Ch'en felt duty-bound to do it.
It was proof of the friendship between Lungmen and Yae Shrine, and it was also the moment she had come closest to Yae Sakura. Ch'en often wondered what Yae Sakura's work actually involved. Surely she did not just sit there collecting money all day? Now, she finally had the chance to experience it for herself.
As an outsourced agent for Yae Shrine.
"Why does this feel a little strange?"
She muttered to herself. When she left, Yae Sakura's gaze had seemed somehow off.
Perhaps she had never been looked at by Yae Sakura with gratitude before, and it had thrown her off balance. Maybe she had simply noticed that imbalance in herself.
Ch'en did not dwell on it.
The moment she returned to the Lungmen Guard Department, Officer Hoshiguma, who had been working overtime in her place, looked up and eyed Ch'en suspiciously. Her gaze traveled over her from head to toe, making Ch'en uncomfortable all over. It felt as though an old acquaintance had peered into one of her secrets. Ch'en and Hoshiguma knew each other far too well; some changes simply could not be hidden.
"Old Ch'en, you seem a little excited today. Did something good happen?"
"What are you talking about?"
Ch'en denied it instinctively.
"As your longtime friend, I can tell from your footsteps. Such a light stride... I'd have to trace it all the way back to our student days, wouldn't I?"
"Uh..."
Was she really that excited?
"Mm, your happiness is written all over your face. If you don't believe me, go look in a mirror."
Naturally, Ch'en would not obediently look in a mirror just because Hoshiguma told her to. She ordered Hoshiguma to clock out and go home, then sat alone in the empty office. After