Nagami studied the purple katana in his hand — its blade etched with a crackling thunder sigil — and brought it to his nose with mild curiosity.
A faint, pleasant scent drifted from it, catching him off guard.
He blinked.
'Wait… is this the scent from her cleavage scabbard?'
"You…!!"
That teasing act instantly sent Ei's blood pressure skyrocketing.
The lightning around her body surged once more, her fury reignited.
But just as she was about to swing her blade again, she froze — her sharp gaze locking on a shadowy rift in space opening beside Nagami.
From within, a golden-haired girl and her floating "emergency food" companion hopped out.
Here, in the Plane of Euthymia, Raiden Ei's inner domain — no one should be able to enter without her will. Not even another god.
Yet there Lumine stood, as casual as ever.
Even stranger — the two didn't exchange a single glance or word.
To Ei, it looked nothing like a betrayal or trick between them.
But in truth, Nagami and Lumine had already exchanged more mental messages than she could count.
"You two really are… extraordinary anomalies." Ei's voice was tense, her face solemn.
"Anomalies, anomalies… first your puppet calls us that, now you too?" Nagami said cheerfully.
"Come on, Ei-san — stop obsessing over your 'Eternity' thing all the time. Why not just sit down, read some light novels, have some tea and desserts? We even brought some of your old friends to visit you!"
At his words, Lumine activated the ring-space interface — forcibly ejecting three guests onto the field.
Then—
"Trap Card, activate! Final Ten Pulls! When this card is activated, I can—uh?"
Wearing a holographic duel disk gifted by Nagami, Venti had been dramatically shouting his lines mid-match — only to be cut off as the scene around him abruptly shifted.
His opponent, Zhongli, still held his own duel disk calmly, standing behind his floating Liyue monster cards.
And lounging comfortably on a sofa nearby were Yae Miko and C.C., quietly reading light novels, a pot of steaming tea and several plates of pastries laid out before them.
The lifted blade in Ei's hand froze mid-air.
Her entire body stiffened, her brain lagging to process the bizarre sight.
Old friends.
She instantly recognized them.
But seeing Yae Miko this relaxed — and the sweets on that table looking so good — stirred something oddly… bitter in her chest.
Then her eyes landed on the green-clad bard who'd just been spouting nonsense.
Familiar energy. Same face. Barbatos.
And the composed man beside him?
That grounded aura, ancient and steady — Morax.
Silence fell like a blanket.
The tension that once filled the Plane of Euthymia evaporated instantly, replaced by awkward stillness.
Ei didn't even know where to look.
Her gaze flickered instinctively to her old friend — or rather, to the plate of delicious-looking cake beside her.
Before she was the Raiden Shogun, Ei had simply been a swordswoman — following her sister's commands.
Seeing Miko and C.C. lounging like that tugged at memories long buried: sunny days under the cherry blossoms, laughing over card games with her friends.
Back then, she'd been the quiet one — never the winner.
She never once got to taste the prize sweets that Kitsune Saiguu would prepare for the victor.
So she trained. She practiced poetry and karuta with the same discipline she gave to swordsmanship. Losing meant she had to win next time.
And she definitely did not practice just to get the sweets. Absolutely not.
The sound of her swallowing echoed loudly through the eerily silent space — and with everyone here possessing godlike senses, they all heard it.
Dozens of eyes turned toward her. Each gaze filled with its own shade of amusement or understanding.
Yae Miko's expression shifted from surprise to pure delight, her foxy smile widening.
This… this was the textbook definition of social death.
"My, my, long time no see Ei" C.C. said with a teasing smile, holding out a small plate. "Would you like to try some? I promise, my desserts are divine"
"..."
Her mind blanked.
The situation — the embarrassment — it was too much.
Ei froze completely, her thoughts tangled beyond recovery.
C.C.'s grin grew sharper. Without warning, she flicked the plate toward Ei.
The pastry flew fast — but thanks to a thin layer of protective energy, it remained perfectly intact midair.
Instinctively, Ei raised her naginata to block it — but at the last second, her conscience screamed: Wait, it's just dessert!
After all, these people likely weren't enemies. And that cake… looked so good. It would be a crime to destroy it.
So instead of slashing, she caught it. Cleanly.
The scent of sugar and cream wafted up from her hands.
"Hahaha Hahahahaha!"
Laughter burst out instantly.
Yae Miko rolled off her sofa, clutching her stomach, while Venti and Zhongli exchanged looks — both with oddly approving expressions.
Venti nodded sagely. "Honestly, if it were me and someone threw wine, I wouldn't have let it spill either."
Ei's flawless face stiffened. Her eyes dimmed as the world seemed to tremble.
'Just end me already.'
Lightning crackled overhead. Her raised blade screamed murder.
"Alright, alright, Ei — no need to throw a tantrum like a kid," Yae Miko said, trying — and failing — to stifle another laugh.
She delicately forked a piece of cake from her own plate and took a bite. "By the way, it is delicious~"
"Long time no see, Baalzebul."
Venti and Zhongli both stopped their duel, greeting her in unison.