Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

BANG—!

The door slammed shut with such force that the entire warship seemed to tremble.

The sheer weight of resentment behind it was palpable.

Sitting on the bed, Ren flinched.

Danger!

He was still groggy from waking up—his mind struggling to grasp the current situation.

What the hell is going on?

"…"

The purple-haired girl standing by the door gripped the handle tightly, her silence stretching on.

The unsettling creak of wood echoed—the final plea of a door bearing unbearable pressure.

As if, with its last ounce of strength, it was whispering to someone—

Run. Run now!

Murderous intent detected!

"!"

Ren lifted his head, scanning his surroundings.

In truth, he was mapping out an escape route.

But before he could move—

"Mm… Ren…"

A soft, sleepy voice called beside his ear.

Like a tiny kitten, hungry and searching for its mother.

"I…!"

Ren's eyes widened, his entire body stiffening.

He wanted to move—

But it felt as if some kind of binding spell had locked him in place.

"??"

Something was on his back!

Ren's expression froze as he slowly turned his head.

And then—

A pair of bright, emerald-green eyes blinked at him.

"You are…?"

Ren muttered, his brain momentarily going blank.

A warm presence pressed against his back—soft, weightless, completely at ease.

Like a cotton candy cloud, warm and fluffy, leaning on him.

"Ren…"

She was an immaculate, breathtakingly delicate little girl.

Elfin-like ears tinged with the faintest blush—still adjusting to her unfamiliar surroundings.

She reached out a tiny, pale hand—grasping onto Ren's sleeve.

Her large, shimmering eyes blinked again—as if reluctant to let go.

"I'm Nahida!"

She tilted her head, a radiant, joyful smile blooming across her face.

"…"

Ren was completely stunned.

His mind pieced together memories of the dream—

The transformation of the green leaf… into a child.

So this was what internet-surfing Nahida looked like.

A white-haired child.

So. Damn. Cute.

That was Ren's only thought at the moment.

Before any other ideas could take root—

SHING!

A sudden flash of cold steel cut through the sealed room.

The sharp hum of an unsheathing blade brought with it an icy chill.

Ren's heart skipped a beat.

He turned around quickly—

And found himself staring at Keqing, sword in hand, pointing directly at him.

Cold sweat immediately formed on his forehead.

"Keqing, calm down."

Ren raised his hands, finally realizing how badly this looked.

His clothes had been changed—

By who? He had no idea.

But more importantly—

He had no weapons on him.

Nothing.

Facing an angry Cat with no means of defense?

Yeah. Not good.

He should've hidden his sword somewhere!

"Ren! Do you have anything to say for yourself?!"

Keqing glared furiously at Ren, who was still sitting on the bed—with a white-haired girl clinging to him.

White-haired…?

Not Sandrone, then.

Then who the hell was the mother?!

"Ren…"

Nahida gently clutched Ren's shoulder, worry flashing in her eyes.

Had she… caused him trouble?

"It's not what it looks like…"

With that thought, the small girl lifted her tiny leg.

She wanted to step forward—

To protect her only friend.

But…

This newly formed body was still too weak.

And her tiny legs didn't quite reach the ground properly.

So instead—

"Mmph."

Nahida wrapped her arms around Ren's torso—

And, using all her strength, wiggled herself up higher—

Like a koala clinging onto a tree.

"Nahida, wait—!"

Ren's expression changed.

A foreign sensation sent a shiver up his spine.

She was pressing against him, her tiny foot stepping onto his thigh.

That soft, warm feeling—

Okay, this was a problem.

Listen, I'm ticklish!

"S-Sorry!"

Nahida's long, delicate eyelashes trembled.

She immediately stopped, sensing the intensity of Ren's emotions.

As well as something even stronger…

"Oh, Ren."

Keqing suddenly smiled.

But her gaze had turned completely dark.

She took a step forward, her sword pressing closer.

"Explain. Who is this girl?"

From Keqing's perspective—

Some random little girl had suddenly clung onto Ren.

It screamed a spoiled daughter seeking attention.

Those big, watery eyes practically seemed to say—

"Daddy, that scary lady is so mean."

"She's not gentle like Mommy at all."

At that thought, lightning flickered in Keqing's gaze.

She had merely pointed her sword at Ren—did that really make her seem scary?!

Keqing's mind exploded with a hundred different scenarios.

If the daughter's this cute, then the mother must be a stunning beauty, too.

Hurry up and confess—who's the woman?!

Ren: …

He let out a deep sigh, utterly speechless.

Explain?

How was he supposed to explain this?!

He had gone to sleep—

And woke up to find a white-haired girl magically appearing beside him.

He was just as confused!

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, please come collect your daughter!

"Keqing."

Ren lifted his gaze, meeting Keqing's eyes.

At the same time, he instinctively secured his hold on Nahida—

Making sure she wouldn't fall.

Her body was still fragile from just being "born."

"…"

Nahida blinked, sensing Ren's protective intent.

It made her feel… safe.

She liked it.

So this is what it's like to have a friend?

"I'll handle this."

Ren spoke within their shared consciousness.

Nahida obediently nodded.

She turned to glance at Keqing—her soft gaze filled with kindness.

She hoped they could clear up the misunderstanding.

"!"

Keqing's grip on her sword tightened.

Just the thought that this was Ren's daughter with some other woman—

She felt so close to breaking down.

"Keqing, listen to me."

Ren took a deep breath.

Can we please put the sword away first?

"I'm done listening to your excuses!"

Keqing huffed, eyes locked onto him.

"Don't scare the child."

Ren sighed, his tone helpless.

He sounded like… a dad.

"Then tell me—whose child is she?!"

"…She's definitely not mine."

Ren said sincerely.

That was Rukkhadevata's child.

Whoever her father was—it wasn't him.

"Not yours?"

Keqing's eyes narrowed, deep suspicion lingering.

"Think about it—she's not that young."

Ren explained, carefully placing Nahida down in front of him.

At the same time, he reached out and ruffled her soft, white hair.

Great texture.

"…"

Keqing hesitated, lowering her sword slightly.

She had to admit—Nahida looked around seven or eight.

Back then, Ren was still…

Okay. Yeah.

He wouldn't have had time to do anything questionable.

"I'm Ren's little sister."

Nahida added softly.

It was the identity she had calculated to be the most beneficial for staying with Ren.

Though she didn't yet realize—

In Inazuma…

There were already too many—

"Little sister?"

"Mm?? Ah… yeah."

Ren nearly choked.

Did this mean he had accidentally adopted Rukkhadevata's daughter?!