"Compensation…"
Ayaka Kamisato's voice trailed off as she opened and closed her folding fan.
Her gaze lowered, the strands of hair at her forehead casting a soft shadow over her eyes.
Since she was asking for someone's help, it was only natural for the other party to expect something in return.
Although Inazuma's government appeared to be divided among three commissions, everyone knew the real authority still rested in the hands of the Raiden Shogun.
If Nagami wanted to use the Yashiro Commission to intervene in Inazuma's affairs, it would be nearly impossible.
To avoid implicating innocent people within the Commission, Ayaka had been secretly opposing the Vision Hunt Decree.
After all, standing against a Archon was no small matter.
If her actions were exposed, the Kamisato family and the entire Commission could face devastating consequences.
Once that happened, even her status wouldn't protect her anymore.
Most of the Yashiro Commission had no idea what Ayaka was doing, and naturally, she couldn't use many of its resources to support her resistance.
Whatever Nagami's "compensation" might be—money, favors, or something else—Ayaka knew she had very little to offer.
"N-No problem. What kind of compensation do you wish for?"
Nervously, she twirled a lock of her soft hair and bit her lip, her voice growing quieter and quieter.
If it came down to it, she'd even consider offering the dowry her elders had prepared for her marriage!
There was simply no other choice.
Ayaka had already resolved herself to defy a Archon—if Nagami could truly save the people of Inazuma from their suffering, then this tiny sacrifice would be… acceptable.
"I'll do everything I can to meet your request!"
The innocent smile on Lumine's face instantly vanished, replaced by an amused glint in her golden eyes as she looked Ayaka up and down.
She admired the girl's flawless, porcelain face; her pale, smooth skin; her slender legs wrapped in white silk like carved ivory; and the way her armor subtly outlined the soft curves of her chest.
Feeling that bold, appraising stare, Ayaka instinctively lifted her fan to cover her face. Her delicate feet, bare beneath the kimono's hem, shrank back in alarm.
Her eyes flashed with embarrassment and a hint of anger—until she realized something shocking.
The one giving her that shameless, almost pervy look… wasn't Nagami.
It was Lumine.
"Wha…" Ayaka froze, completely thrown off.
"I remember seeing a festival poster on the way here," Lumine said casually, resting her chin in her hand.
Her golden eyes sparkled mischievously. "It's happening in two days, right?"
Lumine was about to show Nagami how to properly flirt with a girl.
In his heart, Nagami gave her a big thumbs-up.
"Yes! A festival! I saw that poster too—I've wanted to go since I first noticed it!"
That enthusiastic outburst didn't come from Ayaka or Thoma, but from the ever-excitable Paimon.
"A festival? Oh… yes, there is one coming up."
Ayaka glanced toward Thoma, who nodded in confirmation before she turned back to Lumine.
Though she was skilled at polite conversation, Ayaka couldn't help but feel puzzled by Lumine's sudden shift in topic.
"Have you ever been to one, Ayaka?"
Lumine scooted a little closer, her voice soft and her expression harmlessly sweet.
The warmth in her tone and the change from "Miss Kamisato" to "Ayaka" bridged the distance between them without Ayaka even noticing.
Of course, this kind of move only worked when done by a cute girl like Lumine—if Nagami tried it, it would've been considered flirtatious harassment.
Ayaka blinked, caught off guard by the closeness.
The sunlight glimmered on Lumine's pale-gold hair, giving it a soft, radiant sheen that wasn't blinding but comforting.
Her white dress, trimmed with blue, accentuated her pure, ethereal beauty.
The gentle expression on her delicate face gave her an almost fairy-tale-like aura—like a princess who'd stepped out of a storybook.
"No… I've never been to one before," Ayaka admitted softly.
Behind her fan, a faint blush bloomed on her cheeks, elegant yet irresistibly charming.
Nagami quietly sucked in a breath.
Since his mind was linked with Lumine's, he knew her demure behavior was all an act—but Ayaka had clearly fallen right into the trap. And hard.
Terrifying. Absolutely terrifying.
Nagami didn't doubt for a second that if Lumine seriously wanted to win over any girl in Teyvat, not one of them could resist her charm.
Every single one would end up in her—well, not teapot anymore—her ring.
As for Nagami "learning" from this performance… yeah, that was going to be a challenge.
Putting everything else aside for the moment—just the way Lumine could effortlessly shift her aura, display it so naturally and perfectly, and then rein it back in with such grace…
You don't master that kind of acting without at least five centuries of practice!
Ayaka Kamisato's cheeks were faintly flushed.
The warmth that radiated from Lumine made her heart skip a beat, though she quickly lowered her head to hide it.
When the talk of the festival resurfaced, however, a hint of disappointment clouded her eyes.
Inazuma's local festivals were always lively—crowds of people, the glow of countless lanterns lighting up the night sky.
But for Ayaka, those scenes were something she could only admire from afar.
While others laughed and danced, she could only watch—half with envy, half with concern for public order.
No one ever forbade her from attending, of course.
Yet when someone from the Yashiro Commission appeared among common citizens, people's gazes would inevitably turn curious or cautious.
And as the Kamisato heiress, her presence often brought restraint rather than joy.
Even now, though the Commission's relationship with the people had softened, her identity still made it difficult to truly join in the fun.
'So why did Lumine bring up the festival?'
Could their "reward" possibly have something to do with it?
As the thought struck her, Ayaka lifted her head to glance at Lumine—only to meet those clear, golden eyes shining like glass.
She panicked and quickly looked away.
"In that case," Lumine said with a bright smile, leaning forward slightly and waving her finger playfully, "our reward is simple—Ayaka, you'll come to the festival with us in two days! We'll even prepare an outfit for you!"
A free date with a beautiful girl—Lumine was thrilled.
After all, Yae Miko had already offered Raiden Shogun's Gnosis in exchange for Nagami's help in "persuading" (physically) Ei in the Plane of Euthymia.
Once that was done, the Vision Hunt Decree would almost certainly be abolished.
Even if Ayaka hadn't come to them for help, Nagami would've handled it anyway.
"Eh? That's all you want?" Ayaka blinked, her expression filled with surprise.
Attending a festival might disturb a few people, but if something so small was all it took to earn Nagami and Lumine's assistance.
That was practically a blessing! It didn't even count as a price to pay!
"That's right. That's all~" Lumine said cheerfully.
Still, Ayaka couldn't help wondering—why would Lumine choose that as her "payment"?
Piecing everything together.
The way Nagami seemed to know her circumstances and his suspiciously detailed understanding of the Yashiro Commission—an idea flashed through her mind.'
Could it be… Nagami already knew about my small wish to attend a festival, but also knew I've never gone because I didn't want to trouble anyone'
'Or because I never had the time?'
'So, he asked Lumine to bring it up like this… just to quietly fulfill that wish for me?'
And the reason Lumine was the one to mention it, rather than Nagami himself, made sense too.
From Lumine's earlier behavior, Ayaka could tell this was her first time meeting her.
She likely didn't know much about Inazuma—or about the "White Princess"—except what Nagami had told her.
Which meant it all came from the mysterious black-haired boy.
Ayaka wasn't so conceited as to think Nagami was attracted to her beauty—but if he didn't want power or wealth, then what did he want?
Her looks? That didn't fit either. If that were the case, he'd have asked her directly to the festival.
That would've been the easiest way to win her favor.
But instead, he let Lumine be the one to propose it. There was only one explanation left.
"No problem! I'll be there on time," Ayaka said, her voice soft but filled with resolve.
'Nagami… you really are a kind and gentle person.'
Like a quiet spring rain, he helped her in subtle, unspoken ways—asking for nothing in return.
She was certain that even if she hadn't sought him out, Nagami would've still fought to save Inazuma from the Vision Hunt Decree.
As the pieces fell into place in her mind, Ayaka's heart fluttered.
Her hand rose to her chest as if to steady it, but the faint tremor in her fingers betrayed her racing heartbeat.
Her sapphire-blue eyes glimmered with warmth, her expression soft as water.
When she stole a glance at Nagami—and found his eyes on her—she quickly looked away, her porcelain cheeks tinged pink.
Nagami, on the other hand, was completely stunned.
Watching her shy and adorable reaction, he opened his mouth slightly but couldn't find a single word to say.
He had just witnessed, from start to finish, the full force of Lumine's "operation." And it had blown his mind.
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[Lumine]: See that? Girls can't resist this kind of gentle, romantic charm—especially ones as young and pure as her.
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While chatting with Ayaka, Lumine continued coaching Nagami mentally on how to quickly gain favor with this type of refined beauty.
It was the ultimate playbook of a master-level flirt.
What kind of "Lumine Technique" is this?! (cue dramatic lean back)
No matter how he looked at it, this was something he could never pull off.
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[Nagami]: Forget it. I give up. If I have time to learn that, I'd rather act normally..
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