Genshin Impact, I, a mere mortal, cannot accompany you to the very end.

He has died several times, yet he still cannot adapt to death or separation.

That's why he told Ryouka, "Don't tell Kage, and don't tell anyone else."

Kiyono was afraid that if she saw them, she wouldn't want to leave.

I just can't bear to die.

In the years to come, he will continue to experience human aging, human powerlessness, and human separation, dying and being reborn countless times.

That's why he said that being able to die completely is a very lucky thing.

The longest confession is to stay by someone's side.

But I'm sorry, he's just a mortal and can't walk with you all the way.

Two hundred and twenty-one days remain.

He has eight months left to live as Kiyono Raimei, and he needs to get through this period smoothly and safely.

"Stop sleeping in! Old man! Hey, old man!"

Just then, a clear and slightly charming voice came from outside the door.

It sounded so languid, reminding Kiyono of the first snow she had seen on the eaves earlier, lying there lazily, waiting for the warm sun to melt it away, carefree.

"Have you ever heard of something called 'Fox Udon'? It's basically udon with fried tofu. Wake up, wake up~ Make it for me, Lord Miyaji."

That's so rude.

Kiyono Raimei stubbed out his cigarette and patted the ash off his clothes.

That stinky fox is always like that, constantly calling out to that old man, I wonder who he learned it from...

It always makes people uneasy.

After I die, let's see who can do it for you!

I'll make you so angry.

Volume 1: Chapter 4 The Secret to Miss Fox's Longevity!

Kiyono Raimei raised his sleeve and sniffed; there was still a faint smell of tobacco.

There shouldn't be any problems, right?

He frowned.

The color of her eyes changed again, like a pool of clear water filled with wisteria slowly fading, her purple pupils quickly disappearing.

Spring goes and autumn comes again, and when it is deep winter at dusk, the purple pool in my eyes slowly turns into silver frost, gradually transforming into an almost silvery-gray eye color.

"cough."

He coughed softly, cough.

Cough. Cough, cough.

cough!

The weakness in his lungs, the stiffness in his limbs—the vibrant life force quickly faded from his body.

He became that man who was about to die again.

Or rather, this is who he always was.

As the cold winter sun sets and dusk approaches.

"coming."

He picked up the kimono from the ground, put it on, and opened the door.

As soon as the door opened, wind and snow came in first.

Unlike the vast, sweeping snow elsewhere, the snow in Inazuma falls in tiny, scattered flakes, resembling clusters of white cherry blossoms.

It felt cold when it landed on me.

After the snowstorm, the first thing that catches the eye is a pair of wooden clogs on the ground.

White socks clung to the osmanthus trees, her legs bare, the red and white shrine maiden's robes flowing naturally down her slender ankles.

Yae no Miko, the priestess in charge of Narukami Taisha Shrine, is a fox.

It was snowing outside, and her fluffy ears drooped down naturally, covered with tiny white snowflakes, making them look like snow-white pom-poms.

"Phew. It's so cold!"

Seeing that the wooden door had finally opened, Miss Yae twitched her ears, and they fell off.

She bent down, deftly removed the osmanthus leaf, and slipped into the house with practiced ease, as if returning to her own home. Her white socks made a light, thumping sound as they stepped onto the tatami mat.

Only after crawling into the stove and placing her fair and slender legs inside the kotatsu did Miss Fox finally breathe a sigh of relief, letting out a comfortable sound. Her face gradually regained its color, and her eyes narrowed into crescents: "Phew, this lady is freezing to death!"

"Why are you only opening now, you old man?"

As she warmed herself, she looked up and glanced at Kiyono with a hint of reproach.

"Ah... I think you need to be taught a lesson."

Kiyono sat down opposite Miss Fox and put her feet into the kotatsu, their thighs touching lightly.

"Do you think you can beat Lord Gongsi, you old man?"

Yae no Miko raised her sleeve, revealing half of her fair and delicate arm, clearly demonstrating her power.

It looked like a kitten showing off its power.

"Hey, I'm really strong!"

But Kiyono felt a cough coming on again, his lungs twitched slightly, and his throat tasted sweet. He paused, picked up the cup of tea that was warming on the fireplace, and drank it.

Along with the warm tea, what was swallowed was fresh blood with a slightly rusty taste.

I can't let her know.

"I could kill you, you little fox, with a single punch. I'm incredibly strong, and I'll remain strong for hundreds of years to come!"

He swallowed the blood and smiled.

Then, he laughed heartily at Yae no Miko. It was a hearty, magnanimous laugh, a laugh unique to the Great Pillar of the Nation, an inspiring laugh. On the battlefield, when the warriors of Inazuma saw this laugh, they would always feel unparalleled courage rising in their hearts.

The Great Pillar of State will never fall.

Kiyono always had this skill, the skill of lying. He could always make both enemies and friends believe that he would never fall.

Clearly, he succeeded.

Miss Fox remained cheerful and languid. She straightened up, her sleeves trailing on the tatami mat, and snatched the cup from Kiyono's hand.

After snatching the teacup, she revealed a slightly sly smile, looking like she had successfully pulled off a prank.

"Mine~"

She also made herself a cup of tea.

When Miss Yae drank her tea, she held the teacup with both hands, drank it down lightly, and looked quite pleased with herself.

call...

Kiyono sighed helplessly.

It makes it seem like there's nothing you can do about it.

The Grand Pillar of State was dignified throughout his life, and from the shogunate to the common people, no one disrespected him.

But he just couldn't control this fox.

“Oh dear, your collar,” Yae suddenly said. “It’s not fastened properly.”

By the time Kiyono realized what was happening, Miko's upper body was already leaning over him.

One of her delicate white hands rested on the desk, while the other gently pressed against Qingye's chest, tightening the loose fabric of his clothes to cover his bare skin.

They were very close to each other.

Kiyono could even smell the sandalwood scent emanating from the long pink hair.

"Do you really think you're a young man? It's so cold, you old man!"

Her tone was slightly reproachful, indicating considerable dissatisfaction.

“Ah, I already told you I’m very strong…” Kiyono struggled.

"Old man."

"You promised to stay strong for hundreds of years, so you must keep your word to me, Lord Palace Master—so, old man, the first step to becoming strong is to wear proper clothes in winter!"

Miss Fox raised her head, brought her face close to Kiyono's, and said in an unquestionable tone.

Her purple eyes stared stubbornly into Kiyono's eyes.

Only at this moment did she resemble the 'Priestess' who was second only to the Emperor and above all others, in charge of all the shrines in Inazuma.

...Kiyono gave up and turned his face away:

"Too close."

It is indeed too close.

Miss Yae realized what was happening.

They were already very close to An Sheng, and now when they looked up, their breaths almost mingled.

Thin, warm breaths condensed into droplets of water mist in the cold air. Two droplets of water mist merged together and then slowly dissipated in the air.

Outside the window, snow-covered pines and cypresses reflected the rare sunlight.

"So what... you're too talkative."

She turned her head away, sat back on the futon, and muttered under her breath, "This Lady...you useless old thing."

Kiyono noticed that her cheeks were slightly flushed.