The Outsider They Fought Over

[Two updates today, folks, don't forget to follow!]

Early the next morning, the Tenryou Commission's training grounds were more solemn than usual.

Kujou Sara came to supervise in person, and the training was considerably more intense. When Baichen was struck by a simulated Electro arrow for the third time, Kujou finally called a halt.

"That's enough for today." She put away her longbow. "The Shogun has ordered that you may visit the city this afternoon, but you must be accompanied by the Okuzumeshuu."

The unexpected "day off" delighted Baichen.

After a quick lunch, he headed to Inazuma City under the "escort" of two Okuzumeshuu.

Hanamizaka was as lively as ever.

The proprietress of the tricolor dango shop spotted him and waved enthusiastically. "Lord Baichen! Would you like to try our newly developed strawberry daifuku?"

Baichen was just about to step forward when one of the Okuzumeshuu behind him beat him to it. "Please let us inspect it first."

The proprietress's smile froze on her face. After a rigorous "security check," Baichen finally got his hands on the pink dango.

The moment he bit into it, the sweet and tangy flavor of strawberry burst across his tongue, filling him with happiness.

[Status acquired: Culinary satisfaction]

[Effect: Mood +15%]

Passing by Yae Publishing House, Baichen made a point of going inside to look around. Miko wasn't there, but a clerk recognized him and mysteriously slipped him a manuscript. "The Guuji said to give you this when you came."

The manuscript was a special edition of "Reborn as the Raiden Shogun," and the protagonist had actually been changed to "Baichen."

He flipped through a few pages, and the contents were embarrassingly outrageous-things like "pinned against the wall and kissed by the Shogun," and "a secret night at Tenshukaku"...

"Th-this can be published?" Baichen asked, his face flushing red. The clerk smiled and replied, "The Guuji said this is a 'special internal edition'~"

[Yae Miko affection +2%, current: 10%]

[Item acquired: Embarrassing fanfiction book (effect: Entertainment value +30%)]

As he left Yae Publishing House, an unexpected figure stood at the entrance-Kamisato Ayaka.

"Baichen." She greeted him with an elegant bow. "What a coincidence, meeting you here."

Baichen noticed her gaze flicking toward the book in his hand and hurriedly tucked it inside his clothes. "Are you here to buy books too, Miss Ayaka?"

"Yes, I'm looking for some travelogues about Liyue." Her voice was as gentle as water. "I hear you've been learning swordsmanship lately?"

They chatted as they walked, the two Okuzumeshuu following at a moderate distance.

Ayaka mentioned the Kamisato Clan's newly built sword training hall and invited Baichen to visit when he had time. As they talked, she handed him an exquisite sachet:

"I made this calming incense myself. I heard you haven't been sleeping well lately."

The sachet felt soft in his hand and gave off a faint camellia fragrance.

Baichen was about to thank her when Ayaka suddenly leaned closer and whispered in his ear:

"Beware of the Fatui's 'La Signora'... She's been asking about you lately."

[Kamisato Ayaka affection +3%, current: 15%]

[Item acquired: Ayaka's calming sachet]

[Effect: Sleep quality +20%]

On the way back to Tenshukaku, Baichen kept thinking about Ayaka's warning.

At dinner, Ei uncharacteristically didn't ask about his day.

She focused on slicing the raw fish on her plate, her movements graceful and precise. In the candlelight, her profile was breathtakingly beautiful.

"Your Excellency..." Baichen summoned his courage. "About the Fatui..."

Ei's chopsticks paused slightly. "Who mentioned them to you?"

"I just... happened to hear about them," Baichen replied cautiously. "Their activities in Inazuma..."

Ei set down her chopsticks, a sharp glint flashing in her violet eyes. "I will handle it." Her tone brooked no argument. "You need only focus on your training."

[Raiden Shogun affection +1%, current: 24%]

[Note: Sensitivity to matters of safety]

After dinner, Ei unexpectedly suggested a walk in the courtyard. The Tenshukaku courtyard, with its cherry blossoms in full bloom at night, was unearthly beautiful, petals drifting down like snow. Ei stopped before an ancient Thunder Sakura and ran her hand over a sword scar on its trunk.

"Five hundred years ago, I slew a giant serpent here." Her voice held an unusual touch of nostalgia. "To protect Inazuma's eternity."

Under the moonlight, her figure seemed especially lonely. Finding courage from he knew not where, Baichen asked softly, "Do you ever feel lonely too, Your Excellency?"

Ei turned her head, the stars filling the sky reflected in her violet eyes. "Eternity... has always been lonely."

A cherry blossom landed on her shoulder, and Baichen reached out to brush it away as if compelled by some unseen force. The instant his fingertips touched her, a faint current of Electro flowed between them. Ei didn't move away; she simply watched him in silence. In that moment, Baichen seemed to glimpse the girl named "Ei" beneath the mask of the "Raiden Shogun."

After returning to Tenshukaku, the Shogun went straight to the administrative hall, while Baichen was sent back to his room to rest. As he was lost in thought, a gentle knock sounded at the door. Who could it be at this hour? Clutching the protective charm Miko had given him, he cautiously pulled the door open a crack-

The Raiden Shogun stood outside. She had changed out of her daytime armor and wore only a thin purple nightgown, her long hair cascading down like a waterfall. Most astonishing of all, she was holding a steaming cup of... milk?

"Can't sleep?" she asked bluntly, her gaze falling on the protective charm Baichen hadn't managed to hide.

Baichen awkwardly stuffed the charm into his pocket. "A little... Too much happened today."

The Shogun entered the room and placed the milk on the table. "Drink it. It will help you sleep."

Flattered and surprised, Baichen took the cup, its warmth spreading to his fingertips. The Shogun surveyed the room, her gaze lingering on the open window for a moment. "Someone has been here."

It wasn't a question. He nervously took a sip of milk, thinking about how to answer.

"The Guuji, I presume." The Shogun gave a soft huff. "That fox loves meddling in other people's affairs."

She suddenly reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair from Baichen's forehead, tucking it behind his ear. The intimate gesture made his heart race. The Shogun's expression was much softer than usual, the flicker of candlelight reflected in her violet eyes.

"Why are you... so good to me, Your Excellency?"

She was silent for a moment. "I do not understand it myself." Her fingers brushed gently over his cheek. "Perhaps it is because your soul... is like a mirror, reflecting something I forgot long ago."

[Raiden Shogun affection +3%, current: 28%]

[Note: Heart stirred by resonance of souls]

After those meaningful words, she turned to leave, pausing at the door only to say, "Rest well. Tomorrow... may be a long day."

Baichen stood in the middle of the room, the milk in his hand still warm. Outside the window, a blood moon was slowly rising, staining the outline of Inazuma City an ominous dark red.