Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

"You seem unusually down."

A soft voice came from nearby as a shrine maiden approached Ren with a smile.

Her name was Kano Nana, a cousin of Shikanoin Heizou.

Ren straightened up, grumbling, "Nana-san, I was almost killed just now, and you just stood there watching."

Hearing this, Nana gave him an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, but from the shrine's standpoint, I couldn't interfere. After all, Guuji-sama…"

Ren rolled his eyes and waved dismissively.

"I don't need to hear that woman's lofty reasoning."

"Still, thanks for helping me out, Nana-san."

If it weren't for Nana's intervention on behalf of the shrine, he'd probably be in jail by now.

It was like being caught in a kids' fight—adults wouldn't care who was right or wrong, or who was bullied.

If you fought, you'd both get punished.

And with the factions within the Tenryou Commission far from being united…

Ren couldn't guarantee he'd get a fair shake.

Nana chuckled, covering her mouth. "Since you're Heizou-kun's friend, of course I'd look out for you."

Then, as if noticing for the first time, her gaze turned to the dirt-smudged, pouting girl beside Ren.

Feigning surprise, she teased, "And who might this young lady be?"

The girl lifted her chin, her cheeks turning red.

"I'm Renny's fiancée!"

"We're not engaged, and stop calling me Renny."

"Okay, Renny."

"..."

Ren covered his face, avoiding Nana's knowing look.

The girl stood her ground protectively, like a kitten guarding its food.

This silly girl was at it again.

It's so embarrassing.

"Now that everything here is resolved, you should head back to the Kanjou Commission."

"I'm not going back! Wherever Renny goes, I'll follow!"

After much back-and-forth, Ren finally conceded.

He really didn't know how to handle this stubborn girl.

And so, the two followed Nana on the road to the Grand Narukami Shrine.

"Renny, you're the best!"

The girl tried to grab his arm affectionately, but Ren dodged.

"Your face is covered in soot. Where's the elegance of the Kanjou Commission's young lady?"

Earlier, she had clung to him shamelessly, rubbing against him for quite a while.

And since Ren had triggered a Swirl reaction, he was covered in smoke and dust, too.

Now she looked like a dirty little flower cat with a smudged face.

"Sorry, Renny," she said with a bright smile, her beauty shining through the grime.

She never cared about her status as the Kanjou Commission's young lady.

In her heart, Ren was what mattered most.

"What an idiot," Ren muttered, shaking his head. He pulled out a handkerchief.

"Here, wipe your face."

The girl held the handkerchief as if it were a priceless treasure, whispering, "Is this Renny's token of love…?"

"If you keep talking nonsense, I'll take it back."

"Renny's so grumpy. You care about me, but you're not even a little sweet."

"…Just be quiet."

"Then what are you going to use Renny?"

Ren's blood pressure spiked. "Just give it back when you're done."

"So you want to use the handkerchief I used to… Renny, you're so bad!"

The girl squeaked, covering her face as she ran off.

Oh no, what was she even saying just now?!

"…"

Ren took a deep breath.

His fists clenched involuntarily.

Nana, who had been watching the entire exchange, smiled like a doting aunt.

"You young people sure know how to have fun."

"Nana-san, please don't tease me." Ren sighed, exasperated.

"By the way, are you on a mission this time?"

Nana nodded. "Sharp as ever."

"This time, Guuji-sama sent me down the mountain to both meet you and search for a missing treasure from the shrine."

Ren silently nodded, deep in thought.

Would that woman just happen to send someone here to meet him?

It was as if she already knew his every move.

Maybe he should complain about her less in the future.

Feeling a sense of unease, Ren looked up and asked, "Why are you staring at me like that?"

Nana smiled. "Aren't you curious about what the shrine lost?"

"I'm not curious."

"Really?"

Ren's expression stiffened. That familiar smile…

Nana was planning to make him do the heavy lifting.

"I just fought the Fatui—"

"And I've already healed your injuries," Nana interrupted, her smile warm, like a friendly neighbor's.

She even gave his arm a playful squeeze.

"You're sturdier than before. I wonder which lucky girl will get to enjoy that."

Ren sighed, knowing there was no escaping this.

"Fine. What's the situation?"

Nana explained, and Ren's face fell.

"You want me to catch… a pet?"

A samurai of the Tenryou Commission, a symbol of the Shogun's might, doing such a menial task?

Absolutely not. No way.

"It's not a pet; it's a mischievous bake-danuki."

Still a pet…

Ren frowned.

In his past life, the bake-danuki in the game were elusive, masters of transformation.

Whenever the Traveler got close, they'd taunt you with a wiggle of their backside before disappearing into the ground.

And now he was supposed to catch one?

No way was he taking on such a frustrating task.

Nana smiled. "There's Mora involved."

"Alright, I'd be happy to help, Nana-san."

Ren coughed, pretending the Mora wasn't the reason.

Back when he was struggling, Nana had taken care of him more times than he could count.

"Don't worry. You'll have help this time," Nana added.

"Just assist her, and it'll be fine."

Ren raised an eyebrow. Nana's helper?

"Sayu—stop napping and come out!"

From a nearby bush, there was a rustle.

A round, fluffy "tanuki" emerged.

---

T/N: lmao bets on when Chisato's name will finally get mentioned instead of young lady?