Moments later, Shenhe—who'd been looking at her nails—and Ganyu—still typing—both started breathing heavier.
"What scent is that?"
Shenhe's head snapped up. When her eyes landed on him, she froze.
"Boss…"
"Hm?"
"You look… better all of a sudden."
"Right?"
"Did you put on cologne?"
"Not perfume. This is the natural scent of a fox spirit."
"Fox spirit?"
As he spoke, Ganyu suddenly hugged him from behind, her voice soft and sticky. "I love this scent… I can't…"
Without realizing it, the sweet fragrance of coconut milk filled the air as well.
Xia Zhi's expression turned odd.
It worked that well?
…Was this skill some kind of Ganyu-specific killer move?
Or maybe any adeptus-beast in heat was extra vulnerable to it?
Ganyu was already rubbing her face against him.
Forget it. He could think about it tomorrow morning. Tonight, he had his hands full.
And full they were. Ganyu was especially fervent tonight.
Hanachirusato followed Xia Zhi's directions to a certain room.
She knocked lightly. "Qiqi?"
Qiqi's faint voice came from inside. "The door's not locked. Come in."
"Okay."
She pushed the door open. Qiqi sat cross-legged on the bed, hands resting in front of her, quietly meditating.
Hanachirusato tilted her head. "Qiqi, what are you doing?"
"Cultivating," Qiqi whispered.
"Cultivating?"
"Yes. A technique Master taught me… made for zombies. Even if you wanted to learn it, you couldn't."
"Oh, I see…"
Hanachirusato nodded. She'd only asked out of curiosity. She hadn't intended to pry into secrets, but Qiqi explained it anyway.
Another bed stood in the room.
Hanachirusato walked over and started making it up.
It was spotless—Qiqi must have prepared it for her already.
From the bed, Qiqi's gaze fell on her. More specifically, on the golden circlet around her neck.
Her eyes flickered in thought.
Back in Mondstadt, she'd lived with Xia Lin. But now, with Xia Le in the picture—both dragons—they got along better and had moved in together, leaving Qiqi alone again.
Until tonight, when Hanachirusato joined her.
Xia Lin had been an obedient child. Qiqi had even played wingman for her a few times, sending her off to sleep with Master.
Xia Lin had told her about the golden ring on her neck, how it suppressed her Abyssal Aura.
So Qiqi recognized immediately that Hanachirusato's was the same thing.
She thought for a moment, then asked, "Master already helped you with your problem, didn't he?"
Hanachirusato turned and smiled. "Yes. Mr. Xia solved it. Thank you for asking him for me."
Qiqi shook her head. "No need."
Hanachirusato sat on the edge of the bed. "No, really. Ever since I remembered who I truly am, you're the first person who's been this kind to me. I'll never forget it. If you ever need my help, tell me. I'll do my best."
Qiqi's reply was flat. "Alright."
Hanachirusato pulled out her phone. "Oh, right. Mr. Xia gave me this too, said I should use it to learn about the household."
"Do you know how?"
"He taught me the basics. I think I can manage."
"Did you join the group yet?"
"Group?"
"The chat group. Open the app. I'll give you the group number. Search it."
"Oh, got it!"
With Qiqi's guidance, Hanachirusato successfully joined the big group chat.
Even at this hour, plenty of people were still awake.
The moment they saw a newcomer, the chat exploded—asking for selfies, joking about losing social rank, and so on.
Hanachirusato stared at the scrolling feed, curious. "Qiqi, should I post a photo? How do I?"
"You can, but no need. You'll meet everyone tomorrow anyway."
"Alright… Someone just added me as a friend. Name's Ganyu."
Qiqi blinked. Why would Ganyu suddenly add Hanachirusato?
Did she know Kitsune Saiguu?
Given her past role as secretary of the Liyue Qixing, it wasn't strange if she had ties to Inazuma's higher-ups.
"Just accept it. Do you recognize the name Ganyu?"
Hanachirusato shook her head. "Doesn't ring a bell…"
"I'm not sure why she reached out either. Just chat with her a bit, wait for her to bring it up. Don't worry. Her relationship with Master is… special."
"Special how?"
Qiqi answered softly, "She's his partner."
Hanachirusato froze. "Huh?"
Seeing her reaction, Qiqi figured she should give her a basic rundown of the family situation—mostly Master's.
"Besides Ganyu, there's also Shenhe and Cloud Retainer. Their relationships with Master are special too. Then there's Xia Ci and Xia Zhen…"
Hanachirusato fell silent, thinking it over.
Finally, she murmured, "So basically… everyone here either already has a special relationship with Mr. Xia, or wants one?"
Qiqi nodded. "That's one way to put it."
Hanachirusato looked at her. "And you?"
Qiqi stayed silent.
But sometimes silence was an answer too. (no please no)
Hanachirusato was sharp enough to understand.
She touched the golden ring at her neck, expression complicated.
Mr. Xia said its side effect was making her feel closer to him.
Would she end up like the rest of them too?
Qiqi broke the silence. "You've lost all your powers now, haven't you?"
Hanachirusato lifted her head. "Yes."
"Like an ordinary girl?"
"Mm."
"So what do you think?"
"Think… about what?"
"Losing your power. Have you thought about getting it back?"
"Getting it back…"
Hanachirusato paused, then shook her head lightly.
"My memories hold the shrine maiden's paths of training, but they all take time. For now, I'm not too worried. With everyone here, I don't need strength to protect myself."
Qiqi met her eyes. "You're lying."
"Eh?"
"You must feel insecure."
"Not really. This is the Grand Narukami Shrine. It used to be my home. How could I not feel safe here?"
She smiled.
"Home is the safest place of all."
Qiqi watched her quietly.
Her smile faded. She sighed. "Alright, fine. You're right. I don't feel secure. Maybe it's because I've already died once. The memory burned deepest into me is being swallowed by that black calamity—the regret, the helplessness… I never want to feel that again."
Qiqi thought for a moment. "So you do want strength, then?"
Hanachirusato nodded. "I do. But I can't. I'm no longer a spirit fox. Most of the abilities I once had are gone. As for being a shrine maiden… like I said, it takes years. And even then, the power wouldn't amount to much."
Qiqi fell silent, then asked suddenly, "Have you ever heard of a Magical Girl?"
"Magical Girl?"
---
Out at sea.
A breeze blew from Mondstadt toward Inazuma, carrying faint voices.
"I'm telling you, can't you go any faster?"
"This is already fast! Once we leave Mondstadt's borders, every bit of divine power I use is gone for good. I have to conserve it."
"Conserve what? Here, take this."
"Huh?! This actually restores my power? Incredible!"
"I got it from Mr. Xia when I came out from under Dragon-Queller. Still some left. If we make it before dawn, maybe I'll even get to fight Beelzebul."
"Ha! That's you all over, Dragon King."
----
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