"Qin Yu, can these photos be embedded in a frame?"
That evening, Qin Yu was reading a book while resting her head on Shenhe's lap. Shenhe, meanwhile, was fiddling with her Machine Companion's virtual screen.
Evaluation: C+
Qin Yu set down her book and looked up at Shenhe. "You mean a photo frame?"
"Mm. I saw someone customizing one today. They were embedding photos taken with a Kamera from Fontaine into it."
Shenhe continued, "I was wondering if we could embed everything we recorded yesterday and the day before into one as well."
Qin Yu sat up and nodded. "Of course we can."
The Machine Companion's printing function could easily handle that. Just select the desired frame from the recording, and it could be printed out.
"Which one do you want?"
"This one."
Qin Yu leaned over Shenhe's shoulder to look.
"Ugh..."
It was a photo of them eating grilled meat, their mouths smeared with grease!
"You really want this one?" Qin Yu asked, her tone conflicted.
Couldn't she choose another one?
Shenhe nodded, then added, "I really like this one. And the one with Ganyu. I want to put them in picture frames too."
"The one with Sister Ganyu? Which one?"
Shenhe pulled up the image of the three of them sleeping together.
Why did she pick these kinds of pictures...? Qin Yu's face flushed slightly.
Even though her sleeping posture looked decent in the picture, she had no desire to frame it for display.
"Can't we choose something else?" Qin Yu asked.
"Other ones are fine too," Shenhe replied with a gentle nod. "I just want to keep them as memories."
After a moment's hesitation, Qin Yu relented. "...Alright, let's go with these two then."
"Is that okay?"
"Yeah, it's fine."
Because Shenhe really liked them.
That was the most important thing.
As long as they weren't displayed in the living room where everyone could see them all the time, it didn't matter.
Evaluation: B
"By the way," Qin Yu asked casually, "where do you want to put the frames?"
"The living room."
The living room?!
Qin Yu shook her head vehemently. "Absolutely not! I don't want my sleeping face on display in the living room. Sister Ganyu definitely wouldn't want that either."
"Then the bedroom it is."
Qin Yu finally let out a sigh of relief.
That's more reasonable.
But she didn't have a photo frame on hand. If she wanted one, she'd have to wait until tomorrow to buy one. Qin Yu made a mental note.
Shenhe put down her Machine Companion and leaned closer.
"I've been very happy these past two days," Shenhe said softly. "Even the most ordinary sights have become interesting because you're here. I hope we can go somewhere else together next time."
Evaluation: A-
"I... me too. I had a great time."
Except for having to go straight back to work upon returning.
Qin Yu pursed her lips, suppressing the smile that threatened to surface.
Not that it would be wrong to laugh, but I'm a little embarrassed right now.
This awkward personality of mine won't change anytime soon.
If Shenhe and the others asked her to change, she could force herself to comply. But they hadn't made such a request.
"Next time I get a chance, I'll take a long vacation," Qin Yu said. "Then we can go somewhere else to play, even somewhere a bit further away, okay?"
Warmth spread through Shenhe's chest as she replied, "Mm-hmm. And... we can bring Ganyu too."
"Invite Sister Ganyu?" Qin Yu exclaimed in surprise. She had assumed Shenhe would prefer it to be just the two of them.
"It'll be more lively that way," Shenhe replied.
True, a bit more liveliness wouldn't hurt, Qin Yu thought.
But could Ganyu really get away from her endless overtime to join them on a trip?
Never mind. No matter what, there will always be other opportunities.
As Qin Yu savored the memories of the past two days, she couldn't help but call out, "Shenhe."
"Hmm?"
"Nothing, just wanted to say your name."
"I see."
They nestled together in silence for a while, but Qin Yu gradually grew shy. Unable to focus on her book, she sought a conversation topic.
Her gaze landed on the Red String around Shenhe's wrist, and the question that had been nagging at her resurfaced: What would happen if Shenhe untied the Red String?
Qin Yu was immensely curious.
Though the saying goes, "Curiosity killed the cat," she wasn't a cat.
Besides, Shenhe would never do anything to hurt her, or do anything she disliked, let alone harm her.
This was the main reason Qin Yu felt so deeply safe and secure around Shenhe.
Might as well ask!
Having made up her mind, Qin Yu carefully observed Shenhe's reaction as she inquired:
"Shenhe, can you take off the Red String?"
Shenhe pondered for a moment, then replied, "Yes, I can. Although Master instructed me to wear it even while sleeping, I feel very calm when I'm with you."
"You're my Red String now, so it's okay to remove it."
Evaluation: A+
She can actually take it off?
What will Shenhe be like without it?
Qin Yu grew increasingly curious, while Shenhe asked with a flicker in her eyes, "Do you want me to take it off?"
"Huh? Ah... I'm just curious. But if you want to take it off, Shenhe, then go ahead. At this point, there's no need for us to hold back."
Despite her casual words, Qin Yu felt a knot of nervousness tightening in her chest. She had a vague premonition that something significant would happen if this "seal" were broken.
But Shenhe would never hurt me, Qin Yu reminded herself, exhaling softly.
Shenhe fell silent for a moment.
If she removed the Red String, her emotions would no longer be restrained.
She wouldn't suddenly transform into someone completely different; her personality had long since solidified and was difficult to change. But...
Shenhe felt her heart quicken.
Once untied, it should become faster and hotter.
Confessing her feelings to Qin Yu hadn't extinguished this passionate emotion; on the contrary, confirming their mutual affection seemed to have subtly intensified it.
The removal of the Red String would unleash its full force without restraint.
Is this right? Shenhe wondered, her doubts lingering.
Whether among the Adeptus or in the mortal world, "restraint" was paramount. Losing control of one's emotions could lead to disaster and invite unnecessary trouble.
Shenhe herself couldn't predict what she would do after untying the Red String.
But she hoped Qin Yu would accept it.
Accept this feeling.
"Qin Yu," Shenhe said suddenly, "you mentioned before that we'd bathe together when we returned home."
Qin Yu panicked. She had indeed said that.
Why was Shenhe bringing it up now? Did she want...?
"Can we do that now? I want to be with you," Shenhe said calmly, yet her intense emotions were palpable beneath her composed demeanor.
Evaluation: S
Qin Yu was defenseless, unable to refuse or back out.
Why did my past self make such a promise?! Qin Yu cursed inwardly, her ears burning. Yet the image of Shenhe shedding all her restraint flashed through her mind, making her heart race uncontrollably.
I've definitely become strange, actually thinking about something like this.
But if it's Shenhe...
Qin Yu whispered, "Okay."
A moment later, Shenhe announced that the water was ready and they could bathe.
Seeing that Shenhe didn't plan to enter the bathroom first, Qin Yu had no choice but to go in herself.
I'll wash my hair first, she thought.
Qin Yu took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.
Nothing's going to happen. It's fine. There's no need to be nervous about anything.
She murmured the words aloud, and with each utterance, her restless heart gradually settled.
But in the next moment...
"Qin Yu."
Shenhe's voice was different from usual, carrying a distinctly perceptible warmth.
Qin Yu couldn't help but look.
The Red String was gone.
Evaluation: SS-
Shenhe said she wanted to wash Qin Yu's hair, and Qin Yu dazedly agreed.
As she felt Shenhe's gentle hands moving through her hair, Qin Yu's thoughts drifted back to the scene she had witnessed earlier, the image deeply etched into her eyes and mind.
Shenhe's presence felt like a firmly driven nail, impossible to dislodge.
"Please wash my hair too."
"Ah, okay..."
Shenhe's tone hadn't changed much, but Qin Yu still sensed a difference.
Emotions can imbue a voice with warmth—cold or hot—and color—bright or muted. Before, Shenhe's voice had been neutral, somewhere in between.
Only by hearing her inner thoughts and her expressions could one truly understand her feelings.
But now, her voice leaned toward bright and warm.
Qin Yu felt somewhat flustered.
Nothing will happen? That's impossible.
From the moment Shenhe untied the Red String and appeared before her, everything had been veering in an unpredictable direction.
"Let's go in and soak," Shenhe said.
"Mmm..."
The tub wasn't large, barely accommodating both of them. Qin Yu and Shenhe sat close together, feeling the warmth seep into their skin through the water.
Shenhe glanced at Qin Yu beside her.
"The Red String... it's untied," Qin Yu murmured.
"Mm."
Qin Yu's face flushed crimson. Unable to meet Shenhe's gaze, she stammered, "H-how... how does it feel? Do you feel anything different?"
Feel.
"...I'm not calm right now."
Huh?
Qin Yu asked anxiously, "Not calm? But didn't you say I was your Red String?"
"That's not what I meant. You bring me a deep sense of peace and tranquility, but... there's an indescribable emotion constantly surging within me."
It was like a dam had burst.
Passionate and uncontrollable, this made it impossible for Qin Yu to become her Red String.
Because this emotion was directed squarely at Qin Yu herself.
Shenhe placed her hand against Qin Yu's cheek.
Realizing Shenhe's intention, Qin Yu hesitated for a moment before closing her eyes.
Evaluation: SS
Evaluation: SS+
Evaluation: SSS-
The heat radiating from Shenhe raised the surrounding temperature, making it hard for Qin Yu to breathe. A feeling that should have been unfamiliar yet carried a hint of familiarity began to stir in her heart.
After her bath and drying her hair, Shenhe still hadn't put on the Red String.
Sitting on the bed in the bedroom, Qin Yu tried to think of something to say, but her mind remained dizzy, as if scorched by the intensity of Shenhe's emotions.
At that moment, Shenhe reached out and embraced her.
"Shenhe?"
"So warm," Shenhe murmured.
Qin Yu's expression softened, and she replied softly, "Mm-hmm."
"After the Red String was untied, there was no immediate change. But as I continued to spend time with you, I gradually began to feel a wider range of more intense emotions," Shenhe said, frowning slightly. "But I don't know how to express them properly."
Qin Yu hugged Shenhe back, saying, "You don't need to express them explicitly. I understand perfectly well. You've always been like this, and you've never changed in that regard."
Hearing this, Shenhe's anxiety melted away, her brow smoothing out.
"You understand?"
"Of course I do. Because... we've been together for so long."
That inexplicable emotion resurfaced. Qin Yu pulled back slightly, met Shenhe's gaze for a moment, then couldn't resist drawing her face closer until their breaths mingled.
When she regained her senses, Qin Yu found herself lying down.
Shenhe, who was kneeling beside her, held her hand and said, "The reason I wanted to bathe with you, Qin Yu, is because I want you to accept me."
"Accept you?" Qin Yu asked, surprised.
"Yes, accept me in my most original form."
Qin Yu's face flushed crimson instantly.
Shenhe actually harbored such thoughts? Does that mean she wants to... do that with me too? Can she not wait any longer? Qin Yu's mind raced, overwhelmed and flustered.
Flustered, Qin Yu averted her gaze and whispered, "Do you... want to do that?"
"That?" Shenhe tilted her head slightly.
"You know... the..." Qin Yu struggled to explain, "to do something more intimate."
Something more intimate. Shenhe remembered Qin Yu asking about this before.
Even now, she didn't fully understand what this "something more intimate" meant.
But she wanted it. She wanted to go further with Qin Yu.
"Yes."
Qin Yu's heart fluttered wildly, her cheeks flushing deeper.
"Th-this..."
So that's what she meant.
"Now?"
"If it's possible," Shenhe murmured softly.
Don't give me the choice! If I say yes, won't that mean I want to do that? Qin Yu thought resentfully, but her gaze toward Shenhe gradually grew misty.
She didn't exactly like the idea of that...
But she craved gentle treatment, being touched, yearning for these acts to reveal genuine affection, to feel her love.
After a final moment of hesitation, Qin Yu made her decision.
She pulled Shenhe's face closer once more.
A heartfelt desire intertwined with a different emotion that swirled through her mind and body. With a touch of nervousness, Qin Yu whispered:
"I... can..."
As long as you love me more, Qin Yu thought, closing her eyes with this wish.
Evaluation: SSS
Evaluation: SSS+
Countless memories of Shenhe surfaced: their first meeting, becoming friends, exchanging gifts, embarking on long journeys together, staying overnight...
Qin Yu's thoughts swirled through the resurfacing memories until, in an instant, they abruptly ceased.
She lost consciousness.
Seeing this, Shenhe pulled her into her arms.
So this is what Qin Yu meant... Shenhe had never considered such a possibility.
But...
"...If it's with Qin Yu, I'm more than willing."
And I love it.
Recalling how Qin Yu had called out her name with such fervent passion, Shenhe felt the warmth of Qin Yu's feelings wash over her, her expression softening like gentle water.
Perhaps I went a little too far.
Shenhe couldn't help but wonder, Maybe I really should wear the Red String after all?
After pondering for a while without reaching a conclusion, she decided to wait until Qin Yu woke up. She herself was also exhausted and longed for rest.
Brushing aside the strands of hair near Qin Yu's ear, Shenhe whispered softly,
"Good night."