Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

"Ren?"

"What did he say to you?"

The two young ladies, Ayaka and Chisato, perked up at the mention of his name.

Even with their busy schedules at Tenshukaku, neither could stop themselves from thinking about Ren.

Their hearts held a trace of wistfulness.

Why did Ren suddenly decide to go to sea?

Was he in such a hurry to meet someone?

"Takahashi mentioned Lady Kamisato," Kazuha said, his expression thoughtful.

The Shirasagi Himegimi seemed deeply concerned about Ren.

And yet... the wind carried unfamiliar whispers.

They were soft but tinged with disarray—

chaotic emotions intertwined, pulling at one another.

Something felt... off.

"He mentioned me?"

Ayaka murmured, her soft lips curving upward.

Her reaction betrayed her inner thoughts.

Even far from home, Master Ren still speaks of me...

Is he staking his claim?

She cast a sidelong glance at Chisato.

Her meaning was clear.

"!"

Chisato furrowed her brow, asking,

"Did you meet at the harbor?"

Kazuha nodded, recounting the incident with the Ruin Guard's rampage.

"Renny is as impressive as ever," Chisato said with admiration, clenching her delicate fists in excitement.

"Renny?"

Kazuha caught the term and pondered it.

Such an intimate way to refer to him.

But then again... the woman he had seen at the harbor...

Kazuha's thoughts drifted as he clasped his hands together and asked politely,

"And may I ask who this lady is?"

"I am Renny's fiancée," Chisato said proudly, puffing out her chest.

Her gaze flickered toward Ayaka, a subtle challenge in her eyes.

"The engagement has been annulled. She's not anymore," Ayaka said with a calm smile,

delivering the blow effortlessly.

"You—!"

The two young ladies glared at each other, their silent rivalry reigniting.

Just then, Kazuha's puzzled voice broke the tension.

"But I saw someone at the harbor. She introduced herself as his partner."

The air instantly grew heavy.

"...?"

Ayaka and Chisato both turned to Kazuha simultaneously.

The light in their eyes dimmed slightly.

Part...ner...?

Who could that possibly be?

They had been at Tenshukaku this whole time, preoccupied with their duties.

Could it be...

Realization dawned on them.

So that's why Ren rushed off to sea.

He must have been sneaking off to meet another woman.

The idea of a thieving cat sneaking into their lives was unbearable.

"..."

Kazuha's face paled as the wind around him suddenly turned icy.

I've said the wrong thing.

"Lady Kamisato, perhaps I've misunderstood..." he stammered, but it was already too late.

Before he could explain further—

"What does she look like? I'd like to meet her," Ayaka said with an elegant smile, her tone impossibly sweet.

Her composure as a noblewoman was unshaken.

But the snap of her paper fan betrayed her true feelings.

There was killing intent.

"Speak. Who is she?"

Chisato's voice was firm, her encouragement clear.

Kazuha: "..."

The wind had grown so chaotic, he couldn't hear its whispers anymore.

Forgive me, Takahashi.

I've doomed you this time.

---

Ah-choo!

The ocean breeze carried a sudden chill, making Ren rub his nose instinctively.

He frowned slightly, feeling a strange unease.

Why does it feel like someone's talking about me behind my back?

After a moment of thought, Ren shook his head.

Maybe the two young ladies are thinking about me.

With that hopeful thought, he allowed himself a brief daydream.

"My partner, lend me a hand."

The lilting voice snapped him out of his reverie.

Turning toward it, Ren let out a soft hum of surprise.

Nearby, the mechanical construct was nearly complete.

What had once been a massive, boxy chunk of metal was now assembled.

According to Sandrone, it was a low-level Defender.

Given the limited materials on hand, this was the best she could create for now.

All that remained was attaching the sensory core they'd salvaged earlier.

Ren lifted the doll-like girl and brought her closer to the machine.

"My partner, it's still too far," Sandrone said, her voice tinged with a hint of expectation. "Move me in a bit deeper..."

After a bit of maneuvering, the Defender's body lit up.

Clank, clank—

The construct began to shift, limbs extending from its boxy form.

What emerged was an enormous metal crab, standing as tall as a person.

"It transformed!"

Ren's eyes gleamed with excitement.

No man can resist a transforming machine.

He reached out instinctively, wanting to touch it.

"Wait, my partner."

Sandrone's voice stopped him abruptly.

"What's wrong?"

"Are you really that interested in this ugly hunk of metal?"

Her expression was unreadable as she tilted her face upward.

Ren nodded honestly.

"Hmph," Sandrone huffed in dissatisfaction.

"Clearly, I'm much more elegant and beautiful."

"Why don't I see you showing any interest in me?"

She had spent so much time tinkering with the machine, but for the first time, she felt like destroying her own creation.

"You? You're just a flatboard."

"My partner, you're being rude!"

After some playful bickering, Ren finally grasped the Defender's purpose.

"So it floats on the ocean's surface and conducts large-scale reconnaissance?"

As if responding to his question, the Defender stood tall, a beam of red light scanning the area.

Soon, it produced a detailed map of the nearby waters.

Every current, hidden reef, and dangerous zone was marked with precision.

"Incredible."

Ren patted the metallic crab in admiration.

"With this, salvage missions will be a breeze."

Clunk.

The Defender twisted its parts as if to show its excitement.

"Takahashi-sama, we're approaching treacherous waters!"

A sailor's shout came from the ship's deck.

"Take this."

Ren calmly handed over the newly drawn map.

"This... It's perfect!"

The sailor's face lit up with joy as they studied the map, easily steering the ship past all obstacles.

"Takahashi-sama, you're amazing!"

The samurai on board cheered once more.

"Keep it down," Ren muttered.

It's just...

He froze mid-thought, glancing down instinctively.

In his hand, the doll-like girl had fallen asleep.

Creating the Defender had taken a toll on her.

The sea breeze caused her to shiver slightly as she curled up.

"My partner, remember to protect me..."

Her soft murmur carried on the wind, as she rested in his palm, her delicate face peaceful.

For the first time, she seemed utterly defenseless, like a little bird returning to its nest.

"..."

Ren remained silent.

Carefully, he cradled the sleeping doll in his hands, shielding her from the chill.

"..."

Sandrone, still half-asleep, appeared to sense his touch.

The corners of her lips curved upward slightly.

---

T/N: BETRAYAL BY HIS ANEMO BNROTHER SANDRONE WAS RIGHT