While drinking, Xavier could tell that everyone had different personalities.
A simpleton like Itto would drink one cup after another, grimacing after each gulp, or sometimes shouting in satisfaction.
As for someone as calculating and thoughtful as Ayato, he would sip slowly, showing almost no change in expression.
His gaze constantly roamed the table, seemingly observing everyone's mood.
Ayaka, being a young lady from a prominent family, naturally maintained her elegance, but it was clear that after drinking, Ayaka would also smile contentedly.
Noticing this, Xavier asked, "So Ayaka also really likes this rice wine?"
"Yes, I always ask Thoma to prepare some for me. After drinking it, I sleep much more soundly," Ayaka seemed a little embarrassed.
Although Yoimiya was a very graceful person, her beer drinking didn't make her seem rough at all; instead, it had a unique, passionate feeling of a Damselette.
"Wow ~ Mr. Thoma's homemade rice wine is so delicious, completely different from what I make myself."
Thoma smiled and said, "Is that so? If Yoimiya likes it, I can give you some more in the future."
"Why don't you teach me how to brew it? That way, I can make my own rice wine in the future!"
"Of course, no problem."
The two chatted happily, even discussing the brewing process.
Wan Ye drank with an elegant and melancholic air, as if he were about to compose a poem after finishing his drink.
However, Wan Ye obviously didn't actually compose a poem; he just remained quiet and calm.
Even when picking up food, his movements were very light, making him easy to overlook.
As for Kujou Sara, she would frown with every sip of wine.
Ayaka noticed this detail and asked, "What's wrong, General Kujou? Is it not to your taste?"
Kujou Sara paused, then said, "It's not that it's not to my taste, but I never drink normally. Although this rice wine has a sweet taste, I'm still not quite used to it…"
Who would have thought that Kujou Sara, who fights on the battlefield, couldn't drink alcohol?
"Hahahahaha, this is hilarious, I can't believe Kujou Sara, you can't drink! Not being able to drink is a great regret in life!!!"
Itto seemed to have found an opportunity to mock her and laughed loudly.
Kujou Sara clenched her fists tightly. If there weren't so many people around, she might have really lost her temper and attacked.
"Cough, cough, alright, Itto, drink your wine and eat your food!"
Xavier was afraid Kujou Sara would get too upset, so he first scolded Itto.
As for Sayu, the last one, she surprisingly fell asleep while eating, having even less presence than Wan Ye.
After eating and drinking to his fill, Xavier felt a little dizzy.
Although this rice wine wasn't too strong, it gave people a pleasant, slightly tipsy feeling, just right.
"Xavier, you said you came here to take photos and videos. Do you have any specific locations in mind?"
As she saw Xavier off, Ayaka asked.
Xavier nodded and said, "Of course, I've already noted down these locations, such as Narukami Shrine, Tenryou Commission, and Sangonomiya Shrine…"
Xavier rattled off several place names, all of which were prominent scenic spots in the game.
"You're going to so many places? I, the Great, want to go too!" Itto became even more boisterous after drinking.
Xavier asked Ayaka, "Ayaka, are you coming too?"
"I'm afraid not today, I still have some matters to attend to."
After bidding farewell to Kamisato, halfway through their journey, Sayu couldn't hold on any longer.
"So sleepy, you guys go wherever you want, I want to sleep~"
Sayu yawned and refused to continue walking.
"You little tanuki are so lazy! Be careful, I'll tell Kano Nana!"
Itto seemed to enjoy teasing Sayu and tried to scare her.
Hearing the name of that shrine maiden, Sayu immediately woke up: "Darn it, I can come along, but you have to carry me!"
"Who's going to carry you? Really…"
As soon as Itto finished speaking, Xavier waved his hand, and Sayu flew onto Itto's neck.
"No, why do I have to carry her?!"
"Because you keep teasing people for no reason."
Xavier's reason was very reasonable.
Just like that, Sayu lay on Itto's head, able to sleep even on the bumpy road.
"Where should we go first…?"
"Never mind, let's go to Narukami Shrine. Maybe we'll even meet the Shrine Maiden."
Xavier thought for a moment and decided that Narukami Shrine would be the most suitable first stop, and he could also see that mischievous fox.
Meanwhile, Sayu, who was already asleep, was completely unaware that she was about to be caught.
Seeing that there was still plenty of time, Xavier decided not to use his flying ability and instead walked with everyone.
Soon, they arrived at the foot of Narukami Shrine's mountain.
It was then that Xavier realized this mountain path was not that easy to walk; besides being somewhat steep, the path was also quite long.
"I, I say Xavier, do we really have to go to Narukami Shrine…?"
Itto was not only climbing the mountain but also carrying Sayu, and he was already panting from exhaustion.
"Of course, such a beautiful place must be photographed, otherwise, it would be a wasted trip."
Xavier wasn't lying; these were his true feelings.
And all the effort was not in vain. When Xavier reached the summit, he found that there was indeed a unique beauty here.
The cherry blossoms, blooming in all seasons, continuously fluttered, enchanting everyone.
The Sacred Sakura tree enveloped the entire shrine, making Narukami Shrine even more sacred.
"So beautiful!" Xavier couldn't help but exclaim.
Just then, a familiar voice came from inside.
"Oh my, let me see who has come today~"
Accompanied by the graceful stride of long legs, a figure in a pink and white miko outfit appeared before everyone.
With long pink hair draped over her back, the Shrine Maiden was graceful and captivating, her eyes carrying a hint of "mischief."
"Lady Shrine Maiden," Kujou Sara bowed.
The Shrine Maiden nodded, then came to Xavier's side.
"Hmm~ You have a familiar scent on you, Ei's aura. It seems you are Xavier."
As Ei's close friend, how could he not know of Xavier's existence?
Xavier rubbed his nose and said, "That's right, it's me."
"Why, as soon as you arrive in Inazuma, you're eager to see me? Could it be that my good friend isn't as charming, and you prefer me?"
The Shrine Maiden gently waved her hand, revealing her classic mischievous smile.
A bad woman, indeed a bad woman.
"You can't really say that. You and Ei are actually not in the same league; both of you are very charming."
Even though Xavier felt he had met many people, the Shrine Maiden's two sentences still left him unsure of how to respond.
After thinking for a long time, he finally gave a relatively satisfactory answer.
"I like that answer very much."
"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. Do you have any important business to attend to now that you've come to Narukami Shrine?"
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