Chương 32: Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds [32]
"Father,"
Chisato bowed slightly, speaking in a soft voice.
Although Ren was right next to her, she still felt…
"Hmph!"
Shinsuke's face darkened, clearly ready to scold Chisato.
But when his eyes landed on Ren's calm and friendly smile, he hesitated.
In the end, he let out a cold snort, choosing to remain silent.
This lunatic… Today's events won't be forgiven so easily!
"Come back with me to the Kanjou Commission."
"Yes, Father."
Chisato nodded obediently, her lips trembling faintly.
There was so much she wanted to say, but the words refused to come out.
She could only bury her small wishes deep in her heart.
She tried to make her smile appear cheerful.
After all, being able to escape her suffocating family for a day and spend such a happy time with Ren was more than enough.
What right did she have to hope for more?
"Goodbye, everyone," Chisato called out softly, waving farewell.
Standing in the distance were her two new friends, Ayaka and the high-spirited Yoimiya.
And that aloof, cool Mei-senpai.
Without her help, Ren might have been in real danger today.
Her gentle, water-like gaze lingered on Ren for a moment.
Her delicate face blossomed into a beautiful smile.
Ren, thank you.
With you by my side, I feel both at peace and truly happy.
After standing there for a few seconds, she finally turned and left.
Just as she did, Ren's voice called out.
"Goodbye, Hiiragi-sama."
His tone was distant and detached.
Chisato's shoulders trembled slightly, but she fought the urge to look back.
"…Alright."
From afar, the girls waved farewell as well.
Eventually, Chisato's fragile figure disappeared down the road, not once glancing back.
"Sigh, silly girl," Ren murmured, withdrawing his gaze and preparing to turn around.
"Takahashi, you jerk!"
A black blur suddenly charged at him.
Yoimiya puffed out her cheeks, her face full of indignation as she rushed to his side.
Without warning, she raised her small fists and aimed straight for his waist.
Thud!
Ren's face darkened as pain shot through him.
This girl… Did she really have to hit there?
And with no sense of control either.
He gently pried her hand away, still trembling from the sudden "attack."
"What's gotten into you all of a sudden?"
"You're still pretending? I really misjudged you!"
Yoimiya stomped her foot in frustration.
"Why didn't you stop her from leaving?"
"She clearly… clearly looked at you just now!"
Ren froze for a moment before sighing.
"You don't get it. When do the fireworks start?"
Yoimiya's beautiful eyes widened in disbelief.
She just left, and all you're thinking about is the fireworks?
"Are you even a man?" she exclaimed.
Ren frowned. "What else should I think about?"
"Go after her, of course!"
"She's already halfway down the mountain. What's the point?"
"You—!"
Their bickering escalated.
Just then, Ayaka and Mei approached.
The two women stood quietly, their gazes fixed on Ren.
The atmosphere grew heavy in an instant.
Ren raised an eyebrow. Why are they looking at me like that?
"Don't tell me you're both thinking the same thing?"
Kamisato Ayaka nodded slightly.
"The Yashiro Commission naturally hopes Chisato can escape her family's grasp."
Although she had little direct connection to Chisato's plight, she genuinely wanted to help her in this moment.
Mei, however, spoke coldly. "Just letting her go like this feels humiliating."
"We might as well take them all down."
The corner of Ren's mouth twitched. "That would be considered terrorism."
He hadn't expected Mei to still be contemplating giving Shinsuke a solid beating.
He could see it now—this girl really was violent.
I better not provoke her.
"…."
Feeling the weight of their questioning stares, Ren suddenly smiled. He turned to Yoimiya and asked,
"And if we forced Chisato to stay? What happens when she returns home?"
Yoimiya froze mid-thought. He was right—this was an impossible situation to solve.
They couldn't keep standing in her family's way every time.
Shinsuke would undoubtedly shift all his wrath onto her if things escalated now.
"Ugh!"
The lively girl pounded her fists against her head, clearly frustrated.
Ayaka sighed in regret.
Ren's reasoning made sense. Chisato's identity was far too delicate a matter.
Still, letting her leave like this didn't sit well with anyone.
Ren glanced up at the night sky and said softly,
"None of us feel good about this."
"And I'm not going to just let things end like this."
Yoimiya's eyes lit up in surprise. "Are you planning something?"
"What else would I do?"
Ren shrugged.
If it were possible, he too wanted to leave the silly girl with a special memory.
"But earlier, you were still asking about the fireworks…"
Yoimiya trailed off mid-sentence, her bright eyes suddenly lighting up.
Could it be that…
Ren gave a slight nod, extending his hand.
"Yoimiya, give me the fireworks you have left."
"Alright!"
Yoimiya's face lit up with excitement.
Time ticked away as everyone worked.
Finally, a collection of all kinds of fireworks was piled neatly on the ground.
"These are fireworks?"
Mei picked one up curiously.
It seemed the country girl's curiosity had kicked in again.
With her hands on her hips, Yoimiya proudly declared,
"Hmph, these are all my finest creations!"
"Hurry up and pick one, Ren!"
Ren thought for a moment before answering softly,
"All of them."
"But…"
"Chisato likes them all, doesn't she?" Ren smiled.
Only children make choices.
"Oh."
Yoimiya nodded, not entirely understanding but going along with it.
"Alright then, let's get this surprise ready."
"Wait."
Ayaka furrowed her brows slightly and asked,
"How will Chisato even see it?"
If they set the fireworks off here, Chisato might never know they were for her.
And she was already quite a distance away.
Ren pointed toward the cliff.
"That's easy—just toss them off."
"Let these fireworks bloom in the sky above her head."
Yoimiya shook her head vehemently. "You're joking, right?"
There was no way they could throw such a large bundle that far.
Unless…
The group's gazes silently converged on one person.
The same country girl who was still poking at the fireworks with her fingers.
"…?"
---
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