"I'll do it!"
From the crowd, a huge hand suddenly shot up, waving wildly. A towering, broad-shouldered man with horns on his head strode confidently onto the stage, dragging another young man along by the arm.
Lucas recognized him immediately—and so did nearly everyone else present.
"Trouble's here…" Shikanoin Heizou rubbed his forehead with a sigh. "Arataki Itto. Wherever there's a commotion, this guy just has to show up…"
Sure enough, the man was none other than Arataki Itto, with a member of the Arataki Gang in tow.
"As long as we can hold our breath for five minutes, right?" Itto grinned excitedly. "Then the meal's on the house!"
"Uh… that's… correct," the host replied awkwardly. "But… you mean you're going to do it with him…?"
Same-sex pairings weren't exactly taboo in Inazuma, but flaunting it so boldly was rare. Then again, calling Itto thick-skinned was inaccurate—he probably didn't even know what "shame" meant in the first place.
"He's the best diver in the whole Arataki Gang!" Itto nodded proudly. "What, there's no rule that says it has to be couples, right?"
The host never expected things to turn out like this. Looking flustered, he stammered, "T-There's no rule against it, but…"
The whole point of this event was to draw in customers with spectacle. A couple kissing in public—that was worth watching. But two big guys making out? That'd probably kill the crowd's appetite.
"Then there's nothing 'but' about it!" Arataki Itto slammed a hand onto his underling's shoulder. "Hold your breath tight—we'll feast after this!"
The poor underling's face twisted in despair. "Boss, when you said you were treating me to a meal… this is what you meant? Maybe… let's not?"
It wasn't just the idea of kissing a hulking man in front of a crowd—that alone took guts. But if he actually went through with it, he'd become famous in Inazuma in a whole different way, and probably kiss his chances at marriage goodbye forever.
"No way, I'm starving! Arataki Gang's finances are bone dry since Shinobu disappeared without a word." Itto grinned wide. "Come on, it's only five minutes. Over before you know it!"
"Boss, please, no—"
The underling couldn't resist Itto's grip. Just as the scene was about to scar everyone for life, a sharp twang split the air. An arrow shot straight between their faces and thudded into the wall behind them.
The crowd gasped. A tall woman with short hair leapt onto the stage, cuffs already in hand. Without a word, she snapped them onto Itto's wrist. Her expression was ice-cold. "Every patrol, it's you causing trouble. Now you're trying to commit indecency in public. You're coming with me."
Lucas froze. That woman was none other than Kujou Sara of the Tenryou Commission.
"H-Hey, there's nothing indecent here!" Itto struggled, but his strength was nothing compared to the Tengu woman before him. He tried to argue: "A-Actually, he's a girl, just really flat! Want to check?"
"Maybe I should check if you're a woman." Sara yanked him off the stage. "I'll have the Commission's medics take a good look—and see if your brain's defective while we're at it."
"T-That's Lady Kujou!"
Lucas hurried up, calling out, "What a coincidence."
Sara's eyes widened when she saw him. She studied his face—so familiar, yet strange—then glanced at the silver-haired beauty at his side. Her tone turned cold. "You?"
"You remember me?" Lucas smiled. "That's great."
Though he didn't know Itto in reality, in the Simulator Itto had been his brother-in-arms, sacrificing much for him. Naturally, Lucas wanted to help him out here.
"There's nothing great about it," Sara replied curtly. "And you… it's only been a few days, and you've already switched women again?"
In the Simulator's dreamscapes, she and Lucas had shared many interactions. But unlike Kamisato Ayaka, Sara's personality was to keep everything bottled inside. She rarely showed her true feelings.
Still, seeing yet another beauty by Lucas's side left her quietly displeased.
Ayaka had wanted to greet her, but remembering her current identity, she stayed silent. Faced with Sara's sharp words, she didn't know how to respond.
Don't back down. Push back.
Yae Miko's sly voice slid into Ayaka's mind. "If you were really Shenhe, you'd never swallow this."
That's right. If it were Shenhe, she'd definitely fire back.
"S-So what if he has another woman?" Ayaka finally mustered the courage. "Looking at you, all stern and scary, I bet you've never even touched a man. What, jealous seeing others being affectionate?"
To punctuate it, she deliberately clung to Lucas's arm.
She forgot, though—her body was far fuller now than before. Instead of armor brushing against his arm, half of it sank into her chest.
Lucas was long used to such contact and stayed calm. But for Ayaka, even though the body wasn't originally hers, the sensation felt far too real.
Sara, a general of the Tenryou Commission and the Raiden Shogun's right hand, was feared by all. No one had ever talked back to her like this. She scowled. "I-I am not jealous! And… who says I've never touched a man?"
"For real?" Itto, ever the chaos gremlin, looked scandalized. "What poor soul dared touch you?"
"Shut up!"
Sara's elbow struck him hard, leaving him doubled over in pain.
Ayaka, quick on the uptake, sneered. "Talk is cheap. How do you prove it?"
"Yeah!" Itto chimed in, still wheezing but egging things on. "If you can really handle a man, I swear I won't cause trouble for a whole month—no, half a year!"
"Forget it, don't force her." Ayaka shrugged, smirking. "With that sour face, any man who saw you would run the other way."
"True that." Itto nodded enthusiastically. "Kissing you would probably feel the same as kissing a guy anyway."
Though they'd never rehearsed, their banter synced perfectly, like a comedy duo. Sara's cheeks flushed red with fury. She suddenly grabbed Lucas by the collar. "Then I'll prove it right now! Come here!"
"Eh?!" Lucas's eyes went wide. "I didn't say anything!"
"You'd better watch closely!" Sara glared at Ayaka, her voice sharp. "I'll kiss him for five whole minutes. If I manage it, you'll apologize."
Ayaka smirked coldly. "Fine. But if you lose, you'll have to shout three times, 'No man wants me.' How about it?"
"Hmph…"
Sara gave a sharp nod and dragged Lucas onto the stage.
The crowd erupted instantly. Forget the opening event—seeing Kujou Sara kissing a man? That was more unbelievable than rain of red petals falling from the heavens.
As Lucas and Kujou Sara stepped onto the stage, Shikanoin Heizou quietly appeared at Arataki Itto's side. Producing a key from who-knows-where, he quickly unlocked the cuffs on Itto's wrist.
"Eh? What's this about?" Itto blinked, still not fully processing what was happening.
"It was brother Lucas's request." Heizou pressed a finger to his lips. "He spoke to Lady Kujou to buy you some leeway. Relax. I'll just say I already had you taken away. She won't go out of her way to confirm it."
"But…" Itto stared at the Liyue man on stage—someone he didn't know, yet who still felt strangely familiar. "I don't even know him. Why would he help me?"
"Guess he just took a liking to you," Heizou chuckled. "His name's Lucas. If you ever want to repay him, remember it."
"Lucas? He's my bro now!" Gratitude swelled in Itto's chest. Brash and reckless he might be, but he was loyal to a fault. One favor to him, and he'd return it threefold. He nodded hard. "This debt—I won't forget it."
"Good. Now get going," Heizou urged. "If Sara comes back, you won't get another chance."
"You've got a point…" Itto scratched his head, then grinned with mischief. "But I really wanna see that scary woman kiss a guy. I'd take a few days in jail just for that!"
Heizou and Kamisato Ayaka: "…"
...
Their conversation went unnoticed. All eyes were locked on the stage.
Lucas and Sara stared at each other, both wearing complicated expressions.
Sara had acted on impulse earlier. Now that she was actually up here, she realized just how insane her decision was. But with her rank and reputation, backing down would mean humiliation—and damage to the authority she worked so hard to maintain.
"Kiss! Kiss!"
The sudden cry from the crowd spread like wildfire, until the whole place was chanting in unison.
Even Itto, willing to risk arrest just for the spectacle, bellowed along: "Kiss! Kiss already!"
Lucas had always thought only the people of Liyue were obsessed with gawking at drama. But no—this must be a universal human trait.
For a second, he felt like he and Sara were the Sunset Warrior and Zixia Fairy at the end of A Chinese Odyssey, standing at the center of the world's anticipation.
Except no Monkey King was coming to possess him.
"Looks like I've got no choice…" Lucas sighed. "Lady Kujou, I have an idea. When we kiss, I can slip a sheet of paper between us. I'm quick—no one will notice."
"What's this?" Sara frowned. "You're that unwilling to kiss me?"
"That's not it at all!" Lucas said helplessly. "I just thought you might mind…"
"I don't mind! Honest people don't sneak around. If I win, I'll win fair and square."
With a sudden burst of resolve, Sara stepped right up to him. "But if you dare stick your tongue out, I won't forgive you!"
Before Lucas could even respond, she grabbed his shoulders, shut her eyes, and pressed her lips to his.
The crowd went silent for a heartbeat—then erupted into thunderous cheers.
They kissed!
The aloof, untouchable Kujou Sara—kissing a man from Liyue, right in front of everyone!
"What a rare sight," Heizou murmured with amusement. "As expected, that man is interesting. Whenever he shows up, something entertaining is bound to happen."
"She… she really kissed him…" Itto's jaw dropped in awe. "That's my bro Lucas for you!"
Ayaka, though, was torn apart inside. She'd actually handed the man she liked over to another woman's lips. What kind of fool move was that?
"Don't worry. This is a good thing."
Yae Miko's voice flowed into her mind, oddly reassuring.
Ayaka frowned. "Good? How could this be good?"
"Sara is just a detour. You're the real heroine tonight." Miko's tone was laced with hidden meaning. "You'll see soon enough."
Ayaka didn't understand, but her eyes stayed fixed on the stage.
For Lucas, lasting five minutes without breathing was child's play. His body had long surpassed ordinary human limits. And as a Tengu, Sara could hold her breath for a good while too.
So the time limit wasn't the problem.
The real challenge was the cheers of the crowd—and the heat flooding through her body. This overwhelming sensation was what truly threatened Sara's composure.
No… I can't let this continue…
Her fading reason screamed at her to end this farce. But just as she was about to pull away, a hand suddenly pressed against the small of her back.
Lucas's hand.
His fingers moved with deliberate precision, like the notes of a piano, silently telling her: You only banned my tongue. You never banned my hands.
Pinned like that, what choice did she have?
Sara gave in. She forgot, for that moment, that as a Tengu, she was far stronger than any human. If she truly wanted to break free, a flick of her finger would've been enough.
But she didn't. She chose to stay.
Who knew how much time passed before the air finally hit her lungs again. She snapped back to her senses—only to realize the host had already seized her hand and raised it high.
"Eleven minutes and twenty-five seconds! Absolutely incredible!" he shouted.
Eleven minutes… twenty-five?
Sara's heart skipped. She whipped her gaze toward Lucas. "W-Wasn't it only supposed to be five minutes?!"
"Didn't you hear?" Lucas gave a helpless smile. "The host called time at five. But you… didn't seem like you wanted to stop. So they kept counting."
Kujou Sara had been completely dazed just moments ago, so naturally she hadn't heard the host's call at all.
As for the host, faced with such a golden publicity stunt, she wasn't about to ruin it. Instead, she let things play out, curious to see just how long the two would keep kissing.
"To reward our two brave contestants, we've prepared a very special gift!" she announced, pulling out a golden card. "With this card, all dining here will be free for life. Congratulations again to our lucky winners!"
Meanwhile, the chatter in the crowd was louder than the celebration on stage.
"Who'd have thought? Lady Kujou, usually so cold, actually has this side to her."
"Guess she's just been holding it in too long."
"Never judge a book by its cover…"
"Damn, what happened to keeping it in the family? And of all people, she gave it away to some foreigner!"
"Eleven minutes… bet Lady Kujou enjoyed herself too, huh?"
With her Tengu senses, Sara could practically hear every word. Her face burned bright red. Before Lucas could say anything, she vaulted off the stage and vanished into the crowd, completely forgetting her little "wager" with Kamisato Ayaka.
"She… she ran off…"
The host blinked, then sighed, reluctantly handing the golden card to Lucas. "Well, in that case, I'll entrust this to you. Thank you both for participating."
"So," Lucas smiled, "I can use this right away?"
"Of course. But…" The host frowned slightly. "Didn't Lady Kujou just leave?"
"No problem. I have another companion." Lucas shook his head. "Unless this card's only for couples?"
The host's thoughts churned. This man had just kissed Kujou Sara of all people—already absurd beyond reason—and now he was ready to take the prize and dine with another woman?
If she were Sara, she would've never let this slide.
Scumbag.
Of course, she only thought it. Out loud, she forced a polite smile. "No such rule, of course. I'll have someone arrange a room for you right away."
...
Half an hour later.
Inside a luxury private dining room, the table before Lucas and Kamisato Ayaka was already filled to the brim with exquisite dishes.
It wasn't that they were extravagant eaters. Lucas simply knew "Shenhe's" appetite all too well. A normal spread wouldn't be enough for her. And Inazuman portions tended to be smaller, so he ordered generously.
"Looks like everything's here." Lucas nodded in satisfaction. "A-He, dig in."
"Y-Yes."
Ayaka stared at the mountain of food with dread. She'd always been strict with herself, keeping her figure refined and her meals measured. But from the look on Lucas's face, Shenhe clearly ate far more than she ever did. The pressure was real.
Sure enough, Yae Miko's teasing voice slipped into her mind: "Don't worry, eat all you want. It's not your body that's getting fat."
"T-That doesn't seem right…" Ayaka hesitated. "If I overeat, won't Shenhe suffer for it?"
"Relax. You've never seen her train. No matter how much she eats, she'll never gain fat." Miko's voice was smug. "Besides, even if she did, it'd only go to the right places."
Ayaka glanced down. Instantly, she understood. Ever since switching bodies with Shenhe, she hadn't seen the tips of her toes once without bending over.
Was her own poor development simply the result of too much restraint in her diet?
That thought loosened her resolve. Even if only to avoid suspicion, she'd have to eat heartily.
She picked up a piece of tempura—something she'd never dared touch before—and took a bite. Rich oil and savory flavor burst across her tongue.
Delicious!
One bite led to another, then another. All the dishes she used to avoid or limit, she devoured with gusto.
Even Lucas was surprised.
Sure, Shenhe's diet had loosened up since leaving Liyue, but this was the first time he'd ever seen her eat with such abandon.
"Mmph!"
Suddenly, Ayaka's eyes widened. She clutched her chest, choking on a mouthful of food. Lucas hurriedly handed her a cup. Without even checking what it held, she gulped it down in one go, finally swallowing the stuck bite.
"Eat slower," Lucas said with a fond smile. "No one's taking it from you."
"S-Sorry… I lost my composure…" Ayaka's face flushed as dizziness swept over her. "Just now… what did I drink?"
"Seems to be the house specialty—sakura wine." Lucas took a sip himself and nodded approvingly. "The flavor isn't strong, but the aftereffect's heavy. You downed a whole cup. Are you all right?"
Odd. She felt… fine. Just a little buzzed.
Ayaka knew her tolerance. With her own body, half a cup of this stuff would've put her flat on the floor. But here she was, still steady after a full glass.
It had to be Shenhe's body. Her constitution, like her appetite, was leagues beyond Ayaka's own.
Which meant… tonight she could not only eat her fill, but drink her fill too.
"Of course I'm fine!" Ayaka smiled, her tone playful and inviting. "In fact, I want more."
Lucas chuckled. "All right, all right. It's free anyway—go wild."
...
While Lucas and Ayaka enjoyed food and drink, back at the Kamisato Estate, a knock came at the door of Ayaka's private chambers.
"Who is it?"
The real Shenhe, seated cross-legged on the bed in meditation, opened her eyes in irritation at the disturbance. "Speak quickly."
"Lady Ayaka, it's me—Sayu…"
From outside the door came a drowsy little voice. "The clan head wants to see you. He said he's got something to discuss."
"What a hassle…" Shenhe muttered under her breath.
"…What did you just say?" Sayu blinked in surprise.
That didn't sound like the gentle, refined Ayaka she knew at all.
Maybe she'd woken her up? Yeah, that had to be it. Even Lady Ayaka could get a little grumpy if dragged out of bed. And honestly, Sayu knew she'd be cranky too if someone disturbed her nap.
Before Shenhe could even correct herself, Sayu had already rationalized it away. "Anyway, I've passed along the message. Please head over soon, Lady Ayaka. I'll go report back first."
Shenhe sighed inwardly. She'd agreed to play the role of "Lady Kamisato Ayaka," which meant she couldn't refuse a summons from the clan head. Problem was, she had no idea where his room was.
"Wait—don't go," she blurted out. "Take me with you."
Sayu tilted her head, a little puzzled, but she didn't dare refuse. She stayed put at the door. Truth be told, she had no intention of "reporting back." She just wanted to find a spot to curl up and nap. But Lady Ayaka had called her to stay, so she had no choice.
Shenhe stepped out, glanced left and right, then frowned. "Huh…? Where'd you go? Didn't you say you'd wait for me?"
Sayu was still right there—she was just so tiny that Shenhe hadn't noticed.
"I… I'm right here."
Sayu's brow furrowed. "Lady Ayaka, that joke's not funny."
Her height was already a sore spot. Hardly anyone dared tease her about it, least of all the usually kindhearted Ayaka, who often comforted her, saying if she ate and slept enough she'd grow taller in time. Now it felt like Ayaka was pretending not to see her on purpose.
"Oh, so you were here…" Shenhe looked down at last and saw the pouty little ninja. She realized she'd slipped up and quickly explained, "I wasn't joking. I honestly didn't see you."
"…That almost hurts more." Sayu sighed. "Never mind. Let's just go."
Did I already mess this up? Shenhe thought, flustered. She was blunt by nature but never cruel. Seeing the girl's crestfallen face, she tried to comfort her. "Don't worry. My… uh, elder sister—"
"Elder sister?" Sayu interrupted, confused.
"I mean… a woman I know," Shenhe corrected hastily. "She used to be short and chubby. But once she grew up, she became one of the most beautiful women in Liyue."
She was thinking of Ganyu, who had once rolled down mountains like a little dumpling before blossoming into one of Liyue's most elegant immortals. Shenhe wasn't lying.
But Sayu's face pinched tighter. "So you're saying I'm not just short, but fat too?"
"That's not what I meant!" Shenhe winced. Words were not her strong suit. She had no Yae Miko whispering sly lines into her head, no Ayaka's natural grace with words. So she gave up and stayed silent.
The two walked the rest of the way in awkward silence, Shenhe growing more guilty with each step as she watched the little ninja's slumped shoulders.
"We're here," Sayu said at last, bowing. "Please go in. I'll excuse myself."
Seeing her about to leave, Shenhe suddenly stopped her. "W-Wait!"
Sayu obediently paused, bowing again. "Yes, Lady Ayaka?"
"You… you want to grow taller, right?" Shenhe quickly pulled out paper and brush, scribbled something down, and handed it over. "This is a recipe from a friend in Liyue. She got it from an adeptus. It's supposed to promote growth. Try it."
Sayu blinked at the slip of paper. Most of the herbs listed were ones she'd never heard of. Still, she accepted it politely. "Thank you, Lady Ayaka."
"Make sure you really try it," Shenhe added seriously. "If it doesn't work, then… go find that woman named Shenhe. She'll help you figure something out."
With that, Shenhe pushed open the door and stepped inside, leaving Sayu staring after her.
"…Did my eyes just deceive me?" Sayu whispered. "Lady Ayaka… didn't even knock before going in…"
...
Inside, Kamisato Ayato nearly jumped when the door suddenly flew open.
"Ayaka?" he asked, startled. "You didn't knock?"
"You summoned me, didn't you?" Shenhe raised an eyebrow. "Why pretend to be surprised?"
What's going on? Ayato thought, unsettled.
His sister had always been the picture of elegance. Why was she so… brash today? Was this the so-called "rebellious phase"?
Or was it that Lucas fellow's influence? She'd never spoken to him in such a tone before.
Seeing his "sister" so defiant, Ayato slipped into the role of stern older brother. "Very well. Sit down. We need to have a proper talk."
He knelt neatly on the tatami. Shenhe frowned at the posture, dragged a chair over instead, and sat down casually. "I'll sit here. I'm not used to kneeling."
"You…" For once, Ayato was speechless. After a pause, he stood and took a chair as well.
Something's off. Very off.
Ayaka had never shown him such attitude. And now, barely a day after meeting Lucas, she was acting like this? If that man stayed around longer… Ayato's nightmare visions began to swirl again.
Meanwhile, Shenhe nearly crossed her legs before remembering the role she was playing. She forced herself to sit straight, face expressionless. "So. What did you want to talk about?"
"You don't even call me brother anymore…" Ayato sighed. "Fine, I'll get straight to the point. What do you think of Lucas?"
"That guy?"
Shenhe touched her chin, let out a cold snort, and said, "Lustful, scatterbrained, never does things by the book, and a shameless flirt. Honestly, he's a man with almost no redeeming qualities."
Hearing his "sister" judge Lucas like that, Kamisato Ayato was taken aback. Then a faint smile tugged at his lips.
So it really was just him overthinking.
Ayaka might have acted like she had some interest in Lucas, but with words like these, it was clearly nothing more than playing along with the occasion.
Unbelievable. Her ability to hide her true thoughts had already grown so sharp.
Relieved, Ayato said warmly, "As expected of my sister. So you must hate him, don't you?"
At the mention of Lucas, Shenhe briefly forgot she was still using Kamisato Ayaka's body. Facing a man she'd only met a handful of times, she answered without hesitation, "No. I like him a lot."
Had it been someone close to her—like Ganyu or Cloud Retainer—she might not have been so blunt. But with Kamisato Ayato, someone she hardly knew, she felt no need to hide.
"Wh-what?" Ayato's eyes widened. "But… but didn't you just say he has all those flaws?"
"That's not a contradiction," Shenhe replied matter-of-factly. "Even if he has a mountain of flaws, it doesn't stop me from liking him."
The answer shook Ayato, though he pressed on. "F-fine. Then how much do you… like him, exactly?"
In truth, he wanted to ask how far things had gone between them, but couldn't bring himself to say it outright.
Shenhe, of course, didn't catch on. She said casually, "Among the people I care about, he probably ranks in the top three."
The other two, naturally, were her senior and her master.
Top three?
Ayato's mind whirled. If we're talking about the people Ayaka treasures most, it should be family first—our late parents, and me, her brother.
Damn it! Which one of us got bumped down by that man who appeared out of nowhere?
Wait… don't tell me it's me?
Still, he swallowed his frustration and pushed the question further. "I-I mean… how far have you two progressed?"
"Progress…" Shenhe, blunt by nature, had nonetheless picked up a trace of ordinary maidenly shyness after spending time in the mortal world. Realizing what he was asking, her cheeks reddened slightly. "Asking a woman something like that—don't you think that's going too far?"
"What's too far about it?" Ayato shot to his feet, brows furrowed. "You're my sister! Of course I have the right to know about your affairs!"
Crap. How could I forget that part?
It finally clicked for Shenhe—she was still inhabiting Kamisato Ayaka's body. Remembering what she'd just admitted, she realized she'd made a serious slip. She scrambled for a way to explain, when suddenly, a strange yet familiar sensation welled up from somewhere deep within her body. Her face flushed scarlet, and she clamped a hand over her mouth to keep any embarrassing sounds from slipping out.
This… this feeling—
Impossible!
...
As for why Shenhe's body had "acted up," the story rewinds a few minutes earlier.
Inside a private room at the restaurant—
"Drink! More, keep drinking!"
Kamisato Ayaka clutched the wine bottle and took another heavy swig.
She had assumed Shenhe's body would have a high tolerance for alcohol, and that a mere drink like "sakura wine" would be no problem at all.
But clearly, she'd overestimated Shenhe's capacity—and underestimated the strength of the liquor.
On top of that, Ayaka had never touched alcohol before. She had no idea how to pace herself. All she knew was that this strange liquid really did make her worries fade away for a while. So she kept drinking, cup after cup.
Though she usually carried herself like someone carefree and unburdened, Ayaka bore her own share of pain. Above all, the loss of her parents had forced her to grow up far sooner than any girl should have.
If she was going to let loose for once, then she might as well go all the way.
"Shenhe…" Lucas sighed helplessly as he watched the "Shenhe" before him, cheeks flushed with drink. "You've had a little too much, don't you think?"
He knew Shenhe could usually hold her liquor, but never had he seen her down it so recklessly. If it weren't for his own [Never Drunk] talent, drinking this much wine alongside her might have floored him too.
"I-I'm not… Shenhe!" Ayaka slurred, nine parts drunk and barely one part lucid. She mumbled stubbornly, "D-don't… don't call me that…"
Lucas blinked. What the—she's so gone she forgot who she is?
"So… hot…" Whether from the alcohol burning through her veins or from her unaccustomed body straining against its curves, the tipsy Ayaka tugged open her collar. The swell beneath tumbled free, nearly smacking Lucas in the face.
Her flushed cheeks framed by blossoms—she was already beautiful enough to steal breath. Add to that her striking figure, and the pink glow of the Temptation Ring at Lucas's wrist flared to life once again.
Sinful thoughts crept through his mind.
But wait—this is my legitimate, lawfully wedded wife. What could be wrong with wanting her?
With that reassurance, Lucas slid an arm around Ayaka's waist and murmured, "Fine, I won't call you Shenhe. Then what should I call you?"
Ayaka gazed at the man whose face had visited her dreams countless times before. The words slipped out without thought: "Call me… Ayaka. Please?"
Had Shenhe, sober and clear-headed, said such a thing, Lucas would've been baffled.
But a drunk woman's words defied logic. Could it be that Shenhe, after loosening up with drink, wanted to try something new and thrilling—like role-play?
Now that was a bold and tempting idea.
He brushed his fingers over Ayaka's cheek and grinned. "Then, Lady Ayaka… how shall this humble servant attend to you?"
If she wanted to play the young lady, then he'd happily play the loyal retainer.
Maybe next time he could even try something similar with Keqing.
"I… I don't know…" Ayaka mumbled, swaying, her head fuzzy. "Teach me… please?"
What… what is this?
Even though the woman in his arms should've been more than familiar, Lucas felt something entirely new staring down at his sister-in-law's face.
This was… too cute.
He had never once seen Shenhe wear such a fragile, almost pitiful expression. The sharp contrast with her usual icy, untouchable aura nearly broke his brain. If he didn't know her inside and out, he might have suspected that the Shenhe in his arms was actually her identical twin.
That shocking difference made her all the more irresistible.
The Ring on his wrist pulsed brighter pink than ever.
"Of course, I can teach you properly." Lucas scooped Kamisato Ayaka up into his arms and laid her gently down on the sofa in the private room, lips curving into a grin. "But, Lady Ayaka, being on the receiving end of rebellion from below… isn't exactly pleasant."
"Yes… call me that…" Under the haze of alcohol, Kamisato Ayaka had long forgotten she was supposed to be pretending to be Shenhe. What spilled out was the truest of declarations: "I'm Ayaka. Kamisato Ayaka!"
What puzzled Lucas was why Shenhe's choice for role-play wasn't Ganyu or even Cloud Retainer, but Kamisato Ayaka—a girl she'd barely met once. Did she prefer playing strangers instead?
What a bizarre hobby.
Still, Lucas wasn't about to complain. He leaned close and whispered, "Ayaka, let's begin."
Since Lucas had already shared Shenhe's first glass of wine, Ayaka—inhabiting Shenhe's body—naturally encountered no resistance. An unexpected twist of fate, but in its own way a blessing in disguise. For the first time, she could experience the pleasures of intimacy without the pain.
In that moment, she felt as if she'd stepped back into a dream.
...
Meanwhile, Kamisato Ayaka herself had no idea that the real Shenhe, trapped in her body, was facing Kamisato Ayato's questions.
Nor did she know that while their souls had been swapped, Yae Miko had deliberately left one soul fragment anchored in each of their original bodies to maintain a lifeline.
Most of the time, that fragment caused no reaction at all. But when the body suffered intense impact, it resonated with the rest of the soul.
So when Ayaka's body was being pounded mercilessly on Lucas's side, Shenhe felt every echo in return.
Ayato quickly noticed his "sister's" strange expression and asked anxiously, "Ayaka? Are you… are you alright?"
Shenhe, having trained under Cloud Retainer for years, understood the mechanics of soul resonance well enough. She immediately guessed that Lucas must be doing something outrageous to her body at this very moment.
"I… I'm fine," Shenhe muttered, shaking her head. "I… I just want to rest in my room."
"But I'm not finished talking to you." Ayato frowned. He assumed his sister was trying to dodge any talk about Lucas, so he pressed on. "Tell me—how far have you and Lucas gone?"
Hot-tempered by nature, Shenhe was already struggling against the distracting sensations crawling through her. Now, being cornered by Ayato's questions pushed her to the breaking point.
You're having your fun with my body, and I'm the one forced to keep the secret?
Screw this. I'm done.
Her temper snapped. She blurted, "What's there to ask? We've done everything already. Next year you can start thinking up names for your nephew!"
Crash!
The words struck Ayato like a thunderclap out of a clear sky. He froze on the spot, utterly dumbfounded, his mind blanking out.
The precious sister he'd guarded for over a decade… trampled, just like that?
As much as he wanted to deny it, how could he doubt her own confession?
He collapsed weakly into his chair, staring into nothing as he muttered, "How could this be… how could this be…"
In truth, Ayato didn't oppose his sister finding love. If she met the right man, he would give her his full support as an older brother.
But why, of all people, did she have to fall for the very man who haunted his dreams as a figure of utter corruption?
"T-that…"
Maybe because Lucas had slowed down on the other side, Shenhe finally caught a breather. Realizing her reckless words had gone too far, she coughed awkwardly. "Actually… ahem, Lucas isn't as bad as you think. He told me he's already been chosen as the next Tianshu of Liyue. So your sister—I mean, me—marrying him wouldn't exactly be a disgrace."
Tianshu?
That name jarred Ayato back to his senses.
He was a rational man. What was done was done. Better to face it head-on than wallow in despair.
Besides, dreams were still only dreams. Perhaps this man truly was someone worthy of his sister's lifelong trust.
"So be it… so be it." Ayato exhaled deeply. "I'll go and have a proper talk with Lucas myself."
"No, you can't!" Shenhe blurted. "There's nothing for you to talk about with him!"
If the two of them sat down face to face, her cover would be blown wide open.
Shenhe wasn't afraid of Lucas himself—but the misunderstanding she'd just caused was far too big. Even if Lucas forgave her, what would Kamisato Ayaka think once she realized her "purity" had been stolen out of nowhere?
"Of course we have to talk." Ayato was calm now, completely composed. He rose to his feet. "I'll find him right now. He needs to take responsibility for what he's done."
Crap. This was bad. This was really bad.
Shenhe's years of training had forged her mind into still waters, unshaken by outside forces. Yet even she couldn't hold down the rising panic this time.
What now?
Kill the man to silence him?
No, no, that was too extreme.
But before she could act, Ayato slid open the door—only to nearly collide with a blond young man waiting outside.
The man bowed respectfully at once. "Master Ayato, someone's here to see you."
Handsome and striking in his own way, though not as refined as Ayato, he carried a distinct charm. It was none other than the Yashiro Commission's house steward, Inazuma's very own "fixer"—Thoma.
"I have other matters to deal with right now," Ayato replied evenly. "Tell the guest to wait. If they can't, they'll just have to come another time."
Even someone as composed as Kamisato Ayato had spoken so gravely—proof of just how seriously he took this upcoming talk with Lucas.
"This… might not be good," Thoma said with an awkward look. "Master Ayato, I think… you'd better go meet them."
Ayato frowned. "Who could possibly demand that kind of courtesy?"
"It's… not someone easy to brush off," Thoma sighed with a wry smile. "It's an envoy sent by the Raiden Shogun herself."
The Raiden Shogun?
True, Ayato could refuse anyone else. But ignoring someone sent by the Shogun was the same as slapping her in the face. Even he wasn't reckless enough to risk that.
After a few seconds of thought, he finally nodded. "Understood. I'll go at once. Ayaka… head back to your room and rest. When I return, we'll finish this talk."
Only after Ayato hurried off did Shenhe, still trapped in Ayaka's body, finally let out a breath of relief.
"Lady Ayaka?" Thoma tilted his head, noticing something off. "You don't seem quite yourself. What were you two talking about in there?"
Though technically a retainer, Thoma had always been more like a friend to the Kamisato siblings, so there wasn't much distance between them.
"Nothing," Shenhe muttered, distracted. "Just matters between me and Lucas."
Thoma's mind moved quickly. He'd already noticed Ayaka's unusual interest in that foreigner—going so far as to change outfits just to see him the other day. Now, with things seeming to progress so fast, he couldn't help but draw his own conclusions. He smiled knowingly. "Then… congratulations, I suppose."
"Congratulations, my ass," Shenhe snapped. "Anyway, do you know where Lucas is right now?"
She knew this was only a temporary reprieve. Once Ayato finished with the envoy, he'd still seek Lucas out. Better to find him herself and clear things up before it got worse.
Seeing the usually elegant lady act so sharp whenever Lucas's name came up only cemented Thoma's suspicions. He answered right away. "I heard he was seen in Hanamizaka just now. He should still be nearby. If you'd like, I can—"
"Thanks!"
Before he could finish, Shenhe had already gathered up her skirt and hurried out. Thoma could only chuckle helplessly. "I was about to offer to take you there myself. Well, this saves me the trouble."
...
Ayato entered the reception hall. As expected, the visitor was indeed a Shogunate envoy. The man rose upon seeing him. "Forgive the intrusion, Commissioner of the Yashiro Commission."
"There's no need for apologies if you come on the Shogun's behalf." Ayato's polite smile slipped easily into place. "May I ask what orders the Shogun has for me?"
Inside, he was impatient, eager to finish quickly. But the envoy spoke at a measured pace. "It's nothing major. Last night, the Shogun decided on a whim to test the strength of the Tenryou Commission's guards. She found them lacking, and was displeased."
The Tenryou Commission guards—the Shogun's personal soldiers. Ayato chuckled lightly. "Against someone as mighty as the Shogun, no ordinary soldier could stand a chance."
To be honest, those guards were as awkward as Mike Tyson's bodyguards—more for show than real use.
"Still, that's not the point," the envoy shook his head. "Even if they don't need to protect the Shogun, they are responsible for the safety of Tenshukaku. So the Shogun would like you to stay there a few days… to instruct them in martial training."
What kind of joke was that? He was the Commissioner of the Yashiro Commission, not some drill sergeant for palace guards.
Ayato kept his irritation hidden behind his smile. "I'm afraid my duties are many. I can't accept such an assignment."
"With respect, your highest duty is fulfilling the Shogun's wishes," the envoy replied smoothly. "I know it's beneath your station, but you also know her temper. To disobey her would…"
"I understand." Ayato inclined his head. "I'll prepare and report to the Shogunate tomorrow morning."
Once inside Tenshukaku, he wouldn't be free for days. He wanted at least to speak with Lucas about his sister before that.
"No need. Come with me now," the envoy interrupted with a shake of his head. "The Shogun insisted you arrive tonight. If you delay, I'll be the one punished. I ask for your understanding."
Ayato's sharp mind couldn't help but note the timing—he was just about to confront Lucas, and now the Shogun had summoned him away. Suspicious. Yet he couldn't imagine the exalted Shogun having any connection to some nameless foreigner.
He gave a weary smile. "Very well. Let me gather a change of clothes, and I'll go."
He didn't even have time to speak to his sister again. Leaving only brief instructions with the servants, Ayato followed the envoy out.
What he failed to notice was the figure lingering just beyond the doorway, who peeked out only after he was gone.
"Well, well. Isn't that Mai?" A teasing voice drawled from behind her. "What are you peeking at?"
Raiden Mai stiffened. She turned to see Yae Miko standing there, eyes gleaming with sly amusement.
"Nothing," Mai said evenly, forcing calm. "I just saw someone come looking for Master Ayato and got curious, that's all."
"Strange, isn't it?" Yae Miko tilted her head, smiling knowingly. "We arrive at the Kamisato Estate, and right away the Shogun summons Ayato off. Don't you think… that's a little too neat?"
The reason Ayato had been whisked away so suddenly was, of course, Mai's "tip-off" from the night before.
Mai's gaze was cool. "It's just coincidence."
"Really~?" Yae Miko's smile widened. She locked eyes with Mai, as though she could see straight into her hidden thoughts. "Tell me—are you Mai right now? Or are you Ei?"
Yae Miko was the only one who knew the truth of Mai's connection to the Raiden Shogun. At her probing words, Mai's expression hardened. "That's none of your concern. And don't forget… the agreement you made with us back then."
Yae Miko had seen through it long ago. Raiden Mai wasn't just some attendant—she was one of the Raiden Shogun's puppets. Through her, the Shogun had been quietly watching everything that happened around Lucas.
But Miko had no intention of interfering. In fact, she'd already struck a deal with the Shogun—she'd help Lucas get an audience with her.
From the very start, Yae Miko had been playing both sides. Whether it was Lucas or the Raiden Shogun, both had been dancing in the palm of her hand.
When it came to sheer strength, Miko knew she couldn't match the Shogun. But when it came to cunning? Ten Shoguns stacked together still wouldn't match her scheming mind.
Just as she was about to speak, a figure rushed out from the doorway in a flurry. It was Shenhe—inside Kamisato Ayaka's body.
Miko blinked in surprise, then quickly called out, "Running off in such a hurry? Where exactly are you planning to go?"
Shenhe stopped in her tracks, her expression tight with urgency. "Of course I'm going to find Lucas and Kamisato Ayaka!"
Raiden Mai frowned. The woman before her was Kamisato Ayaka. How could Ayaka go looking for herself?
"Tsk tsk, I wouldn't recommend that," Miko chuckled behind her hand. "Right now, it's really not a good time to interrupt them."
Because of the soul resonance, Shenhe could naturally sense what was happening with Ayaka. She didn't question how Miko knew too, just sighed helplessly. "I still need to see him. Kamisato Ayato called me to talk just now and I… I accidentally let something slip. If Ayato goes to confront him—"
"You don't need to worry about that," Miko cut her off with a smile. "Ayato was just summoned to Tenshukaku by the Shogun. He won't be back for three to five days at least. By then, none of us will still be here at the Kamisato Estate."
Relief flooded Shenhe's face. "That's perfect. What a lucky coincidence."
"This isn't coincidence," Miko corrected smoothly, narrowing her eyes as she gestured toward Raiden Mai. "She arranged it behind the scenes. If you're grateful, thank her."
When Shenhe had first met Raiden Mai, she hadn't liked her one bit. But after spending a few days together, she realized Mai bore no ill intent.
"Thank you!" Shenhe's nature was blunt, her emotions clear as day. She clasped Mai's hand firmly, gratitude softening her normally stern face. "I'll remember this favor!"
Raiden Mai frowned slightly. "So… what in the world is actually going on here?"
———
The farce at the Kamisato Estate paused for the moment. Meanwhile, on the other side, Lucas and the real Kamisato Ayaka had already gone through three intense rounds.
If he hadn't worried that lingering too long at the restaurant might attract suspicion, Lucas might've been up for another encore.
Now, Ayaka lay sound asleep, lulled under the weight of alcohol, her lips still curved in a faintly blissful smile.
Lucas, of course, had no idea. The woman who'd just shared such a passionate time with him wasn't Shenhe at all—it had been Kamisato Ayaka. The sudden role swap was bizarre, yes, but he didn't dislike it. Not one bit.
By the time he returned to the Kamisato Estate, night had already fallen.
Unaware of the girl's true identity, Lucas carried her into Shenhe's room. But the moment he opened the door, he froze. "Ayaka?"
Another "Kamisato Ayaka" sat waiting calmly inside, as if she'd been expecting him.
This Ayaka was, of course, Shenhe. She had already rehearsed her response. "My brother—ah, I mean, Kamisato Ayato—was suddenly summoned to Tenshukaku by the Shogun. He asked me to pass along his words: please make yourself at home and don't feel restrained here."
"The head of the Yashiro Commission is too polite." Lucas nodded, gently laying the girl in his arms—Shenhe's true body—onto the bed. "Forgive the sight. Shenhe… had a bit too much to drink."
"What?" Shenhe's eyes widened. She hurried over, scanning up and down her own body with obvious concern. "My—my bod—"
Lucas blinked. "Your bod—?"
She caught herself in time, quickly changing her words. "My… sister Shenhe, how could she drink so much?"
She knew her body well. She might dislike alcohol, but her tolerance was leagues above the average person's.
"I didn't expect you to care about her this much," Lucas said warmly, smiling. "Must've been the sake. Inazuma's sakura wine is just too fragrant to resist, so she overindulged."
Shenhe finally understood. With Ayaka's personality, she'd never have given in so easily. The real culprit had been the alcohol.
Still, the thought unsettled her—Lucas thought he'd been with her, when in reality it was Ayaka. Should she count this as a loss for Ayaka, or a win?
On one hand, Ayaka was still an untouched maiden, yet somehow she'd been "pushed" by Lucas. A loss.
On the other, she'd experienced everything she should have, while her true body remained untouched. A win.
"Not only that," Lucas added, "she really enjoyed the local dishes. Honestly, I've never seen her savor food like that before."
You've gotta be kidding me.
Annoyance bubbled in Shenhe's chest. Drinking on her behalf and messing around with her man was one thing. But eating her fill while Shenhe herself had been secretly dieting? Did Ayaka have any idea how much effort she'd put in?
Fine. Tomorrow, when I'm the one in your body, I'll get my revenge with Lucas!
"R-really now…" Shenhe muttered under her breath, feigning a scolding tone. "Aren't you worried she'll eat herself into a big fat mess?"
"It doesn't matter. No matter what she becomes, to me, she'll always be the same," Lucas said, shrugging with an easy smile. "If anything, I'd rather she spoiled herself once in a while. She's been carrying a past that's far too heavy. She doesn't have to be alone anymore."
Those words hit Shenhe straight in the heart.
So this… this was how he truly felt?
Her vision blurred. Before she realized it, a tear had slipped quietly down her cheek.
"Ayaka?" Lucas froze, caught off guard. "Why… why are you crying?"
"It's… it's nothing." Shenhe quickly wiped her cheeks and forced a smile. "Maybe the smell of the alcohol stung my eyes a little. Sorry for making a scene."
"As expected, even among girls the differences are pretty huge," Lucas scratched his cheek with a wry grin. "If it were A-He, I bet even throwing sand in her eyes wouldn't make her shed a tear."
"Not necessarily," Shenhe murmured. "She might… not be as strong as you think."
Lucas didn't overthink it. He just smiled. "Alright, let's head out. Don't want to disturb her rest. Plus, the smell of the booze might get to you too."
"I was planning to turn in anyway." Shenhe hesitated, then added, "Oh, right. I actually… have a little gift for you."
"You're too polite." Lucas chuckled. "What gift?"
Her cheeks flushed pink. "Just… lower your head a bit."
Without questioning, Lucas leaned down slightly. Shenhe suddenly rose on tiptoe and brushed her lips against his cheek—light as a dragonfly skimming water. Before he could react, she'd already slipped past him toward the door. Tossing out a quick "Good night," she disappeared into the hall.
She hadn't had much choice—Ayaka's body was shorter than her own. If Shenhe had been in her real body, she wouldn't have had to work so hard for that kiss.
Lucas, meanwhile, stood frozen. He couldn't tell if that kiss had been nothing more than a girl's prank, or if there was something deeper behind it.
He didn't dwell on it. After such a chaotic day, exhaustion finally caught up with him. Back in his room, he washed up quickly and collapsed into bed.
What he didn't know was that everything he'd done today… wasn't about to be forgotten.
———
The next morning.
At a small inn in Inazuma, four travelers who had checked in the night before were gathered in the dining room, enjoying a simple but hearty breakfast.
They stood out without trying to. One tall, black-haired woman with striking features wore an eyepatch and tore into meat with gusto, her bold appetite rivaling any man's.
Another blonde girl looked ordinary enough, except for the strange floating creature beside her. Her eating speed was nearly on par with the eyepatch beauty.
As for the two men, both kept their faces hidden beneath woven hats and veils—even while eating. Clearly, they were men with secrets.
No surprise—it was Beidou, Lumine, Paimon, Kaedehara Kazuha, and Gorou, who had made their way to Inazuma City from Watatsumi.
The last two were still wanted men, so they had no choice but to hide their identities. Luckily, the inn was quiet, and with Beidou's imposing presence scaring off troublemakers, nobody dared bother them.
"Extra! Extra!"
The door banged open and a newspaper boy ran inside, shouting, "Breaking news from the Tenryou Commission! Get your copies quick—once they're gone, you'll miss it!"
Several diners perked up, immediately waving for papers.
"Tenryou Commission?" Paimon tilted her head. "Aren't they the Resistance Army's enemy—mmph!"
Before she could finish, Lumine clapped a hand over her mouth. "Shh! Don't blow our cover."
"Interesting," Beidou smirked. "Wonder what kind of headline the Tenryou Commission could possibly make."
"Likely nothing but baseless gossip," Kazuha said calmly, clearly used to it. "These papers will print anything flashy to sell copies. Just the other day there was a headline claiming the Inagawa clan had a new leader from Liyue, and another about the Grand Narukami Shrine secretly keeping men inside. Obviously nonsense."
The paper boy overheard and grinned. "Believe what you want, mister, but this time we've got photos to prove it! Look here—Tenryou Commission's adopted daughter, Kujou Sara, caught kissing a mystery man for eleven whole minutes! Now that's once-in-a-century news!"
"Oh? Photos, huh?" Beidou's interest spiked. She had no idea who Kujou Sara was, but that didn't stop her from enjoying a juicy scandal. Tossing the boy a few mora, she said, "Alright, brat, hand me one."
"Right away!"
The boy passed her a copy. Beidou spread it open, and sure enough—the front page, nearly half the space, was dominated by a grainy black-and-white photo.
Though the angle and camera quality weren't the best, it was still clear enough: two people were locked in a kiss onstage.
"This woman… it really is Kujou Sara!" Gorou's eyes went wide with shock. "But how could she possibly—?!"
Of everyone there, Gorou had crossed paths with Kujou Sara the most. They had clashed on the battlefield multiple times. As her enemy, he actually understood her better than most. He never would've believed that cold, disciplined woman was capable of something so brazen.
"Huh?"
Lumine suddenly frowned in confusion. "Wait a sec. Doesn't that guy… kind of look like Big Brother Lucas?"
"No way!" Beidou burst into laughter. "I know you miss him, but there's no chance that's him."
"But look closely," Paimon piped up, pointing at the man's wrist in the photo. "That bracelet—it's exactly the same as the one he always wears!"
At that, both Kazuha and Beidou leaned in for a closer look. The more they examined the blurry figure, the more the resemblance grew. The man's back, his clothes—Liyue-style garments, no less. It was hard to dismiss.
"Tell me this doesn't sound plausible…" Kazuha stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Lucas falls into the water, gets rescued by Tenryou Commission patrols, ends up meeting Kujou Sara, and before long… the two fall in love."
"T-that's impossible!" Lumine shook her head furiously. "Big Brother Lucas isn't that kind of person!"
"I dunno…" Paimon narrowed her eyes. "Sounds exactly like something he'd do. Don't forget, he even—"
"Paimon!" Lumine cut her off sharply. "We can't confirm this man is Lucas yet. Let's not jump to conclusions."
"But…" Gorou suddenly spoke in a low, serious tone. "What if he really is the one you've been looking for?"
The air froze instantly. Gorou was from the Resistance Army, after all. If Lucas truly had become romantically involved with Kujou Sara, then he would, by extension, belong to the Shogunate's side.
And if that were true, then Beidou and the others—by standing with him—would also be standing against Gorou.
"For now, we can't confirm whether this man is Lucas. Even if it is him, that doesn't necessarily mean he's chosen to side with the Shogunate," Kaedehara Kazuha analyzed calmly. "Still, to be safe, we should send someone to verify his identity first…"
His eyes swept across the group. "Gorou and I are both wanted men, so we can't move openly. Captain Beidou is too recognizable, and she's had her share of clashes with the Tenryou Commission, so…"
"I'll go," Lumine said at once, understanding his meaning. She nodded firmly. "Nobody here knows me, and I can handle myself. I'll be fine."
"I'm going too!" Paimon shot up. "We always act together!"
"No. If I take you along, we'll just draw more attention." Lumine patted her reassuringly. "Listen, Paimon. I'll come straight back the moment I learn anything."
"Fine…" Paimon puffed out her cheeks. "But you'd better make it up to my lonely heart with a feast of Inazuma's specialty dishes!"
"Before that, there's one more thing we need to do," Kazuha continued. "We have to head to the Kamisato Estate and sign up for the Transmission of Heart tournament."
"Lumine and I are fine, but…" Beidou frowned. "How exactly are you two fugitives planning to register?"
"Relax. Our contacts in Inazuma already secured two slots for us," Gorou explained. "As for you two—I'm sure your strength will speak for itself."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Beidou slapped her toned stomach and grinned. "Let's get over there and register."
"For safety's sake, you should all disguise yourselves a little," Kazuha reminded them. "If anything happens, it'll make retreating that much easier."
———
Meanwhile, Lucas was still fast asleep when he suddenly felt a suffocating sense of pressure pressing down on him.
"A-He, quit messing around…" He blinked blearily, his vision still blurry. Someone was sitting on top of him. Half-asleep, he mumbled, "Let me sleep a little longer…"
It was Shenhe—though thanks to the lingering effect of the Soul-Swapping Technique, she was still inside Kamisato Ayaka's body.
Hearing Lucas call her name made her secretly happy. But then he muttered again, "No… not A-He. A-He's not this light…"
It wasn't that Shenhe was fat. Her figure was taller and fuller than Ayaka's, so naturally she weighed more. But hearing him say that still stung. Her irritation flared, and she flicked him hard on the forehead with a sharp crack. "Wake up already!"
The jolt snapped Lucas wide awake. He rubbed his eyes—only to see Ayaka sitting on top of him.
"Ayaka?" He looked bewildered. "This early… what's going on?"
"Did you forget what you promised yesterday?" Shenhe frowned through Ayaka's face. "You said you'd spend yesterday with Shenhe, and today with me!"
"Right, right, of course I remember," Lucas yawned. "But it's way too early. Can't we go this afternoon instead?"
"No—no way!" Shenhe blurted quickly. "This afternoon we're supposed to train, remember?"
If she waited until the afternoon, their souls would have returned to their original bodies. That would mean he'd have spent two days in a row with Ayaka instead of her!
"Alright, alright…" Lucas muttered. He couldn't figure out why the usually gentle Ayaka was suddenly being so willful, but then again—she was just a young girl. A little stubbornness once in a while wasn't unusual. "Fine. But can you at least get off me first?"
He was already struggling to control himself after all that time with her sitting on him.
If it had really been Shenhe's body on top of him, there's no way he would've resisted doing some "morning exercise" first.
After about twenty minutes of washing up and getting dressed, Lucas finally stepped outside—only to have Shenhe (still in Ayaka's body) grab his wrist impatiently. "Hurry up, we're running out of time."
"Running out of time?" Lucas tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
Of course, he didn't realize she meant the time limit before their souls swapped back.
They made their way to the front courtyard, where Madarame Hyakubei, the acting steward of the Yashiro Commission, sat idly behind the registration desk.
"Good morning, my lady. Good morning, Lord Lucas," Hyakubei greeted respectfully. He had long since noticed how the Kamisato young lady seemed fond of this man from Liyue, so he treated Lucas with particular courtesy.
"Morning," Lucas nodded back, then asked casually, "Is registration for Transmission of Heart still open?"
"Yes, today's the final day," Hyakubei said with a wry smile. "But usually anyone interested signs up long before this. At this point, no one else is likely to show. Don't worry, I've got this covered—please, enjoy your time with the young lady."
"Hmph, this one's pretty sensible," Shenhe thought with satisfaction, tugging Lucas toward the gates. But just as they reached them, the doors swung open. Two women stepped inside, both wearing straw hats with veils that concealed their faces.
Their clothing was all Inazuman, and with their features hidden, Shenhe and Lucas assumed they were just more contestants coming to register.
But the two women froze the moment they laid eyes on Lucas.
It was Beidou and Lumine. They had gone to the trouble of disguising themselves in Inazuman garb and veils to keep their identities secret while signing up for Transmission of Heart. Never in their wildest dreams had they expected to find Lucas here at the Kamisato Estate.
And yet, there he was—looking perfectly at ease, even standing close and comfortable with an "Inazuma beauty" at his side.
Of course, Beidou and Lumine had no idea the girl by Lucas's side was actually Shenhe.
The sight stirred complicated feelings in both of them.
For Beidou, her bond with Lucas was rooted more in camaraderie and loyalty. Seeing him alive and well filled her with nothing but relief and joy.
Lumine's emotions, however, were far messier. She had spent night after night worrying about him. Her first reaction on seeing him safe was overwhelming happiness. But then—seeing him looking so relaxed, so carefree, as if he'd forgotten all his troubles—her heart soured with a quiet discomfort.
And that silver-haired girl… dressed in fine clothes, face strikingly beautiful, clearly not someone ordinary. She might even be the young lady of the Kamisato Clan.
Beidou was about to lift her veil and call out to Lucas, but Lumine grabbed her shoulder, whispering, "Wait. The woman with him… she probably has an important identity. We should wait until he's alone before we approach."
Beidou considered it and nodded. They already knew Lucas was safe and where he was staying, so there was no need to rush. With the weight in her heart finally lifted, her interest shifted back to what she came here for—the Transmission of Heart tournament.
"Are you two here to register?" Madarame Hyakubei asked politely. "Do you have a school license or a letter of recommendation?"
Lumine shook her head. "We're wandering warriors. No school."
"In that case, you'll need to undergo a basic test of skill," Hyakubei explained with a nod. "As long as you can withstand fifty moves against me without defeat, you'll pass."
"Sounds interesting." Beidou grinned with her usual arrogance. "And if I happen to beat you instead?"
Hyakubei had seen all kinds of people in his post. Compared to many, Beidou's attitude was practically polite. He didn't take offense, only smiled. "My strength is mediocre. I'm only here to weed out the weak. If you defeat me, it wouldn't be anything remarkable."
"That's boring," Beidou scoffed. "Why don't you get us a stronger examiner?"
Lumine tugged her sleeve, trying to keep her from stirring up trouble. But Hyakubei seemed to think of something. He nodded. "That's easy enough. Lord Lucas, would you wait a moment?"
Lucas and Shenhe had just been about to leave when Hyakubei called them back. Lucas turned, curious. "What's up?"
"My apologies, but could I trouble you to serve as examiner?" Hyakubei said smoothly. "Your strength far surpasses mine. If someone can withstand fifty exchanges against you, then they're a true expert."
Unlike the blunt Hondas of the world, Hyakubei was shrewd. Rather than making a request, this was more like handing Lucas an opportunity to show off in front of the young lady. And since Lucas had already defeated Kamisato Ayaka—a swordswoman far stronger than Hyakubei—testing two wandering fighters would be no problem.
"Of course. Happy to help," Lucas replied with an easy smile. "I just woke up anyway—good chance to stretch a bit."
But the "young lady" beside him glared daggers at Hyakubei. What a waste of time!
Still, since Lucas had already agreed, there was no way around it. To save time, Shenhe added, "Then let me examine the other one."
"Eh?" Hyakubei hadn't expected her to get involved as well. Helplessly, he said, "In that case, please take care, Lady Ayaka."
Beidou and Lumine exchanged a glance. So this silver-haired girl really was the Kamisato Clan's daughter.
Who would've thought? Still, Beidou wasn't fazed. She grinned. "Now this is interesting. I'll choose—"
She was about to point at Lucas, but Lumine cut her off. "I'll fight him."
Beidou blinked, then smirked as if she'd figured something out. "Alright then. Don't disappoint me."
Something about their voices tickled Lucas with a strange sense of familiarity. But before he could dwell on it, the test had already begun.
His opponent was the shorter of the two women. Across the stage, "Kamisato Ayaka" faced off against the taller one.
Beidou and Shenhe—one fiery as the sun, the other cold as winter ice—shared one thing in common: both were impatient by nature. Beidou hefted the heaviest wooden sword from the rack, while Shenhe, hiding her true self, picked up the katana Ayaka was most accustomed to.
"Let's see what Inazuma swordsmanship is made of!" Beidou roared, charging forward without hesitation.
Though Shenhe specialized in the spear, she had trained with many weapons. Even if Ayaka's body felt unfamiliar and she lacked her own monstrous strength, her technique alone kept her even with Beidou.
But after a dozen moves, Beidou grew suspicious. The girl in front of her was clearly wielding an Inazuman katana, yet her stances carried the flavor of Liyue swordsmanship.
Meanwhile, Lucas and Lumine clashed with one-handed swords. In both power and technique, Lucas held the clear advantage. But he wasn't aiming to win—this was a test, not a duel—so he held back.
Lumine, on the other hand, fought with fierce emotion. The more she thought of how she'd spent every day worrying sick about him, only to find him living happily in some noble's mansion, the angrier she became. Her strikes grew sharper, more vicious with each exchange.
Even though much of her strength had been sealed after the battle against the Unknown God, her battle instincts hadn't dulled. And as her blows intensified, Lucas began to feel real pressure—something he rarely experienced anymore.
With his current level, Lucas could read emotions in the flow of an opponent's strikes. From Lumine's sword, he clearly felt an undercurrent of burning anger.
Strange… what did he ever do to make her hate him?
As that thought flickered, Lumine pressed the attack, unleashing a flurry of strikes. If not for the wooden practice swords, those moves would've been outright lethal.
Seeing this, Lucas stopped holding back. His brows drew together, his sword catching hers with a sharp crack. With a push and a twist, he sent a gust of swordwind slicing upward—
shhhk!
Her straw hat split cleanly in two.
The moment his strike landed, Lucas realized he'd gone in a little too hard. But when the hat split and he finally saw the face beneath, his breath caught.
Lumine?
For a second, he was struck dumb, not sure how to react.
Across the field, Shenhe had just finished fifty exchanges with Beidou when she blurted out, "Lumine?"
She remembered meeting the golden-haired girl once at Ganyu's home, and naturally remembered her name. To see her suddenly appear here was more than a little surprising.
"Huh?" Beidou frowned from across her. "How do you know her name?"
Shenhe froze, realizing she'd slipped. She quickly covered, saying, "I—I meant 'You win!' Is that… actually her name?"
"What a marvelous match!"
Madarame Hyakubei, completely oblivious to the odd expressions, clapped his hands with a laugh. "Apologies, I was too engrossed to call it sooner. You two exchanged over sixty moves. Young lady, congratulations—you've passed the test."
Lucas finally stirred, murmuring, "Uh, I…"
"Thanks for going easy on me." To his surprise, Lumine acted as though she didn't know him at all, bowing with her fists clasped. But as she brushed past, she flicked a small slip of paper into his palm so smoothly that no one else noticed.
Beidou, watching Lumine head over, looked baffled. "So… what's going on now?"
"Let's just go," Lumine said softly. "By tonight, everything will be clear."
Beidou gave Lucas one last glance, then followed Lumine out.
Now that he'd recognized Lumine, it wasn't hard to guess the tall woman with the claymore was Beidou.
Lucas hadn't truly forgotten them. He just never had the chance to look for their traces. Still, he couldn't help but wonder why they were refusing to acknowledge him openly.
Quietly, he unfolded the paper Lumine had slipped him. In tiny, neat handwriting it read:
"Midnight tonight, Komore Tea House."
So… she wanted him to meet her there?
Lucas tucked the note away. Looked like if he wanted answers, he'd have to wait until tonight.
——
Elsewhere, Kamisato Ayaka slowly opened her eyes, her head pounding like it was about to split apart.
For the first time in her life, she was experiencing the joys of a hangover.
Ugh… my head…
Like anyone who'd had too much to drink, all she wanted was to go back to yesterday and scold that reckless version of herself who didn't know her limits.
Because of how much she'd drunk, her memory of last night was hazy. But certain things still lingered—like the far-too-intimate moments with Lucas. Just recalling how she'd made him call her "Lady Ayaka" sent a rush of heat straight to her cheeks.
T-too embarrassing…!
But now what?
Her body felt weak, her stomach empty, even lifting a finger seemed impossible. For a moment, it felt like the whole world had abandoned her.
Wait—she could still talk to Guuji-sama in her mind.
Gathering her thoughts, Ayaka called out inwardly, Guuji-sama, are you there? Could you… come to my room for a moment?
"How does it feel? Not pleasant, is it?" Yae Miko's voice chimed instantly in reply. "Very well. I'll give you a little help."
——
The scene shifted back to Lucas.
Shenhe was just as bewildered as he was by Lumine's sudden appearance. She stepped forward and patted his shoulder, ready to speak—only for her vision to suddenly blur. Her world went black, and when she opened her eyes again, she was staring at a familiar ceiling.
Back in her own body?
She sat up at once, but a wave of dizziness slammed into her. Groaning, she collapsed back down.
Right… Kamisato Ayaka had used her body to drink heavily last night. No wonder it hurt so much.
Shenhe seethed.
Ayaka got all the fun, and she was the one left with the hangover.
Still, it wasn't really Ayaka's fault. She hadn't expected Yae Miko's "help" to trigger an early swap back into their own bodies.
Now that Ayaka was back in her own form, the hangover vanished instantly.
Glancing at Lucas beside her, she quickly pieced together what must have happened—Shenhe had probably wanted to make up for yesterday's missed outing by taking him out herself. But fate had chosen the worst possible moment for the switch.
"What's wrong?" Lucas waved a hand in front of her face. "Everything's sorted out. Let's head out too."
Ayaka bit her lip, then seemed to gather her courage. "I… I think you should go check on Shenhe first. She drank a lot yesterday. She'll need someone to take care of her."
"But…" Lucas hesitated. "What about our plans to go shopping?"
"There'll always be another chance for that." Ayaka shook her head. "But looking after her is more important right now."
"You've got a point. That girl's stubborn as a rock. Even if she's suffering, she'd never ask for help." Lucas scratched his head sheepishly. "Alright, we'll do it your way. I'll make it up to you properly next time."
With that, he turned and left, leaving Ayaka standing there alone, her eyes clouded with a trace of melancholy.
"Well, well…" Yae Miko's voice purred, this time from behind rather than inside her head. "If you wanted, you could always arrange another date with him as yourself. But now that chance is gone, hm?"
Ayaka turned, her expression soft but resolute. "Thank you for your kindness, Guuji-sama. But if I tried to have everything, that would be far too selfish of me. Besides… I'm already satisfied with yesterday."
"True enough," Yae Miko chuckled behind her sleeve. "I did watch every second, after all. And I must say—you looked very satisfied indeed."
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Merry Christmas guys
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You can read the complete fic at patreon.com/NiaXD