Although Qin Yu had tentatively decided to pursue the "have it all" approach, she still harbored considerable anxiety and doubt about its feasibility.
"Alright, let's take a short break," Keqing's voice pulled her back to reality.
It's rare for Keqing to say that, Qin Yu thought, surprised. "A break already?"
"Yes, why? Do you want to keep working?" Keqing chuckled lightly.
Qin Yu shook her head vigorously.
"Let's rest!"
Keqing smiled. "You're right. Actually, ever since you had that serious talk with me about balancing work and rest, I've been reflecting on it. I've decided to take a more steady, measured approach for now."
Excellent! Now I won't have to work non-stop whenever I'm with Keqing! Qin Yu clenched her fist inwardly, relieved and pleased by Keqing's change of heart.
"Exactly. Health comes first, efficiency second. Life is your own—you can't waste it on work."
Keqing pondered thoughtfully. "Indeed, that's how everyone seems to think these days. How quickly perspectives have changed."
"But at least we should do our jobs properly, right? When we went down to inspect the other day, the sheer number of oversights was appalling... It was almost unbearable to watch. sigh."
Qin Yu changed the subject. "Let's put work aside for now. You've been using your brain a lot today. How about some dessert?"
"I'll leave it to you," Keqing said, stretching her limbs.
"Mm."
Qin Yu opened the pre-prepared dessert box, took out a cup, and poured tea.
Keqing exhaled deeply, letting her body and mind relax.
Once her mind was freed from the tangle of official duties and her focus shifted to daily life, a flood of thoughts surged into her consciousness.
Keqing rested her chin on her folded hands, watching Qin Yu's movements.
Remembering their confession from a few days ago, Keqing felt both shy and content, yet there was a lingering sense of unreality.
Confess, get a yes, and just like that, we're dating... Keqing thought. There should be some kind of change, right?
She didn't need a world-shattering transformation, but at least something noticeable.
Keqing murmured, wanting to confirm that their relationship was real and not just a delusion from her sleep-addled mind.
"Qin Yu..."
"Hmm?"
Keqing's fair cheeks flushed crimson as she averted her gaze. "We're... we're really dating, right?"
Evaluation: D
Qin Yu's hand trembled, nearly spilling her tea.
"Why ask that so suddenly... You were the one who confessed," Qin Yu blurted out, abandoning her pretense of acting normal around Keqing.
How embarrassing, Qin Yu thought.
Keqing's question brought the reality of their relationship crashing down on her again.
That's right, Qin Yu, you're dating your childhood friend, who's also a woman... Qin Yu imagined how her past self would react if she knew her future would turn out like this. She'd probably be utterly stunned.
Hearing Qin Yu's confirmation, Keqing's heart flooded with a honey-sweet warmth.
"I just wanted to make sure... I thought I was dreaming," Keqing whispered.
If only it were a dream.
If it were just a dream, Ningguang wouldn't have to worry so much about it, right? Er, no, that's wrong! Dreams are awful too! Qin Yu shook her head, clearing the jumbled thoughts from her mind.
Qin Yu served the desserts and tea, her ears flushed. "You have those kinds of dreams?"
"Eh? Th-that—ahem, let's not talk about that. Sit down, too."
That was a rather abrupt change of subject.
After settling down beside Keqing, Qin Yu decided to set aside the "girlfriend" question for now and focus on eating and drinking her fill. She began leisurely popping pastries into her mouth.
Keqing, however, kept her gaze fixed on Qin Yu.
"What's with all the staring...?" Qin Yu asked, puzzled.
"There's a question I'm not sure if I should ask."
"What is it?"
Keqing hesitated for a moment before awkwardly asking, "What do... girlfriends usually do?"
Whoa, that's what she wants to know?
Good question!
"If you're asking me, who am I supposed to ask? This is my first time, too." Qin Yu honestly admitted her ignorance without a second thought.
"It's my first time too," Keqing replied. "Besides, we're both women... so what does it mean to be girlfriends?"
Qin Yu shrugged nonchalantly. "There's probably no difference."
A heavy silence fell between them.
Qin Yu glanced at Keqing and noticed she was also observing her.
This feels so strange, I can't quite get used to it. Even without words, the air carried a hazy, unfamiliar quality.
New relationships require an adjustment period.
Only through constant fine-tuning, as both parties find their rhythm, can the gears mesh and turn smoothly—in short, it takes time.
During this time, the more tangible ambiguity of their connection would surface again and again.
I may not know what's typically done, Keqing thought, but I can't just do nothing. Taking action is what matters most.
Action... As Keqing considered this, she took a soft breath.
"Alright."
Murmuring to herself, Keqing rested her head on Qin Yu's shoulder and awkwardly looped her arm around Qin Yu's.
Evaluation: C-
Once a new relationship begins, every gesture and action takes on a different meaning. Even something as ordinary as linking arms made Qin Yu's face flush instantly.
"Let's just stay like this for a while... okay?" Keqing asked.
"Ah, um, okay..."
Evaluation: C+
Keqing closed her eyes in contentment. "I didn't think you'd accept my confession."
Qin Yu exclaimed in surprise, "Why would you think that?"
"Well—I think I was too sudden back then. We're not children anymore; I should have been more mature. I should have properly asked you out on a date, taken you on a real date, and then expressed my feelings at the end."
You knew it was too sudden, huh? Qin Yu thought to herself.
Keqing raised her head and met Qin Yu's gaze. "But I couldn't wait. I wanted to know the answer immediately—whether you'd accept or reject me, whether I'd succeed or fail. That's why I stopped you, and then..."
"I'm sorry, did I scare you?" Keqing asked, sounding slightly anxious.
Qin Yu had wanted to say it was nothing, that bringing it up now was pointless. After all, they were already dating.
But seeing Keqing's slightly anxious expression, her mischievous side took over.
"I was scared," Qin Yu admitted.
Keqing groaned in frustration. "I knew it! I was too hasty."
"And you just suddenly kissed me!"
Keqing's face flushed even redder as she fidgeted with her ponytail. "You could say it was the atmosphere... I couldn't help myself."
Evaluation: B
Couldn't help herself? Qin Yu felt embarrassed just hearing it.
Ugh, no, I need to change the subject!
"R-right! I wanted to ask you something, Keqing. I hope you'll answer me..."
Keqing tilted her head slightly. "A question? Sure, ask away. I'll answer anything you ask! After all, we're..."
No need to emphasize that!
Qin Yu hesitated for a moment, knowing the question might ruin the mood. But she couldn't let it go; she desperately needed to hear the truth from Keqing's own lips.
Qin Yu leaned closer to Keqing and asked, "Keqing, why do you like me?"
"Huh? You're asking that?"
"Yes, I want to know," Qin Yu said earnestly.
She couldn't fathom the answer, no matter how hard she tried.
A woman like me being liked? Is it just because of my face? Qin Yu wondered, thoroughly perplexed.
Keqing, startled by Qin Yu's question, felt a surge of panic and nervousness.
She vaguely recalled hearing that this question was crucial—a poorly worded answer could spark conflict. People called it the "death question."
No, no need to panic. Just answer honestly, from the heart! Keqing regained her composure, countless thoughts flashing through her mind in an instant.
Then, she froze.
"Well..."
Ha? What's with this attitude?
"Keqing, you don't even know?" Qin Yu asked, incredulous.
Though Keqing's affection was genuine, this answer was simply too much for her to process.
Just as her frustration threatened to surface, Keqing confessed, blushing, "I... I think I've liked you since we were children. I only realized my feelings recently."
Evaluation: A-
"... Huh?"
It started when we were kids? That's so young... Did Keqing like me even back then? Was Keqing already... you know... back then?
The overwhelming amount of information churned like a storm in Qin Yu's mind, leaving her deeply disoriented.
Even as she struggled to process this revelation, Keqing continued to speak candidly:
"I don't remember exactly what I was thinking back then, but looking back now, I think it was probably because we spent so much time together."
"Spent time together..." Qin Yu murmured.
Keqing replied with a gentle smile, "Exactly. I was going to say it was because you're kind, cute, and all that."
"But those are just qualities, traits. If someone else had the same qualities, the same traits, would I have fallen for them too? Of course not."
Keqing gently brushed a strand of hair from Qin Yu's cheek as she spoke softly.
"So I think the real reason is this—we spent so much time together, became intertwined, and became indispensable parts of each other's lives."
Keqing's lips moved slightly as she continued to pour out her heart: "Mutual understanding, mutual support, becoming the pillar of each other's hearts, an indispensable part of one another—I believe such a relationship is truly beautiful. I want... to continue building such a relationship with you, Qin Yu."
Evaluation: A+
So that's why Keqing had fallen for her, Qin Yu realized.
Because I've already become an indispensable part of her life...? Qin Yu pondered, unable to imagine what her life would be like without Keqing.
And what about without Shenhe, Ningguang, Yanfei, Hu Tao, Ganyu... what would it be like to lose everything she had now?
Qin Yu couldn't bear to imagine such a future, let alone see it come to pass.
"So... I deserve to be loved by Keqing?" Qin Yu blurted out, unable to help herself.
"Deserve? What are you talking about? What kind of qualification is needed? Is that why you were asking me why I like you? Because you were worried about that?" Keqing exclaimed in surprise.
Don't call me out like that!
Qin Yu stammered, "No, it's not that—"
"Alright, I'll just be blunt with you!"
Keqing's face flushed crimson, but she spoke with unwavering sincerity. "I like you, Qin Yu... It's as simple as that. It has nothing to do with any so-called 'qualifications.' Do you understand?"
Evaluation: S
"I understand..." Qin Yu replied softly, her own face flushed red.
"That's good."
Keqing let out a small sigh, her cheeks still burning. To maintain her composure, she casually picked up her teacup and took a sip.
"Bitterness followed by waves of sweetness... Not bad at all," Keqing murmured appreciatively.
"That's my cup. I drank from it earlier."
"Cough—cough cough..." Keqing choked in surprise, coughing repeatedly.
Embarrassed, she set down the cup and picked up another, bringing it to her lips for a few sips.
"Just kidding. This is mine."
Keqing's eyes widened, and she choked again in shock.
Setting down the cup, she looked at Qin Yu with a helpless expression. "You... Why do I feel like you've been getting more and more mischievous lately?"
"No such thing," Qin Yu replied with a grin.
"Really? Sigh, never mind. Just hand me that handkerchief over there—I forgot to bring one." Keqing thought she needed to wipe her mouth and the corners of her lips.
Qin Yu took out her own handkerchief and said, "I'll help you."
"I'm not a child."
"I didn't say only children could be helped like this," Qin Yu retorted casually.
Keqing was speechless. It was true. She was just embarrassed.
But... this was something girlfriends would do, right? Keqing thought, a faint anticipation rising within her. She nodded, accepting Qin Yu's offer.
"Sit still," Qin Yu instructed.
"I told you, I'm not a child!"
Qin Yu teased, "Then I won't wipe it off?"
Keqing didn't answer, but the look in her eyes clearly said, "No."
That's more like it, Qin Yu thought smugly.
As Qin Yu confidently raised her hand, their eyes met. When she glanced down at Keqing's glossy lips, an inexplicable desire surged within her.
She lowered the handkerchief and instead pressed her hand against Keqing's cheek.
Since we're girlfriends now, it should be okay to do this, right?
Reason: Yes.
Emotion: Yes.
There was no dissent whatsoever; it was unanimously agreed upon.
Driven by her heart's yearning and surging emotions, Qin Yu leaned in, her heart pounding wildly.
Keqing seemed to understand, closing her eyes and whispering Qin Yu's name, but before she could finish, the opportunity to speak vanished.
I'll make it clean.
Just... in a different way.
Evaluation: SS-
Evaluation: SS+
Evaluation: SSS-
Lost in the moment, a thought quietly surfaced in Qin Yu's mind.
She had previously pondered how to achieve her goal of "wanting it all." Now, she had an idea.
Though crude and simple, it was the most feasible method for her to implement right now.
And it was exactly what she wanted most.
"I just need to make Keqing and the others love me more"—this was the only solution she had come up with so far.
The more she felt Keqing's warmth, the more this thought, like a seed nourished by affection, took root and grew in her heart.
She craved even more warmth.
"Wait, Qin Yu... we should probably get back to work soon," Keqing said breathlessly.
Qin Yu, also panting, replied, "...Keqing, you said you wanted us to be mutually understanding and supportive partners, but that kind of relationship isn't limited to lovers, right?"
"Friends, family too—though we already are that," Qin Yu added.
Keqing's expression stiffened, as if her thoughts had been laid bare.
"But you still chose to confess, wanting to be in a romantic relationship with me," Qin Yu continued, her emotions still surging.
"This is..."
Qin Yu continued to tease, "Actually, Keqing, you really enjoy doing this, don't you?"
"I..." Keqing blushed crimson.
"So, a few more seconds won't hurt, right?" Qin Yu leaned in closer again.
Just a few more seconds.
And in the future, I'll work hard to make you like me even more—but with my true self, Qin Yu thought, embracing Keqing.
After a while, having calmed down slightly, Qin Yu clutched her head in her hands.
Ugh, ugh, what have I done? What have I said...? I shouldn't be, and I shouldn't become, that kind of woman, yet I still did those things.
Could it be that I'm actually that kind of woman after all?
Qin Yu sank into self-doubt.
Meanwhile, Keqing touched her lips wistfully.
She still wanted more.
I used to think that spiritual resonance was all that mattered, that the soul was the most important thing. But... Keqing gazed at Qin Yu, her heart racing.
Could it be that I also crave something beyond Qin Yu's soul?