In the VIP room of the Kanjou Commission, Keqing paced back and forth, her excitement palpable. She had missed Akio for so long.
"Keqing, why are you so worked up? You'll see him soon enough. There's no need to be this excited, is there?" Ningguang said, looking at Keqing with a hint of exasperation. She sat elegantly in her chair, her demeanor calm and composed.
Ganyu nodded in agreement, not quite understanding why Keqing was so thrilled. It was just a trip to Inazuma, but Keqing had been buzzing with excitement the entire journey.
"Didn't you hear?" Keqing shot a glance at Ningguang. "That samurai from the Kanjou Commission just said that Akio is here today. He's definitely coming to see us!"
"And you, Ningguang, stop pretending. You've been wanting to see Akio just as much as I have, haven't you?" Keqing said, raising an eyebrow at Ningguang.
"…" Ningguang remained silent. It was true—she did want to see Akio.
"Huh? What are you two talking about?" Ganyu looked at Ningguang and Keqing with innocent curiosity, clearly unaware of why they were so excited at the mention of Akio.
"Ganyu, actually, Keqing is Lord Akio's girlfriend," Ningguang said with a smile.
"Hmm… Wait, what?" Ganyu's eyes widened as she looked at Keqing. How had she not known this?
"Ningguang, you!" Keqing glared at Ningguang but then sighed and admitted, "Yes, I am Akio's girlfriend. But Ganyu, Ningguang also has feelings for him."
Ganyu looked back and forth between Keqing and Ningguang, unsure of what to say. No wonder the two of them had been so eager to come to Inazuma. So that was the reason.
"Ningguang, don't forget, you still need my help. Don't say too much," Keqing said, giving Ningguang a warning look.
"Alright~ You're the older sister, so I'll listen to you, A-Qing," Ningguang said with a faint smile.
"Don't call me A-Qing! Only Akio can call me that," Keqing snapped, glaring at Ningguang. This woman always had a way of getting under her skin.
Just then, the door to the VIP room opened, and Ningguang, Keqing, and Ganyu saw Akio enter, accompanied by a beautiful girl with ice-blue hair.
"Lord Akio!" The three of them quickly stood up. As representatives of Liyue, they couldn't be too casual in such a formal setting.
"Hello," Akio greeted them with a smile, his eyes lingering on Keqing, who was looking at him with longing.
"Greetings, esteemed guests from Liyue," Hiiragi Chisato stepped forward gracefully. "I am Hiiragi Chisato, the Commissioner of the Kanjou Commission in Inazuma. If you need anything during your stay in Inazuma, please feel free to contact me."
"Hello, I'm Keqing, the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing," Keqing introduced herself.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Keqing," Hiiragi Chisato said, shaking Keqing's hand. She was a decisive and capable young woman!
She was also very beautiful, and her position as the Yuheng spoke volumes about her abilities. No wonder the Master was fond of her.
"Hello, I'm Ningguang," Ningguang stepped forward. "The Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing. It's an honor to meet you, Miss Hiiragi."
"Miss Ningguang, it's a pleasure," Hiiragi Chisato said. Of course, she had heard of the Tianquan, Ningguang—the wealthiest person in Teyvat. Who in Teyvat didn't know her?
"Hello, I'm Ganyu," Ganyu said softly.
"Miss Ganyu, it's nice to meet you," Hiiragi Chisato shook her hand as well.
"Ganyu is one of the Adepti of Liyue. Like you, she wields cryo power," Akio explained with a smile.
"An Adeptus?" Hiiragi Chisato looked at Ganyu with interest. So she was like Yae Miko? It was said that Liyue had many Adepti, who, like the great youkai of Inazuma, protected the nation.
"Esteemed guests, the Kanjou Commission has prepared a banquet. Please join me," Hiiragi Chisato invited them. She had arranged this earlier.
"The rest of the Liyue delegation will be accommodated by the Kanjou Commission. You need not worry," Hiiragi Chisato explained.
"Thank you, Miss Hiiragi. We appreciate it," Ningguang and the others nodded.
On the way, Keqing walked side by side with Akio. Despite her earlier excitement, she now seemed a bit reserved.
"What's wrong, Keqing? Why so shy?" Akio asked with a smile. "I've seen incompatible couples, but I've never seen a couple that's not familiar with each other."
"It's not that," Keqing chuckled at Akio's words. She looked at him, wanting to hold his hand but hesitating. In Inazuma, Akio, as a god, was always the center of attention. She was afraid of causing him any trouble.
Akio, of course, noticed Keqing's hesitation. He smiled and reached out to take her hand.
"Ah…" Keqing was both surprised and delighted. She whispered, "Won't this cause any trouble for you?"
"What trouble?" Akio said nonchalantly. His relationships were already well-known in Inazuma.
Akio often walked around Teyvat with different beautiful women. At first, the people of Inazuma were surprised, but they eventually came to accept and even bless their god.
"Being my lover doesn't require hiding," Akio said with a smile.
"Thank you, Akio," Keqing said happily, squeezing his hand in return.
Keqing began to tell Akio about the recent changes in Liyue. Although Rex Lapis no longer appeared in public, Liyue had not fallen into chaos. Everyone continued to work hard, and the nation remained prosperous.
Soon, they arrived at the Kanjou Commission's headquarters. This was no longer a public space, and Hiiragi Chisato led them inside with a smile.
"Keqing, let's reintroduce ourselves," Hiiragi Chisato said, extending her hand. "I'm also Akio's lover. It's nice to meet you."
Keqing's eyes widened as she looked at Hiiragi Chisato. She quickly shook her hand, her face turning slightly red.
No wonder Hiiragi Chisato had been looking at her with a knowing smile earlier! So she was also Akio's lover?!
"N-Nice to meet you," Keqing nodded. She knew that Kitsune Saiguu was also Akio's lover. It seemed Akio had quite a few lovers.
But Keqing didn't mind. In Liyue, it was common for people of high status to have multiple partners. In Keqing's eyes, it was only natural for a god like Akio to have several lovers.
Otherwise, Keqing wouldn't have been helping Ningguang strategize, even acting as a mediator.
"It's getting late. Let's eat first," Akio said with a smile.
"Alright," the four women nodded and took their seats.
Since Akio, Ningguang, and Ganyu were already acquainted, the atmosphere was relaxed. The banquet was filled with lively conversation.
Especially between Keqing and Hiiragi Chisato. They were around the same age and held similar positions, so they had plenty to talk about. Their relationship quickly became close.
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