Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

Amidst the steep and rugged mountains, shadows darted through the terrain.

"Damn it! The intel was wrong!"

The man in the straw hat cursed as he fled, his voice laced with panic.

His mind replayed the terrifying scene atop the mountain.

A woman in a violet kimono, wielding lightning with an otherworldly grace, her gaze as cold as the storm itself.

She looked like a living embodiment of the Raiden Shogun.

This was nothing like the report that described her as a mere village girl.

What kind of women do they raise in your village?!

Crack!

Before he could finish venting his frustrations, thunder echoed across the mountains.

For a moment, the world was bathed in violet light.

Instinctively, the man turned his head, and his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

Amid the swirling lightning, he caught sight of a fox mask—

Terrifying and ferocious.

It was her!

"I've got you now. Don't even think about escaping."

From the arms of the "village girl," Ren poked his head out, shouting angrily.

The speed of their pursuit left him no choice but to cling tightly to her neck.

The situation felt bizarre, to say the least, but it didn't stop him from hurling threats.

"It's you guys again!"

The man's soul nearly left his body as he stumbled, almost slamming into a tree.

How had they caught up so quickly?

What was the Tenryou Commission even doing?!

A cruel glint flickered in his eyes.

If that's the case...

Suddenly, he veered sharply, darting into the forest.

"A pointless struggle."

Mei snorted coldly, her speed increasing.

"Wait! Slow down a bit!"

Ren, barely able to handle the jarring pace, protested.

Mei cast him a silent sideways glance.

He can't even handle this?

She hadn't even picked up the pace yet.

Her disdain was evident.

"...Put me down!"

Feeling her unspoken judgment, Ren stiffened but continued.

A man must never admit defeat.

"I'll handle this myself—it'll be faster."

"Stop saying such nonsense and let me down!"

Mei let out a quiet hum before descending toward the ground.

She loosened her grip, sending Ren flying with the momentum.

Thud!

A tree shook violently as a flock of startled birds took to the sky.

"Thanks a lot!"

Ren groaned, clutching his head as his entire body trembled.

He muttered to himself, Hope you enjoyed that, because it sure felt great on my head.

It took him a moment to recover, only to hear the sound of Mei landing gracefully nearby.

"Pathetic," she remarked in her usual calm tone.

Ren forced a chuckle.

This girl is definitely holding a grudge!

He gritted his teeth and pulled himself up, leaning against the tree for support.

"Not chasing him anymore?"

Ren waved dismissively.

"The path ahead is a dead end. He won't get far."

"The longer he waits, the worse it'll get for him."

Mei glanced toward the forest, her gaze turning sharp.

"You're saying there's an ambush ahead?"

Ren looked at her in surprise.

Not bad. This girl's got quick instincts.

Mei seemed to sense his thoughts and shot him a glare.

"Enough small talk."

With that, Ren drew the blade at his waist.

The sword hummed softly, crackling faintly with the sound of thunder.

"Time to settle the score."

"..."

Mei's cold figure stepped in front of him, arms crossed.

"There are traps ahead, and you still want to charge in?"

Ren paused, then laughed.

"Are you afraid of danger?"

"I'm not like you."

"What's the difference?"

"I'm strong. You're weak."

Ren was left speechless, his face darkening.

Who talks like this?

And besides, if it weren't for Mei's... sudden intervention earlier, not even Kujou Sara and the Tenryou Commission could have taken him down!

"You don't understand. I need evidence of their collusion."

The Tenryou Commission and the Fatui...

Mei fell silent, a cold snort echoing in her heart.

Since her awakening, she had learned much from that fox-eared woman.

She hadn't expected Inazuma to become so precarious in just a few centuries.

If that's how it was, then she would cleanse it with lightning.

Those who dared oppose her—she would cut them down.

That had been her initial resolve.

But...

As she looked at the confident smile of the young man before her,

Mei's gaze lowered slightly, her voice calm.

"Why did you protect me earlier?"

"Hmm, what did you say?"

"Forget it if you can't hear me."

For reasons unknown, she glared at Ren.

Ren smiled wryly, shrugging.

"I'm just joking. What kind of answer do you want to hear?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you want the high-EQ version or the low-EQ one?"

Mei raised her chin. "I want to hear both."

"..."

Ren gave her a thumbs-up in his mind.

Bold choice. I respect that.

"Alright, let me think."

"The high-EQ version would be..."

Ren dragged out his words, trying to build suspense.

"Just say it already!"

Violet lightning flickered in Mei's hands.

The threat was crystal clear.

Ren raised his hands in surrender, speaking quickly.

"We're friends, right? Isn't it normal to protect a friend?"

Friends...?

Mei murmured the word in her heart.

What does 'friend' mean?

A boyfriend? A girlfriend?

But thinking back, the two of them had been through a lot.

From the sweets at the start,

To forging blades together,

To fighting the Fatui and the Kanjou Commission alongside two others.

Oh, and the fireworks festival.

And finally, Ren defying the Tenryou Commission's orders for her sake.

There had been misunderstandings, sure, but they had always supported each other in the end.

The sweets were delicious. The fireworks were beautiful...

Mei looked at Ren.

Once, her life had been bleak and empty, but now, for the first time, it felt different.

Beneath her mask, the corners of her lips lifted slightly without her realizing.

She didn't seem to dislike this.

"...I guess we could call it friendship."

When Mei stayed silent for a long time, Ren's face twitched.

This girl really is as cold as ice, huh?

"Keep talking."

"..."

Ren froze, blinking.

Was it his imagination, or had something in her gaze... changed?

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T/N: looks like the Ei will be the cover for this one