Chapter 99: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [99]
Though he didn't go through each move one-on-one, Luo Qing still took the time to carefully explain the core concepts of Thunder Breathing to each student. He wasn't going to be like the teachers from his past life, constantly watching over them. His job was to lead them to the path, but they had to walk it themselves. He'd only offer occasional pointers, leaving the bulk of the training up to them.
By evening, when the students thought the day's training was over, Luo Qing gathered them in front of the Tenshukaku, by the statue of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God, for another hour of group dancing. This caught the attention of quite a few curious passersby.
Of course, it was mainly because the Kamisato Clan's eldest daughter, Ayaka, stood in the center, drawing the gaze of anyone who walked by.
Earlier, when they had danced in the training grounds of the Tenryou Commission, the students had simply found the dancing pointless. But now, with people stopping to watch, their sense of embarrassment shot up to new heights.
That day alone, Luo Qing gained 319 points of Frustration Value.
Even if the novelty wore off and the students' embarrassment dwindled, he calculated that the total points he'd gather in a month should still be enough to secure that revival item from the lottery.
After the dance session, he finally gave them permission to rest. Those students from outside Inazuma City would stay in the Tenryou Commission's dormitories, while the locals were allowed to go home.
Though Ayaka's home was with the Yashiro Commission, the Komore Teahouse was nearby, so she chose to leave the Tenryou Commission grounds.
At dusk, just as Luo Qing was about to leave the Commission grounds with Teresa, who was packing up the large gramophone, he spotted Ayaka standing alone by the statue, gazing up with a distant look.
Noticing Luo Qing's approach, she turned around with a gentle smile and walked towards him.
When she reached him, Luo Qing chuckled, "Ayaka, were you waiting for me?"
"Yes... M-Master..." Ayaka's eyes flickered to Teresa at his side before she nodded and bowed her head slightly.
"I'm sorry for avoiding you before..."
With that, Ayaka leaned down and offered a formal bow.
She had stood there for a long while, thinking.
No matter how she looked at it, Luo Qing didn't seem dangerous as her brother had suggested. He didn't pose a threat to her.
He had gained the trust of the Shogun, and was teaching swordsmanship at the Tenshukaku itself. He even had the authority to make them dance beneath the solemn gaze of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God statue...
A statue meant to symbolize eternity—a place where the people of Inazuma wouldn't dare raise their voices or act disrespectfully.
If Luo Qing was truly a spy from Snezhnaya, how could he wield such power?
She had a gut feeling that Luo Qing might just be the key to ending the Vision Hunt Decree.
So, for the first time, she chose to trust her instincts and defy her brother's warnings. She decided to keep seeing Luo Qing...
"Therefore, to express my apology, would you... would you join me for tea at the Komore Teahouse tonight?" Ayaka asked, her cute face filled with anticipation.
"Hmm..."
Luo Qing's curiosity piqued at Ayaka's sudden change in attitude. This girl, who had once avoided him as if he were some monster, was now so bold?
"Well, since Ayaka invited me, it would be rude to refuse," Luo Qing said with a light smile, casting a sideways glance at Teresa.
"Ah, ahem! You go ahead, Lord Luo Qing. I... I just remembered I have something to take care of! You don't need to hurry back... or, you know, don't come back at all!"
Teresa quickly picked up the gramophone, hoisting it over her shoulder, and bolted off without looking back.
She knew her master's flirtatious tendencies all too well. If she got in the way, she'd only be inviting trouble.
"Is she alright...?"
Ayaka asked, watching Teresa's hasty departure with some confusion.
She had considered inviting Teresa to join them at the teahouse. Why had she fled so suddenly?
"It's nothing. She forgot to turn off the gas at home. She's going back to take care of it," Luo Qing said nonchalantly, waving a hand. "But enough about that. The day's getting late. Let's head to the teahouse."
"Huh...? Oh... A-Alright. This way, Master," Ayaka replied, feeling a bit bewildered. She wasn't quite sure what he meant by "gas," but seeing that Luo Qing didn't plan on explaining, she quietly nodded and led him to the teahouse.
It had been over a month since the two of them had shared a tea chat at the Komore Teahouse.
As they approached the entrance, the teahouse's hostess, Kayo, gave them a surprised look. She remembered Ayaka's strict instructions to keep Luo Qing out.
So why was Ayaka now leading him inside?
But Ayaka said nothing, so Kayo had no reason to question it. She greeted Luo Qing with a polite smile and opened the door for them.
Inside, they sat in the same private room as before, facing each other across the table, enveloped by an awkward silence.
Ayaka, as the host, was the first to break the quiet, nervously asking, "Is there anything you'd like to eat, Master?"
"The same as last time would be fine. If I recall, you're fond of sakura mochi, right?" Luo Qing replied.
"Yes..."
"Then that's what we'll have," Luo Qing said with a soft smile. "Ayaka, if you have any questions for me, feel free to ask. It's alright."
Luo Qing's experience as a spy had honed his ability to read people. Ayaka's inner thoughts were practically written across her face when he first saw her waiting for him.
He knew exactly why she had brought him to the teahouse.
"W-Well..." Ayaka hesitated, blushing slightly before finally speaking.
"Master... you're acquainted with the Shogun, aren't you?"
"Yes, quite well. Why do you ask?"
"Then... could you... help me arrange a meeting with her?"
In the past, every proposal she made to repeal the Vision Hunt Decree had been shot down by the Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions before it could even reach the Shogun. Her requests to meet the Shogun directly had been flat-out rejected.
But if she could have a direct audience with the Shogun, she felt she might just have a chance to change her mind.
"Oh? You want to discuss repealing the Vision Hunt Decree face-to-face with her?" Luo Qing asked, genuinely surprised. He hadn't expected Ayaka to still be so committed to the cause.
"Yes," Ayaka affirmed, nodding. "The Vision Hunt Decree has already caused so much pain. I believe that if I could just speak to her directly, she might see reason..."
"But you do realize, Ayaka, if I help you with this, you'll owe me a favor," Luo Qing said with a sly grin.
"You must know it won't be easy to persuade the Shogun. A favor like that... how do you intend to repay me~?"
"I..." Ayaka began, but was suddenly interrupted.
"Alright, it's a deal," Luo Qing cut in with a mischievous smile.
"...What?" Ayaka blinked in confusion.
---
T/N: I actually can't thats another NEW name for the teahouse bitch... is it the author...?
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
If you wish to support me or read ahead here's a link! [patreon.com/WiseTL]
Chapter 100: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [100]
"Ma... Master, please don't tease me like that," Ayaka stammered, her cheeks flushing as she instinctively leaned back a little.
Was Luo Qing joking with her? He had to be... right?
"Oh? But I'm being completely serious~" Luo Qing chuckled softly, leaning forward and propping his chin up with both hands on the table.
Watching Ayaka's cute, embarrassed expression, he felt an overwhelming urge to reach out and pinch her cheeks.
"Um..." Ayaka didn't know how to respond.
If Luo Qing was serious, did that mean he was actually asking her to...?
"If Ayaka doesn't want to, there is a second option~"
"Eh?"
Ayaka froze, her mind racing. She had just started mentally preparing herself, only to find out there was another choice?
"A second option?" she asked, peeking up at him.
"Just let me pinch your cheeks, and it'll be enough~" Luo Qing said with a playful smile, his gaze locked onto Ayaka's soft, fair face.
He knew he might not get another chance like this anytime soon. If she was coming to him for a favor, he had to make the most of it.
"E-Eh?!"
Ayaka was taken aback. She hadn't expected such a... strange request from him.
But if it was just a quick pinch on the cheek...
For the sake of meeting the Shogun, for the chance to overturn the Vision Hunt Decree...
She'd do it!
Taking a deep breath, Ayaka suddenly bowed her head and closed her eyes, as if summoning all her courage.
"M-Master, you're really only going to pinch my cheeks, right...?"
"That's right."
"Alright then... I-I agree," Ayaka said with a slight nod, her eyes squeezed shut.
She shifted her knees closer to the table and leaned forward, raising her face towards him. Her nervous, uneven breaths revealed just how tense she was.
"Well, then..." Luo Qing thought, a bit surprised himself.
He'd expected Ayaka to hesitate a bit more, but she'd dived straight in.
Was it his irresistible charm, or did her determination to overturn the Decree run that deep?
"Then I won't hold back, Ayaka~" he said with a gentle laugh, reaching out his mischievous hands toward her adorable face.
Step by step. A meal should be savored, just like how flirting should progress at the right pace.
Right now, she was letting him pinch her cheeks. Who knew? Next time, she might let him hold her hand.
And after that, who could say...?
Luo Qing gently cupped Ayaka's soft cheeks, feeling the cool, delicate skin under his fingertips. Then, he started to pinch and rub her cheeks ever so gently.
"Mm... H-Hn..."
Ayaka squirmed a little, her soft voice barely a whisper. She felt embarrassed, having never let a boy touch her face like this before.
Why was Luo Qing taking so long...? Hadn't he said it would be just a quick pinch?
Why did it feel like he was rubbing her cheeks forever...?
Meanwhile, as Luo Qing admired Ayaka's shy and passive reaction, a bold idea formed in his mind. As an experienced flirt, he knew how the mind of a young girl worked.
Despite her current expression, which suggested she was doing this out of a sense of duty, he could tell she didn't truly dislike him.
If she hadn't developed some level of affection, she wouldn't have agreed to let him pinch her face in the first place.
So what if, at this very moment, he leaned in and kissed her...?
What kind of reaction would Ayaka have?
Should he try it?
Taking a deep breath, Luo Qing decided to take the risk. He began to lean in closer, inch by inch.
Ayaka could feel his breath getting nearer. A sense of confusion filled her chest.
Was Luo Qing getting closer to her...?
Just as she was about to open her eyes—
The door to the room suddenly swung open, and Kayo's voice echoed inside.
"Miss Ayaka, your sakura mochi is ready—oh! I apologize for interrupting! I'll just leave them here, please continue!"
Kayo quickly placed a plate of sakura mochi on the table and disappeared before they could say another word.
Ayaka's eyes flew open, finding Luo Qing's face just inches away. She froze, staring at him, her mind racing.
She quickly glanced toward the door, but Kayo was already gone, leaving only the soft pink sakura mochi on the table.
"..."
"..."
They locked eyes, the atmosphere between them becoming unbearably awkward.
Yet, neither of them moved, still maintaining the pose of Luo Qing pinching her cheeks.
Ayaka's mind was in chaos.
If she wasn't mistaken, had Luo Qing really intended to kiss her while her eyes were closed?
Wasn't he supposed to just pinch her cheeks?
Luo Qing's thoughts weren't any calmer.
He regretted not acting faster. Those few seconds of hesitation had cost him; he'd been thwarted by the arrival of Kayo.
Now that Ayaka's eyes were open, any chance he had was gone.
Sigh...
Regret washed over him.
"Um... M-Master, are you alright?"
Ayaka's voice broke the silence, her words muffled by Luo Qing's hands still on her cheeks.
"One more minute," he replied calmly.
"..."
One minute later.
Luo Qing finally released his grip, satisfied.
Though he hadn't managed to steal a kiss, the moment had still been worthwhile.
Ayaka, feeling the lingering warmth of his touch, couldn't help but gently rub her cheeks.
Her mind was a blur of confusion, replaying that almost-kiss over and over.
What would she have done if Kayo hadn't interrupted?
Would she have let Luo Qing kiss her?
Did he... actually like her?
And did she like him?
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't come up with an answer.
"Ayaka, did I press too hard? Does your face hurt?" Luo Qing asked, noticing how she kept rubbing her cheeks.
He'd stopped referring to her as "Miss Kamisato," switching to a more intimate "Ayaka."
And she didn't seem to mind. That was a sign—a sign of deepening trust, at least by Inazuman standards.
"N-No, it doesn't hurt," Ayaka quickly shook her head.
"Then... please don't forget about my request concerning the Shogun," she added softly.
"..."
For some reason, the way she said it felt strangely out of place to Luo Qing.
"Ayaka, when would you like to meet with her?" he asked.
"The sooner, the better. The quicker we can end the Vision Hunt Decree, the less suffering there will be," Ayaka replied firmly.
"Alright," Luo Qing said, nodding thoughtfully. "How about tomorrow?"
"Huh? Tomorrow?"
Ayaka's eyes widened in surprise.
Was Luo Qing's relationship with the Shogun really so strong that he could arrange a meeting without prior notice?
But then... why had he said it would be difficult earlier...?
Had he just wanted an excuse to pinch her cheeks...?
---
T/N: It's a fucking Miracle. Looks like it's actually Kayo now. (future me im killing myself)
Hi, besties! Future me here to share my latest translation, Godfather Owl: Guardian of Batman! Picture this: a young, in-training Bruce Wayne traveling the multiverse with his super mysterious (and a fraud) owl god father!. Their first stop? The magical world of Harry Potter! You just know there's going to be drama, action, and perhaps the birth of the strongest Batman!
Oh, and guess what? I've got even more stories coming your way this week, so stay tuned for all the fun. As always, thank you for being amazing—your support means the world to me. Love ya, and happy reading! (I don't actually love ya)
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
If you wish to support me or read ahead here's a link! [patreon.com/WiseTL]
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
10 Power
stone 
Paragraph comment