"Apologies, I suddenly remembered I promised someone in Sumeru that I'd visit them these past few days."
"Huh? Sumeru?"
If she recalled correctly, that was the nation after Inazuma, so he was a character who appeared after Sumeru. No wonder she didn't recognize him…
With that thought, Ying quickly nodded.
"Oh, oh, then you should go quickly. Don't worry, I can protect myself (^～^)"
"Mhm."
Tore smiled, reached out, and lifted Ying's chin.
"We'll meet again soon. I hope, by then, you won't forget me."
Though it might be a bit abrupt, this was probably the quickest way to make her forget his earlier sudden remark…
"Ah… No… I won't…"
Ying quickly shook her head, pulled away from his grasp, and stammered.
"Mhm, goodbye."
Seeing Ying's expression, Tore didn't linger. He turned and quickly left the spot, leaving Ying standing there, stunned.
"Ugh… What's this guy's deal? Is he trying to flirt with me just because he's handsome?! Is his character supposed to be a scientist who likes pretty girls?"
"If that's really the case…"
"Wouldn't me introducing him to Lumine just add a competitor for myself?! Σ(|||▽|||)"
As it turned out, rather than being flirted with herself, Ying was more afraid of Lumine falling for someone else. After all, Ying didn't worry about falling for anyone other than Lumine…
However, if Lumine knew Ying's inner thoughts right now, she would definitely flick her forehead on the spot.
Jokes aside, not to mention that she would never fall for anyone other than Ying, just the fact that Ying dared to travel alone with another guy while she wasn't around was enough reason for her to be bedridden for a month.
Snapping back to reality, Ying conveniently opened her map to check her current location.
"Mhm… If I remember correctly, this should be near Tatarasuna… Why is it still so far from Ritou… (t^t)"
Wiping her teary, almost crying eyes, Ying once again embarked on her journey towards Ritou.
Along the way, with the thought that the country girl… cough, cough, that the Raiden Shogun might have already forgotten about her, Ying tried to use the teleportation system at regular intervals, but each time she was hurt in her young heart by the fact that she was still being remembered.
"Ooh… We only met once, why are you holding such a grudge (≧﹏≦)"
"Sigh… I wonder how Lumine and the others are doing…"
Shaking her head and casting aside those dejected thoughts, Ying once again channeled her elemental power and headed towards Kujou Encampment.
Time skipped ahead a day. The viewpoint shifted.
By now, Lumine and Paimon, along with Paimon’s demon form, had arrived in Inazuma. With Paimon’s guidance, Lumine smoothly activated the statue, obtained Electro, and then followed its path to resolve a few minor matters, finally arriving at the entrance of the Kanjou Commission.
Paimon’s demon form had transformed into its secondary state and was arrogantly standing at their entrance, shouting,
"Hey! Old man! Come out quickly and welcome this lady~"
Watching this, Paimon couldn't help but wipe the cold sweat from her forehead. "Uh… Paimon, are you sure you won't get us kicked out doing this…"
"Of course… I'm not sure~"
"If you're not sure, why are you doing this?!"
"Heehee~"
Paimon chuckled and patted Paimon's head.
"Relax, I didn't expect him to help us anyway. I just came here to find trouble with him (^～^)"
"Hey…"
The dialogue between the two enraged the samurai soldier who had been standing there speechless for a long time. He clenched his teeth and said,
"You brats! How dare you stand in front of the Kanjou Commission office and mock Lord Kanjou Commissioner right to my face! Do you not take me seriously at all?!"
Hearing his voice, Paimon’s demon form finally came to its senses and clapped its small hands.
"Huh? When did someone else appear here?"
Paimon: …
"So you didn't even notice him just now!"
Lumine, standing beside them, helplessly touched her forehead, starting to regret agreeing to let Paimon’s demon form lead the two of them here.
Just as the samurai soldier was about to forcefully drive them away, the person Paimon’s demon form called an old man arrived at the entrance and quickly spoke to stop him.
"Hey, wait, just a moment…"
"Hmm? Commissioner!" The samurai soldier bowed respectfully upon seeing the person who had called out to him.
"Mhm, these three are distinguished guests who have traveled a long distance. Let's not resort to the usual tactics. Come, if you have something to say, please come inside."
Hearing the old man's words, Paimon’s demon form nodded in satisfaction.
"Now that's more like it~"
Hmph, you want to offer a sweet before a slap, right? Let's see how I deal with you later…
With that thought, Paimon’s demon form led Lumine and the others into the mansion.
As for why Paimon’s demon form was leading the way… let's shift the viewpoint to Lumine's inner thoughts…
Sigh… Where on earth is Ying… She disappeared after replying to a message a few days ago… And what was she even writing! "A kind passerby"? How can a girl hide in a cave with a stranger (other than me) alone!
And she didn't even say if the person was male or female… Could she have been captured by that guy…
Even though Ying said that person was good, she's so naive! With her nature, she'd easily fall for a trap. Who knows if she's been tricked… (≧﹏≦)
After all, Ying is so cute. What if that person she called "good" was only being nice to her to gain her trust… What if that guy wanted to stay by Ying's side to continue gaining her favor… What if that detestable guy is also good-looking… Then wouldn't my Ying be eloped with by that scoundrel?!
No… it can't be… Don't scare yourself. Ying won't fall for anyone else…
*Hoo…* That detestable scoundrel, he better not have any thoughts of traveling with Ying. If I find that guy with Ying when we meet… Hmph!!
With that thought, Lumine subconsciously clenched her fist, already picturing how she would deal with that overconfident fellow.
Tore, completely unaware, found his favorability with Lumine plummeting to the lowest point without him even realizing it…
Returning to the plot, since Lumine was currently offline, Paimon’s demon form volunteered to take over the conversation with the old man in front of them. After being praised a few times, they finally reached the moment when the old man revealed his purpose.
"Ahem~ We have long heard of your kindness. I wonder if you would condescend to help us, the Kanjou Commission, with a small matter?"