Kujou Commission Office
Yuna arrived at the Commission Office gate, cradling her cakes. The two guards' faces lit up with smiles the moment they saw her.
Were the previous guards replaced? Yuna wondered. I don't remember these two being here at this time. It's too early for the night shift.
"Little Boss, you're here! Are you looking for Kujou Sara-sama?"
"Mm-hmm! Where is Sara?"
"Kujou Sara-sama is currently training at the archery range. Would you like us to inform her you're here?"
"No need, I'll find her myself."
Yuna dashed barefoot into the Commission Office, her footsteps pattering across the stone courtyard.
As Yuna entered, the smiling faces of the two gate guards instantly hardened.
The last time the two gate guards had refused to let the Little Boss in, Lady Guuji had intercepted the sweets the Little Boss was preparing to give to Kujou Sara. As a result, the two guards had been immediately transferred to undesirable posts.
Though gate duty wasn't exactly a dream job, it was still far better than what those two were doing now.
Kujou Sara drew her bowstring taut, aiming at a target several hundred meters away.
The arrow struck the bullseye with such force that it pierced straight through the target and buried a third of its shaft into the tree trunk several dozen meters behind it.
Yuna, who had just witnessed this, set down her cake and clapped enthusiastically.
Sara had noticed Yuna's arrival earlier and deliberately put extra power into the shot to achieve such a spectacular effect.
She slowly turned, her expression impassive, and asked, "You came to see me? What is it?"
Yuna sidestepped the question. "Wow, Sara-nee! How did you do that? How can one arrow have such incredible power?"
Kujou Sara replied, "Through daily practice, repeatedly drawing the bow. Only through dedication can one achieve results."
Kujou Sara was quite adept at educating children.
Indeed, in her eyes, Yuna was still just a child.
Already petite, Yuna appeared even smaller standing before Sara's towering figure.
Kujou Sara was somewhat displeased with Yuna's constant association with the rowdy Arataki Gang, but she knew Yuna wouldn't listen to her. Instead, she occasionally offered subtle warnings from the sidelines.
Yuna, however, either didn't grasp Kujou Sara's meaning or simply chose not to respond.
"Sara-nee, I brought you something delicious again this time!"
Yuna handed a neatly packaged small cake to Kujou Sara, who stepped back.
"Though we're friends, as a General of the Shogunate, constantly accepting gifts from you would inevitably invite criticism. This time, I'll have to decline..."
Before Kujou Sara could finish, Yuna had already unwrapped the cake. The adorable Raiden Shogun-branded confection was like a lightbulb to a moth. Kujou Sara's eyes locked onto the treat, her breathing quickened slightly.
"Hmph! An 'Raiden Shogun' small cake—you deserve it!"
Kujou Sara's eyes lit up as she took a few steps forward.
"But Sara-nee, you just said you would decline..."
"Ahem, what I meant was I'll accept this one, but you absolutely must take payment this time."
Yuna shook her head vehemently. "No way! I already said it's a gift for my dear friend."
Despite Yuna's persistent refusal, she eventually relented and accepted some Mora from Kujou Sara.
After receiving the cake, Kujou Sara glanced at the remaining two. "Are those the same as mine?"
Yuna instinctively pulled the small cakes closer.
No way! I'd be utterly miserable without either of these.
"Hehe, um, Sara-nee, I have something to do. I'll bring you more delicious treats next time. Bye-bye!"
Yuna dashed off, leaving Kujou Sara standing alone, flustered in the wind.
She had even been prepared to pay a premium for the remaining two cakes. After saving up Mora for so long, now was the perfect time to spend it. Alas...
Yuna breezed through the tenshukaku unchallenged.
Ever since befriending Ei, she had been granted unrestricted access to the tenshukaku—a perk she relished immensely.
The tenshukaku was far grander and more lushly landscaped than its game counterpart.
Upon entering the tenshukaku, Yuna headed to the large tree on the left, set down the two small cakes, and put her hands on her hips.
"That wretched Miko! Always late!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, a chill ran down her neck. She immediately hunched her shoulders and glanced sideways.
"Hehe, little one, what did you just call me?"
"Mi... No, wait, Lady Guuji! Lady Guuji, please spare me!"
Yuna's panicked flailing was particularly comical. Yae Miko gently pinched her small neck before releasing her.
Freed, Yuna immediately sprang aside, puffing out her cheeks and glaring at Yae Miko with resentful eyes.
Yae Miko covered her mouth and chuckled softly. "Alright, alright, let me see the little cakes you made."
Yae Miko bent down to pick up a small cake, unwrapped it, and stared at it blankly for a moment. Finally, unable to contain herself any longer, she burst out laughing.
Giggle "... Oh, Yuna, your baking skills are truly outstanding!"
Yae Miko imagined Ei's bewildered expression later, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
"Hey, Lady Guuji, how are your ingredients coming along? I can't make anything delicious without them."
"Don't you trust your Lady Guuji, Yuna? Here~"
With a wave of her hand, Yae Miko conjured several tables, a mountain of ingredients, and even a stove.
Yuna: "Lady Guuji, did you empty the entire kitchen at the Grand Narukami Shrine?!"
Yae Miko smiled enigmatically, saying nothing.
As Yuna busied herself with preparations, Yae Miko settled into a nearby seat, prompting Yuna to glance her way repeatedly.
"Yuna, we're here!"
Hearing Paimon's voice, Yuna knew her reinforcements had arrived. She grinned warmly at them.
"Lumine, Paimon, come join! It'll be ready soon!"
Paimon floated over. "Yuna, Ayaka, Yoimiya, and Sayu asked me to thank you for them. They absolutely loved the little cakes you made!"
Lumine: "So we're really having a feast at Tenshukaku? I hope the Shogun won't kick us out."
Yuna: "Not at all! Lady Ei will be joining us later too."
Lumine and Paimon exchanged startled glances. "Lady Ei?"
Yuna scratched her head. After getting closer to Ei, she'd learned about Ei's connection to the Raiden Shogun. Calling her "Shogun" felt too formal, while "Lady Electro Archon" seemed too distant. So she'd settled on "Lady Ei."
After all, she already called Yae Miko "Lady Guuji." If they were going by age, she'd probably have to call her "Grandma" or even older!
Yuna didn't mind, but the thought of calling that pink-haired fox "Grandma" made her shudder. The consequences were too terrifying to imagine!
"Yuna, let us help you!" Paimon exclaimed, already impatient to start.
As Lumine helped, she occasionally glanced at Yae Miko, who was sitting nearby. She planned to discuss the situation in Liyue with Ei once she arrived.
The Abyss's schemes couldn't be taken lightly—the tragedies of Mondstadt and Liyue must never be repeated!