"Hmmph~ It should be more effective to have someone close to her persuade her. Compared to her, that Child is easier to deal with."
Outside Shimura's, our beautiful and charming Yae Miko-sama was leisurely eating the fried tofu brought by the shopkeeper, occasionally observing Durandal's situation.
She had thought for a long time last night and finally decided to ask Lumine, Durandal's friend, for help. Compared to outsiders like them, Durandal should be more likely to listen to a friend.
Rather than letting her relationship with Raiden Ei become too strained, it would be better to accept the apology and improve their relationship, which would also help Lumine's activities in Inazuma City.
With Durandal's intelligence, Yae Miko believed she would definitely figure these things out and go to Tenshukaku to meet General Raiden Shogun in the next few days.
Hmm, a very perfect plan. She was indeed clever to come up with such a good solution so quickly.
"Oh, welcome, esteemed guest. What would you like to order?"
"...Give me a bowl of udon."
The old shopkeeper of Shimura's greeted the customer as usual. This was nothing out of the ordinary, but upon hearing the customer's voice, Yae Miko completely froze.
She turned her head and found Durandal sitting beside her, staring at her expressionlessly, silently mouthing a few words, which translated to: [Did you ask Lumine to do this?]
Yae Miko showed an awkward yet polite smile. She had been so focused on observing Lumine's mission progress that she hadn't anticipated the risk of being discovered.
She was right; Durandal was indeed very clever, but a bit too clever. As soon as she saw Lumine's unusual appearance in Inazuma City, she guessed what had happened.
[How did she discover I was here? Shimura's is some distance from where Durandal was performing, and it's a blind spot. Logically, she shouldn't have noticed me.]
She couldn't figure it out, couldn't understand what had happened, but this didn't stop Yae Miko from realizing she was in deep trouble and that something big might happen next.
Under Yae Miko's uneasy gaze, Durandal took the udon handed by the shopkeeper, tasted a few mouthfuls, felt the flavor wasn't enough, took out some jueyun chili made from her person, added a little, and only nodded in satisfaction after the soup turned red.
Sitting nearby, Yae Miko could feel the spiciness of the udon. This person could actually eat the noodles without any problem. This... this was too amazing.
Durandal hadn't eaten many mouthfuls when she suddenly moved the udon in front of Yae Miko, signaling her to taste it.
Looking at the udon in front of her, no matter how hungry Yae Miko was, she had no appetite to eat it. Such a strong flavor didn't suit her as a beautiful Damselette.
Yae Miko was about to refuse when Durandal suddenly spoke: "No refusing. If you refuse, I will not forgive your actions today, nor will I forgive what happened yesterday."
Very well, Yae Miko's retreat was almost completely blocked. Now she had only one choice, and that was to eat this bowl of udon.
Looking at this bowl of udon that could make her scalp tingle, and recalling the task Raiden Ei had given her, Yae Miko constantly reassured herself that this was a necessary sacrifice. To be reunited with Makoto, she had no other choice.
Thinking of this, a tear rolled down Yae Miko's eye. Someone who didn't know might think she was the heroine from some little notebook, about to experience something bad.
The udon at Shimura's was delicious. The owner's skill was excellent, truly worthy of someone with decades of experience. Even Yae Miko, with her discerning taste, couldn't find any fault.
But... it was too spicy. The jueyun chili that Durandal added was simply too spicy. Yae Miko's palate was originally light, and now eating this was like killing her.
Fine beads of sweat trickled down her face. To alleviate the spiciness in her mouth, Yae Miko slightly parted her lips, gently exhaling. This appearance made her exceptionally alluring.
Durandal didn't have so many thoughts; she just thought Yae Miko was quite good at handling spice. The jueyun chili from Liyue wasn't something ordinary people could endure, and the seasoning she made was a concentrated version, making its potency even greater.
"How's the taste, Guuji Yae? Is it delicious?"
"De-delicious... Shimura's craftsmanship is excellent. I often come here to eat."
"Is that so? Then why the expression? If you think it's delicious, why aren't you smiling?"
Why can't I smile? Don't you have any idea? With something this spicy, how can I possibly smile?
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