Chapter 17: Konpeito

The calm ambiance of the small room was almost surreal, especially after the tension outside. 

The delicate fragrance of the incense mixed with the scent of freshly brewed tea, creating an atmosphere that was both relaxing and inviting. 

Yet, Teiyu couldn't shake the feeling of unease as he stepped further into the room.

Yae Miko, the ever-graceful fox priestess, sat by the low wooden table, her movements fluid and deliberate as she prepared the tea. 

Her slender fingers moved gracefully, almost hypnotically, as she poured the hot water over the tea leaves, releasing their delicate aroma into the air.

"Come, Teiyu, take a seat," she said softly, her voice like silk. She didn't even glance up as she spoke, her attention seemingly focused entirely on the tea.

Teiyu hesitated for a moment before slowly lowering himself onto one of the cushions across from her. He couldn't help but feel a little out of place, as if he were intruding on something intimate.

"Tea always tastes better when shared, don't you think?" Yae Miko continued, finally looking up to meet his gaze. Her eyes gleamed with a mischievous light, the kind that always made Teiyu feel as if she were playing a game only she knew the rules to.

"Uh… yeah," Teiyu replied awkwardly, unsure of what else to say. He could still feel the lingering embarrassment from his earlier encounter with Kuki Shinobu and Beidou, and now, being alone with Yae Miko, that feeling only intensified.

Yae Miko seemed to sense his discomfort, and a small smile played at the corners of her lips. "You look tense, Teiyu. Relax. We're just having a simple chat."

Teiyu nodded, though the idea of a "simple chat" with Yae Miko was enough to make anyone uneasy. He watched as she poured the tea into two small cups, the light brown liquid steaming gently.

"Here," she said, sliding one of the cups toward him.

Teiyu accepted the cup with both hands, the warmth of the tea seeping into his palms. He brought it to his lips and took a cautious sip. The tea was smooth, with a subtle bitterness that quickly mellowed into a sweet aftertaste.

Yae Miko sipped her own tea, her gaze never leaving Teiyu. "So, tell me, how have you been, Teiyu? It's been a while since we last spoke."

Teiyu swallowed his tea, unsure of how to answer. "I've been… alright. Just busy with… things."

"Mmm, I see," Yae Miko murmured, setting her cup down. "And how are you finding your current… endeavors with the Arataki Gang?"

Teiyu's heart skipped a beat. He knew that Yae Miko was well aware of everything that happened in and around Inazuma, but hearing her mention the Arataki Gang still put him on edge. "It's… been interesting. They're good people, even if they can be a bit… overwhelming at times."

Yae Miko chuckled softly. "Overwhelming is one way to put it. But I'm glad to hear you're getting along with them. They're quite the lively bunch."

There was a brief pause as Yae Miko refilled their cups, the sound of pouring water filling the silence.

"You know," she began again, her tone more serious, "I've always found it curious how you ended up with them. Someone of your… talents could do so much more."

Teiyu looked down at his tea, feeling the weight of her words. "I don't know… I guess I just… fit in with them."

Yae Miko studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable. "Perhaps. Or perhaps you're hiding from something—something that you don't want to face."

Teiyu tensed, but he tried to hide it by taking another sip of tea. Yae Miko was sharp—too sharp. It was as if she could see right through him, into the very thoughts he tried to keep hidden.

"Don't worry," Yae Miko said softly, as if sensing his discomfort. "I'm not here to pry. I'm simply… curious."

Teiyu nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

"Still," Yae Miko continued, her voice returning to its usual playful tone, "it's important to remember that in this world, the choices we make define who we are. You should always be true to yourself, Teiyu, no matter where that path may lead."

Teiyu looked up at her, surprised by the sincerity in her voice. For a moment, the playful, teasing fox priestess was gone, replaced by someone who genuinely cared.

"Thank you, Yae Miko," Teiyu said quietly.

She smiled, and in that smile, Teiyu saw both kindness and something else—something deeper, more complex. It was a reminder that Yae Miko was many things: a trickster, a priestess, and perhaps, in her own way, a guide.

"Well, now that we've had our little chat, how about we get back to business?" Yae Miko said, her tone shifting once again to something more familiar, more playful.

Teiyu nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. "Sure. What do you need from me?"

Yae Miko's eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned forward, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Oh, nothing too difficult. I just need you to help me convince a certain stubborn ship captain to see things my way."

Teiyu's heart sank as he realized what she was asking. "You mean… Beidou?"

Yae Miko's grin widened. "Exactly. I'm sure with your help, we can come to an agreement that benefits everyone."

Teiyu gulped. He had a feeling this was going to be much harder than it sounded.

She gracefully arranged the various tea utensils, resembling the gentle and serene demeanor of a traditional Yamato Nadeshiko, completely devoid of her usual cunning and sharpness.

As the steam rose, Yae Miko's beautiful face appeared and disappeared, exuding a kind of hazy beauty, like a "beauty as delicate as a flower in the clouds."

Teiyu couldn't help but feel that Yae Miko at this moment had a very classical beauty.

This was truly... the usual Yae Miko was shrewd and crafty.

She always enjoyed teasing others as a source of entertainment, with a rather malevolent mindset.

But now, watching her gracefully and meticulously pour tea, perfectly embodying the tea ceremony etiquette.

The contrast was too strong! Teiyu was so mesmerized that he couldn't help but want to capture this beautiful scene in his mind forever, as if his eyes were a camera.

"Knock, knock, knock!!!"

Beidou knocked on the table twice, reminding Teiyu, "Hey, kid, ... Am I invisible or something??"

Even so, Beidou had to admit that Yae Miko at this moment was so beautiful it was almost unreal, no wonder Teiyu was staring at her so intently!

"I didn't expect you to know the tea ceremony."

"Hehe, it's just a little something to pass the time," Yae Miko glanced sideways, pleased with Teiyu staring at her, and smiled silently.

"Good! This tactic is really effective! Hehe, if I, Yae Miko, want to attract a man, who could possibly resist?? Hehehe~~" Yae Miko thought to herself with pride.

Recently, there were more and more women around Teiyu. Originally, she planned to enjoy the process of reeling in her prey slowly, but now she had to use a few tricks to speed things up.

"Hmph, besides the eldest daughter of the Kamisato family, the girl from the fireworks shop, even that tengu from the Tenryou Commission has fallen for you!

"Teiyu, oh Teiyu! You've really given me quite a 'surprise'~~" Yae Miko pouted in displeasure and cast a resentful glance at Teiyu, leaving him puzzled.

"Mm, ahem!!" Beidou coughed helplessly, these two were almost flirting right in front of her!

"..." Teiyu snapped back to reality and sat beside Beidou, feeling that the atmosphere was a bit strange, so he decided to just sit quietly.

"Wooo~~~" At that moment, the kettle started to whistle, signaling that the water was boiling.

The awkward atmosphere in the room was broken as Yae Miko refocused, picking up the small clay pot and gently pouring the water into the teacups.

The tea leaves, shaped like fine needles, floated in the hot water, immediately rising up, looking like little people rowing boats—quite a delightful sight.

"This is good tea, Yae-sama has great taste." Though Beidou wasn't a tea expert, she wasn't someone who would fail to appreciate a good thing.

She lightly sniffed the tea's fragrance, pushed the cup forward, and took a small sip of the green tea, praising it.

"Sister Beidou, you're too kind." Ignoring the white eye that Teiyu threw at her, Yae Miko replied with a charming smile.

"Alright, you've set the stage long enough. If you don't get down to business, this will all be for nothing."

Beidou put down the teacup and spoke calmly. She had seen too much in her life to be fooled by Yae Miko's little tricks.

"Since Sister Beidou is so straightforward, I won't beat around the bush either."

Yae Miko, seeing that Beidou was getting to the point, stopped pretending and said directly, "The profit-sharing terms you mentioned before don't really matter to me. The [Sakura Bloom] isn't exclusive to the shrine; it can be found elsewhere too. Overharvesting is not a wise move."

"..." Beidou wanted to shout at Yae Miko: "Nonsense! That's not what you said to me before!! Now you're acting all virtuous!!"

But she held her tongue, knowing that the cunning Yae Miko likely had something up her sleeve.

"If you want to discuss a slightly smaller profit margin, that's not entirely impossible~~~" Yae Miko smiled slyly, resuming her sharp demeanor as the Grand Shrine Maiden. "Sister Beidou, please come closer."

"....."

Beidou really wanted to tug at Yae Miko's long ears and mess with her.

Let's see what tricks this sly fox has up her sleeve!

She leaned in close, only to see Yae Miko smile seductively.

She drew her curvaceous body closer, covered Beidou's ear with her jade-like hand, and gently extended her small, fragrant tongue, licking Beidou's glistening earlobe.

!!!

Beidou's whole body trembled suddenly, as if she had been electrocuted, nearly collapsing to the ground.

"Hehe, Sister Beidou, you're quite sensitive~~"

Yae Miko mischievously licked her small tongue, swallowing the crystal-clear thread of saliva, and let out a giggle.

"You..." Beidou's crimson eyes were as hazy as if she were drunk; her right ear was her sensitive spot.

She had always kept this secret well hidden, but now Yae Miko, this sly fox, had discovered it!! How did she find out?

"If you're not serious about negotiating, there's no need to mess with me!!" Beidou straightened up and said angrily.

Yae Miko, seeing Beidou get angry, didn't panic. Teasing Beidou was fun, but it could only be done once—any more, and she would risk crossing a line.

She sighed and quickly leaned in again, speaking so quickly that Beidou didn't have time to react.

"Are you serious?" Beidou tried to pull away but was startled by Yae Miko's words.

She couldn't help but glance back at Yae Miko, then leaned in again.

"Mm, hehe~~~" Yae Miko's smile was as bright as a blooming flower. Listening to Beidou's whispered words, she nodded repeatedly, occasionally covering her mouth and leaning closer.

"..."

"What is this? A children's whispering game?" Teiyu watched the two of them lean in and out, whispering more and more quickly.

He couldn't help but wonder, "What could they possibly be saying that I can't hear?"

Yae Miko was a woman who could make people willingly follow her lead.

"No way... fifty-fifty split? That's impossible."

"Sixty... forty... still not good enough..."

"Seventy... thirty... I'll think about it..."

Teiyu's hearing was pretty sharp. Even though the two of them were speaking very softly, he could catch about seventy or eighty percent of it.

"..." Why did he have a bad feeling that Beidou was about to be tricked by Yae Miko again?

"What!!??... This..."

Suddenly, Beidou let out an exclamation, her face turning as red as a monkey's butt.

Uh... though the term isn't very elegant.

But looking at Beidou's pretty face, it really was like a jar of red dye had been spilled on it...

"Mm... What on earth... did they discuss..."

Teiyu's curiosity grew as he watched the two of them, like spies exchanging secrets, and he quietly moved closer.

"Are you serious? No joking?"

"Of course, how could I lie to you, Sister?"

Yae Miko covered her mouth, laughing heartily, like she had just eaten the most delicious fried tofu. That smile was truly cunning!!

"Teiyu, you need to leave." Beidou's face was so red it was almost purple, afraid that Teiyu might have overheard their conversation. She stood up and hurriedly ushered Teiyu out the door.

"....."

"Oh." Teiyu obediently stood up and left, not wanting to make Beidou feel embarrassed.

It was the first time he had seen Beidou so flustered—it was hard to imagine that she was the same "Dragon King" who commanded the seas around Liyue! What kind of potion was Yae Miko brewing this time?

Teiyu looked at Yae Miko in confusion. At this moment, she had lightly closed her eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering like delicate cicada wings.

Her jade-like hands were gracefully clasped together, resting on her abdomen, resembling a devout nun silently reciting scriptures.

In just a few minutes, she had transformed once again. Teiyu found himself feeling a bit lost and inexplicably wistful.

Having known Yae Miko for so long, what is her true self?

Do I really understand her? What is she thinking in her heart?

All these different faces are like shards of a mirror, reflecting the many sides of her.

Wrapped in countless identities, she has become a gem surrounded by countless mirrors. Hundreds of faces—serious or playful, compassionate or indifferent.

Teiyu walked sullenly to the door, not wanting to move.

Outside, the scenery was beautiful.

The sun was shining brightly, cherry blossoms were falling.

The shrine maidens and tourists had all disappeared, leaving the area peacefully quiet.

Teiyu sat on the steps, lost in thought, unable to calm his mind.

"What's wrong? What

 are you thinking about?"

A cool, clear voice interrupted his thoughts. Kuki Shinobu walked over and sat down beside him. "Feeling down?"

She had removed the playful black veil, returning to her usual appearance.

It seemed that talking with her sister after a long time had put Kuki Shinobu in a good mood.

Teiyu silently shook his head, signaling that he didn't want to talk.

His thoughts were a tangled mess, and he didn't know what he was worried about... or maybe he was just feeling uneasy. It was hard to put into words.

"..."

Kuki Shinobu sat beside him, removed the face mask she usually wore, and revealed a serene and beautiful profile. The gentle sunlight illuminated her, giving her an almost divine beauty.

"When you're feeling troubled, why not have a little something to eat?"

She reached into a small pouch she carried with her.

Inside were various little snacks unique to Inazuma.

Kuki Shinobu picked out a piece of konpeito, and without saying a word, she popped it into Teiyu's mouth.

"How is it? Sweet, right? My sister made it herself~~"

Kuki Shinobu smiled, not saying anything more. This might be her unique way of showing concern.

As the sweetness spread in his mouth, Teiyu's mood gradually improved. Getting so worked up over something so small was pointless—there was no need to dwell on it.

"Creak~~" Beidou pushed open the door and stepped out.

Her face was no longer as red as before, and she had regained her usual calm.

"..."

She looked a bit surprised to see the two of them sitting by the door; she hadn't expected them to stay there.

"Heave-ho~~~" Beidou swung her long legs over and sat down between Teiyu and Kuki Shinobu, casually grabbing a piece of konpeito from Kuki Shinobu's pouch and popping it into her mouth.

"Bonk!"

Beidou lightly knocked on Teiyu's head, "You brat, why did you look so glum earlier? Were you mad at me?"

Beidou thought Teiyu was upset because she had sent him out of the room earlier during the negotiations.

"Uh... no."

Teiyu rubbed the spot where Beidou had knocked him, surprised.

He wasn't that petty; he was just troubled by his complicated relationship with Yae Miko. It had nothing to do with what Beidou had done.

"Good." Beidou could tell Teiyu was being sincere. She might have guessed a bit of the truth, but she wisely kept it to herself.

"Heave-ho~" She clapped her hands, catching Teiyu and Kuki Shinobu off guard as she pulled them into a hug.

"The deal is done, haha! I'm treating you tonight!"

——

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