"Wow—!"
As Akira Shindo and the other two stepped into the shrine's dining hall, over a hundred shrine maidens burst into excited exclamations.
"So that's our Chief Divine Priest? He's so handsome!"
"Lord Akira Shindo! Lord Akira Shindo! Oh my, his smile is so gentle! Nana, I think I'm in love with Lord Akira Shindo!"
"A-Sachi, A-Sachi! Lord Akira Shindo is so handsome! Don't you think so? And he looks so good standing next to Lady Guuji!"
"Stop messing around, Gento. Be careful or Lady Guuji will punish you by making you sweep Mt. Yougou," Kuki Sachi said, lowering her head. Her cheeks were bright red.
Lord Akira Shindo really was incredibly handsome.
The "Teyvat's Most Devoted Lover" buff made Akira Shindo practically a walking source of charm. He was already exceptionally handsome, and to these young shrine maidens who had little experience with romance, his appeal was overwhelming.
"Alright, everyone, quiet down," Yae Miko said as she stepped forward and clapped her hands.
Her authority was unquestionable. The room quickly fell silent.
Pulling Kitsune Saiguu to her side, Yae Miko introduced her.
"Everyone, let me introduce someone. This is Kitsune Saiguu, the first Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine. She silently protected Inazuma for five hundred years."
"She will now be residing here at the shrine. I hope you will treat her with the same respect you show me."
Hearing the introduction, the shrine maidens immediately focused their attention on Kitsune Saiguu, whispering excitedly among themselves. The legendary first Guuji recorded in Inazuman history stood right before them.
"Lady Kitsune Saiguu! Welcome back!"
A wave of warm voices echoed through the hall.
Kitsune Saiguu nodded gently, smiling warmly at the scene. Seeing the Grand Narukami Shrine thriving so well filled her with pride and happiness.
"And this person," Yae Miko continued, glancing at Akira Shindo as if she had made a decision.
"You already know him. He is the Chief Divine Priest of the Grand Narukami Shrine—Akira Shindo."
She paused briefly.
"And he is also… my lover."
"Wha—?!"
The hall exploded with noise.
The shrine maidens immediately erupted into excited chatter.
They had long heard that Lady Guuji was a great yokai who had lived for centuries and had never once been involved in any romance.
Yet now she had just openly declared one herself.
Akira Shindo also looked at Yae Miko in surprise. Even he hadn't expected her to reveal their relationship publicly. He had assumed she would keep it hidden.
"There's no need to hide it," Yae Miko said with a gentle smile, taking Akira Shindo's hand.
"I want everyone to bless us."
"Woooow!"
The sight of them holding hands sent the younger shrine maidens into another wave of excited squeals.
The older shrine maidens, however, looked on with warm smiles.
"Lady Guuji has sacrificed so much for Inazuma. She's devoted herself entirely to leading the Grand Narukami Shrine."
"She's never had anyone by her side."
"Lord Akira Shindo is clearly no ordinary man. Perhaps he truly is someone who can accompany Lady Guuji forever."
"With him beside her… she won't have to remain alone anymore."
"Alright everyone, take your seats," Yae Miko said as the three of them sat down.
"Let the banquet begin."
"Begin!"
With that declaration, the feast officially started.
Throughout the evening, cups clinked and laughter filled the hall. Delicious food and fine wine flowed freely.
Nearly every shrine maiden came forward to toast Akira Shindo and the others.
The celebration lasted deep into the night.
"Ugh… I can't anymore… A-Sachi, please stop making me drink…"
Akira Shindo's face was flushed red, his eyes slightly unfocused.
His alcohol tolerance had always been terrible, and he hadn't used any powers to cheat.
After drinking countless cups, he was thoroughly drunk.
Looking at Kuki Sachi approaching with another cup, he waved his hands frantically.
"No more… don't make me drink…"
"Ahhh! Drunk Lord Akira Shindo is so cute!" Kuki Sachi exclaimed.
Seeing Akira Shindo's dazed, adorable expression, her heart practically melted.
"Hahaha!"
Kitsune Saiguu, who had been chatting with Yae Miko, burst out laughing when she saw Akira Shindo's drunken state.
"A-Shindo, are you serious? That's all it takes to knock you down?"
"No way, no way. You're that weak?"
"Who—who says I am?" Akira Shindo protested stubbornly.
Struggling to sit up straight, he took the cup from Sachi and downed it in one gulp.
"Kitsune Saiguu! Another one!"
He poured another drink and glared at her.
"Oh? You want to challenge me?" Kitsune Saiguu's eyes lit up with interest.
"Bring it on."
Who in Inazuma didn't know her drinking capacity?
She had been sneaking alcohol even before she could take human form.
"Miko, why do you keep encouraging him to drink? He's already drunk!" Yae Miko glared at Kitsune Saiguu.
"Oh? Feeling sorry for your little lover already?" Kitsune Saiguu teased.
"Hmph…"
Yae Miko snorted softly and tried to take Akira Shindo's cup away.
"No! Don't take it, darling!" Akira Shindo said stubbornly, dodging her hand.
"Today I'm definitely settling this with Kitsune Saiguu."
"…."
The word darling instantly made Yae Miko's cheeks turn red.
"A-Shindo, drink a little less. Too much alcohol isn't good for you."
"It's fine," Akira Shindo said proudly.
"I'm a god. I have to teach Kitsune Saiguu who really runs this household."
He suddenly pulled Yae Miko into his arms and planted a quick kiss on her soft lips.
"Be good. I'm going to defeat Kitsune Saiguu."
"Waaaaah!"
The shrine maidens erupted into excited squeals at the bold display.
As expected of the Chief Divine Priest!
So romantic!
Many of them had only ever heard about kissing in novels.
Yae Miko sighed helplessly.
Drunk Akira Shindo really became a completely different person.
Still, he was a god. No matter how much he drank, it wouldn't actually harm him.
So she simply pinched his cheek lightly before returning to chat with the other shrine maidens.
"Come on!" Kitsune Saiguu said, clearly getting tipsy herself.
"Today I'll show you what real drinking capacity looks like! In this house, I'm still the boss!"
"Oh really?" Akira Shindo sneered.
"Drink?"
"Drink!"
Neither of them was willing to back down.
Cup after cup disappeared down their throats.
Before long—
Thud.
Akira Shindo collapsed face-first onto the table.
"Hahaha! A-Shindo, you're such a lightweight! I told you you couldn't handle it!"
Kitsune Saiguu pointed at him and laughed triumphantly.
Then—
Thump.
She also dropped onto the table and instantly fell asleep.
Yae Miko: "..."
The shrine maidens: "..."
"…Sigh."
Yae Miko pressed her hand to her forehead.
"Neither of you ever make things easy."
"A-Sachi, clean up here," she told the shrine maidens.
"I'll take these two drunkards back first."
"Understood, Lady Guuji," Kuki Sachi replied with a nod.
"Leave this to us. Please go rest with Lord Akira Shindo and Lady Kitsune Saiguu."
Yae Miko snorted softly.
As a great yokai, her physical strength was naturally extraordinary.
So she effortlessly hoisted one drunken body over each shoulder—
—and carried them both back toward the shrine quarters.
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