While the various forces outside Inazuma were still discussing matters related to the Fatui and studying the nature of Yuki's abilities, Yuki himself had already stepped out of Tenshukaku, touring Inazuma City under the guidance of Yae Miko.
The two had arranged to meet on the bridge leading to Tenshukaku. When Yuki arrived at the agreed-upon spot, Yae Miko's figure was still nowhere to be seen, so he took the opportunity to wait for a short while. He used this chance to take in the full view of Ei's Tenshukaku.
It was a classic Japanese-style palace, grand and imposing, exuding a dense, classical charm. It was the tallest and largest building in all of Inazuma. From Yuki's current vantage point, it appeared far larger than what one would see in the game. The same held true for the entirety of Inazuma City.
Drawing his gaze back to the bridge, Yuki looked toward its shore. If things had followed the original storyline, this was where Ei's Statue of the Omnipresent God would have been erected—the place used to display all the Visions confiscated under the Vision Hunt Decree.
But now, thanks to Yuki's early interference, Ei had never created a puppet, and thus the Vision Hunt Decree had never manifested. This plot of land remained unaltered, never converted into a site for such a monument.
"Yuki-kun, what are you looking at?"
Just as Yuki was staring ahead, lost in thought, a voice full of charm and allure suddenly rang out beside him. Startled from his thoughts, Yuki turned around to find that sly pink fox smiling radiantly at him.
"You've arrived, Miko," Yuki offered a light smile, greeting her in return.
Yae Miko smiled gently and nodded. Then, brimming with curiosity, she turned her gaze toward the direction Yuki had been staring at. "What were you looking at just now? Is there something over there?"
Yuki gently shook his head and said calmly, "I was just noticing how Inazuma's beautiful scenery, set against these blossoming cherry trees, feels like being in a tranquil paradise, far removed from the world. Come, let's walk and talk as we go."
"Mm!"
Yuki followed Yae Miko's steps, crossing the bridge and leaving the grounds of Tenshukaku to enter the common people's district.
"Hehe, the scenery of Inazuma is indeed quite beautiful. It seems Yuki-kun is rather fond of cherry blossoms!"
As Yae Miko guided Yuki through the streets, she kept glancing at his expression.
"If only you had stayed the night at my Grand Narukami Shrine, you would have been able to see even more beautiful cherry trees! And who knows, this humble maiden might have even offered some... special services!"
Yae Miko pouted her small lips lightly, a fleeting hint of dissatisfaction flashing across her face before shifting back into the bashful look of a young maiden as she delivered that suggestive remark.
Hearing this, the corner of Yuki's mouth twitched slightly. Yeah, right. I'm not falling for that, you sly fox—you're nothing but trouble.
She was making things sound so ambiguous now, but if he actually went along with it, she'd probably just brush him off with some casual excuse. He was not about to fall for that.
"I think Ei's Tenshukaku is quite nice," Yuki pretended not to have heard that last part, responding in a light, nonchalant manner.
Seeing this, Yae Miko immediately felt a surge of indignation. She was Yae Miko, after all—the head shrine maiden of the Grand Narukami Shrine, a kitsune renowned for her charm and allure.
And now Yuki was brushing her off so dismissively? How could she tolerate that? Was her charm lacking, or was her figure not good enough?!
Yuki's reaction had instantly provoked her pride. Today, she absolutely had to make him properly recognize her allure.
Yae Miko pursed her lips, her eyes turning pitiful and aggrieved. She gently pinched a corner of Yuki's sleeve between two fingers, looking utterly woebegone.
"Uuuu... could it be that in Yuki-kun's eyes, I'm simply not as good as Ei? I understand now. It must be because of these nine warm, soft tails of mine, and these fluffy ears—you find them rather strange, don't you? It must also be that this devastatingly beautiful, voluptuous, and enchantingly alluring appearance of mine simply doesn't catch your eye, does it?!"
Watching Yae Miko put on such a coquettishly affected act, Yuki couldn't help but want to retort: Are you sure you're not just complimenting yourself?
Still, when faced with such a softball question, Yuki naturally gave a quick answer. "Miko and Ei each have their own unique qualities. They can't be lumped together," he smiled lightly.
"Really?! Then do you like me a little more, or Ei?" Hearing this, Yae Miko's previously sorrowful expression instantly transformed. She looked at Yuki with radiant eagerness and pressed the question further.
"Uh... I think... Miko!" Yuki hadn't expected this sly fox to keep pressing, so he had no choice but to say what she wanted to hear, going slightly against his true feelings.
In truth, he felt they were about the same. But if you said "about the same" at a time like this, that would be a problem. So naturally, he had to play along.
The moment those words left his mouth, the effect was immediate. Yae Miko's face blossomed into a brilliant smile. She promptly wrapped both hands around Yuki's arm and pulled him briskly down another turn in the street.
"Ehehe, what Yuki-kun just said made me very happy. Today, lunch is my treat—I'll take you to eat something delicious!"
And just like that, Yuki was tugged along by Yae Miko, letting her lead him through the streets. Upon hearing her say she would take him to eat something tasty, a thought suddenly popped into Yuki's mind, accompanied by a faint sense of foreboding.
Along the way, the passing citizens all greeted Yae Miko warmly. As the head shrine maiden of the Grand Narukami Shrine, she was held in great reverence and affection. Furthermore, Yuki had also become quite a celebrity in Inazuma by now, so practically everyone who saw him offered a respectful greeting.
Now, seeing Yuki and Yae Miko together in such an intimate manner, it couldn't help but spark wild imaginings among certain gossip-lovers. Very quickly, rumors and whispers about the close relationship between the two began circulating through the marketplace. For the time being, however, the pair themselves remained none the wiser.
Yae Miko led Yuki straight into a restaurant called Shimura's. The owner of the establishment was a middle-aged man named Shimura Kanbei. When the owner saw Yae Miko, his expression was one of great surprise, and he hurriedly welcomed the esteemed head shrine maiden's arrival.
"Shimura, I've brought a friend with me today!" Yae Miko smiled sweetly and pulled Yuki forward.
The moment the owner laid eyes on Yuki, he immediately recalled the duel from the day before. He hurriedly and respectfully greeted him. "So Her Excellency the Guuji has come to dine with this great sir! Welcome, welcome! The arrival of you two esteemed guests truly makes this humble establishment shine!"
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the owner ushered the two of them inside. He cleared out a secluded private room for them, allowing the pair to dine in comfort. Yae Miko graciously accepted his kind gesture and sat down with Yuki to order.
During the ordering process, the ominous premonition in Yuki's heart was fully realized.
Yae Miko ordered practically every dish related to fried tofu. Whatever the dish, as long as it had fried tofu in it, she ordered it—regardless of whether it was a main course or just a side dish.
In her words, so long as fried tofu was involved, even if it were paired with nothing but a single vegetable leaf, it was still an utterly exquisite delicacy.
And so, Yuki was treated to a full-blown tofu banquet, an experience he would never forget for the rest of his life.