Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds [131]

"?"

Keqing looked up, slightly surprised.

Her eyes widened as she gazed at Ren.

The campfire crackled softly, its flames dancing lazily.

Ren lowered his head, remaining silent for a long time.

From an observer's perspective, he appeared to be bowing to a doll.

The scene was inexplicably strange.

"Ren?"

Keqing parted her lips slightly, her gaze complicated.

Instinctively, her eyes flickered to the stunning figure projected within the light screen.

It was a woman of striking beauty and commanding presence.

Keqing's fingers tightened slightly on the map she was holding. Turning her face away, she let out a soft, discontented huff.

Just moments ago, this troublemaker was still being playful.

But the moment he saw this woman, he suddenly straightened up.

I was even planning to give you a chance…

A certain Keqing felt a sudden, sour pang in her chest.

"Ahem."

Ren cleared his throat softly and shook his head slightly toward Keqing.

This was his superior, after all. She deserved the utmost respect.

After all, subordinates shouldn't kiss their bosses on the lips.

With that thought, he lifted his gaze to the light screen.

"Good evening, Shogun-sama."

At the same time, his mind couldn't help but race.

Why would the Shogun check in on him out of nowhere?

Could it be because of what he just…

"Mm."

From the light screen, Ei's gaze locked onto Ren's. She nodded faintly, her violet eyes flickering like shifting light.

The aloof Shogun didn't speak further.

"..."

Ren blinked, unsurprised by her silence.

This feeling… There could only be one explanation.

The aloof Shogun was waiting for him to start the conversation.

Ren understood the assignment.

"Shogun-sama, are you feeling restless this late at night?"

Approaching the doll, he crouched down and asked softly.

"Just passing by. I did not expect to see you," Ei replied after a moment's pause, her tone calm.

Ren: …

Just passing by? To this desolate, remote place?

Does she take me for a fool?

Determined not to fall for it, he resisted the urge to call her out.

"Hmm?"

Ei's gaze sharpened slightly, her violet eyes narrowing with a hint of threat.

"Ah, what a coincidence, Shogun-sama," Ren replied with a wry smile, conceding inwardly.

Fine, I'll be the fool.

Being the Shogun's fool doesn't sound so bad.

"..."

Only then did Ei nod in satisfaction.

Suddenly, a thought seemed to cross her mind, her expression growing suspicious.

"What were you just touching?"

"And that girl—who is she?"

The superior had begun her questioning.

"Ah, I was touching… uh, the moon! Admiring the moon!"

Forcing a strained smile, Ren explained hastily.

A terrifying sense of danger prickled his instincts.

"And as for her, she's… my, uh, overtime companion."

"Is that so? But clearly…"

Ei furrowed her brows slightly, seemingly pondering something.

"..."

Ren smiled, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

A chill ran down his back.

Nearby, a certain Keqing cast him a furious glare.

Danger!

But thankfully, Keqing chose to remain silent in the presence of Ren's superior.

After all, she knew Ren worked under her.

Leaving a good impression was critical right now.

It's not because I care about Ren!

"Very well."

After a brief consideration, Ei refrained from pressing further.

Only the stern-looking doll seemed to glare at Ren with menace.

"Shogun-sama?"

"Mm."

Ei's gaze softened slightly as she responded quietly.

Seeing Ren had calmed her mood.

Ever since Yae Miko had visited the Tenshukaku, she'd been filling Ei's head with strange ideas—about how a Shogun needed to take the initiative or risk others stealing the joy for themselves.

Though Ei hadn't fully understood, she decided to act.

Thus, she manifested her will and descended upon this doll.

"Would Shogun-sama like me to accompany her for a stroll?"

Crouched before the doll, Ren tentatively asked.

As a close confidant, he understood his duty to be proactive in key moments.

"Alright."

Before Ren could finish, Ei had already nodded.

Ren blinked.

So she'd been waiting for him all along.

…

Ren carefully picked up the Shogun.

… The doll version of her, at least.

Walking along the beach with the sea breeze in his hair, he cradled the doll in his hands, feeling a warmth in his chest.

Being able to chat and stroll with Ei in the middle of the night—others would die of envy if they knew, wouldn't they?

Absentmindedly, he gave the doll a gentle poke.

"Don't touch that," Ei's soft voice chided, her brows knitting slightly.

With her consciousness residing in the doll, she naturally felt everything.

Yet Ren didn't seem to notice.

"What?"

He asked reflexively, giving the doll another poke.

"..."

From the light screen, Ei remained silent, though her gaze began to grow sharper.

Just as her expression turned icy again, Ren held the doll up to the sky full of stars.

"Shogun-sama, isn't it beautiful?"

"..."

Ei's violet eyes widened slightly.

"Beautiful?"

She stared at Ren, her voice soft.

"It's beautiful—absolutely stunning."

Ren gazed at the starry sky, reaching out a hand.

"So beautiful I wish I could hold it in my hand and make it mine."

Though there were countless stars, he was a greedy man.

"Mm."

Her response was a simple hum.

Ren lowered his head, meeting Ei's gaze.

She looked back at him.

It was a gaze they'd both grown accustomed to sharing.

Suddenly, Ren cupped the doll's face in his hands.

For a moment, Ei's calm gaze flickered.

"Shogun-sama, I missed you," Ren said earnestly under the canopy of stars.

"..."

The light screen flickered and dimmed momentarily.

Ren's eyes widened in surprise.

In the brief moment before the screen went dark, he caught sight of something—

The faint curve of a smile on Ei's lips.

The Shogun who had smiled nodded gently.

"Mm."

---

T/N: HOW DOES HE DO IT??? (sorry but i dont think ill be able to read all comments now!)

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