Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds [123] [40 PS]
Night had fallen.
In the distance, the lights of the camp flickered, swaying gently in the cool breeze. The unusually quiet atmosphere hung heavy, as if something had unsettled the soldiers.
The guards on duty instinctively avoided the area, casting uneasy glances skyward.
"Hey, we..."
A Millelith soldier passing by on a shift change started to speak.
"Shh!"
Before he could finish, his companion shot him a sharp look, silencing him immediately.
Realizing something, the soldier froze, then hurriedly turned to leave.
Lady Yuheng seems to be in a terrible mood tonight. Run. Run now!
Within moments, the new arrivals hastily retreated. As they glanced back at their overworked comrades standing against the night breeze, they couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.
Strange, though... Lady Yuheng seemed to be in a good mood during the day. Why the sudden change?
---
Inside the tent.
"..."
Ren let out a silent sigh, lifting his gaze toward the aloof girl sitting across from him.
Keqing was buried in her work, her delicate face illuminated by the soft glow of the lamp. Nearby, a small doll sat abandoned on the edge of the table—an exquisite Raiden Shogun doll that Ren had gifted her.
It lay there forlornly, seemingly forgotten.
Ren knew all too well what this meant.
Keqing was mad at him.
To be precise, he had messed up—badly.
As for the exact reason...
"..."
Noticing his gaze, Keqing looked up. Her flawless features were tinged with a frosty chill.
"Hmph."
She let out a sharp huff, her eyes darting briefly to the elegant doll-like figure beside him.
It was the culprit behind this mess.
Sandrone, the Marionette.
Perched gracefully at Ren's side, Sandrone met Keqing's cold stare with a composed smile.
For a fleeting moment, their gazes locked, and an unspoken battle of wills passed between them.
"..."
Keqing's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly before she turned away.
Meanwhile, Sandrone's lips curved into a subtle, teasing smirk.
"My partner, what's on your mind?" Sandrone asked softly, brushing her neatly styled bangs with a delicate hand.
Dressed impeccably and exuding elegance, she blinked innocently at Ren. Yet her piercing blue eyes carried a hint of provocation.
My partner...
I made an effort to look my best for this moment. Are you surprised? Delighted?
Ren shot her a glare.
Choosing to ignore her, he rose to his feet and leaned across the table, bracing himself on the surface as he approached Keqing.
The tip of Keqing's pen froze mid-stroke.
"Keqing."
Ren took out the hairpin she had gifted him, his voice gentle.
The girl pursed her lips but didn't respond.
With a quiet sigh, Ren reached for the Raiden Shogun doll sitting neglected at the table's edge.
"!"
Keqing's lashes fluttered as her gaze flitted toward the doll.
Ren carefully tucked the hairpin into the doll's arms, then slid it back toward Keqing.
"You've been working for so long. Take a break."
"..."
The gifts they had exchanged now rested quietly together—the doll cradling the hairpin in an unexpectedly fitting embrace.
Keqing stared at the doll in silence, her frosty demeanor softening ever so slightly.
Suddenly—clack!
She set her pen down forcefully and lifted her head, her expression resolute.
"You've been working for quite some time," she said in a low voice. "It's time to address other matters."
"Keqing?"
Ren opened his mouth, unsure of how to respond.
It seemed Keqing was on the verge of snapping. He needed to tread carefully.
Just then, a cool night breeze swept through the tent, causing the flickering lamplight to cast dancing shadows.
To his surprise, Keqing didn't immediately direct her frustration at him.
Instead, her sharp gaze locked onto Sandrone.
The tension in the room grew palpable as Keqing's cold aura seemed to coalesce around her.
Sensing the shift, Ren wisely chose to stay silent.
"Heh... my partner."
Sandrone's smile widened as she gently clasped Ren's finger in her petite hands, her demeanor deceptively demure.
"Just sit back and watch."
A peculiar understanding passed between the two women, their clash unspoken but undeniable.
"What are you doing with Ren?" Keqing demanded, her brow furrowing.
This unexpected doll-like girl had inserted herself into Ren's life, disrupting his work. Worse, she was clinging to him shamelessly.
Unacceptable.
Ren must stay in Liyue for overtime—immediately!
"What am I doing?"
Sandrone rested her tiny chin on her hand, tilting her head thoughtfully.
"Why, just some innocent bonding, of course."
She turned her gaze to Ren, her smile brimming with affection.
"We've been like this for ages, haven't we?"
Ren's face darkened. He wanted to deny it, but as he recalled how Sandrone often clung to him, he couldn't find the words.
When had this become normal?
Seeing his silence, Sandrone's smirk deepened.
My partner... you're only realizing now? It's far too late.
"!"
The silent exchange between them was the final straw for a certain cat-like someone.
Keqing's grip on her pen tightened as she spoke coldly, "If it's just holding hands, then I can—"
Before she could finish her sentence, Sandrone interjected with feigned innocence.
"But you're just pen pals, aren't you?"
"I..."
Keqing froze, her lips parting as her mind blanked.
Sandrone's words had struck a nerve.
Her hands curled into fists as she lowered her head, her pointed ears tinged with a faint blush in the flickering lamplight.
It's true. They were just pen pals.
But why...
Why did it feel so wrong?
"Hand-holding between pen pals would be... unusual, wouldn't it?"
Sandrone's airy voice broke the silence as she cast a thoughtful glance at Keqing.
"I..."
Keqing bit her lip, her blush spreading rapidly as she struggled to suppress her feelings.
Suddenly, as if struck by inspiration, Sandrone covered her mouth in mock surprise.
"Don't tell me... you like Ren?"
Bang!
Before the words had fully settled, Keqing slammed both hands onto the table and stood abruptly.
"Keqing?"
Ren blinked, startled by the sudden outburst.
Amid the dancing firelight, Keqing glared at him fiercely, her face flushed a deep red.
Her trembling voice echoed through the tent as she shouted:
"I-I don't like Ren!"
---
T/N: tsunderes smh