"Um, Ayaka, isn't this hug lasting a bit too long...?"
Luo Qing spoke softly, glancing down at the girl in his arms. Nearly ten minutes had passed, and Kamisato Ayaka still showed no sign of letting go.
The embrace was way too tight...
"Ah... I'm sorry!"
Ayaka quickly sprang back, lowering her head as a faint blush spread across her cheeks.
She had never been this close to a boy before—let alone for so long.
It was starting to get... a bit sweaty.
"It's fine," Luo Qing said with a slight shake of his head before continuing.
"Ayaka, can I ask you to keep this a secret?"
"Huh?" Ayaka blinked in confusion.
"The fact that I'm still alive. Don't tell anyone—let this stay just between the two of us, okay?"
"Why...?"
Ayaka tilted her head, clearly puzzled.
From Gorou and the others, she had learned about Luo Qing's role on the Tatarasuna front lines.
By single-handedly holding back the Raiden Shogun, Luo Qing had bought valuable time for Lumine and the Resistance. He was a hero—a savior. Surely, he deserved the gratitude and admiration of the people.
Besides, with the Shogun having repealed the Vision Hunt and Sakoku Decrees, there was no reason for her to remain hostile toward him.
"Are you afraid of the Shogun?" Ayaka asked hesitantly.
"More or less," Luo Qing replied with a nod. Then, holding out his pinky, he added gently, "Please, Ayaka? Let's make this our little secret, just the two of us."
"Uh..."
Ayaka stared at his extended hand, hesitating briefly before linking her pinky with his.
It had been years since she last made a childish pinky promise like this, but... if it was with Luo Qing, she didn't really mind.
Their pinkies intertwined, they shook once before pressing their thumbs together lightly.
For some reason, the simple gesture filled Ayaka's heart with joy.
"Alright, Ayaka, I'll see you next time," Luo Qing said with a soft smile, ruffling her hair as he rose to his feet. He glanced out the window, ready to track down his four subordinates.
Watching his retreating back, Ayaka suddenly felt a wave of unease. She blurted out in a panic, "Luo Qing... are you leaving Inazuma?"
If the Shogun still harbored hostility toward him, fleeing Inazuma might be his only safe option.
"I'm not planning to leave just yet. Why do you ask?" Luo Qing replied, his expression curious.
"I..."
Ayaka lowered her head, unsure how to articulate her fear that he might disappear without a word.
"Don't worry," Luo Qing said reassuringly, his voice warm as he gently patted her head.
"If I ever leave Inazuma, I'll make sure to tell you first, okay?"
"Okay..."
Ayaka's cheeks flushed as she leaned into his hand, letting him ruffle her hair.
"Alright, Ayaka. See you next time."
"Mm, see you next time," Ayaka replied with a sweet smile.
In the next instant, Luo Qing's figure vanished from the room.
After he left, Ayaka's somber expression lightened considerably, and she even found herself smiling foolishly at times.
She glanced at the collection of Luo Qing's belongings she had gathered earlier.
Originally, she had planned to build a cenotaph for him, but now that Luo Qing was alive and well—and had sworn her to secrecy—she wasn't sure what to do anymore.
Do I still build it...?
---
Elsewhere in Inazuma City
Luo Qing walked through the streets with his hood pulled low, concealing his face.
It had been several days since his staged death, and the damage from the battle at Tenshukaku had already been repaired.
Without the Vision Hunt and Sakoku Decrees, the people of Inazuma seemed noticeably more relaxed, as though a great weight had been lifted from their shoulders.
Luo Qing's subordinates, along with Rosalyne, had been hiding in the wilderness for quite some time. To reward them, he planned to buy some food and treats.
He wasn't too worried about being recognized—few people in Inazuma knew him by face. As long as he avoided familiar faces, he should be fine.
While waiting at a street vendor for his order, Luo Qing suddenly felt a familiar presence behind him.
Turning his head, he spotted Ei and Lumine strolling through the streets together, looking leisurely as they browsed the stalls.
Why are they here... Luo Qing lowered his hood further, pretending nothing was amiss. Then, with a flick of his thoughts, he activated the Simulated Mask to alter his aura and avoid detection by the Raiden Shogun.
"Hurry up, Master. I'm in a rush," Luo Qing urged the vendor in a low voice, keeping an eye on Lumine and Ei's movements.
"Almost done!" the vendor replied cheerfully, though he couldn't help but feel puzzled.
Isn't this person a man? Why does their voice sound like a woman's...?
Moments later, the vendor handed over the order. Luo Qing grabbed it, left a pouch of Mora, and quickly slipped away.
He had just left when Lumine and Ei approached the stall.
"Hey, miss, you forgot your change—oh, Shogun-sama!"
The vendor waved the Mora pouch after Luo Qing, only to pause and bow respectfully when he noticed Ei.
"What would you like, Shogun-sama?" the vendor asked, his tone deferential.
"Tri-colored dango will suffice," Ei replied softly, though her gaze lingered in the direction Luo Qing had gone.
"What happened just now?"
"Well, Shogun-sama, the previous customer left in a hurry without waiting for their change. Must have been something urgent," the vendor explained.
"Hmm..."
Lumine followed Ei's gaze, her eyes narrowing as she observed the hurried figure in the crowd. The person carried a bag of dango and moved quickly, as though indeed pressed for time.
"That person seems to be in a real rush," Paimon remarked, crossing her arms. "They even left behind all that Mora. You could buy tons of dango with that!"
"..."
Lumine started to turn away but paused, her eyes drawn to the person's wrist.
The figure's hand, holding the dango bag, was adorned with a blue-and-red woven string—eerily similar to the one she had seen Ganyu and Shenhe wear.
"That's..."
Lumine's brows furrowed as a sense of unease crept over her.
"Excuse me, Shogun-sama, I need to leave for a moment," she said hurriedly.
"Paimon, let's go!"
"Huh?! But we haven't even eaten yet!" Paimon protested, confused. She glanced apologetically at Ei before flying after Lumine.
"Slow down! I can't keep up! And seriously, can't this wait until after dessert?!"
"That red string..." Lumine muttered under her breath, her gaze locked on the retreating figure.
"Could that person be..."
Before she could finish, the figure suddenly vanished into the crowd, leaving her stunned.
---
T/N: BRO HAS NO POINTS IN STEALTH
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