Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

The road stretched down Mt. Yougou, leading to Ritou.

"You useless fools! Look at yourselves—pathetic!"

Shinsuke's enraged voice echoed through the night.

Unfortunately, his authority carried no weight at the moment.

The only response was a series of weak groans.

The once-proud samurai of the Kanjou Commission now trudged along, injured and utterly dejected.

That cold woman wearing the fox mask…

Terrifying. Utterly violent.

"Father, please calm down."

Chisato hurried to steady him, reaching out to support his arm.

No matter what, he was still her father.

But her concern was only met with icy mockery.

Shinsuke snorted disdainfully.

"What's the matter? Are you secretly enjoying this?"

"Do you think that brat Takahashi did the right thing?"

"The envoy was injured—how do you think this will end?!"

Chisato's heart sank deeper. She could only shake her head.

Father… why do you always have to think this way…

"Hmph."

Shinsuke brushed past Chisato with a flick of his sleeve, storming off.

"…"

As his fury subsided, he realized something important—this was an opportunity.

A golden chance to pressure the Yashiro Commission.

Publicly disrespecting the Raiden Shogun?

No one could shoulder that accusation.

If he allied with the Tenryou Commission, the Yashiro Commission would have no way to defend themselves.

He would submit a report to the Shogun herself tomorrow.

After all, her excellency's divine might was undeniable.

She wouldn't bother verifying the details of such a trivial matter.

Just like always, they could say whatever they wanted.

Once the Yashiro Commission was suppressed, the implementation of the Vision Hunt Decree would naturally proceed smoothly.

And the profits from working with the Fatui…

Shinsuke couldn't hold back a sinister smile.

And as for that brat Takahashi…

You might be smug now, but someone else will deal with you eventually!

By now, the message should have already been sent.

---

The injured samurai had no choice but to stop and rest.

Chisato sat quietly on a rock nearby.

No one cared about her, but she was used to it.

She tilted her head back, gazing at the starry sky with a trace of melancholy.

At this moment, Ren was probably still enjoying the festival.

"…"

A faint smile tugged at her lips.

The festival had so many fun little trinkets she'd never seen before.

Delicious snacks.

Warm, lively people.

The entire place was filled with a comforting, festive atmosphere.

It was nothing like the cold rigidity of the Kanjou Commission.

A gentle night breeze swept past, rustling her hair.

She gazed at the vast expanse of stars.

Confined from a young age, she'd always loved counting stars.

Because she could count however she wanted.

Horizontally, vertically…

No one could stop her.

Chisato chuckled softly.

Ren would probably think I'm so childish.

But her smile gradually faded, becoming bittersweet.

"A free world… how wonderful it must be."

She had really wanted to spend the Fireworks Festival with Ren.

Her sadness lasted only a moment.

"No, no!"

She quickly shook her head, rubbing her cheeks.

I promised Ren I'd stay strong!

Suddenly, a bright light streaked across the sky.

Chisato's eyes widened as she froze in place.

So beautiful… is that a shooting star?

She shot to her feet, her bright eyes sparkling with excitement.

Clasping her hands together, she made a wish.

"Shogun-sama, please protect Ren!"

"Give him endless desserts and Mora!"

"And also…"

She greedily made wish after wish.

None of them were for herself.

If Ren was happy, she would be happy too.

Opening her eyes bashfully, she murmured, "Huh?"

The beautiful shooting star…

It seemed to be coming closer.

Her mind went blank.

Could this be a gift from the gods?

The light drew nearer and nearer, filling the sky.

Just as she was about to see it clearly—

It vanished.

"...!"

Chisato instinctively reached out, as if trying to grasp the fading light.

But a shooting star never lingers, no matter how much she wished it would.

Lowering her head, she whispered in disappointment,

"The star is gone… and so is Ren…"

Her vision blurred, streaked with colors.

Wait, was that… light?

She blinked, startled, and froze in place.

In the next moment, the night sky exploded into a sea of radiant colors.

Dreamlike lights painted the heavens in an ocean of brilliance.

It was like something out of a fairytale, utterly breathtaking.

"So beautiful."

Chisato's voice trembled as her eyes grew misty.

Fireworks. Countless fireworks.

She finally understood.

That wasn't a shooting star earlier.

It was a personal fireworks display, made just for her.

Her heart swelled as memories of a childhood promise resurfaced.

When you stop crying, I'll give you fireworks as a gift.

That's what Ren had said back then.

"Thank you, Ren!"

"You're my favorite!"

Under the dazzling fireworks, Chisato jumped and shouted with all her might.

As if she wanted the whole world to hear.

While the girl was filled with joy, a commotion stirred in the distance.

"What's going on? Who set off these fireworks?"

Shinsuke's cold voice rang out as he demanded an answer.

The samurai awkwardly lowered their heads, staying silent.

They were pretty impressive, though…

Just as Shinsuke was about to explode in anger, he heard the girl's joyous shouting.

Damn it! That brat again!

Fuming, he stomped toward her.

Chisato turned to face him, her gaze firm and unwavering.

For a moment, Shinsuke froze.

This daughter he had never truly cared for now had such a resolute expression in her eyes.

"This is outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!"

"Are you trying to—ah!"

Before he could finish, a shadow hurtled down from the sky.

Thud!

A bundle of fireworks shells, tightly bound together, crashed squarely onto Shinsuke.

"Father, are you alright?!"

Chisato rushed over, calling out.

But deep down, she couldn't help feeling… oddly satisfied.

"Protect the family head! There's an assassin!"

Chaos erupted among the samurai.

"Who's the idiot throwing things from the sky…"

"I'm going to report this to the Shogun! You'll pay for this…!"

Shinsuke's voice trembled as he spoke, then he fainted on the spot.

---

T/N: damn that fucking aim, sasuga mei-sama

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