Children of the Future

Chapter 25

Hey, back again with another chapter. With three Liyue ladies accounted for, Aether moves on to the next lucky lady. The Inazuma ladies also meet their first lady from Liyue.

There was a certain warmth enveloping Aether. It was comforting, but something about it felt... overwhelming. That and familiar. Opening his eyes, he saw the root of the problem he had. For one reason or another, he found Shenhe once again clinging close to him in his own room inside the teapot. 

Worming his way free once more, he caused her to groan in annoyance before she woke up too. 

"Mm... good morning," she said groggily.

"M-Morning. Um, why are you here, Shenhe? I'm not upset or anything but I don't think anyone went inside with me last night."

"Oh."

Flashback...

Shenhe and Ganyu found themselves a place to sleep for the night. However, Shenhe found herself only rolling around in her bed. With a sigh, she felt she knew what had to be done. She clutched the sigil for Aether's teapot in her hand and entered in the dead of night. The rest is history.

End of flashback...

"I see. Well, since you're here, you may as well join the rest of us for breakfast."

Shenhe nodded and the two made their way downstairs. The Inazuma ladies were busy mingling but the appearance of Aether and Shenhe entering together made them freeze.

"Wha-wha-wha-wha?!" Ayaka blushed. 

Even Yae was at a loss for words, "Goodness! You brought home a new lady already?!" 

"H-Hey!" Aether blushed too. 

Shenhe walked forward, "He didn't bring me. I let myself in. My name is Shenhe."

Ei quickly analyzed her, "That outfit. You must be one of his friends from Liyue, correct?"

Shenhe nodded, "That's right."

"So, why are you two coming here together?" Yae Miko teased making Aether blush more.

"I-It isn't what you think!!"

"I... was having some issues sleeping. So, I spent the night with him. We had just woken up a few minutes ago."

"Shenhe... your wording..." Aether was cringing as Yae was eating everything up. Meanwhile, Ayaka, Yoimiya and Ei were blushing at the implications.

Yoimiya poked her index fingers together with a blush on her face, "Th-Then... did you two-"

"We didn't!!" Aether interrupted her. "I promise! All we did was sleep! Nothing happened!" Shenhe nodded with him. She confirmed she was out cold as soon as she laid down with him. That and their clothes were still clean so the two were in the clear.

Ayaka and Yoimiya let out sighs of relief.

"Well, in any case, it is nice to meet one of Aether's Liyue friends face to face," Ei smiled.

"Mm. Likewise," Shenhe nodded.

"May as well introduce the rest of us. I'm Yoimiya. Pleasure to make your acquaintance," she smiled at her and held her hand out.

Aether's eye widened, "Wait! Yoimiya, you don't-"

He was too late in warning her and Yoimiya cried out in pain as Shenhe grasped her hand. Shenhe released her quickly as the young girl held her hand with teary eyes.

"W-What was that for?! Don't you use light grips for hand-shakes?! I thought my hand would break!"

"That... that was my light grip..." Shenhe said with a blush.