"Umm..."
Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Kamisato Ayaka turned to Luo Qing.
"Luo Qing, I guess this is goodbye for now..."
"Yeah, get some rest. You've had a long day,"
Luo Qing smiled, giving Ayaka's brother, Kamisato Ayato, a quick nod before preparing to leave.
But Ayaka suddenly grabbed the corner of his coat, her face showing a trace of unease.
"What's wrong, Ayaka?"
"Luo Qing, I'm sorry."
"Hmm?"
"I mean... I'm sorry about what happened before,"
Ayaka said softly, lowering her gaze.
"Before, I was so indecisive... because of my brother and my own hesitation, I kept giving you mixed signals."
"Oh, that?"
Luo Qing chuckled lightly.
"Don't worry about it, Ayaka. I understand."
If Kamisato Ayato wasn't standing right there, he probably would've patted Ayaka's head to comfort her.
"So... can we still see each other often?"
"Of course, but I'll be traveling for a while. I won't be in Inazuma that much."
"Then... can I invite you to Komore Teahouse again to... play the hotpot game?"
Ayaka asked with a shy smile.
"Uh... sure, after my trip."
"Mm!"
Ayaka's expression brightened, clearly pleased with his answer.
"Then I'll see you next time, Luo Qing!"
"Yeah, see you next time."
"Mm!"
With that, Ayaka turned around and began walking back toward the Komore Teahouse.
But she only managed a few steps before she spun back, sprinting toward Luo Qing.
Right in front of Ayato and the teahouse's hostess, Kaji, Ayaka suddenly spread her arms and wrapped them around Luo Qing's waist, pressing her face against his chest.
Ayato's fists clenched so tightly, they practically trembled.
"Ahem... Ayaka?"
Under the intense stare of Ayato, Luo Qing felt as if he were being sliced by a thousand invisible daggers. He definitely hadn't expected Ayaka to pull such a sudden move.
"Luo Qing, you won't suddenly disappear without saying goodbye... right?"
Ayaka's voice was muffled against his chest.
"How could I? I'm not that kind of person."
"...Okay."
After a long moment, Ayaka finally released him, lifting her face from his chest.
"Well then... see you next time."
Without giving Luo Qing a chance to respond, she quickly turned and ran inside the teahouse, leaving Ayato and Kaji standing awkwardly by the entrance.
Even Luo Qing was momentarily stunned.
He never thought the typically reserved Ayaka would make such a bold move.
Who would've guessed that Ayaka had such a straightforward side to her?
It seemed that just a little bit of distance had made her drop her defenses so quickly.
With a soft sigh, Luo Qing met Ayato's darkening gaze, shrugged, and then walked off toward his safehouse, ready to get a good night's sleep before heading back to Tatarasuna the next day to continue training the Shogunate's captives.
As he left, a deep purple Eye of Corruption materialized behind him. It had been following him since the moment he exited the Tenshukaku, transmitting everything it witnessed directly to Ei and the Raiden Shogun's consciousness...
...
"I think it's time to teach him a lesson..."
"Agreed. Just don't kill him."
...
Hanamizaka — Winter's Rest Inn
Returning to his room, Luo Qing felt an overwhelming sense of fatigue wash over him.
He opened the door, ready to collapse into bed and enjoy a deep sleep, only to find Rosalyne lounging on his tatami mat, reading a light novel.
"Rosalyne, don't you have your own room? Why are you always crashing in mine and hogging my bed?"
"This room has the best lighting,"
Rosalyne replied nonchalantly, closing her book. Even though Luo Qing never showed her the slightest bit of respect—not even addressing her as "Lady Rosalyne"—she endured it.
Because, unfortunately for her, she couldn't beat him.
"What are you even doing here? Weren't you supposed to be at Tatarasuna?"
Rosalyne pouted, but Luo Qing remained unmoved.
"Did you tell Ayaka that I'd gone back to Snezhnaya and wouldn't be coming back?"
"No, I just said it was a possibility. Did that little girl actually believe it?"
"Next time, keep your mouth shut, or I'll make sure you do."
"Look at you, not even grateful when I helped you out,"
Rosalyne huffed, gathering her light novels and desserts before storming out of his room.
As she exited, she muttered,
"Hmph, who needs your room anyway?"
She slammed the door behind her in a silent protest against Luo Qing.
"That woman... I'll deal with you someday,"
Luo Qing muttered under his breath as he shook out the tatami to rid it of Rosalyne's lingering scent.
He dropped onto his pillow, closed his eyes, and just as sleep started to take hold, a surge of Electro energy flooded the room, making his hair stand on end.
"What now...?"
Groggy and irritated, Luo Qing opened his eyes only to see a deep purple Eye of Corruption forming in the air above him.
It cracked open, revealing a long, white leg sheathed in dark purple thigh-highs slowly stepping through.
"Shogun?"
Luo Qing was stunned. Was the Raiden Shogun really so desperate that she'd come for a midnight visit?
But the thought fled as quickly as it came when he saw the cold, electric light in her eyes and the katana gripped tightly in her hand.
Uh-oh. She's here to kill me!
Luo Qing swallowed hard, ready to ask what he had done to deserve such wrath.
Before he could get a word out, the Raiden Shogun swung her blade without warning, slicing his tatami mat in half. The violent sparks filled the room, scattering bits of shredded tatami all over.
"Damn it, Shogun, are you serious?!"
Thank goodness he had activated Temporal Zero, narrowly avoiding being cleaved in two.
"What did I do wrong? Why are you trying to kill me?"
"Hmph, you tell me!"
The Shogun's cold snort was followed by another slash.
She was precise—her strikes were controlled, just enough to slice Luo Qing in two without bringing down the entire house.
"Son of a—!"
The room descended into chaos. Luo Qing darted around, dodging her relentless attacks, while the Shogun chased him through the room, turning his furniture into splinters with every strike.
Next door, Rosalyne's brow furrowed as she heard the commotion.
What on earth was Luo Qing up to now?
She had barely managed to start her light novel, and now he was causing a ruckus in the middle of the night?
This was the last straw!
With an irritated huff, Rosalyne slammed her book shut, slipped on her slippers, and stormed to Luo Qing's room.
Swinging open the door, she was about to give him a piece of her mind when she froze at the sight before her.
Was she still dreaming?
There, in the middle of the room, was the Raiden Shogun, straddling Luo Qing, her blade poised to plunge into his stomach.
---
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
Posture and water check! Remember this is a fan translation!
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