Qin Yu didn't want fragile relationships.
In her eyes, romance was just one such type—its affection fading with distance, its bonds shattering over money, and so on. Of course, she knew these were perfectly normal occurrences.
It was an inescapable gravity.
But what she longed for was a connection that transcended this gravity, a bond not fragile but unbreakable.
Shenhe had said she wanted the same thing.
A bond tighter than any other, stronger than any other, one that would never break, never be twisted by gravity, never become as brittle as glass.
But Keqing and Ningguang wanted a romantic relationship.
Shenhe's intention was to uplift Qin Yu's spirit, while Keqing and Ningguang dragged her spirit down.
Then they asked her to choose.
"Qin Yu, I want to ask you—do you truly like us?"
Then came the doubts.
At the mere thought, her still-healing wounds reopened, blood seeping out, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Qin Yu couldn't help but bury her face in her knees; no matter how many times she heard those words, they felt unbearable.
If only romantic love didn't exist.
Why did Keqing and Ningguang fall for me? Qin Yu wondered absently, but her thoughts, like rusty gears, soon ground to a halt.
Then they began spinning rapidly.
Probably because I kept getting closer to them for cuddles.
Spin, spin, spin... Qin Yu's thoughts whirled faster and faster.
If it weren't for me, they wouldn't have to face this. When they found out I was seeing them both, they must have had a hard time.
Without me, they could have met someone better. They wouldn't have to question the other whether they really liked them.
Spin, spin, spin...
Then collapse.
Qin Yu pulled out her Combat Pistol and stared at it.
She imagined being shot would be excruciating, but perhaps it wouldn't compare to Ningguang's relentless questioning. Qin Yu closed her eyes, took a shaky breath, hesitated for a moment, and finally retracted the Combat Pistol.
This wouldn't change anything.
No matter how many times Ningguang and Keqing asked, she would never choose between them.
But what should she do? She didn't know...
Qin Yu's spirits sank further, her consciousness fading into a haze. Just then, the door opened.
"Eh? Qin Yu?"
Someone had arrived.
It was Ganyu.
Will Ganyu doubt me too?
Only Shenhe would never question her. Everyone else carried a risk, and even a 1% chance couldn't be ignored.
Qin Yu lifted her head, her facial muscles instinctively arranging themselves into their familiar lines.
"Sister Ganyu, you're back."
No one will hurt me.
Ganyu smiled gently. "Yes, I had to travel briefly for some business. Have you been waiting long? I thought you were sleeping earlier."
But calling it sleep felt strange. The way Qin Yu was curled up reminded her of how she used to look after encountering Fiends as a child, and Ganyu couldn't help but worry.
"Ah ha ha, I was just feeling a little drowsy."
"Ah, I'm sorry for making you wait," Ganyu said thoughtfully. "But I thought you weren't scheduled to work here today..."
"Lady Ningguang sent me."
Ningguang? Right, according to the usual schedule, Qin Yu was supposed to be serving as Ningguang's secretary today.
Ganyu considered it for a moment, then decided not to press the matter further. After all, having Qin Yu work alongside her was a good thing—it meant they could spend more time together. As this thought crossed her mind, Ganyu felt both a rush of joy and a deep sense of embarrassment, quickly adding inwardly: Not that it means anything special!
"Sister Ganyu, is there anything I can help you with?"
Anything, just don't give me time to think.
Snapping out of her thoughts, Ganyu replied with a slight blush, "Ah... not yet. I've already finished all my tasks for the day. Unless there's overtime, I don't have anything for you to do."
"I see..."
This is terrible.
Ganyu gazed at Qin Yu, sensing something was off. To confirm her suspicion, she leaned closer.
Qin Yu instinctively tried to evade Ganyu's increasingly intense gaze, but in the next moment, Ganyu gently cupped her face with her hands, holding it still.
Ganyu's brows furrowed with concern as she asked, "Why is your eye so swollen?"
Feeling this genuine care, Qin Yu's composure began to waver.
"N-nothing," she stammered.
"...Could it be that you were crying earlier?" Ganyu asked softly.
"No."
Unconvinced, Ganyu reached out with slender fingers and gently brushed the corner of Qin Yu's eye.
It's a little wet. Just as I thought... Ganyu's heart tightened.
"What happened?" she asked gently, her voice, gaze, and the delicate touch of her fingertips all radiating warmth. Qin Yu pressed her lips into a firm line.
Seeing Qin Yu's silence, Ganyu grew even more certain of her suspicions.
"You can tell me," Ganyu urged gently.
"...Nothing happened."
Ganyu's tenderness was trying to seep into Qin Yu's chest, to touch her innermost heart. But how could she possibly confess such a thing? Sharing it might only earn Ganyu's disgust.
You would do something like that? I'm so disappointed, she might say.
So, protect me, my magic.
Qin Yu forced a smile. "It was just a nightmare, Sister Ganyu! Really, it's nothing to worry about. Or don't you trust me?"
"Qin Yu."
Ganyu's slightly stern tone made Qin Yu flinch.
"Don't lie to me about things like this, okay?"
Qin Yu couldn't help but lower her head, shrinking in on herself.
I never expected her to see through me so easily.
"You can tell me about any problems you're facing. I might not be able to solve them, but like you did for me before, I can listen, share your burden, and offer you a hug."
With those words, Ganyu gently embraced Qin Yu.
Evaluation: D
Qin Yu panicked momentarily, forcing a practiced smile as she hurriedly replied, "Really...?"
As the familiar, comforting scent and warmth enveloped her, Qin Yu's throat tightened. Her carefully constructed smile crumbled, fractured, and shattered into pieces.
"Don't be so kind to me..."
Because I don't deserve it.
Or does she have ulterior motives?
Does Ganyu want to date me? No. No. No. Don't ask me that question. Don't question me... Qin Yu's thoughts and emotions spiraled into chaos.
Hearing Qin Yu's murmured words, Ganyu tightened her embrace slightly.
"Being kind to you is only natural."
"Why?"
Faced with this question, Ganyu couldn't help but ask herself inwardly: Why?
Why does Qin Yu's embrace fill me with peace and joy? Why do I crave her hugs? Why do I want to hug her? Why do I want to be affectionate with her? Why do I want to stay by her side? Why does her pain become my own?
The answers to these questions ultimately converged into a single, unmistakable truth that surfaced in her mind.
But I can't say it.
Saying it now would only further confuse Qin Yu... Besides, it would be so hard to say out loud, Ganyu thought, her cheeks flushing crimson.
And would that even qualify as the kind of romance people usually talk about?
Ganyu couldn't quite explain it, but feeling each other's warmth felt incredibly comforting, as if their souls were touching.
It was through this connection that she vaguely sensed Qin Yu's trembling and wavering heart.
She wanted to calm it.
With that thought in mind, Ganyu said gently, "Because I'm your Sister Ganyu."
Evaluation: C-
Qin Yu felt a sense of peace settle over her.
"Sister..." Qin Yu hugged Ganyu back.
Evaluation: C+
Ganyu murmured softly, "Mmm. Don't worry. There's nothing here that will make you sad or cry. You don't need to be scared or afraid. It's just you and me."
As she spoke, she stroked Qin Yu's head and hair.
Under Ganyu's soothing touch and warmth, Qin Yu's chaotic heart gradually calmed.
A wave of embarrassment then washed over her.
Again, I'm being clingy... But it doesn't matter. Qin Yu closed her eyes, immersing herself in this feeling of peace.