"..." Ying responded with silence.
*Ah... actually, if Lumine knew about this, she probably would have helped you too...*
Mentally grumbling, Ying extended her small hand and gently tapped Nahida's nose, speaking softly.
"Hmm... I have to admit, you're right. After seeing your experiences, I do feel indignant on your behalf."
With that, Ying shifted her tone.
"However... before that, I want to ask you a question."
Nahida naturally did not refuse Ying's request.
"Go ahead, I'll tell you anything I know. While it might sound a bit presumptuous, it can at least be considered a small compensation from me."
Seeing the other agree, Ying plopped down onto the grass, gestured for Nahida to sit as well, and propped up her face with her hands, asking in a level tone.
"Can I just beat up those guys who locked you up directly?"
Nahida: "..."
"Huh?"
"Was that... a question?"
Ying nodded seriously.
"Of course it was. If you do bad things, you have to accept punishment."
"I can feel that you truly desire the approval of your people. There's nothing wrong with that thought; I myself believe that only by gaining the people's approval can one be considered a qualified god."
"However, wanting their approval doesn't mean you have to blindly follow them. A large part of the reason you were confined by the Akademiya in that... what was it called... ah, the Sanctuary of Surasthana, was because you couldn't bear to refuse them and never considered resisting your own citizens."
"I..."
Nahida instinctively opened her mouth, intending to say something, but Ying interrupted her.
"Shush... I know what you want to say. I used to have similar thoughts to you, or rather, even more severe ones than you."
As she spoke, Ying extended her small hand again and tapped twice in front of Nahida.
"Instead of thinking for others, it's better to first explore your own heart and see if you truly like your current state."
"Do I... like it or not..."
Seeing confusion bloom on Nahida's face, Ying smiled and answered for her.
"You don't."
"If you truly liked your current self, you wouldn't have specifically met me. If you truly liked their methods, you wouldn't be troubled by my few words. If you truly enjoyed living in a cage, you wouldn't be yearning for the scenery outside of it as you are now."
After speaking, Ying looked at Nahida and asked gently,
"Isn't that right?"
Hearing the words beside her, Nahida instinctively nodded.
"Click~"
Seeing Nahida nod, Ying happily snapped her fingers, stood up, and declared with confidence.
"Since you've figured it out, I'll take full responsibility for this. You should have no objections, right?"
Before Nahida could reply, Ying added.
"Of course, it doesn't matter if you have objections, because the initiative is with me. If you don't agree, don't blame me for being ruthless and not caring about you, you poor little thing~"
Saying this, Ying made a playful, exaggerated face.
"Hehehe..."
Looking at Ying's deliberately obvious actions, Nahida couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle a few times, playing along.
"Then I'll rest assured, waiting to be rescued by you, my little hero~"
As Nahida's words fell, the entire space suddenly trembled and then began to fade.
"Ah..."
Seeing that their conversation time was up, Ying gave Nahida a thumbs-up and smiled.
"That last sentence... I hope to hear it again once I've rescued you~"
Nahida smiled and waved goodbye to Ying. Only after Ying had completely vanished from her sight did she softly say.
"Although less than a day has passed since we met, for some reason, there's always a voice in my heart telling me..."
"Meeting you is probably the luckiest thing that has happened to me since I came to this world..."
...
"Mmm... *huff*... *groan*..."
After a fierce battle with drowsiness, Ying finally managed to pry open her eyelids a sliver.
*Uh... am I still dreaming?*
Looking at the familiar ceiling, which was different from before she slept, Ying instinctively pinched her cheek.
"Ouch—?!"
"It seems not... no, I could feel pain in my dreams before too..."
As Ying pondered, a door creaked open nearby, followed by a voice she knew all too well.
"Ah~ you're finally awake."
Lumine walked to Ying's side, placed the congee on a nearby table, and sat on the edge of the bed, holding up three fingers.
"How many is this?"
Ying blinked her innocent, doll-like eyes.
"Uh... 3?"
Seeing her little wife answer correctly, Lumine nodded with satisfaction.
"Hmm... it seems the alcohol has mostly worn off..."
"Honestly, you. You know you can't drink, yet you still dared to have a cup. If Venti hadn't told me you were drunk, you'd still be at that restaurant."
As she spoke, Lumine pinched Ying's cheek and said petulantly.
"Of course, the most important thing is that you went drinking behind my back. Don't you even consider your husband anymore~?"
Ying immediately broke free from Lumine's hand and looked at her with a wronged expression.
"What husband? When did I ever agree to be your wife? Besides, you're clearly a girl, okay? Please recognize your own gender."
Seeing the pout on her little darling's face, Lumine's lips curved into a smile, and she replied smugly.
"It can't be helped. From any angle, I'm the 'top' in our relationship~"
"Pah! Who wants to be 'top' or 'bottom' with you."
Ying grumbled in annoyance. Knowing she couldn't win the argument, she dropped it and changed the subject, asking Lumine.
"Is the matter in Inazuma settled?"
Lumine confidently snapped her fingers and replied with a lighthearted tone.
"Of course. Not long ago, Ei completed the modifications to the Raiden Shogun. I believe she'll learn from this lesson now."
As she spoke, Lumine glanced proudly at her younger sister.
"Moreover, through constant effort these past few days, I've surpassed you~"
Naturally, this didn't surprise Ying. Lumine had always been smarter than her, and surpassing her was only a matter of time.
However, despite knowing this, Ying still mumbled with a hint of displeasure.
"Hmph~ Then hurry up and prepare to head to Sumeru. Watch me widen the gap the moment I get my new element."