Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds [133]

Ren tilted his head back to look at the sky, falling silent.

Tonight seemed unusually lively.

It was nice to see several familiar faces, even away from Inazuma City.

But...

Someone in this group didn't quite belong.

"My dear partner, good evening."

And she just couldn't stop smirking mischievously!

"So, you did manage to track me down."

Ren fixed his gaze on Sandrone, his tone calm.

"You don't seem surprised to see me," Sandrone remarked, swirling her teacup with a soft hum.

Hmph. She had hoped to catch him off guard.

She'd even prepared to capture a screenshot of his startled reaction.

Instead, her dear partner was as composed as ever.

This outcome was much less entertaining.

"...You think I wouldn't guess where you'd show up?"

Ren's expression darkened as he picked up the General's doll.

Better put some distance between himself and Keqing, just to be safe.

"I see," Sandrone murmured thoughtfully, propping her chin on one hand.

"That letter from the Shogunate—did you figure it out back then?"

"What else?" Ren replied casually as he strolled along the coastline.

He had realized it the moment Sandrone deduced his travel route.

She had collected a substantial amount of data on his movements and was quite familiar with the streets of Inazuma City.

If she truly were being hunted…

Then Inazuma City was likely where she'd show herself.

After that, it would be up to Kamisato Ayato to handle things.

The Yashiro Commission's secret division, after all, excelled at tracking.

Since there hadn't been any chaos so far, it meant Sandrone hadn't done anything reckless.

With that in mind, Ren stared at her seriously.

"You'd better not try anything funny."

"You're such a heartless man."

Sandrone smiled, her tone laced with mock disappointment.

So, he'd predicted her actions from the start?

Once again, her partner had outmaneuvered her.

He really had her wrapped around his little finger.

A sly smile tugged at her lips.

Well, in that case, don't blame me for sticking close to you.

My dear partner...

"What are you two talking about?"

Ayaka and the other girls looked puzzled.

The subtle exchange between Ren and Sandrone felt oddly suspicious!

"Why aren't you saying anything? Did you disconnect?"

Yoimiya, ever the curious one, couldn't sit still.

She propped her hands on the table and leaned her face closer to the screen.

Let me see—are you really there, Ren?

"Hey—Takahashi, you dummy!"

"I can hear you, Yoimiya," Ren said with an exasperated sigh as he looked at the light screen.

This silly girl.

Could she really not sense the strange tension in the air?

"I thought I'd lost you for good," Yoimiya said with a bright smile, settling back into her seat with her hands cradling her cheeks.

She gazed at Ren, tilting her head slightly.

Her eyes shone with a warm, gentle light—soft and tender.

And maybe just a little bit cautious.

Ren: …

That look in her eyes… something's off.

"?"

Ayaka cast a side glance at Yoimiya, deep in thought.

Her close friend seemed… different somehow.

And this increasingly odd feeling—

When had it started?

Shaking her head slightly, Ayaka suppressed the thought.

She spared a slightly resentful look at her master.

It's all your fault, Master, for drawing in so many troublesome girls. You've made me overly wary.

But Yoimiya is my good friend—there's no way she'd be an issue.

"Ayaka, good evening," Ren greeted with a smile, noticing her silence.

"No it's not."

The elegant girl huffed softly, turning her face away.

Oh no, Ayaka was upset.

If he didn't make amends, he might actually end up locked in the Kamisato Estate's basement.

"..."

Ren let out a helpless laugh and reached out to tap Ayaka's cheek on the screen.

"What are you doing…"

Ayaka felt his gesture, her cheeks flushing slightly.

Everyone else was watching, too!

Master, please—do a bit more of that.

She shot a glance at Sandrone, her expression soft yet laced with warning.

"Why's no one talking? This is boring," Sandrone said with a smile, pulling the camera perspective toward herself.

She also ignored Ayaka's slightly icy glare.

My dear partner, are you all pretending I'm not here?

"Heh… Sandrone, are you feeling jealous?"

Ayaka opened her fan gracefully, her tone kind and gentle.

At the same time, she reached out, attempting to wrest control of the camera.

"That's it?"

Sandrone's eyes glinted as she refused to back down.

For a moment, the two girls were locked in a silent tug-of-war.

"You two…"

Ren watched the screen sway back and forth, his tone exasperated.

Can you stop this?

A bit of harmony and goodwill wouldn't hurt, would it?

"Hmph."

Both girls let go at the same time, turning to glare at Ren.

Ren: …

Great. Now their firepower's focused on me.

Sure enough, the next moment, Sandrone's lips curled upward.

"Fine. Let's talk about something else."

"Oh? What does Sandrone want to talk about?"

Yoimiya's eyes lit up, eager to join the conversation.

She wasn't about to sit in silence in front of Ren.

"Eh? Yoimiya-nee wants to join too?" Sandrone asked, feigning surprise.

"Of course, I'm joining!"

Yoimiya puffed up her chest proudly.

The ever-chatty Sister Yoimiya is here to save the day!

Ren pressed a hand to his forehead in resignation.

This silly girl. Didn't she notice Sandrone's scheming?

"Well then—"

Sandrone drew out her words.

"Mm-hmm!"

Yoimiya nodded enthusiastically.

"Yoimiya-nee, who do you like?"

"I obviously like…"

Yoimiya started to answer without hesitation.

Suddenly, her expression froze.

"Li-like…?!"

---

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