"Please... please don't say any more!"
Ayaka's face flushed crimson. "Y-yesterday, I just drank too much. I wasn't thinking straight, so I... did something completely out of line."
"It's fine, it's fine," Yae Miko said with a little shrug, smiling lazily. "It wasn't even your body being used anyway. Only the three of us know what happened. As long as we all keep quiet, there's no problem."
"Th-that..." Ayaka fidgeted, lowering her gaze. "I heard that... the first time you do something like that, it's supposed to... hurt, right?"
"That depends on the person," Yae replied with a teasing lilt. "Though, it also depends on how skilled the other party is... Why the sudden curiosity? Don't tell me you've developed a taste for it and want to try it for real next time?"
"I—I was just curious!" Ayaka spun around, red to the ears. "I—I'm going to practice for the afternoon! Goodbye!"
Watching her hurry off, Yae Miko touched her chin, a sly smile curving her lips. "Now then... what should I do to mess with you two next time? Just thinking about it is making me excited."
———
After parting with Ayaka, Lucas went straight to Shenhe's room.
It wasn't that he didn't care about her hangover. It was just that, in his mind, Shenhe's body had always been unbelievably resilient. A little too much alcohol shouldn't mean anything. Honestly, even if she'd been seriously injured, she'd probably recover halfway just by sleeping it off.
But the moment he pushed open the door, his jaw nearly hit the floor.
The usually fierce and lively Shenhe was lying weakly on the bed, looking pale and drained. Alarmed, Lucas rushed over and helped her sit up. "Shenhe, are you okay?"
"I—! I'm so not okay!" Shenhe glared at him, her tone sharp even through her exhaustion. "Why aren't you off having your date with the Kamisato princess? What are you doing here?"
"I came because I was worried about you," Lucas said with a wry smile. "Besides, Ayaka's the one who asked me to check on you."
Ayaka told him to come see me?
That little bit of news instantly softened Shenhe's irritation by a good seventy percent. Maybe that girl did have a conscience after all.
"Tch..." she muttered, still trying to sound proud even as her tone lightened. "Who said I needed you to check on me? I'm fine. A little alcohol's nothing."
"Really?" Lucas smiled faintly. "If you're fine, then I'll head out."
"You—you dare!" Shenhe's face flushed again. "If you leave, I'll tell my master and senior sister you forced me to drink!"
"That's brutal," Lucas said, half-laughing, half-exasperated. "Fine, fine, I'll stay. So? What's bothering you?"
"Everything," Shenhe grumbled. "Ugh... I can't believe I drank that much..."
"Well, you were the one insisting on keeping up with everyone," Lucas sighed. "Lesson learned—don't overdo it next time."
He lifted the edge of her blanket and reached a hand beneath it. Shenhe's eyes went wide. "Wh-what are you doing? I feel awful, and you still have the nerve to think about that?!"
"Who said I was doing that?" Lucas rolled his eyes. "I'm just helping you push the alcohol out of your system with my Internal Energy. Otherwise, your only option is to stick your fingers down your throat."
Shenhe blinked, realizing what he meant. She didn't argue further and simply let him continue, though her heart was still pounding. A moment later, she gasped, cheeks reddening again. "H-hey! I thought you were removing the alcohol—why are you touching that area?"
"I'm just finding the right spot. Two points, draw a line, then find the center." Once he located it, he pressed his palm firmly in place.
A soothing warmth began to spread through Shenhe's body. It was like every pore on her skin had opened at once. Under the flow of Lucas's True Qi, she could actually feel the alcohol being drawn out of her, bit by bit. Her dizziness and nausea began to fade.
After a while, Lucas finally withdrew his hand. It was slick with moisture, as though he'd just pulled it out of a basin of water. He sniffed it and chuckled. "Huh. That's... probably the first time I've ever smelled sweat this 'fragrant.'"
"D-don't smell it!" Shenhe's face turned scarlet. She tried to swat at him but suddenly froze, her expression twisting.
"What's wrong?" Lucas asked, confused. "You look terrible."
"Quick... get me the chamber pot!" Shenhe stammered, her voice urgent. "I—I can't hold it anymore!"
Then it clicked. When he'd forced the alcohol out with True Qi, he'd also stirred up a lot of internal water. Some of it had escaped as sweat—but the rest? Well, it was trying to leave through another route entirely.
Shenhe's entire body trembled, her face contorting as she desperately held it in. If she lost control now, the proud Adeptus from Liyue would die of shame on the spot.
Trying not to laugh, Lucas grabbed the copper chamber pot from the corner. "Here, I'll set it down. You... uh, take care of it. I'll step outside."
Even though they were already... rather familiar with each other, Shenhe still wasn't shameless enough to let him watch her do something like that.
But then she said softly, "Don't go... I can't move. If I try, it'll—"
Lucas saw the cold sweat running down her temples. She was already at her limit. "Then what should I do?"
"Idiot!" Shenhe bit her lip, her face burning. "Do I really have to spell it out? Help... help me out!"
Suppressing his laughter, Lucas said, "Alright, alright. Don't move. I'll... help you."
A moment later, the quiet room filled with the gentle sound of flowing water, mingling with the rhythmic splash of the courtyard's bamboo fountain. The harmony lasted a full two minutes before silence finally returned once more.
"That's... quite a lot."
Lucas glanced down at the contents of the pot and couldn't resist a smirk. "Guess your body's not just good at hiding muscle—it's good at storing water too."
"Shut... shut up!"
Shenhe covered her face with both hands, her legs pressed tightly together as she turned toward the wall. "Just... dump it already!"
Years of living secluded in the mountains had made her less self-conscious than most women, but even so—what had just happened was mortifying on a spiritual level.
She wanted to dig a hole and disappear.
"What a waste," Lucas teased. "That's Adeptus-grade water without roots. If I poured it on some plants, who knows—might grow celestial herbs."
"Don't you dare!" Shenhe spun around, ready to stop him—only to realize the pot she'd filled moments ago was now completely empty. "Wait... where is it?"
"Already taken care of," Lucas shrugged. "Couldn't just leave it for the Kamisato Clan's maids to deal with, right? They probably couldn't even lift it."
"You're exaggerating!" Shenhe huffed, cheeks puffed. "Now go get me something to eat. I'm starving."
"Yes, ma'am~" Lucas chuckled, giving her cheek a playful pinch. "You rest up a bit more."
"Wait." Shenhe frowned, staring at his hand. "You didn't... wash your hands after helping me, did you?"
Lucas blinked. "Do I look like I had time to—ow!"
A scuffle broke out, and a few seconds later Lucas was kicked out of the room, muttering under his breath, "It's her own water anyway... what's there to complain about..."
He'd barely taken two steps down the hall when a familiar figure appeared around the corner. Before he could even see her face, a blade came slicing straight for his head.
The sharp hiss of air was all the warning he got. Reflexes kicked in—Lucas drew the Demon Blade Muramasa in a flash, metal clashing against metal with a shower of sparks.
"Mai?"
He finally saw his attacker and blinked. "What the hell? Trying to assassinate a poor, innocent twenty-something?"
"I was testing you," Raiden Mai said flatly, lowering her sword. "You've been spending too much time in a woman's arms lately. I wanted to see if you'd gone soft."
At Lucas's current level, "going soft" wasn't even possible. His body was constantly reinforced by layers of positive buffs—his strength didn't decay, it only kept climbing higher, like a river's current flowing ever forward.
"I haven't been slacking off," Lucas sighed. "Shenhe came all the way from Liyue to see me—I'd be a jerk if I didn't keep her company."
"So..." Mai said casually, "when you were on that date yesterday... didn't anything feel off?"
"Now that you mention it... maybe a little," Lucas mused, rubbing his chin. "But girls are always a little strange. Even you. The more human you act, the less I can figure you out."
"I've simply gotten stronger," Mai replied calmly. "Next time you have the chance, spar with me again."
"Sure, but maybe warn me first next time," Lucas said helplessly. "If you jump me like that again and I accidentally slice you in half, I'll never forgive myself."
"Why would you regret it?" Mai looked genuinely puzzled. "I'm a puppet. If I get damaged, I can be repaired."
"Yeah, but..." Lucas met her gaze, serious now. "To me, you stopped being just a puppet a long time ago."
For a split second, Mai's composure cracked. Her face turned faintly red—but she quickly looked away and said coolly, "This is the weapon you asked me to modify. It's finished."
She handed him the sword she'd just attacked him with. It was his own Raikiri, though Mai had altered the hilt and guard to make it look like it had been reforged from Ayaka's Thunder Guide—just to maintain their cover story. For her, such precise craftsmanship was nothing.
"Damn, you really nailed it," Lucas said, admiring the sword. "If your handiwork was this good in... other areas, you'd be perfect."
It was a throwaway joke—but Mai took it completely seriously. "I possess a self-learning program. If you wish to enhance my capabilities in any area, please provide the necessary data."
Lucas choked on his words. "Where the hell would I even find data like that? Pretty sure it'd get banned if it existed." He scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Anyway, I've got stuff to do. We'll... talk about it some other time."
He waved and walked off.
Mai watched his back fade down the corridor and sighed softly. "I just... want to make him happier. But I really don't know how."
"Would you like to learn?"
The voice came from right behind her. Yae Miko slipped into view like a fox-shaped ghost, her grin positively dripping with amusement. "I heard everything you two just said."
"Eavesdropping won't end well for you," Mai said evenly. "What do you want?"
"You said you wanted data, didn't you?" Yae's eyes curved in that familiar, mischievous smile. "Come with me. I've got plenty of... good stuff."
"Good stuff?" Mai echoed, skeptical.
"Come on," Yae teased, looping her arm around Mai's wrist. "Would your dear Miko ever trick you?"
They walked through the corridor and entered Yae Miko's room. Though she was only staying temporarily, the bookshelves and desk were already stacked high with manuscripts.
"These are all new submissions from Yae Publishing House," she explained, pulling open a drawer. Inside were several unbound stacks of paper. "And these—" she tapped a handful of them with a grin "—were rejected for being a little too... detailed. Study them carefully, and you'll definitely learn something."
Mai glanced at the titles and frowned. "'I Was Defeated by the Raiden Shogun's Silver Tongue,' 'Strange Tales of Inazuma: Teasing the Fox's Breasts,' 'Reincarnated as Miss Kamisato, I Became a Yoshiwara Oiran'... What kind of ridiculous names are these?"
Yae Miko's lips curved into a mysterious smile. "You'll understand once you read them. But remember—these are all banned books. Don't let anyone else see them, alright?"
Raiden Mai still looked a little puzzled, but she obediently tucked the strange manuscripts under her arm and left Yae Miko's room.
At that moment, she had no idea that she was about to open the door to an entirely new world.
———
That afternoon, at the Training Ground.
"Now!"
As Yae Miko released an arrow of crackling lightning, Kamisato Ayaka—wielding the newly reforged Raikiri—moved with perfect timing. Her blade flashed, and the searing bolt of lightning suddenly veered off course, reversing its trajectory and shooting back toward Yae.
With a casual wave of her hand, Yae dispelled the arrow midair and smiled. "Not bad. Out of ten strikes, you managed to deflect eight. A bit more practice, and you'll be able to block them all."
"This is... unbelievable," Ayaka murmured, staring at her sword in awe. "Brother Lucas, it's not just that I've gotten stronger—the blade itself feels extraordinary."
And it was. A genuine S-class weapon. Her old twin magnet blades were fine for ordinary lightning users, but against the Raiden Shogun? They might as well have been toys.
"It's just a small improvement," Lucas said casually. "Without your swordsmanship, it'd still be nothing more than a fancy piece of scrap metal."
Ayaka smiled faintly, about to reply—but the doors to the training ground suddenly burst open. Thoma rushed in, looking flustered. "Miss Ayaka! Lady Kujou Sara is here."
"Sara?" Ayaka blinked in surprise. She'd hardly ever visited the Kamisato Estate before. "Alright. I'll meet her right away."
"N-no," Thoma said quickly, shaking his head. "She said she's here to see... Master Lucas."
"Me?" Lucas froze, his stomach tightening. Then, remembering the incident from yesterday, his expression twitched.
Oh, great. Don't tell me she spent all night stewing over it and came here today just to chew me out.
Whatever happened, Ayaka absolutely could not find out that he and Kujou Sara had kissed in the middle of the street. He cleared his throat. "I understand. I'll go meet her—"
Before he could finish, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from outside. With a sharp crack, the wooden doors swung open.
A short-haired beauty stormed in, radiating authority.
"Pardon the intrusion, Lady Kamisato," Kujou Sara said curtly. Her gaze swept across the training ground before fixing on Lucas. "As I thought—you're here."
"Well, well," Yae Miko drawled, stepping forward with her usual teasing smile. "What's this? You look like you're about to start a war. Did this boy do something to offend you? If so, we'll be happy to rough him up on your behalf."
Ayaka glanced at Yae, who discreetly winked back at her.
Lucas, of course, had no idea that both of these "uninvolved" women already knew exactly what had happened yesterday.
Sara frowned slightly at their banter. "He hasn't done anything wrong. I just... have something to discuss with him. Would you mind lending him to me for half a day?"
"Lady Kujou," Ayaka said, her tone uncharacteristically firm. "The Kamisato Estate doesn't hoard its possessions. Anything within these walls, you're welcome to borrow. But Brother Lucas isn't an object. You can't just borrow him."
Sara stiffened. Lucas immediately tensed, ready to step in before things got ugly—
But instead, Sara lowered her head and bowed deeply. "I know my request is excessive. Even so... please."
The old saying went, you can't strike someone wearing a polite smile. Seeing the proud Tenryou general bowing so humbly, Ayaka couldn't bring herself to refuse.
Lucas cleared his throat softly. "With Lady Miko and Ayaka here, it's not like she can do anything to me. I'll go with her. It's fine."
"I... understand," Ayaka said reluctantly. "But if you're not back by sunrise tomorrow, I'll go to the Tenryou Commission myself—with Lady Miko—to demand you back."
She knew her title alone might not intimidate Kujou Takayuki, but with Yae Miko backing her up? That was a different story.
"Understood."
Sara straightened, glanced at Lucas, and said simply, "Come with me."
Lucas swallowed hard and followed her out of the training ground.
"Lady Miko..." Ayaka murmured, still uneasy as she watched them leave. "You don't think... she'll hurt him, right?"
"Relax," Yae said with a small smile. "That tengu girl might have the personality of a thundercloud, but she's not cruel. And besides—Lucas isn't exactly easy to push around."
Sara led Lucas to a quiet corner of the estate. Once she was sure no one else was nearby, she stopped.
"If you're here to scold me about yesterday," Lucas said awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck, "I can only say I'm sorry—"
But Sara didn't respond. Instead, she handed him a newspaper. "Take a look at this."
Puzzled, Lucas unfolded it—only for his eyes to widen.
Splashed across the front page, in bold print, was a clear photo of him and Sara locked in a passionate kiss. He glanced up at the headline and instantly understood what had happened.
"These shameless reporters... this is insane!" Lucas barked a laugh, half furious, half incredulous. "You're okay with this? Tell me who printed it—we'll go straighten them out right now!"
Even he couldn't stomach this. Forget Sara—even he wanted to storm the publisher's office and flip a few tables.
"No need," Sara said, shaking her head. "It's too late."
"Too late?" Lucas frowned. "Don't tell me you already—what, smashed their office?"
"No," she sighed quietly. "I mean... my adoptive father has already seen it."
Lucas froze. "Wait—you mean... Lord Kujou Takayuki? What did he say?"
Sara gave him a sidelong glance, her eyes narrowing. "If you'd raised a daughter for over ten years, and found a picture of her kissing some foreign man in the middle of the street—on the front page of every paper in Inazuma—how do you think you would react?"
"Don't say another word..."
Lucas felt a chill crawl down his spine.
It seemed either that sleazy tabloid or himself wouldn't live to see tomorrow—and honestly, maybe both.
He'd never met Kujou Takayuki in person, but thanks to the simulator, he had a pretty solid idea of what kind of man the head of the Tenryou Commission was.
"I came to find you because..." Kujou Sara paused, then said calmly, "My adoptive father wants to meet you."
Lucas's stomach dropped.
"Wait, hold on..." He wiped the sweat from his brow. "By 'meet,' do you mean he's planning to stuff me in a barrel of concrete and toss me into the sea? Or maybe bury me somewhere in the wilderness?"
Sara, ever the serious one, didn't even register the joke. "If he merely wanted to dispose of your body, the Tenryou Commission has far more efficient methods... Wait, why would you even think that?"
"Well, isn't he summoning me to account for my 'crime'?" Lucas said helplessly.
"No. In fact, this is my idea." Sara's expression hardened. "To be precise, I'm hoping you'll help me with something."
"Help you? With what?" Lucas frowned.
"For years, my adoptive father has been arranging marriage proposals for me. You know how it is—being the adopted daughter of the Kujou Clan, it's all just politics. But I have no desire to rely on a man to prove my worth." She rested a hand on his shoulder. "And then, you appeared."
"Wait... don't tell me you mean—" Lucas's eyes widened. "You want me to pretend to be your boyfriend?"
"Fiancé," Sara corrected, dead serious. "Don't worry, it's just in name. If we can keep up the act for three to five years, by the time I'm past the age where political marriage is 'appropriate,' I'll be free."
"Uh... you think that'll actually work?" Lucas hesitated. "Would your father really accept you marrying some random foreigner?"
"My father is a very traditional man. If he believes we've already... crossed a certain line, he might disapprove, but he won't be able to stop it outright." She pulled a folded document from her sleeve and handed it to him. "This is your new identity. Memorize every detail. If you slip up, he'll see through you instantly."
"Whoa, hold on!" Lucas said awkwardly. "You're acting like I've already agreed to this!"
Sara nodded once. "Then I'll have to use my last resort..."
Before Lucas could ask what she meant, she suddenly drew a dagger from her waist.
"Whoa, whoa—what are you doing?!" Lucas jumped back. "If you're thinking about forcing me, you should know I've had training! I'm not scared of you!"
In a straight fight, Sara wouldn't be able to beat him—but striking the adopted daughter of the Tenryou Commissioner was basically a declaration of war. That was not a mess he wanted to get into.
But Sara didn't aim the dagger at him. Instead, she pressed the tip against her own abdomen, expression calm. "If you refuse to acknowledge our relationship in front of my father, it'll only prove I'm the kind of shameless woman who'd behave improperly with a man I barely know. To clear my name... I can only prove my sincerity with death."
What is wrong with this family?
Do they all have a death-by-seppuku reflex or something?!
"Hey, hey, calm down! Don't go jumping straight to death and honor!" Lucas grabbed her wrist and pushed the dagger aside, half-laughing, half-panicking. "Fine! I'll do it, okay? I'll go! But just once—whatever happens afterward, I'm out of it!"
Hearing that, Sara's tense expression finally softened a little. "Before we go, we'll need to get you proper clothes. My treat."
Lucas didn't exactly need charity, but Sara was relentless. She dragged him to a private tailor and had him fitted for a brand-new outfit—one clearly meant for formal occasions. It wasn't cheap, but thanks to the Tenryou Commission's influence, the shop owner happily offered a generous discount.
"How does it feel?" Sara asked as she looked him over. For a moment, she felt something unfamiliar stir inside her. Somehow, the man in front of her looked far more... composed than before.
Guess the saying was true—a man really is defined by his clothes.
"Feels weird," Lucas admitted honestly. "I'm still more used to Liyue-style clothes. Speaking of which... what happened to my old outfit?"
"Just throw them out," Sara said with her arms crossed. "They looked like ordinary travel clothes anyway."
"No way!" Lucas protested immediately. "I'm keeping those."
Sara tilted her head slightly, puzzled. "Why so attached? They're just clothes."
"They're not just clothes," Lucas said firmly. "You shouldn't forget where you come from. Those were made by Ganyu—she sewed them herself before I left Liyue. I can't just toss them aside."
Ganyu had insisted on making those clothes by hand so he'd carry her thoughts with him wherever he went. She wasn't exactly skilled at domestic work, so the stitching was rough and uneven—but to Lucas, that made them priceless.
"I see," Sara said after a pause. "I respect that. I'll have someone clean and return them to you."
———
Getting fitted for clothes didn't take long, and soon enough, Lucas found himself following Sara through the gates of the Kujou estate. Despite everything he'd experienced since arriving in Teyvat, his nerves were on edge.
He'd met plenty of women—some closer than others—but this was the first time he was actually... meeting the parents.
Sure, Cloud Retainer technically counted as Ganyu's guardian, but facing an adeptus and facing Kujou Takayuki were two very different things.
Compared to the easygoing atmosphere of the Kamisato Estate, the Kujou residence was pure military discipline. The air itself felt heavier. Every servant moved with mechanical precision, faces expressionless, eyes downcast. Even when they passed by Sara herself, they only gave a curt nod before carrying on in silence.
It was enough to make Lucas feel like he'd stepped into an execution ground rather than a family home.
"Figures... it really is different," Lucas muttered under his breath.
"What's different?" Sara asked casually.
"I mean, you're the Kujou Clan's eldest daughter, right? None of these servants even say hello to you?" Lucas rubbed his chin with a faint grin. "Or maybe your family's servants just have more spine than most?"
Honestly, he couldn't blame them. Back when he worked as a servant at Keqing's place, every time the young lady walked by, he and the others bowed like their lives depended on it.
"It's only like this with me," Sara replied evenly. "I may bear the Kujou name, but I'm not truly one of them. Out there, people see me as a daughter of the Kujou Clan, but once the doors close... I'm no different from these servants. Just a slightly higher-ranking one."
That one line told Lucas everything he needed to know about how she lived.
Yeah. "Adopted daughter" sounded nice on paper, but anyone with eyes could see what it really meant. Kujou Takayuki only cared about her Tengu bloodline—and the fact that she'd received her Vision as a child. In his eyes, she was just another tool.
And with two legitimate sons above her, the Clan's power and inheritance had nothing to do with her.
Under those circumstances, finding a husband from a good family might actually have been a form of freedom for her. But she'd refused even that. By entering a fake relationship with Lucas, she'd effectively cut off her last escape route.
"So..." Lucas asked cautiously, "you've never thought about... living differently?"
Sara's expression didn't change. "I've always lived this way. How else would I live?"
Lucas chuckled. "I don't know. Maybe find someone to marry and get out of the Kujou Clan."
"Find someone to marry?" Sara's lips curved into the faintest smirk. "Who? You?"
Before Lucas could respond, the sharp clack of wooden swords colliding rang out nearby. They turned toward the sound and saw two young men sparring in an open-air Training Ground.
The older one was tall and broad-shouldered, his swings wide and forceful—like a soldier cutting through enemies on a battlefield. The younger one was slender and refined, his movements tight and precise, the kind of style only a master tutor could produce.
The elder had the advantage in strength and experience, but to Lucas's eyes, they were evenly matched—neither particularly impressive.
As they drew closer, Lucas realized he knew them both. He'd seen them before in the Simulator: Kujou Takayuki's two sons—Kujou Masahito and Kujou Kamaji.
It made sense for Kamaji to be here. But Masahito? Wasn't he supposed to be fighting on the frontlines? What was he doing back home?
Before Lucas could puzzle that out, the two brothers noticed them. They already knew their adopted sister was bringing home a "boyfriend" today, so they'd been waiting here specifically to size him up. The sparring? Just a way to kill time while they waited.
"Big Brother, Second Brother," Sara said, bowing her head slightly. "Allow me to introduce you. This is Lucas. These are my two elder brothers—Kujou Masahito and Kujou Kamaji."
"Pleasure to meet you," Lucas said with a somewhat awkward smile. After all, in the Simulator, these two hadn't exactly met pleasant ends—and he'd had a hand in both.
Kamaji at least gave a polite nod. Masahito, however, lifted his chin and said coldly, "I heard you're a merchant?"
Lucas slipped easily into his false persona and nodded. "That's right. A bookseller."
"Tch. No offense," Masahito sneered, "but Father has always despised merchants. They rank lowest among the four classes—scholars, farmers, artisans, and traders."
Lucas could tell both brothers were spoiling for a fight, but he just smiled. "Then what kind of man does the esteemed head of the Tenryou Commission admire?"
"Someone accomplished," Masahito said bluntly. "Either in the arts or in battle. Without that, you won't even get past Father's door."
Sara frowned, sensing the tension. "Father and I already—"
She didn't get to finish. Lucas stepped in front of her.
"I'll admit, I'm not great with words," he said with a lazy grin. "But when it comes to fighting... I've got some confidence."
"Oh?" Masahito raised an eyebrow, suddenly intrigued. "How much confidence?"
Lucas held up five fingers. "Enough to beat you both within fifty moves."
The brothers' expressions darkened immediately. Sara tensed beside him. "What are you doing?" she hissed.
"Helping you save face, obviously," Lucas said lightly, slipping an arm around her shoulders. "I've got to show your brothers that my Sara's got good taste."
"Fifty moves to defeat us both?" Kamaji adjusted his glasses, his tone cool. "I'll admit I'm not the best swordsman, but that's a bit arrogant, don't you think?"
Lucas's smile turned sharp. "This is me talking while holding her."
A faint violet light flickered from the Ring of Manipulation on his finger—the glow of "Pride."
"Fine," Masahito said, tossing him a wooden sword. "I'll give you the chance to prove it. If you can't beat us within fifty moves, you'll turn around and leave. And you'll stay away from Sara forever."
Sara sighed quietly. There was no stopping them now. "If you can't win," she murmured, "just surrender quickly."
After all, in every simulation involving her, Lucas's strength had only been average—and this wasn't a dream. She didn't know his true power in reality, but she did know her brothers'.
Kamaji was one thing, but Masahito had fought through real wars, survived real bloodshed. No ordinary fighter could stand against that.
While Sara was still thinking through how to handle this, Lucas had already stepped onto the Training Ground.
Dual wooden blades in hand, he faced the two brothers as they launched their coordinated assault—one from the left, one from the right.
Yet Lucas met every strike with ease, parrying each blow as if it were child's play. His movements were smooth, effortless—unfazed even as the brothers pressed their furious attack.
Dual-wielding wasn't exactly Lucas's preferred fighting style.
But when your technique was sharp enough to crush your opponent outright, it didn't really matter how many weapons you used. Hell, even if he fought like Zoro—with a sword in his mouth—he'd still mow them down all the same.
If Sara joined in too, the scene might've resembled "Three Heroes vs. Lü Bu." Granted, the weakest of the three, Kamaji, would probably be playing Liu Bei's role in that analogy.
Not that it was a perfect comparison. In the original story, Lü Bu retreated in the end—but in this fight, there was no chance of that happening.
Kujou Masahito might've been a general of the Tenryou Commission, but compared to Lucas, he was still hopelessly outmatched. If Lucas really wanted to, he could've ended it in five moves, not fifty.
Still, even under the influence of the Ring of Manipulation, he managed to hold on to a sliver of restraint. He dragged the match out to over thirty exchanges before he finally got serious—one strike to Kamaji's right knee, another to Masahito's chest.
It was over in a blink.
Even among everyone present, the most shocked was Sara. She was stronger than either of her brothers, but even she hadn't been able to see through the speed of Lucas's attacks.
"Well?" Lucas said casually. "Does my skill meet your standards?"
Masahito's arrogance vanished instantly. He helped Kamaji to his feet, chuckling good-naturedly. "I yield, I yield. You've got some real skill, I'll give you that. No wonder Sara's taken a liking to you."
Kamaji gave a faint, apologetic smile. "I wasn't trying to play the bad guy. Big Brother just insisted we meet you first—to make sure you weren't some swindler."
Lucas blinked, then laughed softly. So that was it—they weren't here to start trouble. They were just looking out for their sister.
"Thank you both for your concern," Sara said quietly. There was a rare warmth in her eyes as she glanced at them. "I didn't expect him to be this..."
"Strong!" Masahito finished with a grin. "With a body like that, it's a waste for you to be a merchant. The army could use someone like you. How about it? Ever thought about joining the frontlines?"
"Big Brother, don't start recruiting him already," Kamaji sighed. "They're clearly still in the honeymoon phase. You'd have them separated before the wedding's even planned."
Sara flushed and shot him a glare before walking up to Lucas. "You never told me you were this strong," she muttered.
"You never asked," Lucas said, scratching the back of his head. "Besides, I only got dragged into this by accident."
Sara gave him a sharp look. "How many secrets are you hiding from me?"
"Trying to get intel out of me?" Lucas teased. "Sure—if you're willing to trade some of yours."
Sara blinked. "What kind of 'intel' could I possibly have?"
"For starters..." Lucas narrowed his eyes mischievously, gaze drifting downward. "Ever since that kiss yesterday, I've been wondering—what cup size are you?"
He half-expected to get punched into the dirt for that. Instead, Sara just frowned slightly and said, "D. Though lately... it's been feeling a little tight."
"You... actually answered?" Lucas looked genuinely flustered. "I was joking."
"I'm not very good at telling jokes from serious questions," Sara sighed. "So if you ask me something, I'll always tell you the truth."
"Sara..." Lucas felt an unexpected warmth rise in his chest. The bond they'd built in the Simulator was already deep—but this, this made it feel real. "Then... can I ask one more thing?"
Hearing him call her by name so directly made something stir in Sara's chest. She hesitated, then nodded. "Go ahead."
"I've been dying to know..." Lucas leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear. "How do you take off your bodysuit when you go to the bathroom?"
Whatever fluttery feeling Sara had a moment ago vanished instantly. She glared at him. "Don't push your luck."
"Ahem."
A calm but commanding cough cut through the air behind them. The group turned to see an elderly man standing at the edge of the Training Ground—his hair and beard snow-white, his presence quiet but undeniably imposing.
Lucas recognized him instantly. Kujou Takayuki.
The three siblings straightened at once, bowing in perfect unison. "Father."
Their movements were so synchronized it was almost mechanical—proof that hierarchy meant far more than blood in this household. Lucas, a beat too slow, managed an awkward nod. "Good afternoon, sir."
"So, you're the man who's caught Sara's eye?" Kujou Takayuki's gaze cut straight through him, sharp and assessing. "Hm. You do have the look of a promising young man."
"You flatter me, sir." Lucas smiled and, as if performing a magic trick, produced an ornate brocade box from behind his back. He presented it with both hands. "It's an honor to meet you. Please accept this small gift."
Sara blinked, caught off guard. When had he prepared that?
She'd thought her "plan" covered every angle—but she'd completely forgotten the most basic thing: when visiting a girlfriend's family, you always bring a gift. She hadn't thought of it—but Lucas had.
Kujou Takayuki's expression didn't change as he opened the box. Inside lay an elegant calligraphy brush, its body a deep lapis hue carved with a coiling dragon motif. His lips finally curved into a faint smile.
"A Lapis Lazuli Chi Dragon Brush from Liyue's Moxiang Zhai," he murmured. "Each one costs several million Mora, and even then they're hard to come by. It seems you came well prepared."
Masahito and Kamaji exchanged a startled glance. They could hardly remember the last time they'd seen their father smile. The fact that Sara's boyfriend had managed it on their first meeting said it all.
Lucas, of course, had known exactly what to bring. During his years serving under Kujou Takayuki in the Simulator, he'd learned all his preferences by heart. The man had no vices—just a quiet love for calligraphy.
So Lucas had played his hand perfectly.
"I'm glad you like it, sir," Lucas said with a smile. "Sara told me you would."
Kujou Takayuki cast a sidelong glance at his two sons. "Hmph. Daughters really are more thoughtful than sons."
Masahito and Kamaji both stiffened. They'd been so busy with official duties lately that they hadn't spent much time with their father—and it was obvious his "praise" for Sara was just a way to scold them.
"I also happened to see your sparring match earlier," Takayuki continued, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Liyue swordsmanship truly lives up to its reputation. I wonder—would you allow this old man to experience it firsthand?"
"Ah…" Lucas rubbed the back of his neck. "I wouldn't dare. My meager skills could never compare to yours, sir."
It was a polite deflection, of course. In truth, Takayuki didn't even have a Vision, and at his age, there was no way he could match Lucas. The last thing Lucas wanted was to accidentally injure his girlfriend's father.
Besides—what kind of lunatic challenged his future father-in-law to a duel the first time they met?
"What's this?" Takayuki's voice turned cold. "Do you look down on these old bones of mine?"
"Of course not," Lucas said helplessly. "If that's your wish, then I'll do my best."
"Good." Takayuki nodded. "Sara, bring me a wooden sword."
Sara hesitated for just a moment before obeying. She couldn't exactly go against her adoptive father's orders—but when she handed the sword to Lucas, she shot him a subtle warning glance.
Takayuki gripped the wooden blade in both hands. Though his hair was white, the air around him grew sharp, his presence far more intimidating than either of his sons.
"Begin."
Without another word, he lunged. His movements were fast—shockingly fast for someone his age.
Lucas met his attack head-on. The old man's strikes were heavy, deliberate, and precise, every swing calculated to kill. His technique was leagues above Masahito's, and Lucas couldn't help but admire that. If Takayuki had been twenty years younger, he might've actually posed a challenge.
Unfortunately, for mortals, aging was the cruelest debuff of all. After just a dozen exchanges, his breathing grew ragged, his steps slower.
Lucas could've ended the fight at any moment, but he didn't. Instead, he deliberately left an opening and let Takayuki's sword press against his chest.
"I concede," Lucas said, lowering his weapon. "Your skill is as sharp as ever, sir."
Takayuki exhaled heavily, beads of sweat rolling down his temple. His sons might not have noticed, but he knew perfectly well that Lucas had let him win. Strangely, that only made him like the young man more. "You're not bad," he said at last. "It's easy to flaunt strength. Knowing when to hide it—that's rarer."
Lucas hadn't done it to flatter him. He just didn't want Sara to see the man she respected get humiliated.
"Dinner's ready," Takayuki said, glancing at his sons. "Let's eat while we talk. If the two of you have things to attend to, don't let us keep you."
The message couldn't have been clearer: I want to talk to my future son-in-law alone. Don't interfere.
"Actually, I need to head back to the frontlines tonight and pack my things," Masahito said quickly. "I'll have to skip dinner."
"I, uh, also have some matters to take care of," Kamaji added immediately. "So, Brother Lucas, I'll leave Father in your capable hands."
A moment ago, it was "Mr Lucas" Now it was "Brother Lucas." The man was quick to adapt. At this rate, next time he'd probably just call him "brother-in-law."
"Let's go," Takayuki said flatly.
He walked ahead, while Lucas and Sara followed behind.
"Good thing I came prepared," Lucas muttered under his breath. "Otherwise, we'd have blown our cover for sure."
"It was my oversight," Sara admitted quietly. "Still, it seems Father rather likes you."
"Which part of that looked like 'liking me'?" Lucas said wryly.
"Call it intuition," Sara replied. "I've been with my adoptive father long enough to know what he likes and dislikes."
Lucas stuck out his tongue. "Then that might actually be a problem."
Sara frowned. "How so?"
"Think about it," Lucas said, smirking. "If he keeps liking me more and more, and really decides to make me his son-in-law... what happens when he finds out the whole thing was fake? He'll be heartbroken."
Sara's cheeks flushed. She bit her lip, mumbling, "That... we can deal with later."
When they entered the dining room, the table was already set—simple but elegant dishes arranged neatly. Despite being the head of the Tenryou Commission, Takayuki clearly didn't live extravagantly.
Dinner went surprisingly smoothly. Every question Takayuki threw at Lucas, he handled with ease. After all the simulations he'd lived through, he was no longer the awkward, tongue-tied stranger who'd first arrived in Teyvat. He'd chatted and negotiated with Archons inside the Simulator; one mortal official was hardly a challenge.
When the meal was over, Takayuki stayed to chat for a while longer. Seeing that it was getting late, Lucas remembered he still had a secret meeting at Komore Teahouse during the Zi Hour. He stood and said, "It's getting late, sir. You should rest. I'll take my leave for tonight and visit again when I can."
"You've already kept an old man like me company long enough," Takayuki said, rising as well. He opened a drawer and took out a small lacquered box, handing it to Lucas. "There's an old saying in Liyue—'Courtesy demands reciprocity.' Take this."
Lucas opened it to find a round piece of jade engraved with the Kujou Clan crest. He assumed it was just a token keepsake and nodded politely. "Then I'll gladly accept, sir."
Once Lucas had left, Takayuki's usual sternness returned. "Sara," he said quietly, "I thought you'd just found some excuse to delay your arranged marriage. I didn't expect this man to truly be someone worthy of your choice."
Sara fought to keep her voice steady. "I'm glad you're satisfied, Father."
Takayuki looked out the window, moonlight spilling across his face. "You must think," he said slowly, hands clasped behind his back, "that I've only ever seen you as a tool."
Sara's heart skipped a beat. She immediately bowed her head. "Father has always treated me with the greatest kindness. Even if you truly see me only as a tool, I would never dare complain."
"At first, that's exactly what I thought," Kujou Takayuki admitted. Then, for once, a trace of warmth flickered in his eyes. "But you've proven yourself far more capable than those two useless brothers of yours. Sometimes, I even think—if only you were my real daughter."
Sara was silent for a long while before she said softly, "Blood relation or not, I'll devote everything I have to the Kujou Clan."
"I'm getting old," Takayuki said, reaching into his sleeve. He took out a sealed envelope and handed it to her. "Inazuma's future belongs to your generation now. This letter is for you. Remember—if anything happens to me, open it and follow the instructions inside. Otherwise, pretend it doesn't exist. And tell no one about it. Not even your brothers."
Sara's eyes widened. "Father, what do you mean? Are you... unwell?"
"No need to worry." Takayuki gave a faint smile. "I'm in perfect health. This is just... a precaution."
Sara murmured, "But... why today?"
"Because you've finally found a reliable man," he said simply. "And this path I've left... you can't walk it alone."
Sara didn't understand what he meant by "path," but her years in the military had drilled absolute obedience into her. Takayuki's trust in that obedience was exactly why he'd chosen to entrust this to her.
———
After leaving the Kujou estate, Lucas glanced at the time. It was nearly the 11 pm. Perfect. Instead of heading back to the Kamisato Estate, he turned toward the Komore Teahouse.
Meanwhile, inside the teahouse—
Beidou leaned back in her chair and downed her cup of tea in one go, grimacing. "Why doesn't this place serve alcohol? You Resistance types should really pick a tavern as your meeting spot."
"Alcohol only causes trouble," Gorou muttered, frowning. "This place is fine. The owner's a good guy."
"Yeah!" Paimon chirped, floating around the counter. She was circling a plump shiba inu with a wagging tail. "Taroumaru and I are best friends now!"
"So..." Kazuha, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "It's already this late. Are you sure he's coming?"
"I'm certain he saw the note," Lumine said firmly. "And I believe he'll come."
Beidou snorted. "Don't be so sure. Yesterday he was locking lips with the Tenryou Commission's Kujou Sara, and today he's cozying up to the Kamisato Clan's young lady. For all we know, he's too busy enjoying himself to remember we exist."
"He—he's not like that!" Lumine said quickly, cheeks puffed. "Brother Lucas isn't that kind of man!"
"I trust him too," Kazuha said calmly. "Everything he does... must have a reason."
"I don't know what kind of man this 'Lucas' really is," Gorou said, brows furrowing, "but if he's truly on the Shogunate's side, then he's my enemy."
Silence fell over the group. They all knew he was right. After all, the four of them had received so much help from Sangonomiya Kokomi and the Resistance Army. If Lucas really had joined the Shogunate, things would get awkward fast.
"Yo! Everyone's here already!"
A familiar, easygoing voice broke the tension. Lucas strolled in, wearing a refined brocade outfit and waving cheerfully. "Sorry, I'm still not great with Inazuma's streets. Got a little lost."
"You actually came!" Lumine shot to her feet, eyes bright. "I knew you wouldn't let us down!"
"Oh?" Lucas grinned. "And what kind of man did you think I was?"
He greeted everyone in turn—until he stopped in front of Gorou. "And you are...?"
"Allow me," Kazuha said smoothly. "This is Gorou, general of the Resistance Army. We sought you out through Sangonomiya Kokomi herself."
Ah, so this was Gorou.
Lucas hadn't met him in any of the Simulations, so he'd had no idea what to expect. The real thing turned out to be a slender young man with keen eyes and soft, wolfish features—much more delicate-looking than Lucas had imagined.
"Thanks for taking care of my friends," Lucas said politely, extending a hand. "Lucas. Pleasure to meet you."
But Gorou only crossed his arms and said coolly, "No need to shake. I wouldn't want to dirty your fine clothes."
Beidou let out a low whistle. "Now that you mention it—those clothes are a bit too fine for a commoner. That fabric, that stitching... not something an ordinary traveler can afford."
"Beidou!" Lumine hissed, tugging on her sleeve.
Realizing she'd overstepped, Beidou cleared her throat. "Right, enough small talk. Tell us—after you fell into the water that day, how'd you survive? And how'd you end up at the Kamisato Estate?"
Lucas didn't bother hiding anything. He told them the whole story—how he'd washed ashore on a deserted island, how he'd made it to Ritou, how he'd met Yae Miko... skipping over a few less family-friendly details, of course.
The group listened intently. Even Gorou, who had been glaring at him moments ago, found his ears twitching as the story went on.
"So in the end," Lucas concluded, taking a sip of tea, "I stayed with the Kamisato Clan to train for the Transmission of Heart sword tournament. I needed to beat the Shogun's envoy, after all. Now everything makes sense, right?"
"That's one wild story," Paimon said, eyes wide. "Even crazier than the ones the storytellers make up!"
"So..." Gorou asked cautiously, "you're not with the Shogunate?"
Lucas chuckled. "Please. I'm from Liyue. Why would I ever side with the Shogunate?"
"My apologies," Gorou said after a pause. His ears drooped slightly as he extended a hand at last. "If that's the case, then I'd be honored to call you a friend."
Lucas, ever easygoing, clasped his hand with a grin. "Come on, now. How could I possibly be with the Shoguna—"
Lucas didn't even finish his sentence before Gorou's nose twitched. In the next instant, his fur practically bristled as he lunged forward without warning, tackling Lucas clean off his chair and onto the floor with a loud crash.
Before Lucas could react, Gorou leaned down and sniffed him closely, his tail rigid with agitation. Then he snarled, "You're lying! You—your whole body reeks of Kujou Sara's scent!"
He wasn't imagining it. Back during the war, Gorou had fought countless battles against the Tenryou Commission's forces—and even crossed blades with Kujou Sara herself. Because of his bloodline, his sense of smell was razor-sharp, able to memorize even faint scents. And Kujou Sara's was one he'd never forget.
So if he could smell her on Lucas now—and so freshly at that—there could only be one explanation: Lucas had seen her recently. Very recently. And up close.
Lucas sighed helplessly and gave a wry smile. "I can explain…"
Great. Why did this feel like getting caught cheating by an overzealous spouse? Explain what, exactly? What was there to explain between them, anyway?
Before he could think of a way out, something slipped from his jacket with a sharp clack. A small embroidered box hit the floor, the lid popping open to reveal a circular jade pendant—the very one Kujou Takayuki had given him.
The moment Gorou's eyes landed on the insignia carved into it, his expression hardened. "The Kujou Clan's crest? And you still claim you've got nothing to do with the Tenryou Commission or the Shogunate?"
Lucas's smile vanished. His voice turned cold. "So what if I do?"
The chill in his eyes made Gorou's breath catch. Gone was the easygoing man from a moment ago—what stared back at him now was sharp and dangerous, a predator in human skin. The fur on his ears and tail stood on end, but he still stammered, "I—I—"
Lucas gave a short, mirthless laugh. Then, with a twist of his arm, he flipped Gorou onto the floor and pinned him there effortlessly. Gorou's instincts screamed at him to struggle, but the fingers gripping his wrist were like iron chains—unyielding, immovable.
A faint red light pulsed from the Ring of Manipulation on Lucas's hand—the quiet bloom of a sinful emotion called rage.
Lucas had a good temper, true. But the calmer a man usually was, the more terrifying he became when pushed too far.
"Even if I were tied to the Shogunate," Lucas said icily, looking down at him, "so what? I've treated you with respect—not because you're some big-shot general of the Resistance, but because you're a friend of my friends. But if you really want a fight…" His eyes narrowed. "I'll be happy to oblige."
He released him then, stepping back.
Gorou bit his lip hard. The scuffle had lasted only a heartbeat, yet it told him everything. The man before him wasn't just strong—he was on a completely different level. Even if Gorou tried a sneak attack, he'd stand no chance.
Without another word, Gorou turned on his heel, stormed into his room, and slammed the door behind him with a deafening bang.
"Uh…" Lucas rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Was that… too much?"
"Gorou's got a lot of pride," Kazuha said with a shrug. "Being humiliated like that… he won't be over it anytime soon."
Lucas sighed. "Maybe I should go apologize."
"No need," Kazuha replied. "He won't see you right now anyway. Don't dwell on it. I'll talk to him later."
"So…" Beidou raised an eyebrow. "Care to explain why you smell like Kujou Sara in the first place? We're not with the Resistance—you don't have to hide anything. Or should I take this to mean you really did join the Shogunate?"
Lucas groaned. "Come on. I swear on my life—if I've joined the Shogunate, may I never have kids!" He threw up his hands. "As for Kujou Sara's scent, well… that's because—"
He launched into the story of how he'd ended up kissing Kujou Sara in public, and how that had led to her inviting him to the Kujou estate afterward.
"So that's what happened!" Paimon gasped. "Then… was the Tenryou Commission's dinner any good?"
"Paimon!" Lumine sighed. "That's so not the point!"
"So it was all a misunderstanding," Beidou said, rubbing her chin before breaking into laughter. "Still, being the Tenryou Commission's future son-in-law doesn't sound half bad!"
"Please, Captain, don't tease me like that…" Lucas groaned. "She only brought me there to cover for her, that's all."
Beidou grinned thoughtfully. "You know, that's actually a solid business idea. These days, there are tons of girls who don't want to deal with real relationships. Once we're back in Liyue, maybe I'll talk to Ningguang about starting a 'rent-a-boyfriend' service. Bet it'd be a hit."
You really are a business genius, huh… Lucas thought silently.
Then Kazuha, who had been quiet all this time, finally spoke. "So, what's your plan now?"
"I came to Inazuma to meet the Raiden Shogun," Lucas said, lifting his wrist to show the Ring of Manipulation. "I need her help to remove this cursed thing. And the only way to reach her… is to win the Transmission of Heart sword tournament."
The others exchanged looks. Beidou nodded. "That works out perfectly. We were planning to join too."
"But wait," Paimon tilted her head. "Weren't you guys entering the tournament just to find Lucas? Now that he's here, why bother competing?"
"The more of us who enter, the better our odds of winning," Kazuha explained. "If this were a fight to the death, Lucas would outclass us easily. But the Transmission of Heart tournament forbids the use of Visions—it's pure swordsmanship. In that field, we might just stand a chance."
"I was thinking the same thing," Lumine said. "If we win, we can ask the Raiden Shogun to help Lucas too!"
It wasn't a bad plan. Anything could happen in a competition—one slip, one stroke of luck, could turn the tide. And when it came to swordsmanship alone, Beidou, Lumine, and Kazuha were all top-tier fighters. Their confidence wasn't misplaced.
Lucas felt a warmth stir in his chest. "All right," he said, nodding. "Then it's settled. But… what about Gorou?"
After all, the Resistance had sent Gorou to win the tournament too. That meant, like it or not, they'd be facing each other as rivals.
"Relax," Kazuha explained calmly. "Sangonomiya Kokomi only sent Gorou here to assess the situation. Joining the Transmission of Heart tournament was never a strict order. And... well, I hate to say it, but given Gorou's current strength, he probably wouldn't have succeeded anyway. So don't worry too much."
Meanwhile, inside Gorou's room—
The young man lay face-down on his bed, his canine ears twitching slightly.
Gorou's nose wasn't his only sharp sense; his hearing was just as keen. He'd caught most of what the others were saying outside.
And honestly, Kazuha wasn't wrong. Though Gorou was a general of the Resistance Army and far stronger than ordinary soldiers, he was still young. Against true masters, he'd be outmatched. Even among the small group traveling with him, he already knew he was the weakest. The only one he could confidently beat was Paimon—and that hardly counted.
Worse yet, his specialty was archery. The Transmission of Heart was a close-quarters sword tournament—his biggest disadvantage. Forget winning the championship; even reaching the semifinals would be a miracle.
But Gorou's pride was his greatest weakness. First, he'd been completely overpowered by that infuriating man, Lucas. And now, overhearing Kazuha say he wasn't strong enough... it was like pouring salt on an open wound.
Was he really that weak?
No. He refused to accept that. He would prove to them that he was strong.
And he couldn't—wouldn't—let down Lady Kokomi's expectations.
With that thought, Gorou sat up, wiped the corners of his eyes, and pulled out a small, ornate porcelain bottle from his chest pocket. His hands trembled as he tipped it, and a crimson pill rolled out into his palm.
"...Gulp."
He swallowed nervously. This was the secret medicine of his tribe—said to awaken the latent power of the canine bloodline.
Once taken, it could push one's strength beyond its limits. But the cost… was unpredictable.
It could cause excessive hair growth. Or baldness. Or worse—an extra tail.
"Gorou," he muttered to himself, staring at the pill. "Victory always comes with sacrifice. Look at our fallen comrades—they gave up their lives. I… I can't afford to be a coward."
With that, he shut his eyes and swallowed the pill whole.
It burned down his throat like a spark turning into a wildfire. Heat surged through him, and soon he couldn't breathe. Gasping, he clutched his neck and fell back onto the bed, panting heavily.
Then came the changes.
His medium-length hair grew rapidly, long locks spilling over his shoulders. His once lean, muscular legs softened, turning slender and shapely.
"Ah—"
A sound escaped him—high-pitched, unfamiliar. His eyes widened. His voice had changed.
Wait… no way—
He looked down. The once-flat plain of his chest now rose into two unmistakable peaks. His short chestplate strained tight, seams threatening to burst.
Half an hour later, the transformation finally stopped.
And staring back from the mirror was not the proud general of the Resistance Army… but a beautiful girl with fluffy dog ears and a stunning figure.
"S-so cute…" Gorou blurted out, dazed—then immediately shook her head. "No, no, this is not the time to think about that!"
Hands trembling, she reached into her waistband.
Empty. Completely empty. Just like her heart at that moment.
It was… gone.
She hadn't even gotten to use it once!
Sure, she'd been ready to sacrifice anything for power—but this was a bit too much, wasn't it?!
"N-no, calm down…" Gorou took a deep breath. "Lady Kokomi is wise and resourceful. She'll definitely find a way to change me back someday. Instead of crying about it, I should focus on using this new strength to help the Resistance."
With that, she threw a few punches into the air. The sound of wind splitting followed each swing. Her body felt lighter, faster, stronger than ever before.
"So this is the power of the canine bloodline…" Gorou murmured. Her heart twisted with mixed emotions—thrilled by her newfound strength, yet grieving the loss of her manhood.
Still, with this power… she could finally wipe that smug look off Lucas's face.
Just thinking about it reignited her determination. She marched toward the door—then froze.
No. If he saw her like this, he'd laugh even harder.
She clenched her fists. He can't know. No one can know.
That's right. She'd enter the Transmission of Heart tournament in this form, defeat him fair and square in front of everyone, and humiliate him just as he'd humiliated her.
Until then, her transformation had to stay secret.
She turned back to her desk, pulled out some paper, and began to write.
...
Outside, the group was still deep in discussion, completely unaware of what had just happened behind that closed door.
After over an hour of planning for the upcoming tournament, they finally wrapped up.
"Uh…" Lucas scratched his cheek, glancing toward Gorou's room. "Maybe I should go apologize to him?"
"No need," Kazuha said, shaking his head. "He's not the type to hold grudges. Besides, even if you went now, he wouldn't see you. After a good night's sleep, he'll probably forget all about it."
"In that case, I'll get going," Lucas said, standing up. "Next time we meet, it'll be in the Transmission of Heart arena."
Lumine's eyes softened for a moment, a flicker of reluctance passing through them. But she knew he had to return to the Kamisato Estate, so she said nothing.
As Lucas's figure disappeared into the night, Beidou suddenly chuckled. "Don't worry. The Kamisato Estate, Inazuma City—it's all just a stopover for him. His roots will always be in Liyue."
The moment Beidou said it, Lumine's face flushed bright red. "W-why are you suddenly bringing that up?"
"I'm saying you shouldn't worry too much. Once we're back in Liyue, you'll have plenty of chances." Beidou laughed, giving her a hearty slap on the back. "You wear your heart on your sleeve, you know that? Your eyes give everything away."
"Huh?" Paimon tilted her head, confused. "How come I can't tell what Lumine's thinking? Aren't we best friends?"
"I can tell what you're thinking, though." Lumine pinched Paimon's cheeks, smirking. "You're wishing we could have sukiyaki for dinner tomorrow, right?"
"Wow! Amazing!" Paimon gasped. "You really are my best partner!"
"You three keep chatting," Kazuha said quietly. "I'm going to check on Gorou."
He might've looked calm, even detached, but his heart was far from cold. Gorou's room had been silent for far too long—it was only natural for him to worry.
"Gorou?"
Kazuha knocked softly. The door creaked open on its own. His instincts immediately tensed; something was off. He pushed it open and stepped inside—only to find the room empty. Not even a single bag remained.
The only thing left behind was a folded letter pinned under a paperweight on the desk. Kazuha picked it up, scanned it, and frowned. "Captain, Lumine… you'd better take a look at this."
Beidou, Lumine, and Paimon entered the room. Beidou took the letter from him and read aloud:
"Sorry. There's something I must take care of on my own. I won't be joining you for now. Let's meet again on the day of the Transmission of Heart. Also, please tell Lucas—on the tournament stage, I'll defeat him fair and square!"
"What business could he possibly have?" Beidou snorted. "Sounds to me like he's still sulking after getting his tail handed to him by Lucas. Probably snuck off because his pride couldn't take it."
"Like a runaway kid," Paimon said, crossing her arms. "So immature."
Lumine gave her a sidelong look. "Says the one who threatened to 'run away forever' because she got one less chicken wing at dinner last week."
Paimon's face turned bright pink. "W-well—! That's—! Um—so what do we do now? Should we go after him?"
"He left a letter, which means he's safe," Kazuha said, shaking his head. "And if he wants some time alone, we shouldn't interfere. Don't worry—he's been sneaking around Inazuma long before this. He'll be fine."
"Still such a handful…" Beidou muttered. Then she paused, glancing down. Something small had crunched under her boot. She bent to pick it up—a loose button with a tiny paw print engraved on it.
"This was from Gorou's jacket," Kazuha said, frowning. "Weird. How'd it end up here?"
"I used to love wearing shirts with buttons too," Beidou said with a grin. "But after they kept popping off, I gave up. You think maybe the same thing happened to him?"
"No way," Paimon said absently. "Gorou's a guy! It's not like—well, maybe he's just barely flatter than Lumine anyway—mmph!"
Lumine clamped a hand over her mouth, fuming. "I—am not flat!"
"Alright, alright, break it up," Beidou said, chuckling. "It's probably nothing. Maybe he just packed too fast and dropped it. We'll return it to him at the tournament."
...
Meanwhile, the owner of that button was slipping quietly through a narrow side street in Inazuma City. She had draped herself in the largest coat she owned, but even that strained to contain her new curves.
Good thing it was late at night. Hardly anyone was around, and she'd chosen a quiet alley on purpose. If she'd walked out in broad daylight wearing this… every man on the street would've turned to stare.
"Hey! You there! Stop right there!"
Gorou froze. A shout came from behind her. She turned to see two Tenryou Commission soldiers approaching with lanterns in hand.
She wasn't too worried. Her power had grown considerably since taking that pill. Even if it hadn't, taking down two guards would've been child's play.
She stood her ground as they came closer. One of the men squinted at her, pulling a stack of wanted posters from his belt. "Hold on a sec. Those ears look familiar… Let me check—huh? Resistance Army general?"
Gorou's fingers twitched, ready to strike.
But the other soldier scoffed. "You blind? The one on the poster's a man. This one's clearly a woman."
Gorou exhaled silently, tension easing from her shoulders. True—between her new face and body, there was no resemblance left at all. "If you've got the wrong person," she said coolly, "I'll be on my way."
"Hold up." The first soldier grinned, eyes glinting. "What's a woman doing wandering around alone at this hour? Don't tell me… you're a courtesan?"
In Inazuma, courtesan was the polite word for women who worked the streets—those who sold company and pleasure without a fixed house or patron. Because they lacked protection, it was dangerous work, and if Tenryou Commission patrols caught them, the punishment could be brutal.