Wow~" As Akira, Yae Miko, and Kitsune Saiguu entered the shrine's dining hall, the hundreds of shrine maidens erupted in gasps of admiration.
"Is that our Great Divine Official? He's so handsome!"
"Lord Akira! Oh my! His smile is so gentle! Nana, I really like Lord Akira!"
"Miyuki, Miyuki, Lord Akira is so handsome! Don't you think? And he looks so perfect standing next to Lady Guuji!"
"Stop it, Gendou. Be careful, or Lady Guuji will make you sweep Mount Yougou," Kuki Miyuki lowered her head, her cheeks flushed. Lord Akira really was so handsome!
Well, the buff of Teyvat's Most Devoted made Akira like a walking hormone. He was already extremely handsome, and now he had an irresistible charm for these young, inexperienced shrine maidens.
"Alright, everyone, settle down," Yae Miko stepped forward, clapping her hands.
Yae Miko's authority was still high, and everyone quickly quieted down.
Yae Miko pulled Kitsune Saiguu to her side and introduced her, "Everyone, let me introduce you. This is Kitsune Saiguu, the first Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine. She has silently protected Inazuma for five hundred years, and now she will be staying at the shrine for a long time. I hope you treat her as you would treat me."
Hearing Yae Miko's introduction, all the shrine maidens turned their attention to Kitsune Saiguu, whispering among themselves, extremely curious about this legendary figure from Inazuma's history.
"Lady Kitsune Saiguu! Welcome back!" A warm chorus of voices rang out, welcoming Kitsune Saiguu.
Kitsune Saiguu nodded, her gaze gentle as she took in the scene. She was very pleased and happy to see the Grand Narukami Shrine thriving so well.
"This person, I'm sure you already know, is our Great Divine Official, Akira," Yae Miko looked at Akira, as if making a decision, and said,
"And he is also my lover."
"Wow~" Instantly, Yae Miko's words caused an uproar among the shrine maidens.
They had long heard that Yae Miko, the Guuji who had lived for hundreds of years, had never been involved in any romantic scandals. Now, Yae Miko herself had announced it?
Akira was also surprised, looking at Yae Miko in astonishment.
He hadn't expected her to reveal their relationship so openly.
He had thought she would keep it hidden.
"There's no need to hide this. I want everyone to bless us," Yae Miko smiled softly, reaching out to hold Akira's hand.
"Wow~" The sight of the two holding hands elicited another round of gasps from the shrine maidens.
"Lady Guuji has sacrificed so much for Inazuma, diligently leading the Grand Narukami Shrine. She's never had a companion by her side," the older shrine maidens looked on with relief.
Lord Akira is no ordinary person. He must be the one who can walk with Lady Guuji forever! With him by her side, Lady Guuji won't be alone anymore, right?"
"Everyone, take your seats. Let's begin tonight's banquet," Yae Miko said as the three of them sat down.
"Let's begin!"
With Yae Miko's words, the banquet officially started.
During the banquet, the clinking of glasses and the aroma of fine wine and delicacies filled the air. All the shrine maidens came to toast Akira, Yae Miko, and Kitsune Saiguu.
The revelry continued late into the night.
"Ugh, I can't take it anymore, Miyuki, stop making me drink," Akira's face was flushed, his eyes hazy. His alcohol tolerance wasn't great, and he hadn't used his powers to cheat.
After drinking cup after cup in earnest, Akira was already tipsy. His face was red as he looked at Kuki Miyuki, who had come to toast him again, and he waved his hand, signaling for them to stop pouring him drinks.
"Ahhh! Drunk Lord Akira is so cute!" Kuki Miyuki's heart melted as she looked at the adorable, drunken Akira.
"Ahahaha! Akira, are you really this weak?"
Kitsune Saiguu, who had been chatting with Yae Miko, laughed heartily as she teased Akira. "No way, no way, Akira, you're this bad? You get
drunk from just a little wine?"
"Who~ who says?" Akira looked defiant. He propped himself up, looked at Miyuki, and then downed the wine in his glass in one go.
"Kitsune Saiguu! Let's go again," Akira poured another glass and looked at Kitsune Saiguu.
"Oh ho? Bring it on," Kitsune Saiguu was intrigued. Who didn't know about her legendary drinking capacity? Did they think she hadn't been practicing for hundreds of years? She'd been sneaking drinks even before she took human form.
"Hey, Kitsune Saiguu! Why are you always encouraging Akira to drink? He's already drunk!" Yae Miko glared at Kitsune Saiguu, clearly displeased.
"Oh? Worried about your little lover?" Kitsune Saiguu teased with a grin.
"Hmph..." Yae Miko let out a soft huff and reached out to take Akira's glass.
"No, baby, don't take it. Today, I'm going to settle this with Kitsune Saiguu," Akio dodged Yae Miko's hand, his tone proud.
"..." The way Akira called her "baby" made Yae Miko's face turn red. "Akira, drink less. It's not good for your health."
"It's fine. I'm a deity. I need to teach Kitsune Saiguu a lesson and show her who's in charge in this house," Akira pulled Yae Miko into his arms and kissed her rosy lips. "Be good. I'm going to teach Kitsune Saiguu a lesson now."
"Wowowowow!" Akira's bold move elicited a chorus of excited gasps from the shrine maidens! Truly, the Great Divine Official was so romantic! They had only heard about kisses in novels.
Yae Miko sighed helplessly.
She decided to let Akira be. When he was drunk, he became a completely different person. But Akira was right-he was a deity. No amount of alcohol would harm his body.
So Yae Miko pinched Akira's cheek and went off to chat with the other shrine maidens.
"Come on, come on!" Kitsune Saiguu was also feeling the effects of the alcohol. She wasn't about to back down. "Today, big sister will show you what it means to have a sea-like capacity! This house is still mine to rule!"
"Oh really?" Akira sneered. "Let's drink?"
"Let's drink!"
Neither of them was willing to back down, and they began gulping down wine one cup after another.
After who knows how long, Akio was the first to give in, slumping onto the table with a thud.
"Hahaha! Akira, you're such a lightweight! I told you you couldn't handle it," Kitsune Saiguu pointed at Akira and laughed heartily, but then she too slumped onto the table, fast asleep.
Yae Miko: "..."
The shrine maidens: ".."
"Sigh..." Yae Miko facepalmed. "These two, really, they're such a handful."
"Miyuki, you all clean up here. I'll take these two drunkards back," Yae Miko sighed and instructed the shrine maidens.
"Yes, Lady Guuji. Leave it to us. You, Lord Akira, and Lady Kitsune Saiguu should go rest," Kuki Miyuki nodded.
As a powerful youkai, Yae Miko's physical strength was nothing to scoff at. With a soft huff, she hoisted one person over each shoulder and carried them back to their room.