"Makoto… it's been so long, Miko. It seems you've become a reliable Grand Priest."
Miko's eyes flickered as she quietly looked at Makoto, saying nothing.
She had imagined what she would say after Makoto's revival, what she would do, and how to maintain her composure.
After all, she was the Grand Priest of Narukami Shrine!
But now, with Makoto truly revived, Miko suddenly didn't want to think about anything at all.
Like back then, she just wanted to be a little fox, curling up on Makoto's shoulder for a nap.
Just let Makoto touch her ears.
Everything else seemed unimportant.
Miko pressed her lips together, trying to keep her composure, and spoke softly:
"Makoto, I've become the Grand Priest of Narukami Shrine, and I've been managing it really well!"
"Really? Miko, that's amazing! I knew you could do it!"
"…I, I even carefully trimmed the Sacred Sakura; it looks really beautiful now."
"Bet you trimmed it to look just like you, Miko, huh?"
"Mm… I also…"
"Miko, do you still like fried tofu?"
"…Yes!"
"Then I'll make some for you when I go back!"
"…."
Miko fell silent. Looking at Makoto, gentle as she had always been, Miko could no longer hold back.
The Grand Priest of Narukami Shrine, standing properly in front of the likes of Zhongli and the others… didn't matter anymore.
None of it mattered.
She was just a little fox who had wandered for so long and finally found her family.
The little fox who had once been treated like a scarf by Makoto.
"Makoto… I missed you so much!"
Tears streaming, Miko buried herself into Makoto's embrace, holding her tightly, afraid that letting go even for a moment might lose her again.
Though she now seemed taller than Makoto, she sobbed and clung to her, nestling into her chest.
Makoto gently patted her back.
The scene felt completely natural.
Miko…
Even if she had grown a little more mischievous, she would always be the little fox following Makoto around, just like back then.
"Shh… don't cry. I'm fine," Makoto gently comforted her.
Miko whimpered, feeling wronged:
"Makoto! Ei has been isolating me! She hasn't spoken to me for so long!"
"I'll teach her a lesson for you!"
"She won't even bring me fried tofu!"
"I'll make some for you!"
"She… she doesn't even want to see me!"
"Really? That's too much! How can you treat little Miko like that!"
Miko poured out all the grievances of the past years, and Makoto comforted her tenderly.
Ryen glanced at everyone and quietly led them away from the scene.
Lumine wanted to secretly take a picture of Miko in her rare vulnerable moment—after all, this pink-haired little fox usually acted so cheeky.
But after thinking it over, she decided against it.
It wasn't that anyone worried Miko would play tricks afterward.
It was simply…
Scenes like this seemed too precious to be disturbed.
Everyone sat down in the garden outside.
The weather today was perfect, the sun bright and warm.
Klee and Nahida had already gone off to swing again.
In the nearby gardens, colorful parrots chirped sporadically.
"What a beautiful day…"
Ryen stretched lazily, then leaned against Lisa's side, squinting slightly, and murmured softly:
"The sunshine makes a reunion after such a long time even more fitting."
Venti grinned playfully at Zhongli, who was in a surprisingly good mood.
"Old man, feeling relieved now? Can revive Guizhong safely?"
Zhongli stayed quiet for a moment, but didn't object, simply nodding.
"That's right… even the Archons can be revived intact, nothing left to worry about anymore."
"Hehe!"
Venti blinked, a mischievous glint in his eyes:
"Don't be too cheerful. Once Guizhong is revived, your worries, old man, will just begin."
He suddenly changed his expression, mimicking Guizhong's voice, puffing out his cheeks, glaring at Zhongli:
"Morax! You have no heart!"
Everyone laughed together. Only Xiao kept a straight face, looking away.
No matter what, he wasn't someone who could casually joke with Zhongli—or take his jokes lightly.
But this time, Zhongli didn't get flustered like before.
He remembered that little girl back then, dressed in pure white, with wide sleeves.
Pursing his lips, he said calmly:
"By the principle of universality, your imitation is poor."
"Hehe?"
"Comments like that… better wait until she's revived to tell me in person…"
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