Inazuma, Chinju Forest.
"I'm sorry, we need more time to think about it."
Lumine felt awkward rejecting Gorou, but she had already met someone else and decided on her partner.
"Ah, I see. Then I'll go look for someone else."
Gorou didn't seem too disappointed. He had prepared for rejection when he made the request.
After a brief chat, they parted ways.
Lumine and Paimon walked in another direction, where they found Ayaka.
"Ayaka, are you participating in the Test of Courage too?" Lumine asked.
Ayaka slowly turned around, gently tapping her palm with her folding fan. "Yes," she replied. "My brother said the Test of Courage is 'very interesting' and recommended I try it."
"I've never participated in a Test of Courage before. I wonder what it'll be like," she added.
"I can't believe Ayaka is also a first-timer!" Paimon exclaimed.
"Actually, I'm not very good at dealing with the supernatural... I always worry that I'll behave improperly and bring shame to my family... Speaking of which, may I ask, are you two partners?" Ayaka confessed.
"The Miko Sister just told us we're counted as one participant," Paimon said. "So we're looking for a partner too!"
"That's wonderful..." Ayaka's voice carried a hint of anxiety, but mostly anticipation. "If you don't mind, would you like to team up with me? Being around you makes me feel surprisingly at ease... Ah, of course, if you'd rather team up with someone else, that's perfectly fine..."
-
Player World.
Chen Xiyao once again faced a difficult decision.
"Damn it! I shouldn't have listened to you guys. How could you make me reject everyone like that? Would the person who suggested this even do it themselves?"
Chen Xiyao's mouse hovered between the two options. Finally, she gritted her teeth and clicked the second answer.
"Damn it!"
-
Chinju Forest
"Ayaka, let me think about it some more," Lumine said, feeling even more embarrassed. She and Ayaka were very close friends, after all.
"Alright, no problem," Ayaka replied. "I'll be here waiting. Feel free to come find me anytime you need me."
After saying goodbye to Ayaka, Lumine headed to another location where she found Kazuha.
"I sensed a familiar scent on the wind," Kazuha said. "I knew you'd be here."
"Kazuha!"
"Long time no see, you two."
"I never thought Kazuha would come to the Test of Courage!" Paimon exclaimed.
"Ha ha, do I really seem like the kind of person who wouldn't fit in at a Test of Courage?" Kazuha chuckled.
Paimon waved her hands frantically. "No, no! It's just that we've never seen you scared before."
"Scared?" Kazuha mused. "Perhaps it's because I often sleep in the wilderness. I've heard countless tales of the strange and supernatural, and even experienced some firsthand. I suppose I've grown somewhat accustomed to them."
"Then why did you come to the Test of Courage, Kazuha? Wouldn't it be too easy for you?" Paimon asked.
"I heard the Yashiro Commission prepared some impressive rewards, including gourmet dishes meticulously crafted by Yuna," Kazuha explained. "Knowing you'd be here, I came specifically to see you both."
Paimon covered her tiny mouth with her hands. "You came here just to wait for us?"
"Indeed," Kazuha confirmed. "How has your recent journey been?"
"Uh... I wish I could say it went smoothly, but it hasn't been smooth at all... Never mind that. The Miko Sister said we need to find partners for the Test of Courage. Have you found one yet, Kazuha?" Paimon quickly changed the subject.
"Not yet," Kazuha replied. "What about you two? Would you like me to be your partner?"
-
[Are all Anemo guys this good at flirting?]
[Kazuha! He's been waiting for me all this time!]
[Say yes! Say yes!]
Chen Xiyao chose to reject him again. Though her heart ached, she had to temporarily put Kazuha through this for the sake of the livestream's entertainment value.
-
Chinju Forest.
Despite being rejected, Kazuha's tone remained gentle. "There's no rush. We'll have plenty of chances to chat later. We don't need to stick to this moment. After the Test of Courage ends, grabbing some late-night snacks together sounds nice too."
Lumine and Paimon left Kazuha and headed in another direction.
The grass grew particularly thick in many parts of Chinju Forest. Beneath one tree, Yuna lay on her back, fast asleep with something clutched in her arms.
Yuna was in a deep slumber, completely unaware of Lumine and Paimon's arrival.
Lumine was about to wake Yuna when Paimon swiftly clamped her hand over Lumine's mouth, raising a finger to her lips in a "shh~" gesture.
Lumine had no idea what Paimon was up to, but she trusted the little companion wouldn't harm Yuna. She was also curious to see what the little imp was planning.
Paimon flashed a goofy grin and pulled a feather from behind her back, fluttering over to Yuna's side.
Lumine facepalmed. This little rascal...
Paimon tickled Yuna's nose with the feather. Feeling the tickle in her sleep, Yuna reached up to scratch her nose and turned her head to the other side.
Chuckling, Paimon floated to the other side and continued teasing Yuna.
"Ah... A-achoo!"
The sneeze jolted Yuna awake. She sat up abruptly, accidentally bumping heads with Paimon. Both yelped, clutching their foreheads and howling in mock pain.
"Paimon, Lumine! What are you doing here?"
Paimon lowered her hand from her forehead, a red patch already forming. She pouted, her small lips pursed.
"We should be asking you that! How could you fall asleep here, Yuna? It's too dangerous!"
Yuna rubbed her head, dazed. "Uh... I think I remember bringing food to Ioroi's Little Tanuki, and then I got sleepy and drifted off."
Paimon: "Yuna, you've got some nerve! Falling asleep in a place like this?!"
Paimon and Yuna chatted back and forth, while Lumine beside them fell into a deep silence.
This scene reminded her of Mondstadt, where one of their dearest friends also had a habit of dozing off in dangerous places...
"Yuna, are you traveling alone? Where's your partner?" Lumine asked.
"Partner?" Yuna looked around, realizing she hadn't even had time to look for one yet. She'd just delivered a meal and fallen asleep.
"Lumine, are you and Paimon a team?" Yuna asked, recalling the Miko Sister's words.
Yuna's eyes lit up. "So you still need a partner! Can I join you guys?!"
Seemingly aware of her own cuteness, Yuna blinked her large, sparkling eyes at Lumine, staring with such earnest anticipation that it seemed she might burst into tears if Lumine refused.
Lumine's heartstrings were instantly tugged, and she nodded without hesitation.
-
Player World.
"Fuck it, I'm done with you guys! I want my Yuna!"
Chen Xiyao immediately clicked "Accept," feeling that even a second's delay would be a betrayal to Yuna.
So how could those commenters claiming to have rejected Yuna possibly resist her? Could they really bear to refuse such a precious Yuna?!
Could they all be lying to themselves?!