Paimon claps her hands in welcome. "So you're from the Arataki Gang, huh?"
"The big shots making waves in Hanamizaka definitely have to join my Arataki Gang!"
"Normally, Shinobu handles all the gang's affairs, so you can rely on her to have your back too."
Although one hundred and twenty percent of the Arataki Gang's matters are resolved by Kuki Shinobu,
Itto still puffs out his chest with immense pride.
Kuki Shinobu chimes in, "The boss's friends are my friends. Nice to meet you both."
"Pretty cool, huh? Then I'll call you Shinobu!"
Lumine smiles slightly. "Nice to meet you, Shinobu."
She observes Kuki Shinobu, who seems to be sizing her up as well.
Kuki Shinobu says, "I look forward to working with you. I have a feeling we might need your help soon."
At this moment, Paimon, with her keen awareness of the complexities of society, spots a blind spot.
Kuki Shinobu is the most capable person in the Arataki Gang, and she's the one handling everything.
So why is Itto the boss of the Arataki Gang?
Shouldn't it be Kuki Shinobu?
Arataki Itto clearly doesn't understand what she's getting at.
In the mind of this hot-blooded young man, such questions don't exist.
"Paimon, what kind of nonsense are you spouting? I'm the boss, obviously."
"From the heavens above to the earth below, in Hanamizaka's Arataki Gang, there's only ever been one boss—me!"
Paimon puts her hands on her hips. "I get it. A useless boss and a capable subordinate—the classic combo."
After their playful banter, the conversation returns to the main topic.
Itto brings up Yanfei.
"Have you seen a pink-haired… uh, law… law-something mage?"
Itto scratches his head, trying to recall.
"Anyway, she's someone who knows a lot, not very tall, and wears a weird hat."
[Pink-haired Herrscher?! Is that you?]
[She's got a bit of your vibe, and I'm already freaking out.]
[Oh man, professional mage Liu Haizhu!]
Paimon almost blurts out the word "Yanfei."
But Lumine's glare stops her.
Shinobu proves to be more reliable than Itto in this moment.
"She's a legal consultant from Liyue named Yanfei. I'm guessing you two might know her."
Paimon turns her head to the side. "N-nope! Never seen her! Don't know her at all!"
However, Shinobu has already caught every detail of their earlier reactions.
It's obvious they're lying.
Itto sees a glimmer of hope and presses, "You've seen her? Where?!"
Paimon continues her futile struggle. "I didn't say anything! I didn't say a word! Stop making stuff up!"
There's no point in keeping up a lie that even Itto can see through.
Lumine asks what's going on.
"Don't worry, we don't mean her any harm."
Itto realizes Lumine has misunderstood and quickly explains.
As it turns out, Yanfei is his lifesaver.
Paimon's temporary boost of intelligence wears off, and she returns to her usual self.
"Lifesaver? Wait… hold on, why are you two even in the Chasm?"
[That's one long reaction time.]
[That's Paimon for you—convinced yet?]
[Isn't this something you should've noticed last episode?]
Lumine is exasperated. "Sorry, Paimon's a bit slow…"
Itto explains the situation.
After Inazuma's Sakoku Decree was lifted,
Kuki Shinobu planned to come to Liyue to pick up her diploma.
Arataki Itto, worried about her traveling alone, tagged along.
Kuki Shinobu had studied law at Liyue's Academy.
Unfortunately, she had to return home to visit family just before graduation, right when the Sakoku Decree was enacted.
So, her diploma was delayed by several years.
When the two arrived in Liyue Harbor to handle their business, Itto got into a conflict with a Millelith soldier while waiting in line and nearly got arrested…
[That's our Jailhouse Itto for you.]
[Kuki Shinobu's luck feels like she's been possessed by Bennett.]
[Laugh breakdown: Itto only came along to look after Shinobu.]
[Talk about flipping the script!]
Arataki Itto seems to be genuinely reflecting.
"If it weren't for my lifesaver stepping in, I'd probably be rotting in a Liyue cell. So, I want to do something to repay her."
Although Yanfei explicitly said there's nothing she needs help with,
Itto believes that no one travels without running into trouble.
So, he decided to follow Yanfei, ready to jump in and lend a hand the moment she needs it.
"Granny said a real man repays his debts, whether it means climbing a mountain of blades or diving into a sea of flames. Whatever this legal consultant needs, I, Arataki Itto, am all in!"
Lumine raises an eyebrow. "That's all well and good, but what if Yanfei never needs your help? Are you just not going back to Inazuma?"
"This…" Itto is stumped by her question.
After a moment, he convinces himself again.
"This… this… hahaha, no way, absolutely impossible!"
[Cao Cao vibes, huh?]
[Lumine: Yanfei took this path.]
At this moment, Lumine catches a subtle hint in Kuki Shinobu's glance.
"Fine, I'll help you out this once." She points toward the exit.
"She went that way."
Arataki Itto is immensely grateful.
"Oh, thanks! I'm off to find her! Come on, Shinobu, let's go!"
Itto shouts as he walks off, "Lifesaver, wait for your big bro to come to your aid!"
Kuki Shinobu quietly thanks Lumine.
Paimon only now realizes why Lumine pointed in the wrong direction.
"This Shinobu's got some sharp instincts. She thinks Itto's too clingy and doesn't want him causing trouble for Yanfei, huh?"
Lumine nods. "Let's go find Yanfei and tell her about this."
She remembers that Yanfei headed toward the Celestial Nail earlier.
Perhaps their destinations align.
Moreover, Yanfei didn't say a word about what she was doing.
The depths of this Chasm sure hold a lot of secrets.
They arrive at the spot where the Celestial Nail fell.
Sure enough, Yanfei is there.
Lumine tells her that Itto has been sent away.
Yanfei breathes a sigh of relief.
"Phew, thank goodness for you guys. That flashy guy is way too enthusiastic."
"Under normal circumstances, we could probably be friends, but I've got serious business to handle today."
Paimon looks around.
"Ugh… what kind of serious business needs to be done in a creepy place like this? Don't tell me you're switching careers to become an adventurer?"
Yanfei patiently explains to Paimon.
Legal consultants sometimes have to make long trips like this.
This time, she came to the Chasm because of a [will].
This will was found in an ancient book, likely left by some great figure from the past.
Additionally, a lost treasure is missing, and she wants to recover it.
Executing a will is part of a legal consultant's job.
Of course, cases like this are rare, and the Chasm isn't a place you can just waltz into.
No sooner has she finished speaking than Mu Yang leaps down from atop the Celestial Nail…
["Not a place you can just waltz into," huh?]
[Travelers from Inazuma are just barging in, yo!]
[Mu Yang was waiting for that line, wasn't he?]
[Woo-hoo, Mu Yang's got more screentime!]
[Is he here to investigate the Celestial Nail too?]
— — — — — —
(Itto, Xiao, and Zhongli's iconic scenes are coming, but Mu Yang is here solely for the House of Reflected Fear.)