The next morning...
The bedding was filled with Theresa's scent, a mix of Electro-infused fragrance, making it feel as if she had been burrowing into his covers all night. As a result, Luo Qing barely got any rest.
Waking up the next day, his irritation was obvious whenever he looked at Theresa.
Most of the matters involving the Fatui had already been settled by La Signora, so Luo Qing didn't have to be involved unless there was something her subordinates couldn't handle. Only then would he step in and sort things out.
The Fatui in Inazuma mostly comprised personnel under Dottore and La Signora's command, with a handful from Arlecchino's faction. Some of them were even Luo Qing's former colleagues.
There were power struggles within the Fatui, and the Harbingers often maneuvered for influence. While technically part of the same organization, trust wasn't easily given. If someone wasn't your direct subordinate, they might not necessarily follow your orders.
For Luo Qing, who was mainly there to keep an eye on things for La Signora, he was more than happy to keep his distance from the local Fatui and enjoy his "paid leisure."
The cooperation with the Tenryou Commission was still stable. Even though Luo Qing's threat to Kujou Takayuki had been quite blatant the previous night, the latter hadn't made any sudden moves. In fact, the cooperation had become even more proactive, likely because the man was hoping to utilize the Fatui's help before eventually betraying them.
Regardless of what the future held, for now, Luo Qing was free.
Theresa had spent the entire morning loudly declaring her intention to indulge in a spending spree at Hanamizaka. She argued that she had earned so much from her missions that it would be a waste if she died without spending it.
Since Luo Qing had been too busy buying sweets and light novels for Ei the previous day, he hadn't had a chance to properly explore Inazuma City. With nothing pressing to do, he decided to accompany Theresa—it meant he wouldn't have to carry any bags himself, a convenient arrangement.
As an Electro Cicin Mage, Theresa's attire tended to draw attention, especially with her revealing outfit and eye patch, which inevitably attracted the scrutiny of Tenryou soldiers. To avoid standing out, she donned a more traditional Inazuman kimono, even removing her eye patch.
"Are you ready yet? Since when does a superior wait on their subordinate to get ready?"
After waiting outside Theresa's room for quite some time, Luo Qing impatiently knocked on the door.
"Geez, no need to rush, Lord Luo Qing. If you're really that eager to see, you could just come in, you know~"
Theresa's teasing voice drifted through the door.
"Seriously… trying to flirt with me, huh?"
Luo Qing rolled his eyes, irritated by her antics. He promptly slid the door open without hesitation.
The sight that greeted him was a young woman halfway through donning her kimono. Her deep violet eyes locked onto his, and a playful smile tugged at her lips. Her shoulders were bare, revealing smooth, pale skin, and her slender legs peeked out from under the fabric. It seemed she had anticipated his sudden entry, given that her kimono was only strategically covering essential areas.
"Lord Luo Qing, you're so eager~"
Her voice carried a teasing lilt, her expression clearly amused by his reaction.
Recalling the state of his bedding from the previous night, Luo Qing had a sinking suspicion that Theresa was intentionally trying to provoke him.
"I'll give you five minutes. If you're not out by then, I'm leaving without you," he said coolly, closing the door.
He admitted it—there had been a fleeting moment when her flirtation had gotten to him.
Those deep, entrancing violet eyes, the flowing purple hair, and her youthful yet alluring figure had caught him off guard. Even the bare feet, peeking out from beneath her kimono...
But he quickly dismissed those thoughts. How had he, who had resisted Ningguang's and Yae's charms without issue, been caught off guard by an Electro Cicin Mage—especially his own subordinate?
This, he couldn't understand.
Four minutes and fifty-nine seconds later, the door slid open.
Wearing a kimono that emphasized her youthfulness, Theresa stepped out, balancing on wooden sandals. She twirled in front of him, showing off her new look.
"Hehe, Lord Luo Qing, do I look good?"
"You look fine. Let's go."
Luo Qing cast a quick glance at her and turned away, pretending to be indifferent. Yet, he couldn't help but feel slightly stunned by her transformation.
Perhaps it was because he had never seen Theresa without her eye patch or in anything other than her usual attire. The contrast caught him off guard.
Half a day passed.
They wandered around Hanamizaka, where Theresa's hands gradually filled with bags of purchases. Most were for herself—she proudly declared that it was now or never, otherwise the money would go to waste if she died unexpectedly.
She begged Luo Qing several times to help carry the bags, but he refused each time, standing firm in his role as her superior.
Finding himself with some free time, Luo Qing decided to revisit Yae Publishing House. He'd spent the previous visit picking out romance novels for Ei, so he hadn't had a chance to browse the more male-oriented sections.
As he explored the aisles, he was amused by the obvious endings the titles suggested. Realizing there was little of interest, he dragged a reluctant Theresa—who had been absorbed in the women's section—out of the shop.
Just as they were about to find a place to rest, a commotion erupted nearby.
Looking in the direction of the noise, they spotted a group of Tenryou soldiers at the far end of the street, arguing with a girl with bright orange hair. They stood in front of a small store near the city's outskirts, almost at the edge of Inazuma City.
The shop's sign read: Naganohara Fireworks.
"Stop stuffing your face with sweets and check it out," Luo Qing ordered Theresa, gesturing toward the group before heading over himself.
As they drew closer, the argument grew clearer.
"Guys, I swear, I don't have a Vision! You must be mistaken! We just make fireworks here, and sometimes there's a spark—totally normal!"
"Cut the excuses. If you don't hand it over, well... Yoimiya, you wouldn't want the Naganohara Fireworks Shop to be shut down, would you?"
"I... I really don't have it!"
Luo Qing arrived in time to witness the orange-haired girl, apparently named Yoimiya, looking increasingly distressed. Behind her, hidden from the soldiers' view, her hands were nervously gripping something.
"Go handle it," Luo Qing said casually to Theresa.
"Huh? Lord Luo Qing, this is Inazuma City… If I end up killing them—"
"I didn't ask you to kill them. Just draw their attention. That's all."
"Oh... oh, okay!"
Theresa looked momentarily flustered but nodded obediently. Grabbing a box of dango, she confidently approached the soldiers. As she got close, she faked a stumble, tossing the dango onto the ground and then shouted loudly:
"Watch where you're going, you blind oafs!"
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