Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

"Sorry, I was just joking."

Ren waved his hand in front of Mei's face.

At first, he'd been reluctant to tease her.

After all, Mei was fierce and looked like she might bite if provoked.

But once he tried, it was... surprisingly fun.

Her sharp, no-nonsense reactions had a strange charm that he found slightly addictive.

Mei shot him a glare but quietly returned to her book.

Ren smiled.

Good, she doesn't seem mad.

After a moment of silence, Mei's eyes remained fixed on her book as she spoke in a cold tone,

"They're just ordinary pieces of paper. Why are they so expensive?"

"I think there are two reasons," Ren replied thoughtfully, his voice serious.

"Go on."

Mei was a bit surprised—she hadn't expected Ren to analyze this so earnestly.

Maybe I really should drag him to Tenshukaku.

"One reason is that they cost too much, and the other is that people don't have money..."

"?"

Mei slowly raised her hand, faint traces of Electro sparking around her fingers.

Do you even hear yourself?

"Wait, let me explain!" Ren quickly backtracked to avoid getting zapped.

"The high prices are due to the Kanjou Commission overtaxing everyone."

"Hmm."

Mei nodded slightly, her gaze turning icy.

She'd heard rumors about the Kanjou Commission's corrupt practices after waking up.

It wasn't hard to understand Ren's reasoning.

"And the other reason?"

"Well... maybe I should just skip that one."

"?"

Mei raised her Electro-charged hand again.

"Alright, alright!" Ren relented, completely at her mercy.

Don't think for a second I can't beat you!

"Promise me you won't get mad," he said cautiously.

"Say it."

With her assurance, Ren spoke up.

"Well, it's probably because the Shogun doesn't pay enough."

I work all day long, and for what?

Getting paid barely enough to cover Mei's snack runs at the market!

"..."

Mei fell silent.

"If you went to Tenshukaku now, maybe you'd get a raise."

"Can we not talk about Tenshukaku?"

Ren sighed.

As if you could actually get me a raise.

The Tenryou Commission?

They're Inazuma's biggest gang!

And the leader of that gang?

The Raiden Shogun—who wants nothing more than to slash me with her sword.

Mei wasn't the leader. What could she even do?

"..."

Mei glanced at Ren.

By the time you actually get to Tenshukaku, it won't just be one slash—it'll be three.

Mei's grudge intensifies.

"Alright, alright, just kidding."

"I have nothing but loyalty to the Raiden Shogun!" Ren declared, hoping to break the tension.

"Hmph, boring."

Mei snorted, her expression unreadable.

[Ding! Emotional Point from Mei +1]

Ren froze.

Praising the Raiden Shogun earns emotional points?

Is she... actually a fan?

Light novels have ruined her!

The two fell into silence again, with Ren propping up his face and watching Mei read.

"Why do you keep staring at me?"

Mei raised her head, her cold eyes piercing through him.

Ren thought for a moment and mimicked her tone.

"Bored!"

Crap.

Seeing the flicker of Electro sparks, he quickly corrected himself.

"Wait, no, that's not it!"

Mei didn't lower her hand this time.

If he doesn't give her a satisfactory answer, he's definitely getting zapped.

After some thought, Ren sighed and rested his face on his hand.

"I don't know. I just feel like looking at you more."

He lowered his gaze, staring into the tea in front of him, where the blue sky and clouds reflected faintly on the surface.

After a long pause, he looked up again and smiled.

"When I heard you disappeared, I'll admit—I panicked."

Why, though?

He wasn't sure.

Maybe it's like a child losing their favorite toy.

Even if Mei was cold and sometimes ignored him, her sudden absence had left an unexpected emptiness.

"..."

Mei slowly lowered her hand but didn't respond.

How could someone be so easily shaken? Pathetic.

Just as she was about to reprimand Ren, her eyes widened slightly.

Ren had leaned closer, his expression serious.

"Don't leave me without saying goodbye again."

"Can you promise me?"

Their eyes met, and the silence stretched between them.

"..."

Finally, Mei averted her gaze, her voice soft.

"What if I have no choice but to leave?"

"Are you in trouble? I'll help you," Ren replied confidently, grinning.

Mei looked at him intently, her tone turning cold.

"What if I went to Tenshukaku?"

Tenshukaku...

Ren's smile faltered as he slowly leaned back.

That's the Raiden Shogun's domain.

Mei smirked faintly.

Still so confident now?

Ren shook his head.

Even with all the confidence in the world, there's no beating a god.

"Well..." he began after a long pause, his tone lighthearted, "if the Shogun ever took you away..."

He looked up, a playful glint in his eye.

"I think I'd be pretty mad."

"And when I'm mad, I do all sorts of crazy things."

"If the Shogun is really that cold-hearted..."

"Well, I'd just challenge her to an Audience with the Almighty."

An Audience with the Almighty was a duel overseen by the gods, pitting challengers against the strongest non-divine warrior in the Shogun's service.

The loser wouldn't leave alive.

Mei stared at Ren's smile, her eyes unreadable.

"How foolish."

"Can't you just say something nice for once?"

"Foolish!"

[Ding! Emotional Point from Mei +1]

"..."

---

T/N: OMG THIS IS SUCH A CUTE INTERACTION??? LIKE HELLO?

Thank you for reading this chapter!

Wise-Senpai leads the way, sharing stories that inspire and connect us all. Your support is like the encouragement of a loyal companion, pushing this journey forward and lighting the path ahead.

If you'd like to support Wise-Senpai, you can visit:

[patreon.com/WiseTL].

Every contribution strengthens our resolve, paving the way for the stories yet to come!

Let's continue to explore these worlds together!

-Mash Kyrielight 💜