Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

By the power of Tapisserie Éternelle, this story is granted two bonus chapters—rejoice in this reward!

---

"I-I was just...!"

Hiiragi Chisato hastily turned the plushie behind her, her cheeks flushing bright red.

As the soon-to-be head of the Kanjou Commission, she was supposed to uphold the dignity and solemnity befitting someone who revered the Shogun.

But now...

Caught in the act of snuggling a plushie, she was utterly unprepared.

It was too embarrassing!

If the Shogun herself found out about this, her position as head of the Kanjou Commission would surely be finished.

"Hehe, and did I hear something about Ren just now...?"

Yoimiya propped her chin on her hand, grinning mischievously.

"N-No, you didn't!"

Yoimiya, please stop laughing!

After a while, Chisato finally managed to calm herself. In a soft voice, she asked:

"How did you two even get in here?"

As she spoke, she glanced nervously toward the door.

The Kanjou Commission had been on high alert lately.

If they were discovered, it would spell trouble.

"Relax, it's fine," Yoimiya said confidently, planting her hands on her hips with a cheeky smile.

With Mei around, anything was possible—being bold was practically her specialty.

"And you're here because...?"

Chisato's voice trailed off, her emotions conflicted. A faint sense of unease crept in.

Only after handling the affairs of the Kanjou Commission herself had she come to understand how deeply entangled its operations were.

And Ren... he was like a fragile boat navigating these treacherous waters.

A single lightning strike could sink everything into oblivion.

She didn't want Ren caught up in something so dangerous.

"..."

Mei's gaze shifted toward a specific spot.

On the desk, a neatly arranged pile of documents stood in stark contrast to a single, isolated paper off to the side.

Chisato followed her gaze and immediately felt her heart sink.

"That's just useless material," she explained hastily.

The document had been discovered by chance in a hidden compartment.

She had initially thought it might be something important.

But after careful reading, it turned out to be filled with nonsensical and cryptic text.

Unable to make sense of it, Chisato had dismissed it as junk.

"This, I'll be taking," Mei said coldly, reaching out and picking up the document.

Her tone wasn't asking for permission—it was a declaration.

"..."

Chisato hesitated, opening her mouth to object but quickly closing it.

An invisible pressure seemed to hold her back, suppressing her resistance.

A thought she'd been trying to suppress became crystal clear.

This seemingly random and meaningless document...

Everyone present had sharp instincts. They could all piece together its likely significance.

Yoimiya blinked in confusion. "What's going on with you two?"

Glancing around the empty room, she finally sat down, bored.

Seriously, there was nothing in here.

It was hollow and sterile, like an oversized prison cell.

Do you two really have to spend your days surrounded by such coldness?

Yoimiya felt a wave of irritation rise.

Her thoughts drifted toward a brighter future.

What if one day, she could drag Chisato out of this grim place?

With Ayaka, Chisato, Mei...

And, well, that annoying Ren.

Everyone together, happy and laughing—it would be perfect.

Surely, everything would be harmonious and full of love!

Lost in her musings, Yoimiya suddenly noticed something.

"Huh, is that a letter from Ren?"

The letter was carefully stored, a small corner peeking out.

It was obvious how much care Chisato had put into preserving it.

"Y-Yes."

At the mention of Ren, Chisato's expression softened, her voice gentle.

Amidst the chaos of her work, it was one of the few things that brought her warmth.

Perhaps once she officially became the head of the Kanjou Commission...

She could receive the Shogun's blessing and marry Ren.

The thought of these two joyous events happening together filled her with happiness.

"Wow," Yoimiya said, blinking with intrigue.

"Is it a love letter?"

"He wrote to me, providing a strategy to handle the crisis."

Chisato glanced at the letter, her voice soft.

In the letter, Ren explained that he had sought help from Yae Miko.

Using the influence of Yae Publishing House and the Shrine to sway public opinion in Inazuma, they would spread the message.

Attention from the Great Shrine Maiden carried immense weight.

If Hiiragi Shinsuke made any misstep, public sentiment would turn against him.

The accusation of defying the Shogun was something no one could afford to bear.

The plan was meant to deter Hiiragi Shinsuke and others like him. With luck, it would force certain people to restrain themselves.

As these thoughts crossed her mind, Chisato's gaze darkened with worry.

Caught in the vortex of the Vision Hunt Decree, there was no way out.

No matter how much outside help came her way, she alone had to shoulder the pressure.

"The Kanjou Commission's meeting will be held here soon," she said. "Thank you for coming, but if there's nothing else... please leave."

She didn't want anyone else dragged into the dangers that lay ahead.

Though she had once been timid and overlooked, the fireworks she saw that night at Chinju Forest had left a lasting impression.

The version of herself recognized by Ren had to grow stronger.

Only then could she bear the responsibilities of her position and live up to the title of Kanjou Commissioner.

"..."

Mei's keen eyes observed Chisato's resolve and nodded faintly.

Not bad, she thought.

"Chisato, wait—"

Yoimiya's face turned anxious as she was about to say something.

Suddenly, the sound of clashing armor rang out from outside.

Samurai were forming ranks and heading toward their location.

The tense silence inside the room thickened.

"The meeting is starting earlier than expected?"

Chisato's expression shifted as she quickly stood.

It seemed Yae Miko's actions had already unsettled Hiiragi Shinsuke.

"You two, hide behind the screen," she instructed hurriedly before rushing out.

"Meow!"

From its spot on the floor, a small tanuki-like yokai stirred awake.

It blinked, recalling Ren's instructions:

"Bring this hairpin to Chisato. Stay close to her if anything happens."

Without hesitation, the little yokai darted after Chisato, the hairpin on its back glowing faintly with a violet hue.

"Mei-nee, what do we do now?" Yoimiya asked, her tone urgent. She instinctively looked to Mei.

But this time, Mei's response was calm:

"Let's see how she handles this first."

After all, Mei already had an inkling.

Someone who deemed Raiden Shogun's violence excessive...

...was on his way.

Yoimiya blinked, sensing a subtle warmth in Mei's demeanor for once.

---

In the Courtyard

Samurai lined up in formation, their armor clinking as Hiiragi Shinsuke strode in with an air of authority.

Despite rumors of his "retirement," he walked with steady confidence, showing no signs of weakness.

"Father," Chisato greeted as she stepped out, bowing politely.

"Hmph, I'm hardly worthy of such courtesy these days," Shinsuke sneered. His smile was cold.

Before Chisato could respond, he cut her off:

"Have you considered what I told you?"

Chisato's lips tightened.

Her father had already hinted at his intentions.

If she wanted to truly establish herself within the Kanjou Commission, she would have to align herself with the Fatui's interests.

They sought to deepen Inazuma's internal strife and escalate conflicts.

And if she refused...

Her eyes flickered toward the armed samurai behind her father.

Fully armed and standing at attention, their expressions were cold and resolute.

The oppressive air around them was palpable.

These were men loyal only to Hiiragi Shinsuke.

When one stands against the interests of so many...

The consequences are rarely kind.

"Father," Chisato began softly.

But she straightened her posture, her gaze firm.

"I refuse."

Shinsuke's smile froze, then vanished.

"If you won't cooperate," he said, his tone icy, "then I'll have to ask you to relinquish some of your authority."

He stepped forward, looming over her.

"Hand over the Kanjou Commission's official seal."

Without it, the Commission could not officially operate, nor could any decrees related to the Vision Hunt Decree proceed.

For Shinsuke, that seal was essential.

"Father, I suggest you leave," Chisato said firmly.

"What?!"

His eyes narrowed as he raised his hand threateningly.

"I'll ask you one last time!"

The samurai behind him drew their swords in unison, the sound sharp and chilling.

But Chisato, pale but unyielding, retorted coldly:

"Would you dare?"

Shinsuke hesitated, his raised hand frozen mid-air.

"You know as well as I do how closely the Grand Shrine Maiden watches us from Narukami Island."

"If something happens to me, the Shogun will be furious."

"Can you really afford to bear the consequences?"

Her calm yet pointed words struck like lightning.

Shinsuke's hand clenched into a fist, his knuckles cracking audibly.

No, he couldn't afford it.

He had assumed that a show of force would easily intimidate her into submission.

But now it was clear—Chisato knew something.

Damn it. Who leaked the information?!

His fury boiled over as an image of Ren flashed in his mind.

"Nys"

From nearby, the small yokai raised its paw, flipping its middle finger with a mocking grin.

Stupid human. Every step, just as scary human predicted.

"You—!"

Shinsuke's plan was in shambles. Regaining the seal was now next to impossible.

Consumed by rage, he lashed out, his hand descending on Chisato.

But Chisato didn't flinch. There was no fear in her eyes.

Because...

In the next moment, violet light erupted.

A figure appeared, seizing Shinsuke's wrist mid-swing.

Shinsuke's pupils contracted as his body froze.

In a heartbeat, his mind went blank.

SLAP!

A single blow sent him flying across the courtyard, crashing into the ground with a resounding thud.

Gasps erupted around them.

"Master Hiiragi!"

The gathered samurai stared in shock at their leader, lying motionless in the dirt.

Someone had dared strike Hiiragi Shinsuke in front of everyone.

"Who's there?!"

The samurai turned their blades toward the intruder, their killing intent sharp and immediate.

But Chisato's eyes softened as she embraced the figure standing before her.

The content of that letter... it had been her greatest reassurance.

She had known he would come.

"Ren... you're so pretty," she whispered in awe.

The figure smirked, lifting his face to reveal none other than Ren himself.

"Pretty is nice, but find a better word next time," he teased.

"Very handsome! Extra handsome!"

"Look, Mei-nee, did you see that?!"

From their hiding spot, Yoimiya practically bounced with excitement, her eyes sparkling.

"That slap was so satisfying!"

"It was decent," Mei replied, the corners of her lips curling slightly.

This Ren had truly grown on her.

And that faint trace of Electro energy...

"Takahashi!"

Everyone stared in disbelief.

The infamous outsider who had been stirring up trouble in Inazuma...

He had just struck Hiiragi Shinsuke in front of everyone.

The samurai surrounded him, their eyes wary.

Not a single one had seen how he'd appeared.

"I wonder," Ren began, his tone cold, "who exactly are you trying to intimidate?

"The rightful head of the Kanjou Commission?"

His icy gaze swept over the crowd, silencing them instantly.

Then his eyes narrowed as he fixed on a shadowy corner.

"And the Fatui hiding over there..."

"Come out."