Outside, the clear breeze circles the green plums, the gentle rain drizzles down.
Compared to Inazuma's dim heavens, even under oblique wind and drizzle, Blue Star is still bright and colorful.
"In fact, a month ago I had already heard of your name, sir. I had imagined meeting you many times, but I never expected that today my wish would truly come true."
Ayaka sits upright with graceful bearing, her fair face tinged with shyness.
Had this been in Inazuma, these words would have been very difficult for her to say. And if she were meeting Ken for the first time in Inazuma, according to the Kamisato clan's rules, it should have been from behind a screen.
There's no denying that for the eldest daughter of the Kamisato clan, such somewhat forward-sounding words have nothing to do with the dignified and elegant style she usually maintains.
So as the words leave her lips, Ayaka cannot help but be a bit bashful.
Yet her bright eyes, as clear as autumn water, are filled with sincerity and innocent frankness.
She truly has imagined this meeting many times, hoping to seek his help, to see if Inazuma's situation might be changed. There is no need to hide this from him.
"Now that you've met me, does the real person match the rumors?"
Ken is rather curious about how he is spoken of in those rumors.
He imagines the tales must have exaggerated him without limit, painting a peerless and perfect image. And yet there is no such thing as a perfect person; seeing him in real life ought to create a certain sense of disappointment.
Ayaka smiles lightly and answers very earnestly, "You are even more refined than the rumors claim, sir. No wonder, even under the blockade of the thunderstorms, your reputation has spread so far."
As if fearing he might not believe her, her clear eyes are full of honesty.
She truly means what she says.
In the rumors, the descriptions of Ken's appearance are very exaggerated.
Some said that his beauty surpasses that of the most stunning women in the world, that he is as lofty as clouds atop a mountain peak, as pure as a spring hidden deep in the forest, as lovely as a flower on the verge of dew.
Ayaka had only smiled at such exaggerations. She knew how fanciful rumors could be and was clear about her own standards.
She is not someone who chooses her friends based on looks; she chooses them by the heart.
Moreover, for someone like Ken, who possesses immense power, his appearance ought to be the least important aspect.
Yet the moment she actually lays eyes on him, Ayaka instinctively feels that, exaggerated as they are, the rumors still fall short of half his true presence.
His peerless disposition is not just a matter of physical beauty, but of a unique aura—breathtakingly impressive.
"Lady Ayaka, you're far too polite. As for the reputation of the Frostflake Heron—your lovely appearance and noble character—I, too, have long heard of it. Seeing you in person today, I find it all to be true."
Ken has already noticed Ayaka's slight nervousness, so he smiles and teases a little.
Compared to the stories, Ayaka is even more beautiful—like a lotus emerging unstained from mud, like an orchid in an empty valley, ethereal and moving.
Ayaka's face reddens. "Ah… that's only the change I had to make as the daughter of the Kamisato clan."
Of course—
What she means is simply that the calm and dignified image she usually maintains is a conscious adjustment. The things she does for the people are entirely sincere.
But in the hearts of the common folk and other nobles, a girl of noble birth should be steady and composed.
If she were to show her occasional mischievous side, people might feel uneasy entrusting matters to her.
After all, for a Commission that manages culture, entertainment, festivals, and the like, a steady hand is crucial to inspiring trust.
"I understand. In the eyes of the people, such a Frostflake Heron is more convincing. But this is not Inazuma. If you don't mind, you can put down the responsibilities on your shoulders and spend a carefree, pleasant day here."
Ken picks up a delicate box at his side and takes out several tea snacks.
These snacks were all freeloaded from Zhongli, each made by famous chefs in Liyue Harbor. Their flavors are completely different from those of Inazuma.
"Try some?"
Seeing Ayaka slightly lost in thought, Ken invites her.
Ayaka returns to herself and blushes a little. "Forgive me, I drifted off for a moment. Ever since my parents passed away and my brother and I took on the family's burden, I've never truly tried to lay down my responsibilities."
"Then don't think about anything, don't do anything. Just taste these snacks from Liyue Harbor—ordinary people rarely have the chance to try them," Ken says, tasting one himself.
No wonder Zhongli enjoys going to Wanmin Restaurant and other places to listen to stories and eat bites; the snacks really are excellent.
Unfortunately, they make so few each day that regulars reserve them all in advance.
If you don't call ahead, even a Liyue Qixing has to wait patiently for the next batch.
For Ken, though, recreating these confections wouldn't be hard—it's just unnecessary.
It's better to freeload from Zhongli. From the players' perspective, it's always been Zhongli freeloading from others; now that Ken occasionally freeloads from Zhongli, it feels pretty good.
"They really are wonderful… I've always been very interested in foreign cuisine. It's just that Inazuma's current situation is difficult. It's not easy to taste truly authentic foreign delicacies."
Ayaka speaks with some emotion. Compared to Inazuman sweets, this pastry indeed has a unique and special flavor.
She lightly presses her lips together to swallow, then takes a sip of the jade-green tea before her. Her eyes instinctively narrow slightly.
"Excellent tea! It seems you have deep knowledge of the tea ceremony, sir."
As a noblewoman of Inazuma, the tea ceremony is one of her required studies. Ayaka can taste the essence in this cup.
Beyond the quality of the leaves, the spring water itself is quite different.
Together with the precise control of heat and a touch of tea salt, it all comes together into this distinct cup of tea.
"Our culture stretches back a long way. The history of its tea ceremony can be traced back over a thousand years. I sometimes study it when I have nothing to do, but I wouldn't say I'm an expert."
"Indeed. This tea lingers on the lips and teeth, rich yet delicate. Beyond the quality of the leaves, the brewer's skill is the most important factor."
Speaking of these matters, Ayaka's eyes curve into crescents and her expression relaxes. "You are truly proficient in many things, sir. If you ever have time, please do come to Komore Teahouse. Let us have a proper exchange of tea ceremony insights."
Poetry, music, calligraphy, chess, dance, and other elegant pursuits—all are things Ayaka truly loves.
But because these pursuits have been labeled as required courses for nobles, the girl sometimes feels a subtle, rebellious weariness. Even during tea lessons, her mind will occasionally wander.
"Of course. I've heard that Ayaka is skilled in the four arts—sword, chess, calligraphy, and painting. If there is a chance, we should spar a little," Ken says. He doesn't mind spending time with Ayaka.
Not just because of her looks, but also because of that gentle yet resilient elegance that makes her company very pleasant.
"I shall look forward to it. However, since I've had the fortune to come here today, there is one more matter I would like to ask you about, sir."
Ayaka hesitates slightly, then speaks frankly.
The original reason she so wished to befriend Ken and the Traveler was indeed Inazuma's plight.
But to bring it up immediately upon first meeting does feel somewhat discourteous.
Still, as they converse, Ayaka finds Ken even more easygoing than she had imagined. Thus she decides not to hide anything and prepares to state her request honestly.
If Ken can truly help her, that would be wonderful. If even he is helpless, she will not feel let down.
"You wish to ask about Inazuma's future?"
Looking at the hopeful light in her eyes, Ken easily guesses what she wants to say.
Of course.
Given her sense of responsibility, even if she longs to simply be Kamisato Ayaka again, in her heart she cannot let go of her duties. With Inazuma in such suffering, she naturally has no mood for leisurely pleasures.
"Yes. I have long heard of your deeds together with the Traveler."
"Not only did you resolve the Stormterror crisis in Mondstadt, you also helped Liyue deal with the god Osial… From either incident, it's clear that you two have the power to change the course of events. I truly need your help."
"But please don't misunderstand, sir. I am not trying to force you, nor am I seeking only to use you. If you are unwilling, I will absolutely not press the matter."
As if afraid that Ken might take it the wrong way, Ayaka's usually gentle voice becomes slightly urgent.
Although her original motive in seeking them out was indeed related to Inazuma…
In her heart, she truly wants to make such friends as well—even if they did nothing more than tell her stories of the outside world.
She is not trapped in Inazuma by the thunderstorms; what truly confines her is the responsibility on her shoulders.
In this country where one cannot even see the road ahead, being able to hear tales from beyond is a great comfort to her.
"There's no need to explain. I understand how you feel."
From his god's-eye viewpoint, if Ken were to misunderstand Ayaka over this, that would be far too foolish.
Though her heart is wholly for the people and the nation, she is extraordinarily sincere in her dealings with others.
Meeting her hopeful gaze, Ken takes out a tablet, opens the Inazuma storyline his company is testing, converts it into video, and places it before Ayaka.
"Here lies Inazuma's future."
After he taps play, the screen shows Lumine and Paimon.
This is the prologue quest following the conclusion of the Liyue main story, where the Traveler prepares to go to Inazuma.
"So this is the Traveler? And her companion, Paimon?"
The moment she sees Lumine and Paimon, Ayaka's voice carries a hint of joy.
It matches exactly the description in the intel she received.
The cool yet gentle and strong otherworldly Traveler, and her unique guide, emergency rations Paimon.
Now they appear in this strange device—or perhaps, a strange kind of Kamera.
"This is the prologue to the journey to Inazuma. If you don't want to watch it, just tap to skip ahead."
Ken reminds her.
The Inazuma main story is very, very long.
To watch all of it would take at least six hours.
The early segment is mainly about Lumine searching for a way to reach Inazuma, and a bit of Kazuha's story.
"I don't mind. I'll watch it all."
Afraid of missing any detail, Ayaka doesn't dare to fast-forward at all.
To make it more comfortable to watch, Ken sets the playback speed to 1.25x, to save a bit of time.
Even so, the Inazuma storyline is still very long.
The girl sits quietly by the window, her frost-colored hair slightly swaying in the cool air. At first she still nibbles on refreshments and sips tea, but later on, she even forgets about the snacks and the tea.
Ken does not interrupt her viewing.
While Ayaka concentrates on the video, he handles some company business and trims the flowers in the garden, enjoying the leisure.
He is curious, though—what Ayaka will think after seeing Inazuma's entire story.
Because, in many moments yet to come, what the Kamisato clan does may not exactly match what she currently believes.
…
Afternoon.
The girl sitting earnestly in the tearoom, eyes fixed on the screen, furrows her slender brows slightly. It seems she has seen many things she cannot make sense of.
Ken still does not disturb her.
After freeloading a meal at Zhongli's, Ken strolls back to his villa at ease. Ever since Azhdaha came to Blue Star, he has also learned to cook, and cooks quite well.
This has somewhat changed Ken's view of the mighty Azhdaha.
He still remembers the awe-inspiring dragon he first met at Nantianmen, which is completely different from Azhdaha bustling around in the kitchen now.
"Someone else is here?"
Just as Ken returns home, he senses a faint tremor in his mind.
Clearly, someone has passed through the vortex gate and arrived on Blue Star.
Ken walks briskly to the living room and sees two very familiar figures.
He is a bit surprised, however, that they've come together.