Yae Miko froze for a moment.
Lu Heng wanted to see her fox form?
He wasn't the only one with such a desire. She remembered how, in the game's story, the Traveler had once asked to see her true form, only for her to dismiss them with a playful "Keep dreaming."
But the Yae Miko standing here was no longer the same little fox from back then. Even Ei, her closest companion, wouldn't so easily get to see her fox form nowadays.
Still… since it was Lu Heng who asked…
Yae Miko let out a soft laugh.
"I didn't expect someone like you to have such a… warm little wish."
"Isn't that only natural?" Lu Heng smiled, not finding it odd at all.
After all, Yae Miko was a youkai. She usually appeared in human form, but who wouldn't be curious to see her true self? A pink-furred little fox…
Lu Heng wasn't joking—he genuinely wanted to see it.
"…Fine~"
Yae Miko gave a small nod. She glanced toward the shop entrance, hesitating briefly. Then she let out a quiet breath.
In a flash of violet light, her human form vanished—leaving behind a small pink fox, no larger than a housecat.
The little fox wore a knowing smile, and with a nimble leap, she landed in Lu Heng's arms.
"This form… does it please you more?"
The fluffy fox perched on his chest, meeting his gaze head-on.
Lu Heng studied her carefully.
Her fur was as soft and well-kept as he imagined—just one look, and he could feel its silky texture.
Since she had already transformed, Lu Heng saw no need for restraint. He reached out and stroked the little fox's head, brushing along the grain of her fur.
"As I thought… so smooth and silky."
Still holding her, he marveled, "And so soft… no wonder."
He recalled her weapon's lore—how, as a child, she would curl up beside Makoto and Ei during cold winters, her fluffy body the perfect source of warmth for their hands and feet.
Lifting the fox gently, he turned her to face him. Her belly was covered in snow-white fur.
Honestly, he thought, he wouldn't mind having one of his own.
"You're adorable. Who would've thought the sly shrine maiden of Narukami would have such a cute true form?" Lu Heng teased with a grin. "Maybe all that mischief is just a cover, hiding how cute you really are?"
Dangling from his arms, her back legs couldn't even touch the ground. Catching the look in his eyes, the little fox bared her teeth slightly.
"Don't stare like that!"
"Relax," Lu Heng chuckled. "I still have some standards. Don't worry—I won't take advantage of you."
He wasn't even sure how to tell the difference between male and female foxes—and frankly, he didn't care.
After a few more affectionate rubs, he finally said, "Alright, that's enough for now. But remember this—if I ever want to pet you again, you're not allowed to refuse."
Yae Miko had just hopped onto the sofa when she heard that. With a soft whine, she complained, "A permanent contract?"
"What else?"
"One touch costs so much already. Do you think I'd let you do it for free?" She sounded aggrieved.
Lu Heng shrugged, utterly reasonable. "If I can't profit in Mora, I might as well profit in petting a pink fox."
The little fox slumped on the sofa, ears drooping, looking thoroughly defeated.
"For those sisters… I've basically sold myself out."
"No worries, I've got a trick for you." Lu Heng beckoned her closer.
Curious, Yae Miko leapt onto his shoulder, pricking her ears.
"I'll tell you this…" Lu Heng said with a sly grin. "Once you've got this leverage, the roles flip. You're the one in control of those sisters now."
"Mm…" The fox tilted her head, pondering.
"In Inazuma, won't your word become law? If they don't agree, just bring this up."
"Isn't that basically blackmail?" The fox's eyes glinted mischievously. Her mouth curled into a sharp smile. "Ah… their weakness, found."
Yae Miko was always fond of stirring up trouble. And with Ei being so serious and straightforward… well, the thought of turning the tables amused her greatly.
Lu Heng, for his part, felt no guilt at all. In fact, he looked positively entertained. Their bond was close enough that no lasting harm would come of it.
Slipping from his shoulder, the fox quietly shifted back into her human form.
Yae Miko rested an elbow on his shoulder, chin propped on her hand as she leaned in, speaking softly.
"Can I ask you something?"
"What is it?" Lu Heng turned his head—close enough to catch the faint scent of cherry blossoms clinging to her.
"…Do you dislike me? Do you look down on me?" Her voice was quiet, almost vulnerable.
"Why would you think that?" He blinked, surprised.
"I offered myself to you, and you didn't take me." She pouted. "Things didn't go as planned. I've never been rejected like that before. I just want to know… why?"
"That's all?"
"That's all."
Lu Heng sighed. "I told you—too clever for your own good. Even when you act familiar with me, deep down you still treat me like a stranger. Like a mortal before a god—always cautious, always calculating every word before you speak."
"When you face something you can't solve, I'm the first person you think of. And your mind immediately goes: he won't help me without something in return."
"Mora? No—you're already worrying about Inazuma's economy. You wouldn't pay with that. With no treasures at hand, your thoughts circled back to that joke from yesterday…"
Yae Miko fell silent but nodded.
"…Using yourself as bargaining chip."
She gave another quiet nod, her voice low. "You see right through me. It's like I have no secrets before you."
Lu Heng only smiled faintly.
She had indeed been caught out.
"You don't dislike me," he went on. "But neither do you love me. I'm just someone you can tolerate. So, you thought—why not pay the smallest price you can imagine, to earn my aid?"
"From your perspective, it's a win-win."
Lu Heng shook his head. "But I do like you. And that's exactly why I can't accept you like that."
"…Adults only care about benefits, don't they? I didn't expect you to value feelings." She looked at him with genuine surprise.
"Of course." He rolled his eyes. "If I didn't care about feelings, I'd already be a bulldozer in Teyvat. Anyone in my way, I'd just crush. Who could stop me?"
Yae Miko couldn't hold back a laugh. "So this is you… merciful, huh?"
"Call it what you want." He shook his head, then stood. "Anyway, enough of that. Let's go, before Ei gets too impatient and storms over here herself."
"You're right. That one really can't sit still," Yae Miko agreed, following him out.
At the Tenshukaku, Ei clutched the Musou Isshin tightly, as if afraid it might vanish. She was still mulling over Yae Miko's parting words.
For the sake of the sisters, I've sold myself out.
What did she mean?
Ei was slow to catch on, but realization eventually dawned.
"…Could it be…?" Her pupils shrank.
Miko… had offered herself—for Makoto's revival?
The thought shook her to the core. She felt caught between two impossible choices: her beloved sister, or her dearest friend.
How could she sacrifice her friend to bring back her sister? Yet how could she give up her sister's return?
The conflict paralyzed her. She could barely breathe.
"No… this isn't right!" Ei pushed herself to her feet, chest heaving. "I can't let Miko do this. If anyone should pay the price, it should be me!"
Just as she prepared to vanish into lightning and chase after Yae Miko—
The shrine maiden stepped into the hall, Lu Heng trailing calmly behind her.
"Miko…" Ei began, only to stop short at the sight of him.
"Relax," Yae Miko said gently, lowering her gaze. "The deal is done."
Ei's eyes widened, her body trembling. "Miko, you… you…"
Her throat felt dry, her heart aching with bitterness. The world seemed to drain of all color.
In anguish, she pulled Yae Miko close, inspecting her with frantic eyes.
Her hair was slightly tousled.
Ei staggered back, face pale with despair. The sky itself felt like it was collapsing.
"No… no… how could you…? It should've been me!"
Lu Heng pinched the bridge of his nose. "Don't tease her too hard. She's simple-minded—push too far, and you'll break her."
"Pfft!" Yae Miko covered her mouth, leaning on his shoulder as laughter shook her frame.
Ei froze, dumbstruck, watching the two of them. Her mind went blank.
"W-what… do you mean?"
"The deal was done," Yae Miko said sweetly. "I didn't lie. But it wasn't as difficult as you think. And my hair? Messed it up myself before I walked in."
Ei searched her expression, and though relief touched her, the guilt was crushing. "How am I supposed to face you now…? This was my burden. It should've been me."
Turning to Lu Heng, she begged, "Please—change the terms. Make me the one instead. Do whatever you want with me, just spare her."
Lu Heng only crossed his arms and shook his head. "Impossible."
"Why not?" she pleaded. "I don't care what it costs. Isn't this the sort of thing men prefer?"
"…What?" Lu Heng almost burst out laughing. "You can't even turn into a fox."
"Ah?" Ei turned, staring at Yae Miko.
"Honestly…" Yae Miko sighed. "I was planning to use this to tease you for ages. But fine, I'll tell you the truth."
When she explained, Ei stood rooted in place, her eyes reddening. She could barely cry anymore, her altered body resisting the release.
Seeing it, Yae Miko quickly pulled her close, whispering, "It was my fault. Don't cry."
Ei hugged her tight. "It's fine. As long as you're safe… that's all that matters."
She had been terrified that Miko had truly offered herself as sacrifice. Thank the gods Lu Heng had refused, steering things another way.
Even so, the guilt gnawed at her heart.
"Look at you," Yae Miko teased softly, cupping Ei's face. "Where's the dignified Electro Archon now? All I see is a fragile little crybaby."
"…Then I'm your crybaby." Ei shot her a sidelong glance, arms wrapped tight.
"Fair enough~" Yae Miko chuckled, her smile tender. "Now you can be happy again, can't you?"
Ei only gave a quiet hum in reply.
But as she turned to thank Lu Heng, her knees buckled. One hand gripped Musou Isshin, the other pressed to her forehead, brows furrowed in pain.
"What's wrong?!"
Yae Miko rushed to steady her. Her expression darkened. "Don't tell me… the Puppet Shogun is trying to seize control?"
"Mm…" Ei grit her teeth, sweat beading on her brow.
The resistance was fiercer than ever before. The program she had once written to govern the puppet was now turning on her, attempting to erase her authority completely.
If the puppet succeeded, Ei would lose her body forever—reduced to nothing but a wandering soul.
"This serious?!" Yae Miko's eyes narrowed.
"Yes," Ei gasped. "My emotions… Makoto's revival… they've shaken me too much. The Shogun is reacting—watch out!"
With sudden force, she pushed Yae Miko aside.
Then she straightened slowly, her eyes growing cold and distant. She fixed her gaze on Lu Heng, her voice like steel.
"Exceptions to eternity… must be carved into stone."
Lu Heng: "?"
Yae Miko: "…"
Was she… challenging him?
For real?
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T/N:
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