Kamisato Ayaka bowed slightly, her every gesture exuding a quiet elegance. It was the kind of refinement that made one feel she was someone to be admired from afar rather than approached a grace that naturally created a sense of distance.
However, Ayaka's words always came from the heart. She maintained this posture partly out of lifelong habit, and partly because...
[As expected of the most anticipated character from the game's open beta year!]
[Back then, the "Waiting for Ayaka" saga was a massive drama that lasted a full year. The hype was so intense it felt like it filled the entire server!]
[Some people even started hoarding crystal balls from the very first day the server opened, waiting an entire year for Ayaka's debut!]
[Truly, for this character, it is her "elegance" that is most captivating!]
Ye Xi's heart was currently filled with nostalgia. He remembered how precarious that time had been. Players had long since grown impatient waiting for Kamisato Ayaka's release. At the same time, due to censorship audits, her closed beta outfit required changes to strictly adhere to the 12+ restriction, which prohibited anything too provocative.
To design an outfit that wouldn't disappoint the fans, he had truly poured his heart and soul into it. They had struggled for days and nights, finally completing the design just before her official implementation. Thus, it could be said that Ayaka's character was literally built upon stacks of Suxiao Jiuxin Wan heart pills. His affection and appreciation for Ayaka went without saying.
[I have to say, though, the final choice to use white lace trim still doesn't look as good as the effect during the closed beta...]
"Ah..."
A splash of crimson appeared on Ayaka's face, and she subconsciously reached down to cover the hem of her skirt. That was it she had heard Ye Xi's heart! Specifically, hearing that Ye Xi knew her "inside and out" and was familiar with every detail of her person made her feel incredibly bashful.
Ye Xi looked at her with surprise and asked, "What's wrong, Miss Kamisato?"
"No, I just..."
Ayaka didn't dare look him in the eye. She averted her gaze, stepping back like a startled rabbit. Her small hands gripped the corner of her skirt as her fair face flushed deep red.
[Uh... what's this?]
[Are you serious about taking that half-step back?]
Ye Xi felt a bit hurt. If he had been made of stone, he probably would have shattered into pieces on the floor by now.
Ayaka took a deep breath to steady her nerves and calm her embarrassment. She explained, "Xi, you're being formal with me again. So..."
"Oh, is that all it was?" Ye Xi felt a wave of relief, realizing it wasn't something major. He gestured toward his home. "Come inside to talk, Kamisato... Ayaka."
"Mm..." Ayaka gave a soft response and followed behind him.
She carefully watched his broad back, her heart filled with longing. She still remembered their first meeting; back then, he had been just a child, the same as her. She hadn't expected that in less than three years, he would grow so dashing, possessing an increasingly mature air.
In those days, she had been playful and naive, but everything changed with the sudden tragedy of her family. Her father had aged prematurely and passed away. Seeing her bedridden mother and her overworked brother, she determined that she had to grow up!
But for a young girl in her teens, practicing swordsmanship every day was unimaginably difficult. It was exhausting. Her arms were always sore and aching. There were times she felt she couldn't go on. She had swung her blade time and time again, wiping away tears in the solitude of the Chinju Forest.
One day, while walking through the forest in a low mood, she had unexpectedly encountered an Electro Cicin Mage! The Fatui were always looking for opportunities to target the Yashiro Commission, and the mage immediately set her sights on the young girl. Ayaka was far too young to be a match for such a foe.
In her moment of peril, Ye Xi appeared. Even though he was also just a teenager, seeing him shield her and beat the Electro Cicin Mage until she fled in terror left a permanent mark on her. That scene solidified her conviction: she would follow Ye Xi for the rest of her life!
From then on, the first place in her heart was firmly occupied by him. During their subsequent time together, she was shocked to discover that she could hear a familiar, kind voice whenever they spoke. Because Ye Xi's image was etched into her heart, she even remembered the sound of his voice. She quickly realized that these were Ye Xi's inner thoughts.
Since then, she often drank tea and practiced swordplay with him. It wasn't just because she wanted to spend time with him, but because she wanted to listen to his words directly, heart to heart. With Ye Xi's gentle voice echoing in her ears, she found it much easier to fall asleep.
Even though Ye Xi sometimes thought about things that made her blush, as time passed, she became completely addicted to the feeling. It was precisely because Ye Xi appreciated her "elegance" that she worked so hard to maintain her best image in front of him.
"Ayaka, I've prepared some tea and snacks. Why have you come to see me so early?" Ye Xi had planned to go find her after speaking with Raiden Ei about leaving Inazuma. Since she was here, it didn't matter; it saved him a trip.
[Ayaka is so sensible, she definitely won't make things difficult for me.] He thought to himself.
Hearing his voice, however, Ayaka felt a sting of bitterness in her heart. Sensible children don't get candy. If she could, she would rather not be so obedient. Perhaps then she would occupy a larger space in Ye Xi's heart?
She sighed inwardly. She wouldn't do anything that Ye Xi disliked, but that didn't mean she didn't have her own small emotions.
"Xi, there was a massive explosion on Mt. Yougou last night. I was worried." She brought up the reason for her visit, picking up her teacup and taking a small sip.
"Did I scare you last night?" Ye Xi gave a faint smile. "That was my doing. I didn't expect to make such a loud noise by mistake."
"You made that sound?" Ayaka was slightly stunned. Usually, she and Ye Xi discussed sword techniques; she had never seen him use such terrifying power. Last night, she had seen the entirety of Mt. Yougou light up as if night had turned into day!
"I was wondering who it was. Turns out it's just the little girl from the Yashiro Commission."
A pink silhouette blurred past them, and Yae Miko was suddenly sitting beside them. Her appearance caused a flash of alertness to flicker in Ayaka's eyes.
How could Yae Miko be here in the Inner World!? The shrine maidens outside clearly said that Lady Guuji hadn't woken up yet. Her being here now meant that last night...
"Lady Guuji, good morning. I didn't expect to see you here with Xi as well." Although her heart was full of suspicion, Ayaka didn't show it, rising to give a polite bow.
Yae Miko crossed her arms and smiled. She actually quite liked this girl. Everything Ayaka did was organized and reliable. It was just that working for the Yashiro Commission often involved thankless tasks. If the girl hadn't been a member of the Kamisato Clan, Miko would have recruited her into the Yae Publishing House long ago.
Most importantly, Miko felt relieved because she knew this girl couldn't hear Ye Xi's thoughts. If she was only attracted to Ye Xi's appearance, she would be easy to deal with.
Thinking of this, Yae Miko covered her mouth and let out a yawn, her eyes fixed solely on Ye Xi. "Xi, because of you, I didn't get any sleep last night. Now is the perfect time for a nap."
"Goodbye, little girl of the Yashiro Commission~" Having said her piece, she gave Ayaka a look that only one woman would understand perfectly before turning to leave.
Hearing those words, the teacup in Ayaka's hand slipped and shattered on the floor.
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