Yae Miko was resting under the tree. "I didn't expect to receive such distinguished guests at the shrine during my break. Have you come to visit me?"
Lumine replied, "Of course."
Yae Miko gave Lumine a quick once-over. "Smooth talker. Your eyes aren't good at lying—you've come to me for something, haven't you?"
[Ningguang: The eyes are the window to the soul. Can Lady Yae see things through them that we cannot?]
[Yae Miko: Ah, I don't possess any mind-reading abilities. I'm merely observant.]
[Paimon: Miko is truly amazing. She seems to see right through everyone.]
[Yae Miko: Perhaps it's life experience. After experiencing enough, one can naturally guess.]
"Still, that answer at least put me in a good mood."
"So go ahead. What is it?"
Paimon spread her hands. "We heard the Shogun has been in secluded cultivation lately, and the thunderstorms off Inazuma's coast have been acting up."
"Rumor has it that the storms are connected to the Shogun's will, so everyone's wondering if her condition has worsened?"
Lumine added, "The Tenryou Commission is also in dire need of her guidance."
Yae Miko spread her hands. "Oh well. Since it's you, I won't hide anything. After that battle, the Shogun has been troubled by unresolved feelings. Her temperament has changed drastically."
Paimon's eyes widened. "Huh? Drastic change? Why is that?"
Yae Miko pretended to be serious. "The Shogun's power was already waning, and you struck rather hard. Defeat was an immense blow to her. On top of that, when I went to see her, I happened to forget to bring Tricolor Dango and light novels."
"My old friend, unable to eat sweet snacks while reading novels, was so angry she broke down, crying and throwing a tantrum. Waaah, so pitiful."
[Ei: Miko, there you go joking again.]
[Paimon: Yeah, yeah! How could a deity cry and throw tantrums?]
[Lumine: I think there is one deity who actually might.]
[Furina: Wait, don't you dare say my name here. I'm far too strong for crying and tantrums.]
[Paimon: But if you couldn't buy delicious little cakes, you'd definitely be upset.]
[Furina: Well, isn't that perfectly normal?]
[Paimon: Other deities aren't like that.]
Paimon spread her hands. "What kind of deity gets so upset over something like that that they cry and throw tantrums?"
Lumine mused, "Maybe... maybe there really is one."
Yae Miko scratched her head. "You can't blame me. To my ears, your so-called concerns sound just like my little joke—completely baseless."
"After all, this is Ei we're talking about. The one who pursues eternity. Mortal lives are but fleeting moments to her. Why would she need mortals worrying about her well-being?"
[Paimon: Deities don't get sick, right?]
[Zhongli: Mm. The physical constitution of gods differs from mortals. Under normal circumstances, they do not fall ill.]
[Paimon: So in special circumstances, they can get sick?]
[Venti: Special circumstances? I don't think special circumstances arise.]
[Lumine: Then what's wrong with Ei?]
Paimon asked, "So she's fine, right?"
Yae Miko replied, "I don't know the specifics either. She said she needed quiet recuperation. Since I have no important business, there's no point in bothering her."
"I've heard about the thunderstorms too. But it's not impossible that her will has changed."
Lumine said, "Then let's go see her."
Yae Miko studied Lumine carefully, then pretended to be serious. "I'm the only one in Inazuma who can see the Shogun while she's recuperating."
"But why should I do you this favor? What could possibly move me—someone who has seen mountains of gold and silver and weathered all the ups and downs of life?"
Lumine answered, "For Ei's sake."
Yae Miko chuckled. "Not bad. I like your answer."