Arlecchino closed the book, her expression heavy, silent for a long time. This story truly stirred many memories for her.
Not just Miko's story, but Hanachirusato's too. Both stories shared a trait: friends who would never return.
One was about waiting for friends who wouldn't come back, the other about a fleeting reunion with friends thought lost forever… both were too much for Arlecchino to bear.
So she wanted to go chat with Lady Furina.
She didn't know why, but despite talking so many times and even bringing Furina's favorite cakes, their relationship hadn't improved much.
How strange—bringing cakes should make friends, right? Clervie…
Sigh, if their relationship were better, maybe she could get Furina to sing that song again?
If she asked now, Lady Furina would surely refuse, wouldn't she?
She didn't know that if she asked, Furina would sing—because little Furina was scared!!
Furina was like a timid mushroom: when you couldn't see through her, she'd "show off her might," but once you did, she'd turn into a "turtling coward."
She'd crouch, cover her head, and cry, "Don't hit me~!"
At this moment, Furina was unaware of Arlecchino's thoughts and was feeling bored.
Lucian was more fun. Too bad Inazuma's lockdown hadn't ended, or she'd love to visit.
Originally, she rarely had chances to travel abroad, but thanks to Lucian's convenient "transportation," she'd been taking frequent trips.
Especially that recent trip to Sumeru with Lucian, Navia, and Hu Tao—the rainforest was so comfortable.
But that man, Alhaitham, was a bit odd. He was supposed to be their guide, but halfway through, he vanished. Furina had no idea why.
Lucian knew. Alhaitham had told him it was because it hit quitting time mid-tour, so Alhaitham clocked out.
Ahem, enough about Alhaitham. Navia, who went to Sumeru with Furina, was now wiping away little pearls of tears.
She recalled the "future" Lucian told her about, where she never got to properly say goodbye to Melus and Silver.
Thinking of this brought tears to her eyes, but she was also grateful she'd met Lucian, ensuring that "future" wouldn't happen.
Lucian, worried she'd be too heartbroken, hadn't mentioned that there was actually a chance to say goodbye later—yes, when Navia fell into the Primordial Sea.
At that time, Melus and Silver protected her again, giving her a proper farewell opportunity, hehe.
Lucian insisted he didn't tell her because he was worried about Navia, not to surprise her later.
Spoiling too much would ruin the fun if she was mentally prepared, right?
Take the fox lady—she had no preparation, and though she acted fine, Lucian knew she was shaken.
Speaking of relating to Yae Miko, Dehya, who shares Arlecchino's Pyro element, was somewhat moved after reading the story.
Her life was carefree, and she avoided choices she'd regret, but she could still empathize with Yae Miko because of Dunyarzad.
She didn't yet know she was already deep in it, just unaware of this regret.
In contrast, Faruzan was far more shaken, as she had genuinely missed her chance.
Parents, teachers, friends—she hadn't said goodbye to any of them.
If possible, Faruzan truly wished for a "Hyakki Yagyo" to give her a chance to send off her loved ones.
Kitsune Saiguu's story had already broken her, and now Miko's story broke her again—she really clashed with foxes…
"In awe of divine might, reverent and fearful," Faruzan sighed.
Clashing with foxes was just talk. If she could, she'd love to befriend those two foxes.
"In awe of divine might, reverent and fearful," Lumine and Paimon recited together at Asase Shrine while reading.
"So even Miko can look lonely?" Paimon said, looking at the expression in Miko's illustration.
Paimon added, "Oh well, I won't haggle over the manuscript fee this time."
Greedy Paimon willing to forgo a fee showed she genuinely wanted Miko to be happy.
Lumine nodded in agreement. Manuscript fees—how much could they be? Lucian loves mooching meals, so the fees can't be much, right?
Lucian: Not much, really not much. Why else would I let you treat me when we go out, hehe?
"Meow, what art thou saying?" Hanachirusato called to the Traveler duo. "Come help me—this child can't get down!"
A kitten had climbed a tree but was too high up to jump down.
Hanachirusato's magic wasn't enough, and she was helpless to save the cat. Luckily, the Traveler and Paimon were there.
"Sure, we're coming!" Paimon waved.
They'd read Hanachirusato's story too, so they didn't mind spending more time with her.
While they kept Hanachirusato company, Miko, of course, had company too.
"Little guy, what's your next story? Still keeping it from your big sister?" Yae Miko asked.
Yae Miko couldn't stand these "sudden attacks." It was better like before, when she could prepare mentally.
Back then, she'd read in advance, and if she got shaken, she'd quietly wipe away her little pearls of tears.
Now, she had no idea what was coming, and reading with everyone else nearly made her lose control.
"Yup," Lucian nodded. "You know I'm keeping it from you, so how could I tell you what the next story is?"
"…" Yae Miko stared at Lucian. This man really left her helpless.
What could she do? He'd "revived" Kitsune Saiguu.
She already couldn't handle him, and his shameless streak didn't help.
Lucian's "attack power" was high, and Yae Miko couldn't counter yet—her verbal wit couldn't pierce his thick skin.
At this moment, Lucian was like a unit with 3000 attack and 3000 defense.
"Are you keeping it from me too? Tell me secretly, okay?" Kitsune Saiguu smiled, leaning closer to Lucian, her white fox ears twitching before him.
The tips of her ears showed a hint of pink from the blood vessels.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Faruzan: About Loved Ones
"…When I woke up, everything had changed. Friends, teachers, classmates—all gone. My knowledge was no longer cutting-edge, and my ordinary days were gone forever. But… we must move forward. After all, I'm a senior! How can I not lead the way?"