Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

The girl's delicate movements were full of care as she gently wiped Ren's face.

Renny is so handsome, she thought.

If she could, she wished this moment would last forever.

Ren's expression, however, grew more frustrated with each passing second.

Having a beautiful girl nearby was supposed to be a pleasant experience.

But at this pace—taking her sweet time—he was running out of patience!

Finally, he couldn't hold back anymore.

"Renny, wait!"

The girl let out a surprised squeak.

Ren grabbed her hand and wiped his face in one swift motion.

"Ah, much better."

He let out a satisfied sigh, completely ignoring the pink hue spreading across her cheeks and up to her ears.

Renny had just touched her hand again...

"Are you two done yet?"

The shrine maiden and little tanuki had been waiting in the forest for ages, and the shrine maiden's voice carried a teasing note.

"Coming, Nana-san!"

Without sparing the girl another glance, Ren turned and walked off.

The girl stood frozen, unsure what to say.

She lowered her gaze, noticing the trampled grass beneath her feet, lonely and untended.

Her nose tingled with a faint ache.

Just then, a familiar voice called out.

"What are you standing there for?"

Her head shot up, eyes sparkling as she saw Ren had stopped just a few steps away, looking back at her curiously.

This silly girl—what was she up to now?

"Stay by my side and don't wander off."

"Mm!"

She skipped forward to walk beside him, her graceful steps like a butterfly flitting through the air.

---

The night forest was tranquil, with a gentle breeze rustling the leaves.

From the ground, a small shadow emerged, wriggling as it carried a bundle on its back.

It was a bake-danuki.

It looked around furtively, its tiny body blending with the quiet night, surrounded by the chirping of insects.

"Hehehe, another successful getaway!"

Whoosh!

The sound of something slicing through the air interrupted its celebration.

Before it could react, the bake-danuki's world flipped upside down as a firm grip closed around the scruff of its neck.

Kicking its stubby legs in panic, it yelped, "Wh-what's going on?!"

A soft yet firm voice answered, "Got you."

It was Sayu, holding the bake-danuki firmly in her hands.

"Hand over the shrine's belongings," she muttered groggily, clearly wishing she could be in bed instead.

"I'm not going to grow taller like this… ugh."

"You're such a big tanuki!"

"I'm not a tanuki!"

"Yes, you are!"

"I'm not!"

The two small creatures glared at each other, eyes locked in a comical standoff.

Just then, the bushes nearby rustled as Ren and the others approached.

What they saw left them momentarily stunned:

Sayu, a little ninja, was in the middle of an argument with a bake-danuki.

[Ding! Received Emotion Points from Sayu +1, +1, +1...]

Ren was speechless. They're actually arguing. Is this how a bake-danuki and a "tanuki" communicate?

"Just give back what you stole from Guuji-sama."

"I dunno what you're talking about!"

The bake-danuki tilted its head, grinning innocently.

Ren stepped forward, grabbed the bake-danuki, and gave it a firm shake.

"Eek! Help! I'm gonna pass out!"

Sayu shuddered, thinking, Wow, what a violent person.

After a bout of loud squeals, a pile of shiny objects tumbled out of the bake-danuki's bundle, forming a small mound.

Most of it was Mora, along with some peculiar trinkets.

Ren shook the bake-danuki again, his expression suspicious.

"Eep! That's all, I swear!"

Ren's brows furrowed as he eyed the little creature. Where does something so small stash so much stuff? It's even richer than me! Is there no justice in this world?

"Alright, the shrine's missing item is recovered."

Nana smiled as she retrieved one of the objects from the pile, letting out a relieved sigh.

Ren released the bake-danuki, letting it flop onto the ground with a soft thud.

The little creature sprawled on its back, limbs splayed out in defeat.

"Humans are scary… samurai are terrifying."

It stared up at the sky, questioning its entire existence.

Meanwhile, the girl crouched beside it and gave its soft belly a poke.

"Wow, so squishy! Feels amazing!"

Her eyes sparkled as she pulled out a snack.

"Hey, little guy, want some?"

The bake-danuki shot up, snatching the snack.

"You're nice! Female human, good!"

"My name's Chisato! What's yours?"

The bake-danuki nestled closer, rubbing against her affectionately.

"No name."

"Little guy, do you have any friends?"

"Nope. I'm always wandering around. So lonely."

The girl's expression softened, her gaze growing even gentler.

"Be good, okay? No more taking things that don't belong to you."

"Okay, I get it now."

The bake-danuki yawned, hugging her arm, and fell asleep right there in her embrace.

She gently brushed the leaves from its fur, her face lighting up with joy.

"Little guy, do you want to stay with me?"

"Mm..."

Ren watched the scene with a faint smile.

It seemed the two were destined to cross paths.

Her bond with the little bake-danuki was a heartwarming sight.

After all...

Moments like this, away from the suffocating Kanjou Commission, were a rare luxury.

"Thank you, Ren-kun."

Nana shifted her attention away from the bake-danuki, turning to Ren.

"Mission accomplished. Now, come back to the shrine with me."

"Guuji-sama has been asking about you nonstop."

Ren's lips twitched. "That woman… nothing good ever comes from her attention."

Nana chuckled, covering her mouth.

"Guuji-sama specifically asked me to pass along her thanks: 'Much appreciated.'"

Even this was within that woman's plans?

Ren shook his head.

He could already picture her smug expression.

Being outmaneuvered like this was an infuriating feeling.

In the distance, vibrant fireworks lit up the night sky, painting it with brilliant colors.

Ren and Chisato followed Nana toward Mt. Yougou.

"The shrine's festival is about to begin. Come along, both of you."

"I promise it'll be worth your while."

---

T/N: GAH well now im gonna replace 'girl' with Chisato now!