After Yu Xie and Ei returned to the beach, Kitsune Saiguu, Yae Miko, and Chiyo also came ashore.
The three women had droplets of water clinging to their hair and shoulders, with some beads of water sliding down the curves of their bodies, creating a somewhat seductive image.
"How about we play beach volleyball?" Kitsune Saiguu suddenly suggested.
"Beach volleyball? But there's no ball, and there's no net," Chiyo said.
"Don't worry, I've already prepared everything," Kitsune Saiguu said with a proud smile. A beach volleyball appeared in her hand, shining with golden light.
With a wave of her hand, Kitsune Saiguu conjured up a volleyball net, which stood tall on the beach, dividing the playing area into two halves.
Before coming here, Kitsune Saiguu had already made preparations, so all of these things were ready in advance.
"Since everything is already set up, it would seem a little unrefined not to join in," Makoto said as she stretched and slowly walked forward from the lounge chair.
"Then let's play," Yae Miko smiled lightly.
"But... there are seven of us. We can't divide evenly into two teams," Ei said, a bit puzzled.
At this, everyone turned to look at Yu Xie.
After a brief moment of thought, Yu Xie smiled and said, "Then I'll be the referee."
And just like that, the beach volleyball game began.
Makoto, Yae Miko, and Chiyo formed one team, while Ei, Kitsune Saiguu, and Shen He formed the other.
"Yu Xie, you can't show favoritism!" Kitsune Saiguu said, moving her agile body and addressing him.
"Don't worry, as the referee, I will be completely impartial!" Yu Xie replied.
With a whistle, the special beach volleyball match officially began.
For Yu Xie, he was both the referee and the sole spectator.
Without a doubt, this was an exciting volleyball match, and also an incredibly eye-catching one.
Or perhaps it could be said that this scene had become even more beautiful, more captivating, and more intoxicating than the original view of the beach.
As time passed, it quickly became evening.
Yu Xie, the chef, prepared dinner for everyone. It wasn't extravagant, but it was far from monotonous.
After dinner, night had already fallen.
The moonlight poured down, making the forest seem even more tranquil.
The campfire flickered, the wood crackling as it burned.
As per the rules from last night, it was time for the courage test.
Tonight, it was Ei's turn.
In truth, Ei wasn't really interested in the courage test itself. At first, she didn't intend to participate.
But after some thought, she decided to join in. The reason was simple—by participating, she would have a chance to spend some time alone with Yu Xie.
When Ei had just realized this reason last night, she felt a bit surprised.
But the more she thought about it, the harder it became to deny her own feelings.
Words can deceive, but the heart cannot.
At this moment, Ei was walking alongside Yu Xie, slowly moving forward.
It was very quiet around them, with the silver moonlight filtering through the gaps in the leaves above, casting a soft glow on the two of them.
Ei deliberately slowed her pace a little.
"Ei, are you scared?" Yu Xie suddenly asked.
The question made Ei pause and think for a moment.
If it were about demons, evil spirits, or similar things, she naturally wouldn't be afraid. As a Archon, her martial arts were exceptional, and the naginata in her hands could cut down any evil. It was those demons and evil spirits that should fear her.
But if it's about something else... she wasn't a perfect person, and she did have things she was afraid of.
Firstly, she feared losing her family and friends.
Secondly...
Ei looked at Yu Xie. "If you're talking about the courage test, then I'm not afraid."
"Mm... I thought so. The courage test shouldn't scare you," Yu Xie nodded.
"But..." Ei suddenly stopped, hesitating to speak.
The night breeze gently swept through the forest, and the atmosphere seemed to change in that moment.
Yu Xie and Ei locked eyes, their gazes intertwined, both of them silent.
It felt like an eternity had passed, yet it also felt like just a moment. Slowly, Ei reached out and intertwined her fingers with Yu Xie's.
This small action took a lot of courage from Ei. She was afraid that Yu Xie would pull away, afraid that she might scare him.
But fortunately, he didn't.
Yu Xie only seemed slightly surprised.
The warmth and tenderness of his palm could be felt, and the night wind blew again, stirring Ei's deep purple hair and the hem of her clothes.
Ei looked at Yu Xie with her beautiful purple eyes. In that moment, everything around them seemed unimportant, and only the person before her mattered.
It was only at that moment that Ei realized, once she had confirmed her feelings, she could finally move forward without regret.
She didn't want to regret it, and she didn't want to feel any sorrow.
"Is it alright if we just walk this path together?" Ei asked softly.
Through Ei's eyes and the warmth from her hand, Yu Xie could feel her emotions in that moment. It was as if a surge of feelings flooded into his heart.
Something that had been dormant deep within his soul seemed to awaken.
Yu Xie knew he couldn't refuse.
"Yes, let's walk this path together."
Yu Xie's smile appeared before Ei's eyes. She froze for a moment before returning a smile, one that was a little "awkward," but still charming and beautiful.
The time they spent on this path was a little longer than expected.
When they returned to the campsite, everyone else had already gone to rest, with only Makoto still sitting by the campfire, the firelight reflecting on her face.
"You're back," Makoto turned her head to look at the two of them.
"Mm," Ei nodded gently, sitting down with Yu Xie by the campfire. "The next person to join the bravery challenge is you, right, sister?"
"I'll skip it," Makoto smiled. "I just spoke with a little youkai and told them to go back and rest."
"Why?" Ei looked a little confused.
Makoto just smiled. "No particular reason. If I joined, Yu Xie would have to go again, and that seems too tiring. There's no need for that."
"Mm..." Ei nodded gently, and only then did she realize that she might still be far less thoughtful than her sister.
"I'm not really that tired. As long as you all are having fun, that's more important than anything," Yu Xie said slowly.
"You... you should think more about yourself," Makoto said softly as well.
The fire flickered, and time passed.
Slowly, the time reached midnight.
Ei had already entered the tent to rest, leaving only Yu Xie and Makoto sitting by the campfire.
Makoto would occasionally glance at Yu Xie, and it seemed like she had many things she wanted to say, but she appeared uncertain about what to say at that moment.
"Yu Xie, you..." After some hesitation, Makoto finally spoke.
"What's wrong?" Yu Xie responded.
"If... I mean, if I say I want you to stay in Inazuma forever, would you agree?" Makoto looked into Yu Xie's eyes.
"..." Yu Xie was silent for a moment. "I'm sorry, but if you say that, I probably can't agree. I can't stay in Inazuma forever, but I promise you, I'll visit Inazuma often."
The night wind blew, the fire flickered, and their shadows danced along with it.
Makoto smiled gently and nodded.
"Mm, that's enough."
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