Chương 141: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [141] [DDD!]
December Double Drop!
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Luo Qing's basket was now filled with a bunch of light novels, their titles dripping with melodrama. But with Kamisato Ayaka's assistance, the number of novels was far less than what Luo Qing would usually buy for Ei.
When they finished checking out, the two of them stood silently at the entrance of the shop.
Luo Qing's plan was simple—grab some desserts and head back to Tenshukaku.
But judging by Ayaka's hopeful expression, it seemed she had no intention of leaving his side just yet...
"Luo Qing, where are we heading next?"
Ayaka's voice was soft, as if she were trying to recapture the atmosphere they once shared while strolling through Hanamizaka.
"Ah, I still need to buy some sweets..."
Seeing Ayaka's expectant face, Luo Qing couldn't bring himself to send her away just yet. He decided they'd go together to the street lined with food stalls.
Soon, Luo Qing found himself holding two large bags—one stuffed with sweets and the other with light novels.
"Luo Qing, are all of these for that friend of yours?"
Ayaka asked curiously.
It was her first time seeing someone buy such a massive haul of light novels and desserts all at once, almost as if he were restocking a store.
"Yeah, they're all for her."
Luo Qing nodded, though his thoughts were preoccupied with finding a way to get Ayaka to go home. He couldn't exactly take her back to Tenshukaku with him, could he?
"Well then..."
Ayaka seemed to realize that Luo Qing's only purpose tonight was to buy things for that mysterious friend.
In the past, she would have gracefully said her goodbyes and arranged another meeting.
But now, she was reluctant to part ways so easily, fearing this might be their last encounter.
Final moments between friends often go unnoticed until years later when they look back, realizing that the last time they met was long, long ago.
After what the Lady had said about Luo Qing returning to Snezhnaya, Ayaka was determined to make the most of every opportunity to see him, leaving no regrets behind.
"Then... Luo Qing, I'd really like to meet this friend who loves sweets and light novels. Could I come along to deliver these with you?"
Ayaka's voice was timid, her tone almost pleading as if she were terrified of being rejected.
"Ah, um..."
Luo Qing hesitated. It wasn't that he didn't want to introduce them—he was more worried that if Ayaka did meet her, that person would kill her to keep it a secret...
"N-No, it's fine if I can't."
Ayaka looked up, her eyes meeting his, filled with disappointment.
"It's okay if I can't go. I'll just head home..."
Seeing the hint of rejection in Luo Qing's expression, she didn't even have the courage to invite him back to Komore Teahouse for another hotpot game.
"..."
Staring at the dejected Ayaka, Luo Qing was at a loss for words.
Since arriving in Teyvat, this was the first time a girl had ever looked at him with such a pained, sorrowful expression, barely hiding her disappointment. It tugged at his heartstrings in a way he hadn't expected.
He hesitated for a long moment.
Ayaka had already turned away, ready to leave when Luo Qing finally spoke up.
"Miss Kamisato, where are you going?"
"Huh...?"
Ayaka spun around, a hint of embarrassment crossing her face.
If you don't want me to go with you, where else could I go but home?
"I was planning to head back to Komore Teahouse..."
"Oh, but didn't you just say you wanted to meet my friend? Why the sudden change of heart?"
Luo Qing feigned surprise.
"Eh...? But you just..."
Ayaka was confused.
"What? Did I say you couldn't come with me?"
Luo Qing's expression was innocent.
"Um..."
Ayaka replayed their conversation in her mind. He hadn't explicitly said no—it was just his demeanor that made her assume he would refuse...
"Alright then. But you have to keep this a secret, Miss Kamisato. My friend has a... very special status."
Luo Qing smiled gently and started walking in the direction of Tenshukaku.
For a moment, Ayaka stood there, stunned. Then, with hurried little steps, she clacked along in her wooden sandals to catch up to him.
They walked in silence for a while.
As the imposing gates of Tenshukaku loomed closer, Ayaka's suspicions grew.
"Luo Qing, does she live in Tenshukaku?"
She asked quietly.
"Umm..."
Luo Qing hesitated before answering, "More or less."
"But Miss Kamisato, you'll have to wait here. She doesn't like meeting strangers."
"Okay..."
Ayaka nodded softly.
After all, her main goal was to spend more time with Luo Qing, not necessarily to meet this mysterious friend. It didn't matter if she remained unseen.
Watching Luo Qing's figure disappear into Tenshukaku, Ayaka felt a surge of curiosity.
Given her familiarity with the political figures of the Shogunate, she had never heard of anyone in Tenshukaku who had a fondness for sweets and light novels. It wasn't the sort of thing one expected from an official.
Just who was this friend of Luo Qing's?
...
Meanwhile, inside Tenshukaku.
Luo Qing's official status granted by the Raiden Shogun allowed him free access to the palace grounds.
Once he was out of Ayaka's sight, he used Zero Time to move swiftly to the upper floors.
Standing before the Raiden Shogun, who sat meditating with her eyes closed, he greeted her lightly,
"Darling, would you open the door?"
"..."
"Who's your 'darling'?"
The Raiden Shogun slowly opened her eyes, her tone filled with an unmistakable hint of reproach.
She glanced disdainfully at the two stuffed bags Luo Qing carried.
Even now, she couldn't fathom why the one in the Plane of Euthymia enjoyed such trivial things. Always claiming to pursue eternity, yet she spent her days crying over light novels and endlessly devouring sweets.
Their differences in ideals already set them at odds, and now, with the rising tension of mutual jealousy, courtesy of the affection meters, hostility simmered beneath the surface.
"Uh..."
Luo Qing hesitated for a moment before leaning closer.
"Aren't you both my darlings?"
"..."
[Frustration Value from the Raiden Shogun +1]
[Frustration Value from Ei +1]
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Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
Posture and water check! Remember this is a fan translation!
If you wish to support me or read ahead here's a link! [patreon.com/WiseTL]
Chương 142: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [142]
She didn't seem too pleased with his answer.
Luo Qing had taken advantage of her so many times, yet he had never brought her any gifts. So, she closed her eyes again, pretending Luo Qing wasn't there.
"Shogun?"
Luo Qing circled her, confused by her sudden silence and "mysterious master" act.
But he wasn't one to let things slide, so without warning, he cupped the Raiden Shogun's face and kissed her deeply.
Her eyes shot open in surprise.
"Mmm…"
After a few seconds, she pushed him away, gasping for air.
"What are you doing?"
"Ah? So now you'll talk to me?"
"...?"
The Raiden Shogun suddenly felt a strong urge to cut him down. How could this man constantly say such outrageous things?
"Well, what choice did I have when you were ignoring me?"
Luo Qing smiled playfully, ruffling her hair as if soothing her.
"If you don't want me inside, at least help me take these to her."
He placed the two bags of light novels and desserts at her feet. After all, Kamisato Ayaka was still waiting outside the Tenshukaku, so skipping his visit to the Plane of Euthymia would save him time.
"You're leaving already?"
The Raiden Shogun was puzzled.
The night was still young, and judging by Luo Qing's usual antics, shouldn't he have stuck around to pester her for a while longer?
"I'm meeting a friend later,"
Luo Qing said as he stroked her head gently.
"See you tomorrow, Shogun."
Before she could respond, Luo Qing had already left the Tenshukaku. He didn't want to keep Ayaka waiting in the cold for too long.
After he was gone, the Raiden Shogun glanced at the two bags of light novels and desserts, her brow furrowing slightly.
After a brief exchange of words with her counterpart in the Plane of Euthymia, she waved her hand, tossing the bags into the inner world.
Ever since Luo Qing had raised the affection meter between her and Ei, the two had started finding each other more and more unbearable, constantly bickering over things—usually about Luo Qing or eternity.
They argued almost every day now, always about something related to him or their conflicting ideals.
Just as she was about to return to her meditation, a thought struck her, recalling Luo Qing's comment about meeting a friend.
A friend? In Inazuma? He was from Snezhnaya—what friend could he possibly have here?
Something felt off.
After pondering for a moment, she sent a thought to Ei in the Plane of Euthymia.
"Use the Eye of Corruption and check on him."
"Huh?"
Ei was confused.
"Why would I watch him? I've got nothing better to do?"
The Raiden Shogun calmly explained, "He said he's meeting a friend. I want to know who that friend is."
"… Are you serious?"
Ei found the whole situation amusing. She thought the Shogun was being overly controlling. Did she really need to spy on him just because he was meeting someone?
But the Shogun didn't mind Ei's teasing, patiently adding,
"I have a feeling… that friend is a girl."
"...?"
...
Meanwhile, outside the Tenshukaku.
Kamisato Ayaka stood at the base of the Statue of the Omnipresent God, gazing up thoughtfully at the imposing figure.
She had chosen to wear a light blue kimono when she left the house with her brother Kamisato Ayato earlier. Now, as the night's cold wind slipped through the gap between her neck and collar, she shivered slightly.
Rubbing her shoulders, Ayaka glanced back at the Tenshukaku.
Luo Qing had been gone for a while now. Normally, dignitaries lived in the lower levels—how long could it possibly take?
As she mused, a familiar figure emerged from the gates, waving toward her.
"Is it really that cold?"
Luo Qing asked softly when he saw Ayaka holding her shoulders.
Wasn't she a Cryo Vision holder? Could she even feel the cold?
"It's nothing,"
Ayaka shook her head.
"The wind just slipped into my clothes, and it felt a little chilly..."
"Ah..."
Luo Qing glanced down at her outfit—a light blue kimono, so thin it looked like a gentle tug on the sash would send the whole thing sliding down, exposing her smooth, delicate skin underneath.
If he got a little closer, he might even catch a glimpse of the mysterious landscape hidden beneath the folds of her collar.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Luo Qing shook his head and slipped off his coat, draping it over Ayaka's shoulders.
"N-No, it's fine,"
Ayaka blushed, feeling a surge of warmth—not from the coat itself, but from the sweetness of the gesture.
Her voice brightened slightly.
"So... where are we going next?"
"Going? Where else could we go?"
Luo Qing found her question a bit endearing.
It was already late at night—most of the shops in Hanamizaka were closing down. Where did she think they could go?
With a mischievous smile, he bent down, his face nearing hers.
"So, Miss Kamisato, where do you think we should go at this hour?"
"Ah...?"
Ayaka was flustered.
It finally dawned on her how late it had gotten. After wandering Hanamizaka with Luo Qing and waiting outside Tenshukaku for so long, the streets had all but emptied.
There wasn't really anywhere left to go.
"I guess..."
Ayaka hesitated, unwilling to part ways now that they had finally reunited.
"It's getting late. How about I walk you home? Though I doubt you need anyone to protect you..."
Luo Qing said casually as he started walking toward Komore Teahouse.
Ayaka watched his back for a moment, her mind a little dazed, before hurrying to catch up.
As they walked, she spoke softly.
"Luo Qing, you don't need to call me Miss Kamisato…"
Luo Qing chuckled, "Oh? So what should I call you?"
"Just... just call me Ayaka,"
she mumbled, her face flushing pink as she lowered her head.
"Alright then, Ayaka."
Luo Qing smiled, finding her embarrassed demeanor quite adorable.
"Mm…"
They walked side by side through the quiet streets of Hanamizaka, and soon enough, they arrived at the entrance to Komore Teahouse.
Standing by the door were the teahouse's hostess, Kaji, and Kamisato Ayato himself, both of whom had clearly been waiting for some time.
It seemed like they had been worried that Ayaka might not come home tonight.
Seeing her brother and the teahouse hostess waiting, Ayaka understood that their time together was coming to an end. It was time to say goodbye to Luo Qing, at least for now.
---
T/N: KAJIAJFI
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
Posture and water check! Remember this is a fan translation!
If you wish to support me or read ahead here's a link! [patreon.com/WiseTL]
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