"Mmm…"
Early the next morning, Akira Shindo opened his eyes, feeling a dull headache—classic aftereffects of drinking too much.
Looking down, he saw Yae Miko curled up in his arms, still asleep. Her soft body felt incredibly comfortable to hold.
Five fluffy fox tails were draped over him like a blanket, warm, fragrant, and pleasantly soft.
On the other side of the large bed, Kitsune Saiguu lay sprawled out, snoring loudly without the slightest hint of elegance.
"Yawn~"
As if sensing Akira Shindo had woken up, Yae Miko slowly opened her eyes and stretched lazily.
"A-Shindo, you're awake?"
"Yeah," Akira Shindo nodded.
Holding Miko's soft body in his arms, he suddenly understood why emperors sometimes skipped court because of beauty.
"Alright," Yae Miko said gently, brushing his cheek with her hand. "I'll go make you something to eat."
"So virtuous now?" Akira Shindo laughed.
Ever since they got together, Yae Miko's change was honestly surprising.
Who said she was just a mischievous fox?
Clearly she was his gentle, kind, and capable wife.
"Hmph~ Of course," Yae Miko said with a smile.
"From now on, you're the head of this household."
"If I don't cook for my dear lord, I'm afraid he might punish this poor woman."
"…."
Akira Shindo's mouth twitched slightly.
Yes, she had become more caring.
But she was still the same teasing fox.
"Alright, you keep resting," Yae Miko said, pulling back her fluffy tails.
She had no intention of letting outsiders see them.
"Okay." Akira Shindo nodded as he watched her leave the room.
"System," Akira Shindo suddenly said, remembering something.
"I'm already together with Yae Miko. Why haven't I copied her abilities yet?"
"Master, you haven't confessed to her yet," the system replied.
"You are Teyvat's Most Devoted Lover. How can someone so devoted fail to properly confess to the person they love?"
"…."
Akira Shindo thought about it for a moment.
A confession should happen in a grand, meaningful setting.
And Yae Miko definitely cared about that kind of ceremony.
"Hey, what are you thinking about?"
Kitsune Saiguu's voice suddenly sounded beside him.
She sat down next to him and patted his shoulder.
"Nothing much," Akira Shindo said.
"Since Miko and I are together now, I'm thinking about when to give her a proper, formal confession."
"Oh, that?" Kitsune Saiguu nodded.
"Miko really does like that kind of thing."
"You'd better plan it carefully."
"Of course," Akira Shindo said.
"Why don't you help me think of something?"
"Sure," Kitsune Saiguu replied immediately, clearly intrigued.
She was curious to see whether Yae Miko might actually be moved to tears.
The two of them leaned together, whispering quietly as they planned the time, place, and setting.
"What are you two plotting over there?"
Yae Miko's voice interrupted them.
She walked in carrying a tray of food, looking suspiciously at the two conspirators.
After last night, she had realized something about Akira Shindo.
Even though he was a god, he was still like a young man—without the arrogance or aloofness most gods carried.
Then again, the kind of mindset that adored beautiful women probably only belonged to younger gods.
Just look at Raiden Ei—completely obsessed with Eternity and utterly uninterested in romance.
"Guess," Kitsune Saiguu said with a mischievous grin, immediately separating from Akira Shindo and giving him a knowing look.
"Hmph."
Seeing they refused to tell her, Yae Miko simply pouted.
"Whatever. Come eat."
She set down three bowls.
"My special recipe—Fukuuchi Udon."
"You two drank a lot last night, so something light will be better."
"Smells amazing!" Akira Shindo jumped out of bed and hurried over.
Just as expected of Yae Miko's signature dish—the presentation and aroma were both incredible.
"Not bad," Kitsune Saiguu said as she walked over and sniffed approvingly.
"Your cooking's improved a lot in the past few centuries."
"Of course," Yae Miko said smugly.
"Do you think I'm like that idiot Ei?"
"You'd better hope Ei doesn't hear you," Kitsune Saiguu said dryly. "She might strike you with lightning."
Ignoring her, Kitsune Saiguu picked up a piece of fried tofu and popped it into her mouth.
"Mmm~"
"That familiar taste. Fried tofu really is the best."
"A-Shindo, eat while it's hot," Yae Miko said.
"Alright."
Akira Shindo took a bite.
"Delicious!"
The Fukuuchi Udon was absolutely perfect in both flavor and aroma.
He slurped happily while eating.
Seeing him enjoy it so much, Yae Miko smiled with satisfaction and began eating as well.
After finishing breakfast, Yae Miko had a shrine maiden come in to clear the dishes.
"A-Shindo, do you have any plans today?" she asked.
"I think I'll go take a look around Inazuma City," Akira Shindo said after thinking for a moment.
He had barely explored it yet and was curious what the real city looked like.
"That's fine," Yae Miko nodded.
"Wait, I'll go with you," Kitsune Saiguu said quickly.
"You? Forget it." Yae Miko grabbed her arm and narrowed her eyes.
"Lady Saiguu may be back from the dead, but that doesn't mean she gets to slack off."
"Even if you're not the Guuji anymore, you still need to help me handle shrine affairs."
"What?!" Kitsune Saiguu protested.
"Akira Shindo is also the Chief Divine Priest! Why don't you make him work? Why can he go and I can't?"
"You and A-Shindo aren't the same," Yae Miko replied coldly.
"I don't want him getting tired."
"As long as he's happy, I'm perfectly happy letting him go have fun."
"You—you—!"
Kitsune Saiguu stared at her in shock.
"Go do your work obediently," Akira Shindo said, patting her shoulder with a grin.
"As expected of my Miko. Come here, give me a kiss."
"Ugh—!"
Watching the two of them being affectionate, Kitsune Saiguu nearly ground her teeth to dust.
"Alright, I'm off," Akira Shindo said.
"I'll bring you something tasty when I get back tonight."
With that, he turned into a streak of golden light and flew toward Inazuma City.
"Wait—!"
Suddenly realizing something, Yae Miko's expression changed. She grabbed a pouch of Mora and tried to stop him.
"A-Shindo! You didn't bring any Mora—!"
But he had already flown too far to hear her.
"Hahaha!" Kitsune Saiguu burst out laughing.
"No Mora? Then Akira Shindo won't even be able to move around the city."
"Oh really?" Yae Miko glanced at her calmly.
"He's the Chief Divine Priest of the Grand Narukami Shrine."
"All he needs to do is charge the bill to the shrine."
"…Wait, you can do that?" Kitsune Saiguu blinked.
She didn't remember the shrine ever offering that kind of service.
"Mhm," Yae Miko said casually.
"I gave him special permission."
She pampered her man.
"…."
Kitsune Saiguu looked full of resentment.
Then Yae Miko promptly dragged her back to the shrine office to start working.
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