Jingchen's pupils constricted as he stared at Kirara in disbelief.
"Kirara, you..."
Kirara replied with her usual innocent cheerfulness, "Benefactor, Chiori told me that if I have Mora, I can be with you. I... I can~"
Jingchen hurriedly stepped forward, cutting her off before she could finish.
*This Nekomata! She seems utterly clueless about basic human customs.*
"Kirara, sigh, let's not talk about that right now. What did you come to see me for?!"
"To repay my debt, Benefactor! I already said that."
Jingchen pressed his hand to his forehead, utterly baffled by the Nekomata's logic.
Kirara pulled an apple from her Spatial Backpack and, with a swift flick of her claws, peeled it clean. She offered it to Jingchen with a hopeful expression.
Jingchen shook his head slightly. Kirara immediately produced other foods and offered them to him, her feline face brimming with anticipation and longing.
Jingchen continued to shake his head. Perhaps in Kirara's eyes, food held extraordinary significance.
For Jingchen, having tasted all the delicacies of Wanmin Restaurant and New Moon Restaurant, only the food Columbina made for him remained perfect.
Kirara paused, hesitating for a long moment before finally pulling a can of fish from her Spatial Backpack.
"Jingchen, this... it's for you."
Kirara closed her eyes and turned away, clearly very attached to the can of fish.
Jingchen immediately opened the can.
"Kirara, ah."
"Ah?!"
Jingchen promptly "returned" the fish to Kirara.
Kirara's face lit up with joy as she gazed at Jingchen with warmth and contentment.
Jingchen smiled faintly.
"Kirara, how did you find me?"
Kirara, full and basking lazily in the sun, replied, "Hmm? Everyone outside is talking about your upcoming wedding with Lady Yae Miko."
"Oh? You heard that news, came to find me, and said *that*?"
"Is that not allowed?"
"Well... do you even know what marriage means?"
Kirara shook her head.
"Not really."
"Sigh... Kirara, how did you get past the Grand Narukami Shrine's barrier?"
"A barrier? Lady Yae Miko brought me through."
"Huh?!"
Jingchen couldn't understand why Yae Miko would bring Kirara, who clearly lacked basic human knowledge, to his side.
*Could she... approve of me?!*
Jingchen frantically shook his head.
*No, no, I can't let my thoughts wander like this. Columbina just went to rest, and I'm already thinking about such nonsense.*
"Kirara, why don't you transform back into a Nekomata?"
Kirara leaned closer, her face filled with concern. "Meow? Benefactor, do you not like my human form? Or is it my outfit that displeases you? But Chiori said this attire should appeal to most humans!"
Jingchen didn't want Columbina to wake up and find Kirara looking at him with such hopeful anticipation, especially if she overheard anything that might lead to misunderstandings.
"This... Ah, how do I put it? I'm just trying to remember what things were like ten years ago..."
"Meow? Alright, Benefactor."
Kirara finally transformed back into a Nekomata, curling up to nap peacefully in the sunlight.
The autumn wind brushed past, scattering scarlet cherry blossoms.
(In Genshin Impact, the Scarlet Cherry Tree blooms with these blossoms year-round.)
*As expected, I wish these peaceful days could last longer, move slower.*
Far from Dottore, Sandrone, and Arlecchino, without suspicion, conflict, or deceit, life truly feels full of hope.
Hearing Kirara's soft snores, Jingchen immediately retrieved the Serenitea Pot and brought her inside.
Ayaka and Yoimiya hurried over, only to find a Nekomata with two tails beside Jingchen.
Yoimiya recognized her instantly.
"Jingchen, is that Kirara?"
"Mm-hmm."
"What's your relationship with her?!"
"I helped her once. She probably wants to repay the favor."
"Repay the favor?"
Ayaka and Yoimiya exchanged incredulous glances.
*Could it be...?*
Noticing their dawning realization, Jingchen cleared his throat, feigning composure.
"Anyway, she's not very familiar with human customs. You two should teach her."
Ayaka and Yoimiya nodded skeptically.
Jingchen quickly turned and headed toward his room, passing through the osmanthus grove and into the mansion.
He pushed open his bedroom door to find Columbina sleeping peacefully, her soft snores filling the air.
Jingchen smiled and approached her, gently stroking her hair.
Columbina's sleeping face was utterly flawless. He leaned closer...
***
As evening fell, Jingchen emerged from the Serenitea Pot.
Yae Miko had been waiting for him for quite some time. Jingchen hastily stowed the Serenitea Pot into his Spatial Backpack.
"Yae Miko? You?!"
Jingchen stared at her warily, his face etched with suspicion.
He had expected Yae Miko to either try to seize the Serenitea Pot or interrogate him about its contents.
*Is she hiding someone inside? What should I tell her?!*
*Should I resort to desperate measures? Bring Yae Miko into the Serenitea Pot, team up with Columbina, and use force?*
*After forcing her to surrender the Raiden Shogun's Heart, I'd flee with Columbina immediately.*
To his surprise, Yae Miko simply smiled faintly, making no inquiries about the Serenitea Pot.
"Jingchen, this is a formal gown I've woven for you. Why don't you try it on?"
Jingchen paused, slightly taken aback. Today, Yae Miko's smile seemed different from her usual ones—almost gentle.
*Wait, this isn't the Yae Miko I know.*
*Is she pretending? Or does she have some other scheme in mind?!*
His face still clouded with suspicion, Jingchen accepted the gown.
Hmm? This isn't silk or ordinary fabric.
Wait, a formal gown with pink as the dominant color?!
Yae Miko's...
"Yae Miko, what's this?!"
Yae Miko replied in her usual condescending tone, "Oh my, Jingchen, this is a formal gown I specially wove for you. You must wear it on our wedding day. No refusing, now."
"Ah?! This..."
Jingchen could clearly sense that something was completely off about the gown.
He decided to show it to Columbina later.
Yae Miko smiled faintly, stepped forward, and gently took Jingchen's hands.
"Jingchen, your master Cloud Retainer, your two senior sisters, and even those who rejected your confessions will be attending. Remember to dress up a bit. If you're not sure how, you can always ask your dear sister here for help."
Yae Miko seized the opportunity to...
Jingchen hastily pulled away from Yae Miko, who at that moment...
"Ah?! Yae Miko, my master and Ningguang will be there too?"
Yae Miko nodded slightly, her eyes filled with Jingchen's reflection.
............
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(End of Chapter)