Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

Wanmin Restaurant, Liyue Harbor

In a quiet corner of Wanmin Restaurant, Keqing silently picked up the menu, her gaze aimlessly scanning the items.

In truth, her mind was elsewhere.

Someone just mentioned… Takahashi Ren.

"..."

Could it be him?

The pen pal she had long wanted to meet.

She had sent him numerous invitations, but the response was always the same:

For various reasons, it wasn't convenient to visit.

"Very well."

Keqing's violet eyes gleamed faintly.

If Takahashi Ren wouldn't come to Liyue to work alongside her, she'd have to take the initiative.

True to her nature, Keqing never shied away from action.

With the Sakoku Decree about to be lifted, she was already planning how to corner him in Inazuma.

"Welcome, esteemed guests!"

At that moment, a spirited voice rang out.

The lively young woman who approached was Xiangling, a renowned chef whose skills were even praised by a certain retired man.

"Lulu!"

Behind her waddled a round, adorable creature—Guoba—who cheerfully waved his tiny paws at Ganyu.

"Hello, Guoba," Ganyu said with a gentle smile, patting the little companion.

"Xiangling, the usual, please," Keqing said, holding the menu but clearly distracted.

"Got it! Golden Shrimp Balls and…"

Xiangling nodded, diligently jotting down the order.

"Coming right up!"

"Wait a moment, Xiangling."

Keqing stopped her just as she was about to leave.

"What's up?"

Xiangling blinked, curiously pulling up a chair.

Given the Yuheng's reputation, whatever Keqing was about to ask must be important and serious.

"It's about Takahashi," Keqing said as casually as she could manage, still clutching the menu.

She tilted it slightly to obscure her face, only leaving the sight of her twin braided "cat ears" that twitched ever so slightly.

"Takahashi? Oh… I think I've heard a lot about him," Xiangling said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. Then she smacked the table with sudden realization.

"That Takahashi Ren from Inazuma, right?"

"Yes, that's him," Keqing replied, subtly lowering the menu as her eyes brightened.

"Why are you suddenly asking about him?" Ganyu inquired, blinking curiously.

"Ahem, well, it's to better understand Inazuma, of course."

Keqing's grip tightened on the menu, leaving it slightly crumpled. It looked like it might tear apart if this continued.

Just as Ganyu was about to press further, Xiangling exclaimed, "Hmm, Takahashi Ren, Takahashi Ren…"

Keqing instinctively held her breath.

Her pen pal—what news could there be about him?

Is he doing well these days?

He had always been a source of inspiration for her, sharing interesting stories, brainstorming solutions to tough problems, and offering encouragement during her most frustrating work moments.

To Keqing, Takahashi Ren was someone she deeply valued.

If he wasn't happy…

Then she'd bring him to Liyue for a fresh start.

There's plenty of room at my place for another person, she mused.

Lost in her thoughts, Keqing nearly missed Xiangling's next words.

"Takahashi Ren? Oh, he's the one dating the princess from Inazuma!"

The air seemed to freeze.

Snap.

The crumpled menu in Keqing's hands disintegrated into pieces.

"What…"

The warm feelings that had just welled up in her heart vanished instantly.

Did she mishear?

Dating?

Ren? With who?

He had never mentioned anything like this in his letters.

A strange feeling surged in her chest—one she had never experienced before.

It was like seeing land you'd set your sights on cultivating, only to find someone else had claimed it and tilled it first.

I was here first!

"No, wait," Xiangling frowned, shaking her head.

"..."

Keqing's eyes lit up again.

So there was some mistake?

She had worked overtime recently just to prepare for her trip to Inazuma.

There's no way Ren could be…

"Well, there's also that other noblewoman…"

"?"

"And I heard the Raiden Shogun herself values him greatly!"

"?!"

Xiangling went on to recount Ren's exploits with ease, as if listing ingredients in a recipe.

Meanwhile, the light in Keqing's eyes dimmed completely.

So that's it.

That must be why Ren had been unable to leave Inazuma.

He had experienced so much—challenges, even confrontations with gods themselves.

It was the kind of legend most people couldn't even imagine.

But at the same time…

My dearest pen pal…

...had become entangled with not one, but two young ladies.

Were they the ones who brought you joy and fulfillment?

"Keqing, are you alright?"

Ganyu and Xiangling exchanged glances, concerned.

"I'm fine," Keqing said quietly, shaking her head.

Just a little uncomfortable.

How strange…

Keqing held back her frustration as she left Wanmin Restaurant.

She didn't even touch her favorite Golden Shrimp Balls.

Once home, she dismissed her staff with a curt, "I'm tired."

Closing the door behind her, she slipped off her black tights, changed into a nightgown, and buried herself in bed.

For a while, she lay in silence.

Finally, she reached out and pulled two plush toys close—one of Rex Lapis and another of the Raiden Shogun.

"Phew."

Hugging them tightly, she gazed out at the starry sky.

What is Ren doing right now?

...

...

...

Ren: This ice cream is so sweet.

...

...

...

Keqing's eyes drifted to the sword hanging by her bedside.

True to her determined nature, she wouldn't stop moving forward.

Tomorrow, she would head out for the salvage operation.

After that, she'd go straight to Inazuma.

"I'll find you, Ren," she murmured.

"And those two young ladies…"

"The stories you didn't share in your letters—"

"I'll hear them directly from you."

"...You're not getting away."

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T/N: ITS SSSSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOO OVER