Arriving at Wuwang Hill once more, Qin Yu instinctively scanned her surroundings, clinging to a faint hope of spotting that familiar figure. But even after the tomb sweeping was done, she saw no sign of her.
Qin Yu let out a deep sigh, her mood wistful but not grief-stricken.
This time, she had come prepared. Incense, fruit, wine, paper... she hadn't forgotten a single thing.
As she watched the paper slowly turn to ash, Qin Yu suddenly realized that her Teacher's reluctance to have her visit the grave was likely her way of saying, "Don't dwell on me anymore."
Unfortunately, in this matter, Qin Yu would always remain a rebellious daughter.
You don't want me to? That's exactly why I'll do it.
Beside her, Keqing poked the paper with a branch to ensure it burned completely, then stood up and brushed off her hands.
"I'm sorry," Keqing murmured, sighing at the tombstone. "I should have come with you sooner."
Qin Yu understood the sentiment but simply replied, "That's in the past. We can come together from now on."
"Mm."
Noticing Shenhe's gaze, Qin Yu smiled gently. "Shenhe can come too."
Since we've already come here once, as long as our relationship doesn't deteriorate, we can always bring Shenhe along when we visit the grave in the future.
"Thank you," Qin Yu said, her smile still lingering.
Shenhe turned solemnly to the gravestone and declared, "I will always stay by Qin Yu's side."
Maybe it's better not to bring her here after all? Qin Yu thought to herself, her face flushing slightly. Saying things like that every time is just too much...
Evaluation: B+ (Shenhe)
"Because we're good friends, of course," Qin Yu replied.
"Me too. Right, Qin Yu?" Keqing suddenly leaned much closer for some reason.
Qin Yu startled slightly. "Ah, yes, of course."
They didn't linger long before Qin Yu suggested heading back.
She had expected Keqing to say more, but instead, the Yuheng Star simply shook her head and declared in a calm yet resolute voice, "I will prove it with my actions!"
Qin Yu found this place perfectly suited to Keqing's style.
Even as a child, this trait had been evident, and it had only intensified as she grew older.
Yet, Qin Yu couldn't help but inexplicably recall their kiss.
With a mix of nervousness and playful teasing, Qin Yu casually tapped her lips. "It's true that saying it out loud doesn't quite capture the feeling."
Keqing's face flushed crimson, her gaze darting away. "Ahem... That's all there is to it."
Such a strong reaction. Don't be like that. I already said it wasn't a big deal... though it wasn't entirely nothing, either. As long as it doesn't happen again, it'll be fine.
Evaluation: C (Keqing)
Shortly after returning to Liyue Port, Keqing was summoned by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and bid a serious farewell.
Another job, I suppose.
She's so busy. Is she even taking care of herself properly?
I shouldn't worry too much, but just in case... Qin Yu felt a pang of unease. I'll make some healthy dishes for her later.
After Keqing left, Qin Yu and Shenhe were once again alone.
"Is the work of the Liyue Qixing always this demanding?" Shenhe asked.
"Mm, though Keqing is a bit of an exception. But enough about that. What should we do next?" Qin Yu asked, genuinely seeking Shenhe's input.
Shenhe fell silent for a moment.
"Qin Yu, I have something to ask," Shenhe said.
"What is it?"
Don't tell me you want to ask if you can stay another night, Qin Yu thought as Shenhe's gaze fell upon her bracelet.
"This bracelet symbolizes your close friendship with Keqing," Shenhe said. "I'm curious—since our relationship is also very close, should we wear matching accessories?"
Qin Yu hadn't expected Shenhe to care about such things.
No, that's not quite right. Shenhe has always cherished this relationship deeply. Though she had learned a great deal about common sense since they first met, she still lacked experience in interpersonal interactions. It was only natural that she would have such questions.
Qin Yu nodded understandingly.
Taking both of Shenhe's hands, she smiled gently. "Wearing matching accessories isn't necessary to prove our bond. Even without exchanging gifts, our actions and feelings speak for themselves. We don't need proof to know how close we are!"
"I understand now—no need for proof... Then, one more question: Can I wear the same accessory as you?"
"Eh? The same one?"
Shenhe replied softly, "Exactly."
That is, paired accessories. A ring? A necklace? Earrings?
Logically, even if they wore them, it wouldn't be a problem. They were both girls, their relationship wasn't bad, and no one would find it strange. But Qin Yu was particularly sensitive to "paired items," especially those worn on the body.
Whether it was a ring, a necklace, or earrings... these man-made objects would leave invisible marks on the skin—not to mention pierced earrings that required holes.
Qin Yu didn't actually care what others thought of these "marks," otherwise she wouldn't openly continue wearing the bracelet with Keqing.
What mattered was her own perception.
If she wore matching accessories with Shenhe, anyone who saw either of them would instantly recognize Shenhe's heavy, purehearted devotion, making her own performance feel even more shameful.
If the bracelet with Keqing was a "shackle," then the one with Shenhe would be "torture."
"Torture" through leaving marks on the other person's body—even though Shenhe had no such intention.
Qin Yu strongly resisted this. It carried a completely different meaning than her bracelets with Keqing.
So, no.
But if Shenhe were to ask her to wear it... Qin Yu's mood lightened considerably.
"Does Shenhe want me to wear it?" Qin Yu asked.
"Mm-hmm."
"Then ask me, and I'll accept."
To Qin Yu's surprise, Shenhe shook her head.
"I don't want to ask you."
Huh?
"So... if I don't accept, that's okay too?" Qin Yu asked, her voice inexplicably anxious.
This wasn't how Qin Yu had imagined things would go. Usually, Shenhe would readily comply with her wishes and voice her own desires.
Wasn't it supposed to be simple and straightforward with everyone?
Shenhe answered immediately and calmly, "Of course. I'll accept whatever you decide."
"W-why?"
"I believe this matter requires mutual consent. What is worn on our bodies will be seen by each other. If you're unwilling, it might cause you pain... I won't do anything you dislike," Shenhe explained.
Whoa, what's this? Are we telepathic now? Our views are perfectly aligned.
Wait, this reasoning is so cunning!
"I... uh... right! If Shenhe asks and I accept, isn't that 'mutual consent'?" Qin Yu argued.
"No," Shenhe said firmly.
"How is it not?" Qin Yu's gaze shifted to the side.
Qin Yu wanted to fixate on the definition of "mutual consent" to refute Shenhe and make her comply with her wishes.
But Shenhe remained oblivious, simply continuing to express herself.
"Because you would accept everything about me."
You're overthinking this.
"You would never refuse any request I made."
How could that be true?
"That's why I won't make any. I want to hear your thoughts."
Evaluation: A
Hear my thoughts? Qin Yu was both surprised and deeply moved. Shenhe had once again proven her devotion to and appreciation for their relationship, but this only made Qin Yu's heart grow heavier.
What's there to hear?
You say, I do, I make you happy... Isn't that enough?
Such a simple, straightforward arrangement, yet Shenhe insisted on complicating it.
Fine, I guess there's no way around it.
"Shenhe."
"Hmm?"
Qin Yu lifted Shenhe's hand, pressing her slender fingers against her own. Their fingertips met, a faint, rhythmic pulse passing between them.
"Did you develop these feelings because Keqing and I wear matching bracelets?"
Shenhe nodded slowly.
Just as I thought.
Understanding dawning in Qin Yu's eyes, she continued, "So, do you want to become like Keqing and me?"
"I'm not sure."
"...Shenhe, my relationship with Keqing is different from my relationship with you. There's no need for you to be like her," Qin Yu said.
"Is that so..."
"Exactly! Let's get something else."
Shenhe asked, puzzled, "Something else?"
"Exactly! Come on, I'll take you to a good place."
Qin Yu led Shenhe to a shop.
"This is it!" Qin Yu exclaimed excitedly.
Shenhe glanced at the items inside—mostly fluffy animal plushies.
"What is this?"
"A plushie shop. I think exchanging plushies would be better."
Shenhe tilted her head, confused. "Why? I don't understand. Please explain."
Hmm... How best to explain this?
I can't just say, "This will keep you company in my place," can I? That's a bit embarrassing, and awkward to say out loud. A blush crept across Qin Yu's cheeks as she struggled to find the right words.
No, stop asking so many questions!
Qin Yu smiled. "Just browse around the shop, and you'll understand."
"If you say so... Alright."
That's a good girl. Qin Yu nodded in satisfaction.
Qin Yu couldn't remember the last time she'd visited a plushie shop. Whether in her room at the Jade Chamber or in her rented apartment, she'd never kept plushies.
Qin Yu casually picked up a plush toy and played with it for a moment. The soft, furry texture... it felt surprisingly good!
"Do you like plush toys?" Shenhe suddenly asked.
Qin Yu hesitated to admit it. Isn't that a bit childish? But after a moment's thought, she nodded.
"Yeah, they're nice to hug whether you're lying down or sitting."
Shenhe glanced at the shelf, then abruptly fixed her gaze on a particular plush toy. She picked it up and stared at it silently.
It was a black cat plush.
Could it be that Shenhe likes cats? Just as Qin Yu had this thought, Shenhe looked at her, then back at the plush.
"Hmm... very similar."
Huh?
"Are you saying you think I look like this plush?" Qin Yu asked, seeking confirmation.
"Yes."
Similar? In what way?!
Besides the fact that we're both cute.
"Let me see."
Qin Yu took the black cat plush from Shenhe and scrutinized it carefully for a long while. The longer she looked, the less she understood the resemblance.
"Shenhe, what do you think makes us similar?" Qin Yu asked, genuinely curious.
"A warm feeling."
Meaning unclear.
Evaluation: S-
You're pretty unclear yourself.
Qin Yu lowered the hand that had unconsciously twirled a strand of her hair and studied the black cat plush again.
"Do I really resemble a cat that much?" she couldn't help but ask.
"Some similarities."
Qin Yu's feelings were complicated.
If she had to choose between "resembling a cat" or "resembling a dog," she would definitely pick cat.
Qin Yu didn't see herself as a dog wagging its tail at the sight of its master's return. Besides, she didn't even have a master.
Ningguang? Doesn't count.
But a cat... I'm not like that either, am I?
Qin Yu turned to Shenhe, inexplicably covering her face with the plushie.
"Meow," she said, mimicking a cat's call.
After a pause, she asked, still hiding behind the plushie, "Does it sound right?"
A vague emotion softened Shenhe's expression. "Yes," she murmured.
Evaluation: SS+
Are your ears okay? Qin Yu couldn't help but grumble inwardly. But then again, I'm probably just being impulsive too. We're both a mess...
The more Qin Yu thought about it, the more she regretted her impulsive act, which only deepened her frustration.
Forget it!
"Then I'll buy this one," Qin Yu declared.
She grabbed another white cat plushie from the shelf and handed it to Shenhe.
"What's this?" Shenhe asked.
"It looks just like you."
Actually, it doesn't look like her at all, Qin Yu thought, but I'm going to say it anyway.
Shenhe couldn't quite grasp the resemblance beyond the shared white fur. But since Qin Yu insisted, she accepted it as truth.
"I understand now," Shenhe said.
Why do you understand? What exactly do you understand? I don't!
Qin Yu felt utterly confused. But Shenhe seemed pleased with the gift, so she couldn't bring herself to reveal the truth.
Just let it be.
"Then let's head to the checkout. I'll pay for this one, and you can pay for that one."
"I understand," Qin Yu said.
After buying the black cat plushie and leaving the shop, Qin Yu sat on a bench and handed it to Shenhe.
"Here, this one's for you!"
As Shenhe accepted it, Qin Yu smiled. "Since you think it looks like me, well... let it stand in for me a little when we're not together."
"Stand in? You're irreplaceable," Shenhe said.
Wow, I can't believe Shenhe actually said that!
Evaluation: SS-
At least I got some Points out of it... Qin Yu's ears flushed hot, and she hurriedly explained, "I know that. What I meant was, I want it to keep you company when I can't be there."
Shenhe understood Qin Yu's meaning.
Because they lived so far apart and Qin Yu had to work, they couldn't see each other every day. But Qin Yu worried about her, which was why she'd chosen this plush.
Even though it was just a toy, Shenhe felt Qin Yu's presence simply by looking at it. It truly could keep her company.
Shenhe carefully handed her white cat plushie to Qin Yu.
"I hope this one can keep you company too."
"Ah, um..."
Hearing this, Qin Yu felt a sudden pang of loneliness. If Shenhe lived in Liyue Port, she wouldn't have to worry about such things. Living together... no, that was definitely out of the question.
Qin Yu couldn't help but ask, "Shenhe, are you planning to move to Liyue Port?"
"Not at the moment, unless..."
"Unless?"
Shenhe hugged her plush toy and looked directly at Qin Yu, her voice soft. "Unless I could live with you."
Evaluation: SS
Qin Yu's heart jolted in alarm. Again?!
Heat surged to her face. Her eyes darted around wildly for a moment before she lowered her head.
"Why do you insist on living with me?" she asked.
Shenhe replied slowly, "The reason I came back to this city is you. I wanted to see you, so I came. If I were to live here, it would be because I want to see you more often and spend more time with you."
Evaluation: SS+
The heat gathering in Qin Yu's face felt like it was about to burn her brain.
Maybe I'm already smoking. Her heartbeat was deafening.
"I... uh... that... er..."
As if she had forgotten how to speak, Qin Yu couldn't string together a coherent sentence. Only fragmented sounds echoed on the bench, seemingly isolated from the outside world.
Shenhe, noticing Qin Yu's complete stupor, felt a flicker of doubt. Had she said something inappropriate? But after a moment's thought, she decided to continue expressing her true feelings.
She wanted to hear Qin Yu's innermost thoughts, to understand her; she also hoped Qin Yu would hear her own feelings, to be understood in return.
"Qin Yu."
"Ah... yes?" Qin Yu's voice drifted upward, unnaturally high.
"I wonder if you would be willing to share a room with me."
Qin Yu's mind went momentarily blank. Following her instinctive reaction, she blurted out:
"No!"
"I see," Shenhe replied, her expression unchanged, though a complex, indescribable emotion gradually seeped into her heart.
Qin Yu snapped out of her daze, feeling genuinely uneasy.
I should have phrased it more delicately or changed the subject entirely... Instead, she had rejected Shenhe so bluntly. Even if Shenhe's emotions are restrained by the Red String, she's not without feelings.
I shouldn't have said that.
Living with Shenhe meant exponentially increasing the risk of exposure. Just one night was manageable—that had already been proven. A single night was fine.
But day in and day out...
Yet, Hu Tao had said yesterday that she would accept me. Though I couldn't be entirely certain if she meant it, what if it were true? If it were true, would Shenhe feel the same way? Would she really not hate my true form?
The thought made Qin Yu uneasy again.
However, regret quickly overwhelmed all other emotions. I had to make amends. Driven by this remorse and lingering memories, Qin Yu parted her lips.
"Staying over occasionally for a night is fine."
The gloom in Shenhe's heart vanished completely.
"Really?" she asked, seeking confirmation.
"Mm, but I'll let you know when it's okay... Please don't suddenly show up in the middle of the night, Shenhe," Qin Yu added.
This way, the decision remained firmly in my hands.
When the time would come was naturally up to Qin Yu to decide.
Of course, she had no intention of breaking her promise. But if she left the decision to Shenhe, she might end up having to stay over again tonight, which wouldn't do. Suddenly declaring she wanted to stay wouldn't work either.
As for what to do when the time came, she'd leave that to her future self.
For now, Qin Yu only wanted to make Shenhe happy.
Shenhe nodded. "I promise."
"No need for promises."
It seems I've succeeded... Qin Yu breathed a sigh of relief, but then let out another silent sigh. So I'll have to stay with Shenhe another night after all? At least it's not anytime soon.
"Qin Yu."
"Hmm?"
As soon as Qin Yu looked up to respond, Shenhe kissed her cheek.
Qin Yu's face flushed crimson as she frantically scanned her surroundings.
No one's here, thank goodness.
Honestly, doing something like that in a public place! What if someone saw us?! Qin Yu knew Shenhe was expressing her gratitude and affection... Of course, it's a platonic kind of affection, but still! She couldn't help but grumble inwardly.
"I'm very happy," Shenhe said.
I'm not happy at all.
My Evaluation hasn't gone up. As expected, I still need to...Stop thinking about that! Qin Yu banished the distracting thoughts and took a deep breath to calm herself.
"I'll cherish this doll," Shenhe said softly, gently stroking the black cat plush.
Seeing this, Qin Yu felt a strange, stifled feeling rise within her.
I'm right here!No, it's not like I want her to stroke me instead...
The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she became. Seething with jealousy, Qin Yu vented her feelings by equally stroking the white cat plush.
Shenhe's chest tightened at the sight.
She reached out and tugged at Qin Yu's sleeve.
"What is it?" Qin Yu responded, turning her head.
Instead, she saw Shenhe bowing her head.
"Shenhe, what's...?"
"Please pat my head."
Ha?!
"Wh-why?"
"...I'm not entirely sure, but my heart tells me to ask."
Is she trying to be affectionate? No, no, no, I'm not your sister.
Yet, remembering Shenhe's past, Qin Yu couldn't refuse. Besides, it's not like she's the one being patted.
Gently placing her hand on Shenhe's head, Qin Yu patted her without touching her hair ornaments.
Qin Yu glanced around warily, checking if anyone was watching, but then thought, What's the big deal about patting someone's head? and relaxed her guard.
How long is this going to take?
Shenhe didn't say anything to stop her.
...Oh well. I said something harsh earlier, so it's fine if it takes a bit longer.
Besides, Qin Yu found this side of Shenhe rather endearing.
After spending some more time together, they bid each other farewell and parted ways.
Back in her room, Shenhe caressed her black cat plush. Gazing at its adorable face, she couldn't help but think of Qin Yu. Though they didn't wear matching accessories...
this was nice too.