"Commander Yu!" The stall owner exclaimed upon seeing Yu Xie. "Is this young lady a friend of Commander Yu? In that case, let this be a small gift from me to her; no need for Mora!"
Saying this, the stall owner reached to return the Mora.
"When you buy something, you should pay for it," Yu Xie waved his hand in refusal. He then turned to Ei. "Miss, shall we go elsewhere?"
"Alright." Ei hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
On the street, Yu Xie and Ei walked side by side.
The spring evening sun shone on them, casting long shadows on the ground.
Many eyes followed them as they walked. While the passersby couldn't recognize Ei at this moment, they all recognized Yu Xie.
Noticing that Ei seemed uncomfortable with being the center of attention, Yu Xie spoke softly:
"Let's go somewhere less crowded."
So, the two of them made their way to the outskirts of Inazuma City, to the beach, and strolled along the sand.
The sea breeze blew, and waves crashed along the shore.
"What made you come out alone today?" Yu Xie asked.
"Nothing much. I just suddenly wanted to come out and take a look," Ei replied. "Did you just come from the Grand Shrine of Narukami?"
"How did you know?" Yu Xie was slightly surprised.
"You have the scent of the Grand Shrine of Narukami on you."
Yu Xie raised his hand and sniffed his own clothes. There was indeed a faint scent, the signature fragrance of the Grand Shrine of Narukami.
"You have a good nose." Yu Xie said. "I didn't even notice it until you pointed it out."
"And there's the scent of Yae Miko too," Kage added.
Yu Xie was taken aback.
"You can even smell that?"
"I felt it, yes," Kage replied.
"I just gave the fox-shaped Yae a hug," Yu Xie chuckled.
"She actually let you hug her? Sometimes when I try to hug her, she refuses and runs off in a flash." Ei said lightly. "Only when my sister wants to hug her, does she behave."
"Maybe she's afraid I won't make her fried tofu anymore," Yu Xie mused, his tone tinged with a hint of reluctance.
After ninety-nine days, he would no longer be able to make fried tofu for Yae Miko, even if he wanted to.
Yu Xie didn't know how he would have thought about this in the past, but now, even though he had no real regrets, he still found it hard to let go.
For a mortal, how could it be so easy to give up a hundred years of life lived here?
The moments spent with his friends were still so vivid in his mind. Those countless memories felt as if they had happened just yesterday.
People—everyone is greedy.
Yu Xie was no exception.
Ei noticed that there seemed to be something hidden behind Yu Xie's words, but Yu Xie had concealed it well, and Ei couldn't quite figure out what it was.
Ei simply turned her head to look at Yu Xie, wanting to ask but then holding herself back.
It was better not to ask any strange questions, she thought to herself.
But there was one question she suddenly felt the urge to ask Yu Xie, something she really wanted an answer to.
"Yu Xie, although I govern Inazuma alongside Makoto, most of the work is done by her. I'm just good at martial arts... Do you think I could become a competent Archon?"
The sudden question made Yu Xie hesitate for a moment.
"You will." After a long pause, Yu Xie said, "You might make mistakes and feel uncertain at times, but you will be a competent Archon. Not just me, Makoto would definitely think so too."
"But sometimes I also feel like you're a little girl who needs protection." Yu Xie added. "Don't mind me, I don't mean you're immature."
"A little girl?" Hearing Yu Xie's words, Ei seemed intrigued.
"How should I put it... I feel that, aside from your authority, there are still some things you need to learn. But I believe that the Raiden Ei of the future will definitely be very mature and powerful. Just don't lock yourself in the Eternity Realm for five hundred years again."
"Why would I lock myself in the Eternity Realm for five hundred years?" Ei seemed puzzled by Yu Xie's last remark.
"Nothing, just a joke," Yu Xie said with a smile.
Ei hesitated for a moment, a small smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.
For some reason, she always felt so relaxed when she was with Yu Xie.
It was as if she didn't need to think about all her troubles, and even the frustration that would normally fill her mind seemed to dissipate.
"Yu Xie, do you remember almost a hundred years ago, that time when I accidentally 'exploded' the kitchen?" Ei asked softly. She still felt a little embarrassed thinking about it.
"I remember, why?"
"At that time, since I didn't know how to clean up the kitchen, I asked you for help. After you finished cleaning, I told you I owed you a favor. All these years have passed, and you still haven't cashed in on that favor, but instead, it feels like I owe you even more."
"That? You don't need to worry about it. We've known each other for so long. Favors like that don't matter."
"As the leader of Inazuma, one must keep their promises. Do you have any wish? I'll help you fulfill it." Ei said seriously.
"A wish..." Yu Xie fell silent for a moment, then half-jokingly said, "If I could, I'd like a Vision of Electro."
"A Vision..." Ei thought for a moment. "That's a bit difficult. To be precise, the granting of a Vision isn't directly tied to Makoto's or my will, but I'll try. Give me some time."
"Alright, no need to be so serious. Not having a Vision isn't such a big deal." Yu Xie said with a smile.
"I said, I want to fulfill your wish." Ei looked at Yu Xie, her purple eyes filled with sincerity. "So, don't reject me."
"...Alright, then thank you, Ei." Yu Xie said. "By the way, although your outfit today is very simple, it's also very beautiful. There's an indescribable charm to it."
These words made Ei's heart tremble slightly.
The setting sun illuminated her face, and for some reason, she suddenly felt her cheeks warm up a little. It was a very faint sensation, but it was clear.
It must be because of the sunset.
Yes, it had to be the sunset.
"It's getting late. We should head back." Ei turned around and began walking back in the direction they came from. Her steps seemed a little less natural than before.
"Wait for me." Yu Xie quickly caught up.
The waves crashed against the rocks, continuously washing over the beach, smoothing out the footprints the two had left behind.
The surface of the sea shimmered, and with the breeze, the ripples appeared and disappeared, like the ripples of time gradually fading away in the long river of time.
End of chapter
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