"It's nothing. I just remembered something," Zhongli shook his head, feeling it was inappropriate. After all, Akio was a god, an immortal being.
Hu Tao, on the other hand, was a mortal with a lifespan of only a hundred years. In the end, it would lead to a painful separation, which wouldn't be good for either Akio or Hu Tao.
"Alright then," Akio shrugged and stood up. "I'll take my leave now. You carry on."
"Goodbye, my friend," Zhongli nodded, watching Akio leave.
Akio went to settle the bill for the tea, only to be told that Hu Tao had already paid for him.
He liked Hu Tao even more now! Akio thought to himself. Despite her carefree demeanor, Hu Tao was actually quite thoughtful.
...
Meanwhile, in Inazuma, at the Grand Narukami Shrine, Kamisato Ayaka and Yae Miko sat facing each other.
"Sis… Sister Yae Miko," Ayaka spoke with a hint of shyness. Yae Miko had insisted she call her "sister," and Ayaka didn't dare refuse.
"The procedures and arrangements for the Divine Coronation Ceremony are all here. Please take a look, Sister," Ayaka handed over a document to Yae Miko.
Yae Miko took the document and quickly skimmed through it. "Did you plan this yourself?"
"Yes, Sister Miko. Are there any areas that need improvement?" Ayaka nodded.
"It's very well done," Yae Miko picked up a pen and made a few annotations. "Just make a few adjustments to these parts when you get back."
She then explained the changes in detail to Ayaka.
"I understand," Ayaka nodded. "Then I'll go and deliver the fireworks requirements to Yoimiya."
"Wait, I'll handle that," Yae Miko stopped Ayaka. "You stay here and make the changes. I'll be back soon. You can stay at the shrine tonight."
"O-okay," Ayaka nodded. She had stayed at the shrine several times over the past few days.
Yae Miko took the document with the fireworks requirements. This was a good opportunity to meet Yoimiya. Despite Akio's feelings for her, Yoimiya had been acting so reserved! As Akio's most understanding little fox, Yae Miko naturally wanted to confirm Yoimiya's true feelings.
Yae Miko transformed into a bolt of lightning and flew toward Inazuma City.
At the Naganohara Fireworks Shop, Ryuunosuke Naganohara saw Yae Miko arrive and quickly greeted her. "Lady Guuji."
"Hello," Yae Miko nodded. "Is Yoimiya here?"
"She is, she's inside," Ryuunosuke replied.
"Good, I'll go see her," Yae Miko nodded and walked into the shop.
"Yoimiya," Yae Miko entered the room to find Yoimiya enjoying some free time, slurping noodles while reading a light novel.
"Huh? Lady Guuji, what brings you here?" Yoimiya quickly stood up to greet her. "Please, have a seat."
"For the upcoming Divine Coronation Ceremony, the fireworks will be handled by your shop," Yae Miko said, handing over the document. "Is that alright?"
Yoimiya took the document, glanced through it, and nodded. "No problem, leave it to me. You can count on it."
"Good," Yae Miko nodded, then began scrutinizing Yoimiya.
"Um… Lady Guuji, is something wrong?" Yoimiya felt a bit uncomfortable under Yae Miko's gaze and asked.
"Actually, aside from the ceremony, there's something else I'd like to confirm with you," Yae Miko said calmly.
"Please, go ahead," Yoimiya nodded.
"Do you like Akio?" Yae Miko asked directly, without any preamble.
"Huh?!!!" Yoimiya's face turned bright red at the question.
"L-Lady Guuji, what… what kind of question is that?" Yoimiya lowered her head, her face almost buried in her chest.
"Never mind what I mean. Just tell me the truth—do you like Akio or not?" Yae Miko asked, though she already had a good idea from Yoimiya's reaction.
Yoimiya remained silent for a while, then looked up at Yae Miko, her face flushed, and nodded. "I… I do."
"I knew it," Yae Miko said with a knowing smile.
"But… but isn't Lord Akio your lover?" Yoimiya bit her lip.
"Is that why you've been holding back?" Yae Miko asked.
"N-not entirely," Yoimiya shook her head. That was part of it, but she also didn't know how Akio felt about her.
"Lord Akio is a god, like the bright moon in the sky, while I'm just an ordinary girl…" Yoimiya said softly. "I didn't dare to confess my feelings to him."
"Hahaha~" Yae Miko laughed heartily. She hadn't expected Akio and Yoimiya to be so similar in this regard! They were both so timid, though it wasn't exactly being overly cautious.
"Lady Guuji, what's so funny?" Yoimiya asked, puzzled by Yae Miko's laughter.
"Yoimiya, my dear, you're not as bold as Ayaka, that little girl," Yae Miko said, stopping her laughter.
"Ayaka?!" Yoimiya's eyes widened. What did she have to do with this?
"Akio is a god, so it's natural that he won't have just one woman by his side. I don't mind that," Yae Miko said. "But Ayaka, that little girl, even though she knew Akio was a god, she still mustered the courage to confess her feelings to him—and she succeeded."
"Two people who clearly like each other, yet one is too timid and the other is too reserved," Yae Miko sighed. "Do you really want to spend the rest of your life with regrets?"
"Ayaka was that brave? No wonder she asked me about it that day…" Yoimiya murmured. Her good friend, a proper young lady, had been so courageous?
"Wait! Lady Guuji, you said Lord Akio and I like each other? So… he likes me too?" Yoimiya asked, barely containing her excitement.
"Of course," Yae Miko nodded. "But he's a bit reserved. He said you're very kind and warm to everyone, and if he mistook your kindness for affection, it might drive you apart. Isn't that just him overthinking things? But then again, men tend to overcomplicate things."
"I…" Yoimiya was stunned. She could tell Yae Miko was hinting at her. She quickly waved her hands. "Lady Guuji, that's not the case! I'm friendly with other guys, but it's just friendship. I have my boundaries."
"And… and if I were to be in a relationship with Lord Akio, I'd make sure to consider his feelings! I wouldn't let him overthink things," Yoimiya hurriedly explained.
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