Chapter 175: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [175] [50 PS]
Mystic Code Deployment: Bonus Chapters ✨
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Just as Ayaka had mentioned, the teahouse was closed for the day, with only Taroumaru left inside.
Neither Kozue nor Thoma was present.
With no attendants around, Ayaka took it upon herself to host Luo Qing. She ushered him to the tea room at the end of the corridor before heading to the kitchen to prepare tea and snacks.
Raised with the impeccable etiquette of the Kamisato Clan, Ayaka was well-versed in both cooking and tea ceremony.
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Meanwhile, Luo Qing sat in the tea room, listening to the sounds of movement from the kitchen.
His gaze drifted to the bag of clothes they had brought back from Ogura Textiles.
The large bag was packed to the brim with neatly folded outfits, each stacked with care.
He recalled the designs he had included in the clothing catalog he'd given Ayaka before.
Most of the outfits were ordinary enough to be worn in public, but...
Some were different—minimalist designs with daring cuts that could only be appreciated in private settings behind closed doors.
Luo Qing glanced at the bag, wondering if Ayaka had gone ahead and ordered those outfits as well.
A moment later, he heard footsteps approaching. The door slid open, and Ayaka entered, carrying a tray of tea and snacks she had made herself.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Luo Qing," she said softly.
"No worries at all... I wasn't in a hurry."
Luo Qing stood up to take the tray from her and set it on the table.
In truth, he was in a hurry—anxious, even—but he hid it well.
The two of them sat down together, a brief silence settling over the room.
After a moment, Ayaka glanced at the red string around Luo Qing's wrist and spoke hesitantly.
"Luo Qing, are you leaving Inazuma soon?"
"Yes," he replied. "Now that my work here is done, I need to return to report to Her Majesty, the Tsaritsa."
"I see..." Ayaka lowered her gaze.
"Will you... come back someday?"
"Of course." Luo Qing smiled, his tone light.
"After all, you're still here, aren't you, Ayaka?"
"Ah..."
Caught off guard by his words, Ayaka's face flushed.
After a moment of silence, she raised her head and asked in a small voice, "Luo Qing, do you... have someone you like?"
"Hm?"
Luo Qing leaned back slightly.
Oh no.
This was the question—the kind that could lead straight to disaster if answered wrong.
"Of course," he replied, maintaining a calm expression. "I like my subordinates, my superior, and all the friends I've made. I treasure them all."
"No, that's not what I meant," Ayaka said softly.
"Then what kind of liking do you mean?" Luo Qing teased. "Care to explain it to me in detail, Ayaka?"
"I mean..."
Ayaka's blush deepened, and she struggled to find the words.
How could she say it?
Was she supposed to admit that she meant romantic feelings?
There was no way she could say that aloud.
"Ayaka?" Luo Qing prompted gently when she remained silent. "What's wrong?"
Of course, he already knew what she wanted to say.
But unfortunately for her, Luo Qing was a scoundrel.
And a scoundrel's playbook didn't include making the first move.
"It's nothing..." Ayaka murmured, pointing to the red string on Luo Qing's wrist.
"I heard from Lumine that two girls gave you that bracelet."
"That's right," Luo Qing said, nodding. There was no point in denying the truth.
"And Paimon said that, in Liyue, a girl would only make a red string for someone she likes..."
Ayaka's voice grew even quieter.
"Ah, this..."
Luo Qing finally understood.
So today is the day of confessions, huh?
"Don't listen to Paimon," he said with a laugh. "She's not exactly the most reliable source of information."
"Huh?" Ayaka blinked, taken aback.
"Then why did they make it for you?"
"Maybe because I saved them before?" Luo Qing suggested.
"I... I see," Ayaka said, breathing a small sigh of relief.
After a pause, she tilted her head and asked again, "Luo Qing, do you like them?"
"..."
Luo Qing was silent for a moment.
Seriously? We're still on this?
"Yes, I like them," he admitted.
Because, honestly, who wouldn't like Ganyu and Shenhe?
"Oh..." Ayaka's expression fell slightly.
"But!"
"Eh?"
"I also like you, Ayaka," Luo Qing said with a grin, reaching out to gently ruffle her hair.
If he wanted everything, then he had to take responsibility for it.
Ayaka had already laid her feelings bare to this extent. If he avoided the subject now, it would be too cowardly.
Unfortunately, without a favorability card, he couldn't check Ayaka's feelings toward him. Otherwise, he would have been curious to see where he stood.
"Mm..."
Ayaka let out a soft hum, allowing Luo Qing to pat her head.
As the second daughter of the Kamisato Clan, she had grown up seeing high-ranking officials with multiple spouses. The idea wasn't unfamiliar to her.
But if it were to happen to her...
After a while, Ayaka lifted her head and looked at the bag of clothes.
"Luo Qing, you've always wanted to see me wear the outfits from that catalog, haven't you?"
"Uh...? Well... kind of, I guess," Luo Qing said awkwardly.
"So, would you like to see?" Ayaka asked, leaning forward slightly, her head tilted inquisitively.
"..."
"I would."
"Then," Ayaka said with a determined expression, "Let it be my farewell gift to you. Please... wait here for a moment."
She picked up the bag of clothes and walked toward the door. Halfway through, she turned back, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Luo Qing, you... you're not allowed to peek."
The teahouse was empty save for Taroumaru, who was napping behind the counter. Ayaka decided to change in the adjacent room for convenience.
"Of course not. Do I look like that kind of person?" Luo Qing replied, feigning indignation.
"Mm..."
Ayaka couldn't find a reason to argue, so she hugged the bag to her chest and disappeared into the room across the hallway.
At first, Luo Qing planned to wait patiently.
But hearing the faint sounds of Ayaka changing...
He couldn't resist cracking the door open to peek across the hall.
And what he saw left him stunned.
The sliding doors in Inazuma were often made with hollow frames covered by paper or fabric for lightness.
With the room's light on and Ayaka standing close to the door, her shadow was perfectly silhouetted against the paper panel.
Her graceful figure and delicate curves were clearly visible—even down to the smallest details.
This is a crime... Luo Qing thought, quickly averting his eyes.
A moment later, the door slid open.
Ayaka stepped out, wearing a white blouse tied with a bow and a sky-blue pleated skirt that reached just above her knees.
"Luo Qing, what's wrong?"
"Lately, the air feels dry... and I'm feeling a bit heated," Luo Qing replied, clearing his throat.
"Mm..."
Ayaka let out a soft hum, her fingers tugging nervously at her skirt as she turned her head to the side.
"Luo Qing, do you think... I look good?" she asked shyly.
Luo Qing swallowed hard.
"You look... amazing."
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T/N: friggin scumbag, anyway I replaced it with KOZUE but before it was Kujou Sara... LIKE THAT'S THE 6TH NAME??? HOW DID IT GO FROM KAZUHA TO KUJOU SARA? any K name works apparently...
If you notice anything that feels off, just let me know—I don't mind fixing things up.
Oh, and don't forget to sit up, grab some water, and take it easy while you're here. No rush, right?
If you're into this, consider checking out [patreon.com/WiseTL].
Your support helps me keep going, and I'm grateful for every bit of it.
Chapter 176: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [176] [100 PS]
Mystic Code Deployment: Bonus Chapters ✨
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Kamisato Ayaka flitted between two rooms, trying on one outfit after another, like a private model putting on a show just for Luo Qing. She went through several sets of clothes she had brought back, each one carefully selected.
Among them, Luo Qing particularly loved the sky-blue school uniform. On Ayaka, it exuded the vibrant energy of youthful innocence, igniting his enthusiasm and making his heart race.
In the end, he couldn't bring himself to let Ayaka change back into her regular clothes.
Seated cross-legged on opposite sides of a long table, the two shared stories and anecdotes about recent events in Inazuma.
The room was dimly lit by a single candle on the table, casting flickering shadows that gave the space a faintly romantic atmosphere.
The clock had already ticked deep into the night.
Luo Qing glanced out the window, debating whether to leave or stay.
"Luo Qing, are you leaving already…?"
Ayaka's soft voice broke his train of thought. She had noticed his gaze and spoke in a tone laced with reluctance.
"Maybe we should call it a night..."
"Hmm..."
Luo Qing looked her up and down, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
"Ayaka, do you want me to leave?"
"Eh?"
Ayaka blinked, startled. It took her a moment to process his teasing, and her cheeks turned pink as she fumbled for a response.
"I..."
She bit her lip before quietly suggesting, "There are extra rooms in the teahouse. If you don't mind, you could stay..."
"No, what I meant was..." Luo Qing interrupted her, leaning forward.
Their eyes met. Ayaka's expression turned puzzled, her head tilting slightly.
Luo Qing leaned closer, the tips of their noses only centimeters apart. He could smell the delicate fragrance lingering on her.
"Can I stay in your room tonight, Ayaka?"
"Eh?!"
Ayaka flinched, instinctively leaning back.
"So, that's a no, huh?" Luo Qing chuckled and stood up. "Alright then, Ayaka, I'll head back now."
"No... that's not what I meant!" Ayaka blurted, panic evident in her voice.
"Then what do you mean?" Luo Qing bent down again, looking at her intently.
Under the warm glow of the candlelight, Ayaka's face was as red as a freshly ripened apple, making it impossible not to want to take a bite.
"Ugh..."
Ayaka lowered her head, too flustered to speak. She realized she had fallen right into his trap. In a small voice, she mumbled, "Luo Qing, you're teasing me again..."
"Am I?" Luo Qing's grin widened as he took a seat beside her.
He reached out and gently tousled her hair.
Feeling his hand on her head, Ayaka didn't pull away. Instead, she kept her gaze lowered, sneaking glances at him from time to time.
This hesitant yet longing look didn't escape Luo Qing's notice. It stirred something inside him, a mischievous itch.
Should I kiss her?
Swallowing hard, he made up his mind.
His hand slid down, cupping her smooth, tender cheek. Their eyes met again, and Ayaka seemed to understand his intentions. A flicker of resolve appeared in her gaze as she slowly closed her eyes.
"Uh, this..." Luo Qing was momentarily stunned by her boldness.
After a quick glance around to confirm that no nosy relatives were about to barge in, he gently cradled her adorable face and leaned in.
Ah...
The softness...
The delicate fragrance and moist warmth of her lips...
Absolutely divine.
On the other hand, Ayaka, who had only ever read about kisses in light novels, had no practical experience. She closed her eyes, parted her lips slightly, and clumsily followed Luo Qing's lead.
She didn't understand why he was exploring her mouth with his tongue or the purpose of exchanging saliva, but since it was something Luo Qing wanted, she didn't refuse.
The kiss lingered until they finally pulled apart, both slightly out of breath.
"Hah..."
Ayaka's face was flushed, her breaths coming in soft pants. The long kiss left her jaw a little sore and her breathing uneven.
But her heart swelled with a powerful urge—to tell Luo Qing how she truly felt.
"Luo Qing..."
As she began to speak, he slid an arm around her shoulder, pulling her into his embrace.
"What's the matter?" Luo Qing feigned confusion.
Most guys her age would have taken things further by now, but Luo Qing wasn't like most guys.
He was, in his own words, a scoundrel.
And scoundrels never rush; they wait until the girl takes the lead.
Like now.
"Luo Qing, I like you..." Ayaka's voice was soft, barely a whisper, but filled with certainty as she buried her face in his chest.
"Hmm..." Luo Qing gently stroked her hair, his voice equally tender.
"Luo Qing... do you like me too?" Ayaka lifted her head, looking up at him with shy anticipation.
"Of course, Ayaka. You're so adorable; how could I not like you?"
"Hmm..." Her gaze dropped again, her cheeks glowing pink.
As if something had just occurred to her, Ayaka began to lift her head, only for Luo Qing to cut her off.
He cupped her face with one hand and kissed her again.
This time, their embrace was tighter, their bodies pressed even closer. Lost in the moment, they ended up lying together on the tatami floor.
Minutes passed as they kissed, their breaths mingling.
Then Ayaka suddenly felt a hand slide under her blouse, startling her into sitting upright.
She scrambled back, pressing her hands over her chest, her face a picture of panic.
"Luo Qing... that kind of thing should wait until we're married..."
Inazuma, like Liyue, upheld traditional values, and as the daughter of the Kamisato Clan, which oversaw the nation's cultural rituals, Ayaka had been raised with a conservative mindset.
In her view, certain actions were only permissible after marriage.
Her current outfit—a thin school uniform designed by Luo Qing—offered little protection. Beneath the jacket, there was only a light camisole, and under the pleated skirt, just a small pair of shorts.
If she had let Luo Qing continue, it wouldn't have taken long for him to strip her completely...
"Ahem, sorry... I got carried away for a moment."
"Carried away?" Ayaka pouted, her eyes betraying a hint of annoyance.
They had agreed to only kiss, but this guy had taken liberties!
Her thoughts wandered back to the skilled way Luo Qing had kissed her, prompting her to mumble, "Luo Qing... you seem awfully experienced at this..."
"..." Luo Qing froze, feeling the weight of yet another loaded question.
"Well, I..."
Before he could explain, Ayaka interrupted him.
"You've kissed other girls before, haven't you?"
"..." Luo Qing's silence spoke volumes.
Caught.
"Ayaka, let me exp—"
"It's late. I'm going to bed."
Ayaka stood, covering her chest, and moved to the door. Her expression seemed to say, You may leave now.
"..."
"Alright..." Luo Qing sighed inwardly.
Why couldn't he control himself?
He blamed his time spent with the Raiden Shogun and Ei; it had made him careless.
"Goodnight, Ayaka. I'll be off then..."
But just as he reached the door, he felt small hands wrap around his waist.
The next moment, something soft pressed against his back.
"Ayaka?"
"Hmm..."
She buried her face in his back, her voice muffled as she whispered, "Luo Qing, can you... only like me?"
"..."
Luo Qing hesitated, unsure how to respond.
"I see..."
Ayaka's arms loosened as she stepped back, her face calm and sweetly smiling.
"Let's end it here for tonight."
"Goodnight, Luo Qing."
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T/N: heh deserved
If you notice anything that feels off, just let me know—I don't mind fixing things up.
Oh, and don't forget to sit up, grab some water, and take it easy while you're here. No rush, right?
If you're into this, consider checking out [patreon.com/WiseTL].
Your support helps me keep going, and I'm grateful for every bit of it.
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