Chu Xi lowered her head to eat her noodles again, her eyes darting around with a peculiar sensation.
Although they had just met, the boss of this stall gave her an inexplicably warm feeling, like reconnecting with an old friend after a long separation.
Chu Xi stole another glance at the busy figure behind the counter.
Hmm... the boss is adorable, and the ramen is delicious.
After finishing her first bowl, Chu Xi ordered another. She ate her fill, feeling more satisfied than she had in ages.
Though she still craved more, her stomach began to protest.
Rather than leaving after her meal, Chu Xi lingered by Yuna's stall.
"Boss, what's your name?"
Chu Xi felt an inexplicable familiarity with Yuna, and Yuna reciprocated the same sensation.
It was a connection she had never felt with anyone else before.
"I'm Kuki Yuna! You can call me Yuna, or even Little Yuna if you like!"
"Little Yuna..." Chu Xi chose the most affectionate nickname immediately.
Yuna smiled at Chu Xi before returning to her work.
Chu Xi wandered through the festival.
She rarely saw such lively celebrations, filled with vendors, games, performances... a truly vibrant scene.
-
The festive atmosphere lingered long into the night. As the sun dipped below the horizon and darkness gradually enveloped the land, the celebration was nearing its end.
In a secluded corner, Yae Miko and Ayato were discussing matters.
"I can't believe you didn't even tell your sister," Yae Miko remarked. "Judging by her reaction, she seemed genuinely startled."
"If I had told her what was going to happen beforehand, it would have spoiled the fun," Ayato replied. "With friends by her side, she wouldn't have been too frightened. A little surprise was just what she needed to relieve her usual tension."
"Heh... this plan went remarkably smoothly. It's so amusing to watch the unsuspecting populace panic."
Yae Miko was thoroughly satisfied with both the Test of Courage and the current Mikawa Flower Festival. She gazed at the still-lively celebration with a smile.
Ayato followed her gaze. "This success is largely thanks to the Traveler and Yuna."
Yae Miko nodded lightly. "That little Yuna... she's truly endearing."
Just then, Lumine and Paimon approached with Chizuru. They had already explored the festival grounds but hadn't spotted Chu Xi.
"How are you feeling? Enjoying yourself?" Yae Miko asked, her gaze fixed on Chizuru, who nodded gently.
I haven't felt this happy in a long time. I owe it all to everyone here, especially the Traveler by my side.
Sensing that Chizuru still had much she wanted to say to Lumine, Yae Miko decided to give them some time alone.
"Traveler... would you mind taking a walk with me by the beach?"
Lumine agreed.
Ayato: "Parting is also a part of the festival, you know."
Yae Miko: "...All good things must come to an end, after all."
As Yae Miko left, she took Paimon with her. Paimon glanced back at the two before following Yae Miko away.
Chizuru and Lumine arrived at a large rock by the beach. Chizuru stood in front, with Lumine beside her.
"Whew... This spot should do. Thank you for coming with me."
"No problem at all."
"Actually, I was overjoyed when I first realized I had taken human form. I'm a yokai born from a hagoita paddle, a creature born in the heart of the festival, destined to love the lively atmosphere."
Chizuru settled into a comfortable spot and exhaled deeply, tilting her head back as she continued:
"I wanted to join the festivities, to make friends with humans, to play Akitsu Yuugei with others. But... whenever night falls and the silence settles, I remember the bitter smile on the elderly samurai's face as he set down his hagoita paddle, and the lonely sigh Mr. Kamai would let out as he drank alone."
"Then I would think, 'If I became friends with humans, would they eventually wear the same sorrowful expression?' So I decided I couldn't do it. I warned myself never to repeat that tragedy."
Lumine sat beside Chizuru, gazing at her with gentle understanding. "I understand," she murmured.
Yes, Lumine understood. But life's meaning lies in encountering different people, and suppressing one's true feelings would lead to a difficult existence.
Chizuru felt warmed by Lumine's tender words.
"I'm sorry. During our first meeting, I kept spouting incomprehensible nonsense, didn't I? Must have startled you. I thought you'd run away, but when we met again, you acted as if nothing had happened."
"I knew you mistook me for one of the yokai's companions, but I didn't correct you. Instead, I played Akitsu Yuugei with you—"
"Why?" Lumine asked.
Chizuru hesitated. "Hmm... I'm not entirely sure myself. Perhaps it was because I'd always longed to play Akitsu Yuugei with a human, just like Mr. Kamai. Or maybe, knowing my time was limited, I didn't want to leave this world alone..."
Chizuru turned to face Lumine, their eyes meeting. From this angle, Chizuru looked breathtakingly beautiful. The flower over her left eye, which had once seemed eerie, now added to her charm, now that Lumine knew her true identity.
"Anyway, thank you for playing with me. During the Akitsu Yuugei, Paimon said that the winner could make the loser grant a wish."
"At the time, I wished for you all to never appear before me again, but you still found me, so my wish wasn't granted. Therefore... can I make a new wish?"
Lumine smiled warmly. "Of course, as long as it's within my power."
"Let me think... I wish you would remember me... Never mind. If I can only make one wish, I'll pass on that one."
Chizuru stood up straight, her voice serious.
"Ahem, listen carefully. My wish is—"
"I wish for your future journey to be filled with joy, like a celebration every day."
Fireworks prepared for the festival bloomed in the sky, and beneath the dazzling display, Chizuru bestowed her heartfelt blessing upon Lumine.
Then, she slowly faded away before Lumine's eyes...
-
Player World.
Chizuru, I will remember that you were here.
I'm crying my eyes out!
This place is so beautiful! Aaaaaah!
[She is such a kind person.]
[Why, Mihoyo? Why do you keep hurting me like this?!]
[The BGM here is amazing! Mihoyo is a musical genius!]
-
Lumine gazed at the distant night sky, the evening breeze rustling through her hair and robes.
Another friend has left...
Her expression was filled with sorrow. No matter how many times she experienced it, the departure of a friend remained the most unbearable thing.
"Lumine!"
It sounded like Paimon's voice.
Lumine walked toward the festival grounds, and from afar, she saw Paimon tugging someone by the hand and heading her way.
As they drew closer, Lumine realized the person Paimon was pulling was none other than Chu Xi, whom they had been searching for so long!
Paimon: "Lumine, look! I found Chu Xi!"
The little pixie was practically bouncing with excitement, having accidentally bumped into Chu Xi just moments before.