The robber was fast, but Keqing was faster.
Not only did she possess an Electro Vision, but she also regularly ventured outside the city to hone her skills. Having personally weathered countless perilous situations, her combat experience far surpassed that of an ordinary thief.
With a single leap, she landed directly in the robber's path.
"This ends here! Surrender now!" Keqing declared sharply, her sword glinting in her grip.
The robber clicked his tongue and pulled a smoke bomb from his pocket, tossing it at his feet.
Damn! He's trying to escape! Reacting instantly, Keqing activated her Vision. Electro energy surged through her blade as she slashed into the smoke. A flash of lightning illuminated the alley, followed by the sound of a body hitting the ground.
"Phew... huh?"
Before she could fully exhale in relief, she spotted another figure—smaller this time—clutching the ornate wallet and darting into a narrow alleyway.
"An accomplice? Stop right there!"
"Who'd wait for a bitch like you!" the short robber sneered as he sprinted away.
But the moment he glanced back, a woman had materialized out of thin air in the empty alleyway. She held a strange, long weapon with two barrels and a wooden stock.
She raised the weapon, and sparks erupted from its dark muzzles.
The robber froze in his tracks, realizing the danger.
Qin Yu lowered her Double-Barreled Shotgun. Thanks to her "Silent Killer" ability, the shotgun's report wasn't particularly loud.
Even so, it startled Keqing slightly.
What kind of weapon is that? she wondered. It looks similar to the Fatui's Elemental Guns, but those require charging, don't they?
The weapon's power seemed extraordinary.
No wonder she was able to venture into the Ruins with Yanfei and Hu Tao that day. When did she get her hands on such a weapon?
Keqing stopped walking, a dozen questions pressing on her tongue. But she quickly decided against asking.
If this weapon helps her protect herself, that's all that matters.
What mattered most was gratitude. Keqing sheathed her sword and said, "It's you... Thank you for your assistance. I'll leave the rest to the Millelith. I'll have your reward delivered to you."
Keqing had reverted to her usual indifferent demeanor.
But Qin Yu now understood that Keqing's coldness wasn't born of dislike. Though the reason remained unclear, that knowledge alone was enough.
Keqing is someone I can get close to!
Hmph, just the Yuheng Star, Qin Yu mused with a grin. "Not at all! Lady Yuheng protected me earlier, so now it's my turn to assist you!"
Keqing blinked, slightly puzzled by Qin Yu's sudden change in attitude. Why is she acting so enthusiastic?
Could it be that my earlier protection earned me some goodwill? Hmm, that's plausible. But if that's the case... No, you can't get too close.
Suppressing her inner delight, Keqing's indifferent mask grew even colder. "It was merely my duty. There's no need to dwell on it."
[Evaluation: C-]
Aha! Just as I suspected! Though she maintains a composed facade, she's secretly quite pleased.
Who would have thought the legendary Yuheng Star Keqing would turn out to be a tsundere?
But this makes things much easier.
The best way to deal with a tsundere is to keep pressing the attack!
Qin Yu continued to play her role, donning a mask of enthusiasm as she shook her head.
"No, Lady Yuheng... Ah, please allow me to call you Lady Keqing. Your expression earlier made it clear that you genuinely wanted to protect me, not just out of duty. I must thank you properly."
Keqing murmured, "So you realized..."
This is troublesome. It would have been better if she hadn't understood. Now she feels gratitude, develops affection, and our relationship has taken a step closer. If this triggers any memories, that would be the worst possible outcome.
No, I must reject her even more firmly.
The mask on my face needs to become even colder, more ruthless...
I should turn and leave decisively, ending this conversation! Determined to distance herself from Qin Yu, Keqing spun around.
"That's just your interpretation. Don't make assumptions about me. Farewell for now."
Qin Yu was startled. Keqing was refusing to continue the conversation! No way am I letting her get away with that.
I need to play my role with even greater enthusiasm...
"I think Lady Keqing is really cool."
Ha... Keqing's heart skipped a beat.
Qin Yu had actually called her cool!
When they were children, Keqing often heard Qin Yu praise her with exclamations like "So cool!" and "Your ideals are so grand and cool!" But she hadn't heard those words since that day. She never expected to hear them again now.
[Evaluation: C+]
Since she told me not to speculate about her feelings, I'll just stick to the objective facts.
"...Really?" Keqing couldn't help but ask.
"Yeah! And most importantly, I finally understand that you weren't being indifferent to me because you disliked me..."
Keqing was too stunned to speak. Could it be... she remembers everything!?
Qin Yu continued with a smile, "I still don't know why, but knowing that makes me so happy. I thought I must have offended you somehow and made you hate me. It was kind of heartbreaking."
Did I unintentionally hurt her? I'm a terrible childhood friend, Keqing thought self-deprecatingly. But this was necessary. At least she hasn't remembered everything yet.
However, this couldn't continue any longer.
Don't come any closer, Keqing thought, turning her head and calmly asking, "Is that truly what you believe?"
"Yes, every word is the absolute truth."
Even if it weren't, you wouldn't be able to tell, Qin Yu thought, her expression earnest.
"That's just your imagination," Keqing replied.
Ugh, what a textbook tsundere line. Do tsunderes even talk like that these days?
If it were me, I'd just say "Ha?" followed by a "Hmph," and be done with it...
Though that wouldn't have any of the tsun part left at all.
"Perhaps, but my feelings for Lady Keqing are genuine!"
Keqing pressed her lips together, her face flushing.
Keqing rubbed her forehead, wondering if she had ever been this articulate as a child. Probably not. How nice... But enough. This has gone far enough. I can't let this conversation continue!
[Evaluation: B]
Keqing took a deep breath. She knew what she was about to say would hurt Qin Yu, but she had no choice. She couldn't hold back any longer.
Don't come any closer! Regaining her composure, Keqing calmly stated, "Is that so? But I feel nothing for you. Stop clinging to me."
She snatched up her stolen wallet and left.
A few seconds later, the Millelith arrived, apprehended the unconscious robbers, and took them away.
Qin Yu frowned.
What? To say she feels nothing? How absurd!
But now that I've figured out her weakness, next time we meet... Hmph, we'll see whose act is stronger—her aloofness or my meticulously crafted, painstakingly researched, and diligently practiced persona.
Not long after, Qin Yu spotted Keqing in the alley, crouching on the ground as if searching for something. After a moment of surprise, her eyes lit up.
What a coincidence!