"Ayaka? Why are there so many people?"
The sight truly startled Ye Xi.
Hearing this, Kamisato Ayaka's delicate face flushed red as she explained, "Everyone's quite reluctant to see you go, so they wanted to come send you off."
"Xi, did I make you unhappy?"
"How could that be?"
Ye Xi smiled faintly. He'd originally planned to leave just like that, but he hadn't expected this.
[It looks like this is Kamisato Ayato's doing.]
[That guy's trying to get me to stay and help, so he's buttering me up.]
[He's probably watching nearby...]
Hearing Ye Xi's inner thoughts, Kamisato Ayaka couldn't help but inwardly admire his perceptiveness.
Yae Miko, on the other hand, gritted her teeth in frustration.
That Yashiro Commission brat had always been a handful since he was a kid. Don't let his sunny, affable smile fool you—he's always scheming something behind the scenes. Infuriating!
She'd planned to come see Ye Xi off alone today, but now her plans were ruined!
Ye Xi smiled faintly. "I won't be away from Inazuma for long this time. I'll just take a look around Liyue and Mondstadt, then come back."
Yae Miko said reluctantly, "Then—"
But before she could finish, Kamisato Ayaka cut in ahead of her. "Then I'll wait for you to return to Inazuma."
Yae Miko frowned slightly; she sensed a hint of rivalry.
Ye Xi nodded. "Alright, I'll be off."
"Please wait a moment, Xi."
Kamisato Ayaka gently tugged at the corner of Ye Xi's sleeve and pulled out a double-sided gold-dusted folding fan from her sleeve. Ye Xi recognized it—it was the dance fan left behind by Kamisato Ayaka's mother, treasured as a family heirloom.
"This folding fan is my dance fan. I hope you'll accept it, Xi."
"When you return to Inazuma, I'll dance for you alone with this fan."
Her words were like a subtle confession, leaving Ye Xi utterly surprised.
He hadn't expected Ayaka to use this dance fan as a farewell gift!
How could Ye Xi refuse such a present!?
He took the fan from the girl's hand and examined it closely.
The fan's ribs seemed freshly engraved with characters, the ink still new.
*On a clear night, clouds obscure the moon; delusions cling like mist, the heart lost in sorrowful longing for the wandering traveler.*
[As expected of Ayaka—even her dance fan is full of elegant charm.]
[But the meaning of this poem...]
A clear night sky with clouds blurring the moon; the heart's delusions linger like mist, refusing to dissipate, filled with aching sorrow, yearning for that fateful traveler. Ye Xi looked at the girl before him. By now, Kamisato Ayaka had lowered her head, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Around them, the household staff and Yashiro Commission members gaped in stunned silence.
"My goodness, isn't that the dance fan left by the late Lady of the house?"
"The young lady actually gave that fan to Lord Ye Xi!"
"Oh heavens, does this mean the young lady has a secret admirer?"
"The young lady's of marriageable age now—could Lord Ye Xi be the one she fancies?"
"A match made in heaven, a perfect pair of talent and beauty!"
That fan was the token of affection the lord had given his wife back in the day, and now the young lady was passing it on as her own token!
What a beautiful tale!
Congratulations, congratulations!
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Ye Xi seemed to vaguely understand something.
Kamisato Ayaka was of marriageable age, so naturally, many would come to the Kamisato Clan seeking her hand. This public display was probably meant to ward off unwanted suitors and keep things peaceful. Still, he could feel her sincere intentions.
He didn't mind leaving Inazuma with an uncertain return date, but he was willing to protect Kamisato Ayaka.
"It's a pity we won't be able to stroll and compose poetry in the Small World together."
In return, he pulled a jade flute from his pocket.
"When the jade flute glows, it means I'm thinking of you. Play a tune, and I'll sense the response."
"Soft?"
Kamisato Ayaka's eyes filled with shyness and surprise as she hurriedly took the jade flute, as if it had captured all her attention.
The flute felt cool to the touch, just like the snow and ice she loved.
In an instant, she felt a strange connection form between herself and the flute.
"I'll cherish this jade flute for the rest of my life."
Kamisato Ayaka's voice trembled slightly.
Beside her, Yae Miko's gaze turned sour with envy.
She wanted that flute too!
This flute was a thousand—no, ten thousand—times better than the return gift she'd received last night!
It could sense longing and even respond!
She was green with envy.
But as the head priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine, she couldn't show it outright and could only stew in quiet jealousy.
Meanwhile, at the highest point of Inazuma in Tenshukaku.
In the Plane of Euthymia, a slash infused with Electro intent struck empty air.
Raiden Ei watched the scene before her, flushed with both embarrassment and irritation.
"That Yashiro Commission girl!"
"How dare she be so brazen!"
"That jade flute should be mine!"
Raiden Ei spat out her frustrated words, though she knew she was just venting.
If she actually did something like that, Ye Xi would surely punish her.
But this time, the Raiden Shogun was truly jealous!
She hadn't paid much attention to Kamisato Ayaka before, but now she realized how close the girl had gotten to Ye Xi!
"Ayaka, Editor-in-Chief, I'm off."
With that, Ye Xi stepped forward and boarded the ship.
"What impressive footwork!"
Those on the ship with some martial knowledge narrowed their eyes. Just that single step was beyond ordinary mortals!
On deck, Beidou approached. "You little punk, you've got some nerve keeping us waiting this long!"
Ye Xi smiled faintly. "Big Sis, I got held up with some matters."
"Hm, no worries. It's a bright, sunny day—perfect weather."
Beidou turned back and immediately issued the order:
"Hoist the sails, set course!"