Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

The atmosphere inside Uyuu Restaurant grew tense.

It was Kamisato Ayato.

Why is he here all of a sudden?

Ren felt his heart sink.

Years of secretly sneaking off with his precious little sister, and now karma's caught up with me!

[Ding! Emotional Resonance received from Kamisato Ayato +1...+1...+1.]

[Care to guess what kind of emotion?]

Ren's face darkened.

Brilliant deduction, System.

Does this even need guessing? The guy's literally blocking the door with a sword in hand!

Memories of his earlier conversation with Ayato surfaced.

The Kamisato Clan's protective elder brother, who held icy disdain for the "mysterious Master" who had whisked Ayaka away, had clearly harbored his resentment for years.

And now, that storm of indignation was about to strike.

If Ayato caught him...

"Mm?"

Ayato's sharp gaze suddenly flicked toward the staircase, his eyes narrowing.

Nothing was visible.

"..."

A faint smile tugged at Ayato's lips, though his eyes glinted with cold determination.

Even if that was just a flicker of movement, you're not escaping today, scoundrel.

"Ah, Lord Yashiro Commissioner! Welcome, welcome!"

The restaurant owner's hearty greeting interrupted Ayato's thoughts.

"Good day," Ayato replied with a polite nod but remained standing.

The owner's sharp gaze lingered on the sword in Ayato's hand.

This isn't just a casual visit.

"May I ask what you'd like to order, my lord?"

Ayato smiled gently and shook his head.

"I'm here looking for someone."

He described the masked figure he was pursuing, his respectful tone reflecting his regard for the former Tenryou Commission official.

"Ah, I see," the owner said after a moment of thought, spreading his hands apologetically.

"My apologies, my lord. I've been so busy I didn't notice anything unusual."

So, it's those two kids from earlier. They seem to be in trouble.

"Understood."

Ayato nodded slightly, his expression calm.

Whether the owner's words were true or not didn't matter. Ayato was determined to uncover the truth himself.

"I trust it won't be an issue if I take a look upstairs?"

His smile remained warm, but his intentions were clear.

Hang on, Ayaka. Your brother's here to rescue you from that scoundrel.

"Just don't cause a scene," the owner relented after a moment's pause.

---

Upstairs, near the hallway corner.

"What sharp senses," Ren murmured, his voice low.

A moment's hesitation earlier, and he would have been exposed.

Tap.

Ayato's measured footsteps echoed through the stairwell, the sound sharp and clear, brimming with quiet authority.

He was coming upstairs.

Ren silently retreated, his heart racing.

Avoiding detection was now the top priority.

Getting caught was not an option—not with Ayato ready to unleash the full might of [Kamisato Art: Suiyuu.]

His eyes darted around the hallway.

The layout was compact and enclosed. The staircase was the only exit.

If he attempted to escape with Ayaka, they'd undoubtedly run straight into Ayato.

At that moment, Erika, the proprietress, stepped out of a private room and spotted Ren.

"This guest... what are you doing here?" she asked, surprised.

"!"

Ren raised a finger to his lips and shook his head urgently.

Don't let me be found!

To his surprise, Erika blinked, quickly grasping the situation.

Covering her mouth, she approached quietly.

"Let me guess," she whispered.

"Your date's been discovered by family, hasn't it?"

Her tone was practiced, almost playful.

Ren's jaw slackened in astonishment.

Why are you so experienced at this?!

It was then he remembered—back when the owners were still serving in the Tenryou Commission, their secret courtship had been the subject of many whispered stories.

"Tap."

The air grew colder as Ayato stepped onto the staircase.

Time was running out.

Lowering his voice, Ren said,

"Madam, will you help me?"

Erika nodded without hesitation.

This is it.

Ren quickly produced a small, ornate hairpin.

"Please take this to a secluded spot downstairs," he instructed.

Then, without a second thought, he removed his mask, revealing his strikingly handsome features.

"Everything you've seen and heard—please keep it a secret."

"Understood."

Erika took the hairpin and slipped away quietly.

Ayato ascended the stairs with deliberate precision.

He was certain—the person who had whisked away his sister was here.

Thud-thud-thud.

Rushed footsteps suddenly echoed from above, growing louder as they approached.

A faint smile curved Ayato's lips, his blade lifting slightly.

So, the trapped prey is starting to panic?

His eyes gleamed coldly as he prepared for a direct confrontation.

But as he raised his gaze, a woman hurried past him on her way downstairs.

"..."

It was only the proprietress.

Ayato's expression softened as he continued upward.

When he reached the second floor, the quiet was almost eerie. Everything seemed perfectly normal.

Clink.

With a soft tap of his fingers, Ayato flicked the edge of his blade, his smile deepening.

The hallway was lined with rooms. Which one should he search first?

A slightly ajar door caught his attention.

He stepped forward.

---

Inside the room.

Ayaka had mostly calmed down.

Patting her flushed cheeks, she murmured softly,

"Why hasn't Master come back yet..."

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps outside made her frown.

Something felt off.

That's not Master.

Ayato paused at the door, his hand reaching out.

But just as he was about to touch the handle—

"Ahem."

A faint, deliberate cough sounded from behind him.

"Who's there?!"

Ayato whirled around, his sword at the ready.

Whoever had approached him so silently was no ordinary opponent.

But before he could act, he froze.

"Takahashi-san... it's you."

Standing behind him, the sunny, unassuming young man smiled and waved.

"Fancy meeting you here, Lord Yashiro Commissioner."

Ayato's sharp eyes scrutinized Ren.

He seemed slightly out of breath, as if he'd been in a hurry.

After a moment's silence, Ayato smiled faintly.

"And what are you hiding in your other hand?"

"..."

Ren's grin didn't falter as he slowly revealed his other hand.

In his palm lay the same ornate hairpin Erika had just taken downstairs, faint streaks of purple energy glimmering along its surface.

[Elemental Skill: Stellar Restoration.]

[Throw a Lightning Stilleto. Upon reactivation, teleport to its location, crossing terrain.]

Indeed, in the nick of time, Ren had used the hairpin to misdirect Ayato's attention and slip past unnoticed.

He made it!

---

T/N: hmmmm

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