return to work on February 23rd.
Don't worry though! During this break, I'll be busy prepping a bunch of new chapters so I can post them consistently once I'm back. I promise the upcoming parts will be even more exciting, so please stay tuned!
Thank you so much for your understanding and for always being such a supportive community.
Happy Lunar New Year!