The first light of dawn brushed across the sky, gradually brightening the heavens.
Under the flashing sword light, monsters fell in groups, and the malevolent energy on the beach was blown away by the wind.
Kitsune Saiguu looked at Yu Xie's figure, her thoughts swirling in her mind like the waves beside her, unable to calm.
She couldn't quite understand what she was thinking, only that her mind was chaotic and disordered. The only thing clear before her eyes was the figure of Yu Xie.
Yu Xie sheathed his sword and approached Kitsune Saiguu, and Yae Miko quickly ran over as well.
"How did you come back so quickly..." Kitsune Saiguu spoke softly.
"I was a bit worried about you, but since the main forces were moving slowly, I brought a few people back ahead of time," Yu Xie said with a faint smile as he looked at Kitsune Saiguu. "Luckily, I made it in time."
Kitsune Saiguu remained silent.
The morning light from the horizon shone on her, her silver short hair swaying in the sea breeze, and her pale golden eyes fluttered, reflecting Yu Xie's face.
"Sorry, Yu Xie..." Yae Miko lowered her head slightly. "I didn't follow your instructions before you left. I let Lady Kitsune Saiguu come here alone."
Upon hearing this, Kitsune Saiguu finally realized that Yae Miko hadn't wanted her to leave alone because it was Yu Xie's request.
Had Yu Xie anticipated that she would come to deal with the monsters and evil spirits in this way?
"Don't blame Yae Miko," Kitsune Saiguu said. "She kept trying to stop me. I made her faint, then came here on my own."
"I wasn't planning to blame her. I entrusted this task to her, and she did her best. How could I blame her?" Yu Xie smiled. "In any case, it's great that things didn't turn out as badly as they could have..."
Yu Xie's tone carried a deep meaning, as though he wasn't just referring to today's events.
"Let's go back. Let's head to the head priestess's residence. I haven't had breakfast made by the shrine maiden sisters in a while," Yu Xie said, turning and walking ahead with light steps, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from him.
Back at the head priestess's residence, Yu Xie was surrounded by several charming shrine maidens as they sat at the breakfast table.
all shrine maiden were all smiling, asking Yu Xie about the events on the battlefield.
Kitsune Saiguu and Yae Miko quietly watched the scene from the side.
"I don't know why, but seeing Yu Xie so popular, it's like there's an indescribable feeling in my heart," Kitsune Saiguu said with a faint smile, a small trace of helplessness in her expression.
Yae Miko froze for a moment but didn't say anything, as she shared the same feeling.
However... this situation was only natural. Yu Xie was the great hero of the battle, and it was only normal for a hero to be welcomed.
After such a scene, breakfast came to an end.
The shrine maidens went off to work, and Yae Miko also headed back to Narukami Shrine. Kitsune Saiguu and Yu Xie sat together under the eaves.
"Do you remember? The first time we met, after I brought you here, we just sat here like this," Kitsune Saiguu said, gazing at the courtyard. "But it was raining that day."
"I remember," Yu Xie said, looking at the courtyard. "You also said that you really liked watching the rain."
"That child back then has really grown up now," Kitsune Saiguu said, turning her head to look at Yu Xie. "Not only are you skilled, but you've become the leader of the Okuzumeshuu army, and you even saved me once. I'm someone who repays kindness, so you can think about how you want me to repay you."
"Really?"
"Once the words are spoken, they cannot be taken back."
"What if my request is a little excessive?"
"...It's not impossible to consider."
"Then..." Yu Xie turned to her, their eyes meeting.
"So, what is your request?" Kitsune Saiguu's voice lowered.
"My request is that you shouldn't decide to sacrifice yourself so easily in the future," Yu Xie said.
"That's it?" Kitsune Saiguu looked a little disappointed.
"Otherwise, what? Do you want me to ask something more excessive of you?" Yu Xie narrowed his eyes.
Kitsune Saiguu turned her head away.
She hadn't expected that one day she would be the one being teased by Yu Xie like this. In the past, it was always she who used such teasing tones to joke with him.
Back then, she always thought of Yu Xie as a little brother, but for some reason, she couldn't think of him that way anymore.
It felt... strange.
"Alright, I'll stop joking," Yu Xie said with a smile. "When I first came to Inazuma, I had nowhere to stay. It was you who brought me here, and thanks to you, I was able to live well in Inazuma. So, if we're talking about repaying kindness, it should be me who repays you."
"Is that really how you think?" Kitsune Saiguu turned her head away, not looking at Yu Xie, but there seemed to be something different in her eyes.
"Of course! But... does it sound like you want me to not think that way?" Yu Xie's tone turned playful again. "Looks like I need to seize the opportunity and make an overly excessive request of Kitsune Saiguu. Let me think... how about you come to my place and wash my clothes for two years?"
"...Okay," Kitsune Saiguu replied softly.
This time, it was Yu Xie's turn to be stunned. He had been joking earlier, and he was sure Kitsune Saiguu had understood that, but he never expected the usually assertive Kitsune Saiguu to actually agree.
"Alright, it's settled then. I'll move in with you tomorrow," Kitsune Saiguu continued before Yu Xie could speak. "Not just washing clothes. From now on, I'll take care of your daily needs."
"Actually... there's no need," Yu Xie said, feeling a little awkward.
"Little brat, you've already said it. Don't think you can take it back!" Kitsune Saiguu looked at Yu Xie with a sly smile on her lips.
...
A few days later.
In the morning, Yu Xie woke up from his sleep, slowly opening his eyes.
What met his gaze was not the familiar ceiling, but a familiar and beautiful face.
Kitsune Saiguu was lying on the edge of the bed, looking closely at Yu Xie, her eyes blinking.
"Young master, it's time to wake up."
Yu Xie's body jolted slightly, instantly becoming fully awake.
"'Young master'? What the heck?"
"Aiya, I'm pretty much your 'personal maid' now, so calling you young master seems fine, right?" Kitsune Saiguu stood up straight, her tone both playful and serious. "Do you need help getting dressed, young master?"
"N-No, I don't." Yu Xie sat up. "You should act normal. If someone hears you calling me that, they might think something else."
"Aiya, is young master worried that our 'special relationship' might be discovered?" Kitsune Saiguu covered her mouth, smiling lightly.
"Can you stop using such easily misunderstood phrases..."
"Does young master think that our relationship isn't special?" Kitsune Saiguu seemed to suddenly become aggrieved. "Just yesterday, you didn't show me any care at all..."
"..."
Yu Xie was silent, feeling helpless and not knowing how to respond to Kitsune Saiguu.
Yesterday, he had only asked Kitsune Saiguu to help clean the yard, and he had helped out too.
"Alright, alright. Today, Makoto, Ei, and Chiyo will be back. After breakfast, we'll get ready to welcome them." Yu Xie got out of bed.
"As you wish, young master." Kitsune Saiguu beamed with joy again.
"Just don't call me that in front of Makoto, Ei, and Chiyo..."
"Don't worry, I'm very considerate." Kitsune Saiguu leaned closer to Yu Xie's ear, whispering softly, "You don't want everyone to know about our 'special relationship,' right?"
Her gentle breath brushed against his ear, making it slightly ticklish.
End of chapter
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