The exaggerated expression on the girl's face was like that of a stage actress it was dramatic, deliberate and the tone of her voice was uncannily familiar, almost identical to someone else's.
The suggestive words made Lady Yae's smile freeze for just a moment, betraying a flicker of surprise she hadn't anticipated.
Her eyes twitched as she met the green-haired girl's playful wink and the teasing curve of her lips.
For once, the fox shrine maiden's composure wavered.
What… was this feeling?
Was she being teased?
Her?
Back when Yae Miko was just a tiny fox spirit, the mighty Raiden Ei—then known as Baal—had tempted her into becoming her companion (well, familiar, technically) with a single offering of fried tofu.
But that was long ago.
Baal had perished during the Cataclysm of Khaenri'ah, and the three dearest friends of the Electro Archon had all faded away one by one.
In time, Yae Miko became the only one who truly understood Ei—the only friend with whom the reserved Archon could share her heart.
Their bond was genuine and deep.
And because of that closeness, Miko had always felt free to tease and mock her friend whenever she liked.
After all, for an immortal trickster fox, playing pranks on mortals—or even other long-lived beings—was as easy as breathing.
But she never imagined she would one day be on the receiving end of such mockery.
What shocked her even more was that C.C. somehow knew about "fried tofu"—a secret joke only known to her and the Raiden Shogun's closest circle.
Who was this girl?
"Hehe, of course, that's no problem," Miko replied smoothly, her tone light and polite, though the forced smile and slightly narrowed eyes betrayed her irritation.
"And where might your little fox be hiding, hmm?"
"Perfect! Just give me a moment and I'll call her out," C.C. answered brightly, her lips curling into an amused grin.
She closed her eyes, letting her consciousness sink into the Stigmata Space.
———————————————————————
[C.C.]: Sakura, something interesting is happening out here. Don't you want to come and take a look?
[Yea Sakura]: Eh… but, I—
[C.C.]: Please, Sakura. Come out and keep me company. I've missed you.
———————————————————————
Her tone turned gentle and sincere, and the change made Sakura's heart flutter.
Inside the sealed dimension, Yae Sakura—who had been searching for an excuse to refuse—suddenly froze, her cheeks flushing.
The traditionally-minded shrine maiden wasn't used to such straightforward affection.
Though she occasionally peeked at the outside world through C.C.'s perspective, the long solitude within the Stigmata Space had left her lonely.
Still, she hadn't yet gathered the courage to face Nagami directly.
If not for the constant company of her little companion, Higokumaru, she might have gone mad from isolation.
Finally, as if making up her mind, Sakura closed her eyes.
A faint crimson light began to trace across her back—ancient sigils glowing with eerie beauty as they rippled like living liquid.
Her form began to materialize—elegant curves, smooth white skin, and flowing cherry-colored hair cascading down her shoulders.
The traditional red-and-white shrine maiden robes left her slender arms bare, and atop her head twitched a pair of fluffy fox ears.
"Nagami…" she whispered softly.
When her form solidified completely, Sakura opened her eyes and met the warm gaze of the green-haired girl before her. Her expression turned dazed, almost uncertain.
Because Sakura's projection had appeared facing C.C., she didn't notice the other Yae standing behind her.
"It's been a while, Sakura," C.C. said, stepping forward.
Her long legs, clad in sheer black stockings, moved with graceful confidence.
She wrapped her arms around Sakura in a soft embrace, resting her chin on her shoulder.
The golden shimmer in her eyes sparkled with mischief as she looked over Sakura's shoulder—directly at the other fox, whose stunned expression was utterly priceless.
Sakura stiffened instantly at the sensation of warmth pressed against her chest and the gentle arms encircling her waist.
"Y-you…" she began, her voice trembling.
A surprised gasp came from behind her.
Sakura loosened her grip on C.C. and turned around in confusion—and froze.
Two identical faces stared at each other in shock.
The same flawless features, the same flowing pink hair, the same amethyst eyes reflecting each other's stunned expressions.
Both fox maidens blinked at the same time, furrowing their brows in disbelief as they leaned closer until they were almost nose-to-nose.
"You…"
"You…"
Before either could continue, a cheerful voice broke the silence.
"Woohoo! She's finally out! Boss—uh, wait, wrong title—Big Sis! Big Sis! I want fried tofu! Fried tofu! Fried tofu~!"
A tiny creature—barely two feet tall, counting her fox ears—had appeared beside C.C. at some point.
With four fluffy pink tails swaying behind her, the little fox spirit bounced excitedly, her tiny hands raised high in delight.
Her radiant grin made it perfectly clear just how much she adored that particular snack.
Wait a second—
Did that mean Yae Miko's parallel counterpart wasn't Sakura at all…
but Higokumaru?
They were both foxes—and both absolutely adored fried tofu.
And centuries ago, Yae Miko herself had been an irresistibly cute little fox.
Perched comfortably atop C.C.'s head, Higokumaru tugged lightly on her long green hair as her gaze froze upon the two identical faces before her.
Raising a tiny paw to her lips, the mini-fox tilted her head. "Two big sisters?"
"Boss—uh, wait! Why are there two big sisters!?" she squeaked, bonking C.C. lightly on the head as if to emphasize her confusion.
C.C. didn't mind the little creature's antics at all.
That was just Higokumaru being affectionate—her version of snuggling up to her master.
"Take a closer look," C.C. said cheerfully, ruffling the tiny fox's hair. "If you can't tell who's who, your big sis might get mad at you later!"
"Who exactly… are you people?" Yae Miko finally asked, folding her arms across her chest.
She tried to regain her usual poise, but the bizarre situation unfolding before her made that nearly impossible.
Her brow furrowed slightly; the normally mischievous shrine maiden now looked genuinely perplexed.
"We're just ordinary travelers passing through," C.C. replied with a radiant, disarming smile. "Please, Lady Guuji, help my little fox here find her balance again."
The words sounded pleasant enough, but Miko could easily hear the teasing undertone beneath them.
She was clearly being used as part of this girl's little comedy act—and yet, her curiosity was piqued.
This strange girl was far too composed, far too amused. It made her uneasy.
"C.C… what's going on?" Yae Sakura asked softly, her wide eyes blinking as she looked between Miko and herself. "Why does this lady look similar like me…?"
C.C. just shrugged with a playful smile. "Beats me. I've got nothing to do with it. Maybe it's just fate—or coincidence."
Parallel selves from different worlds weren't exactly unheard of—but even if they existed, it didn't necessarily mean there was some grand connection between them.
It was more like meeting a long-lost twin sister you never knew existed. You might share blood, but not the memories that make a bond.
"Well, well," Miko said, hiding a smirk behind her hand. "The world is full of surprises, isn't it? Perhaps this is destiny at work~."
Her violet eyes curved into crescents as she laughed softly, her voice dripping with charm.
"I'm Yae Miko, head priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine."
Her tone was elegant, polished, and utterly professional—a business smile perfectly in place as she gave Sakura a polite nod of introduction.
"Yae… Miko…" Sakura repeated under her breath, her eyes widening slightly. "Head priestess…"
As a shrine maiden herself, she knew exactly what that title meant—the leader and spiritual representative of a grand shrine, responsible for all rituals and clergy.
Her own tiny Yae Village didn't even have another miko besides her.
"I'm Yae Sakura," she replied with equal grace. "Just an ordinary shrine maiden from a small village."
"Yae…" Miko echoed quietly.
Same family name? Could that really be a coincidence?
And "ordinary shrine maiden"? Please.
Miko's eyes narrowed.
She could still remember the ominous, blood-colored energy that had surrounded Sakura when she first appeared—anything but "ordinary."
Her polite smile turned thin and sharp.
Ordinary, huh? Sure.
Sakura seemed to sense the skepticism in her doppelgänger's gaze.
She sighed softly and admitted, "If you really want to call it something special…"
Her voice shifted—her presence suddenly sharp as a blade, radiating sacred power tinged with danger.
But just as quickly, she smiled again, gentle and serene.
"…you could say I'm what's known as an Anti-Archon Shrine Maiden."
C.C.'s eyes glimmered with nostalgia. "Ah… the legendary mortal who once stood against the divine. I almost missed that side of you."
"Anti-Archon…?"
Miko's tone dropped to a low murmur, and for the first time, the ever-smiling fox looked genuinely serious.
In Teyvat—a world guided by Archons—those two words carried immense weight.
To defy the divine was unthinkable, almost blasphemous.
And Miko, as the Shogun's trusted attendant and familiar, understood that better than anyone.
"But that was long ago," Sakura continued softly. "Now, I don't think I even qualify as a miko anymore. I'm just…"
Her gaze drifted toward C.C. as she slowly reached out, intertwining her fingers with the green-haired girl's.
Her lashes trembled; a faint blush colored her pale cheeks as her violet eyes shimmered like rippling water.
"...someone who follows her heart."
Miko's pupils shrank slightly.
Wait. What was this atmosphere?
Of course she could recognize affection when she saw it.
She was a fox spirit, after all. And the way Sakura was looking at C.C.…
Let's just say it was very obvious.
But watching someone who looked exactly like her gazing at another beautiful woman with such tenderness—
It felt… bizarre.
Unsettling.
Like watching herself fall in love, and not knowing how to feel about it.