Mist rose softly from the heated pool.
Raiden Ei rested against Su Xuan's chest, her breathing unsteady, shoulders tensing every now and then as if trying—and failing—to suppress unfamiliar sensations.
Her fingers curled against his arm.
Her toes curled beneath the water.
After several long moments, she managed to speak:
"…Will you still be continuing that 'secret exploration' later?"
She genuinely did not understand.
If Su Xuan knew so much of this world already—
why was there anything left to explore about her?
"Oh?" Su Xuan finally paused and released her.
"You truly don't know?"
Ei blinked, confused.
"…Know what?"
Su Xuan exhaled slowly.
This woman… was powerful, elegant, revered—but sometimes unbelievably straightforward.
So he told her.
Calmly.
Directly.
What had happened earlier… and what it meant.
Ei froze.
Lightning could not have struck her harder.
After several long seconds, she finally whispered:
"…Ah. I… see. So that was… that."
It was pointless to be flustered.
Even if she had disagreed—
she had no power to resist him at the time.
That was simply the truth.
But then—Su Xuan spoke again.
"What surprises me is this—
you learned the mirror could restore life, yet you never once asked me to resurrect your sister… or your companions."
He slid an arm around her waist, drawing her closer.
Ei's face turned gently red.
"You said it yourself," she murmured.
"To overturn life and death is not something to use lightly."
"And…"
She looked down, voice small.
"You were right. No one should become unable to accept loss.
If there were no boundary… such power would destroy everything."
She took a slow breath.
"And if I had to choose who should receive such an impossible miracle…
I would rather leave that wish for the villagers of Tatarasuna."
"Because I believe… that is also what she would have wanted."
Su Xuan shook his head.
"That village cannot be restored."
Ei stiffened—
but Su Xuan continued, voice soft:
"But Raiden Makoto… and Kitsune Saiguu—
if the time is right, I will bring them back."
Ei's head snapped up—eyes wide—breath caught.
"…Then… what do you ask in return?"
"What must I do?"
But Su Xuan shook his head again.
"No price.
Their return has nothing to do with you.
It's something I want."
"You… want?"
Ei's confusion deepened.
Then suddenly—
a thought struck her.
"…Do you intend to claim Inazuma?"
If someone like Su Xuan descended upon Teyvat—
how could it only be to travel?
He could easily unify nations—reshape the world.
To rule, one required skilled hands.
Raiden Makoto.
Kitsune Saiguu.
Brilliant leaders.
Better than her.
The realization pierced with an unexpected ache.
"Inazuma has become as it is… under my guidance," she murmured bitterly.
But Su Xuan simply shook his head.
"I have no interest in ruling Inazuma."
"Managing nations is troublesome."
And then, with a crooked smile:
"Instead of taking the country, I'd rather just take you."
Ei: "...??"
He chuckled.
"To put it plainly—
by day, Inazuma is yours.
By night, you are mine.
Managing a nation is tedious.
Managing the person who manages it? Much easier."
Ei looked at him for a long moment.
"…So this is not conquest," she said slowly.
"It is simply… indulgence."
Now it was Su Xuan's turn to laugh.
"At least you understand."
Ei rolled her eyes subtly, exhaling in mixed embarrassment and resignation.
He would travel onward one day.
But she would remain.
Still—
to see Makoto again…
to see Saiguu again…
Yes.
She would bear whatever came.
Su Xuan leaned back, water rippling.
"If you agree, I'll begin teaching you before I leave.
If you refuse—that's fine.
I depart for Mondstadt in four days."
Ei lowered her gaze, thinking.
Then—
"…I have no objections.
But I cannot promise the others will accept it so easily."
"That's not your concern."
Su Xuan rose from the water.
"If you've agreed, then your first lesson begins with—"
He tapped her chin gently.
"Open your mouth."
Ei froze—face flushing, breath catching in her throat.
Steam curled around her like a veil.
Water shimmered at her feet.
Her lashes trembled.
Then—
Quietly—
She opened her mouth.
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