Chapter 16

"Hmm…" Early the next morning, Akio opened his eyes, feeling a slight headache—a classic hangover symptom!

He looked down and saw Yae Miko curled up in his arms, her soft body feeling incredibly comfortable to hold.

Covering him were five fluffy tails, warm, fragrant, and cozy.

On the other side of the large bed, Kitsune Saiguu was sprawled out, sleeping soundly without a care for appearances.

"Yawn~" Sensing Akio's awakening, Yae Miko slowly opened her eyes and stretched. "Akio, you're awake?"

"Yeah," Akio nodded, holding Yae Miko's soft body. He really didn't want to get up. It was understandable why ancient emperors neglected their morning duties for such comfort.

"Alright~" Yae Miko gently stroked Akio's face. "I'll go make you something to eat."

"So domestic, huh?" After getting together, Yae Miko's changes were truly surprising. Who said she was a mischievous fox? Clearly, she was his gentle, kind, and virtuous wife.

"Mhm~ That's right. From now on, you're my lord and master," Yae Miko smiled. "If I don't cook for my lord, he might punish this poor little woman."

"…" Akio's mouth twitched slightly. She was indeed domestic, but still the same mischievous fox.

"Alright, alright, you rest a bit longer," Yae Miko retracted her fluffy tails. She didn't want outsiders to see them.

"Okay," Akio nodded, watching Yae Miko leave.

"Hey, system, now that Yae Miko and I are together, why haven't I copied her abilities?" Akio suddenly thought of this and asked the system.

"Master, you haven't confessed to her yet," the system explained. "You're Teyvat's Most Devoted. How can someone so devoted not confess to the one they love?"

"…" Akio nodded thoughtfully. The confession had to be in a grand and formal setting. Yae Miko valued such ceremonies.

"Hey, what are you thinking about?" Just as Akio was deep in thought, Kitsune Saiguu's voice sounded beside him. She patted his shoulder and sat down next to him.

"Nothing much," Akio said. "Since Yae Miko and I are together, I'm thinking about when to give her a proper, grand confession."

"Oh, that's what you're thinking about?" Kitsune Saiguu nodded. "That girl does love such occasions. You'll have to think carefully."

"Naturally," Akio nodded. "Why don't you help me brainstorm?"

"Sure," Kitsune Saiguu was intrigued. She wanted to see if Yae Miko would be moved to tears.

The two of them huddled together, quietly discussing the time, place, and setting.

"What are you two plotting?" Yae Miko walked in with a tray of food, seeing the two of them whispering, and asked curiously.

Last night, Yae Miko had realized that although Akio was a deity, he was still a young soul, without the airs of a deity. It made sense—only a young deity would have such a fondness for beauty. 

Look at Raiden Ei, who was entirely focused on eternity. When did she ever have time for love?

"Guess," Kitsune Saiguu and Akio immediately separated. Kitsune Saiguu winked at Akio and smiled.

"Hmph," seeing that the two weren't going to tell her, Yae Miko pouted. She wasn't that curious. "Come eat."

"My secret recipe! Fukuuchi Udon!" Yae Miko placed three bowls of udon on the table.

"You two drank a lot last night. Have something light."

"It smells amazing!" Akio quickly jumped out of bed and walked over. As expected of Yae Miko's specialty dish, both the presentation and aroma were top-notch.

"Not bad. After hundreds of years, your cooking skills are still great," Kitsune Saiguu also walked over, sniffing the aroma and praising.

"Of course. Did you think I was like that idiot Ei?" Yae Miko dissed Raiden Ei.

"If Ei hears that, she'll probably slash you with her sword," Kitsune Saiguu smirked, picking up a piece of fried tofu with her chopsticks and popping it into her mouth, savoring the flavor.

"Mmm~ The familiar taste. Fried tofu really is the most delicious," Kitsune Saiguu praised.

"Eat up, Akio," Yae Miko ignored Kitsune Saiguu and looked at Akio.

"Alright," Akio nodded, picking up a bite to taste.

"So good!" There was no denying it—Yae Miko's Fukuuchi Udon was a feast for the senses. Akio slurped it up eagerly.

Seeing Akio devouring the noodles, Yae Miko smiled contentedly and began eating as well.

Soon, after finishing the meal, Yae Miko instructed a shrine maiden to clear the dishes.

"Akio, do you have any plans for today?" Yae Miko asked.

"I'll go take a stroll around Inazuma City. I haven't really explored it yet," Akio thought for a moment and said. He was eager to see what the real Inazuma City was like.

"That's fine," Yae Miko nodded.

"Wait, I'll go with you," Kitsune Saiguu quickly said.

"No way," Yae Miko grabbed Kitsune Saiguu, her gaze sharp. "Now that you're back, you think you can slack off?"

"Even though you're not the Guuji anymore, you still have to help me with shrine duties," Yae Miko said. She had so much to handle every day, and Kitsune Saiguu thought she could laze around? Not a chance.

"Why not?" Kitsune Saiguu protested. "Akio is the Great Divine Official of the Grand Narukami Shrine. Why don't you make him work? Why can he go and I can't?"

"Can you compare to Akio? I don't want him to tire himself out," Yae Miko smirked. "As long as he's happy, I'm fine with him going out to play."

"You… you…" Kitsune Saiguu's eyes widened, shocked by Yae Miko's shameless words.

"You better get to work!" Akio gloated, patting Kitsune Saiguu's shoulder.

"That's my Yae Miko! Come here, give me a kiss!"

"Ugh, you two are unbearable!" Kitsune Saiguu gritted her teeth, watching the affectionate couple.

"I'll be off then. I'll bring back some delicious food for you tonight," Akio said, transforming into a golden light and flying toward Inazuma City.

"Huh?" Suddenly remembering something, Yae Miko's expression changed. She took out a bag of Mora and tried to call Akio back.

"Akio! You didn't take any Mora…"

But Akio was already far away, completely unaware that he had no Mora.

"Hahaha!" Kitsune Saiguu burst out laughing. "Without Mora, Akio won't get far."

"Oh? As the Great Divine Official of the Grand Narukami Shrine, he can just charge everything to the shrine's account," Yae Miko glanced at Kitsune Saiguu.

"Huh? That's a thing?" Kitsune Saiguu was stunned. She didn't remember the shrine having such a service.

"Mhm, I gave him that privilege," Yae Miko nodded. She spoiled her man.

"…" Kitsune Saiguu looked resentful, then was dragged back to the shrine by Yae Miko to handle paperwork.