What a pity, like dreaming of a departed friend, thinking about what to do together. But when you say, "We could go together…" the words aren't even finished before the dream ends. So regretful, but look—she left with a smile, departing fulfilled! So, don't be sad about meeting! Because, didn't we agree? Every day from now on should be as joyful as a festival!
Zhongli: "This contract, I engrave upon my heart."
Beside him, Hu Tao closed her eyes in eulogy, whispering: "May you leave with no regrets, Chizuru."
"That's nice," Venti said with a smile. I'm happy every day now, really, no lies—look! He raised his glass, and instantly, several cups clinked against his, the crisp sound of bottles ringing through the second floor. I'm with everyone, and every day feels like a festival.
Venti smiled, no tears on his face, for the wind sweeps away all tears, and time dries them. Gods don't cry. It's just that the night makes emotions more sensitive, right? Yes, it's the night. Nahida wiped her tears. It's the night that's making her so sentimental, isn't it? It must be, because… she doesn't even know how joyful a festival is.
Festivals look so wonderful. Will I get to experience one? At the next Sabzeruz Festival, when I open my eyes, will I see a different view?
In the late-night room, Furina searched for Lucian's figure. The person who was just beside her had vanished unnoticed. She must've been too engrossed in the book to notice.
"Damn it!" Furina flopped onto the bed, face buried in the pillow. The room fell silent, save for the ticking clock and Furina's soft sobs. Chizuru was like her, holding herself back, enduring centuries or millennia of loneliness. But when she finally let go of that burden, she didn't get to fully experience it or even say a proper goodbye. Just like that… Arghhh!!
"Lucian, you're no longer my dear Lucian—you're a wretched Lucian!" Furina pounded the soft bed with both hands, her legs kicking alternately, limbs never still. She deeply empathized with Chizuru, so she was heartbroken.
After a long tantrum, Furina suddenly went quiet. She slowly sat up, wiped the tears from her face, put on her hat, and walked out of the room. Neuvillette, here I come again. It's so late—stop working and read a book to relax. Speaking of relaxing, Arlecchino was feeling pretty relaxed right now. Earlier, she'd finally experienced losing control of her emotions. Venting that overwhelming feeling left her much lighter. Just a shame about that book… Oh well, buy another. Rosalyne always buys several copies—she'd get one from her.
That final illustration of the smile and those words… better keep it. "Be happy every day, huh…" Arlecchino's expression was cold as she toyed with the ashes of the book's pages. "Sounds just like something you'd say…" If someone even slightly resembles you, I'd lose my composure. Her "curse" went haywire—not the first time, though last time it was during a movie, with nothing nearby to burn.
Suddenly, she kind of wanted to return to Fontaine and see Lady Furina. Too bad Neuvillette hadn't approved the visit, and diplomatic trips can't be used too often. The three of them—Furina, Arlecchino, Neuvillette—had their antics recorded in Tom and Jerry: cat, mouse, and dog brawling.
Speaking of brawls, Lumine's side was in one too—mostly Paimon unloading on Lucian. Lumine, in a low voice: "Can she be saved?" Only those close to her could affect her mood, but this time, even someone she hadn't met had gotten to her. Guizhong, nearby, pouted silently, attacking with her eyes. Lucian nodded, and Paimon instantly stopped. Guizhong gave a relieved smile.
"Ehe, I knew you were the best, Lucian!" Paimon began massaging Lucian's shoulders. No big deal—her earlier attacks were basically like a back rub anyway.
On a tree, Xiao covered his face with the book, his cheeks seemingly damp? The noisy chatter of his companions was just right, or he'd be engulfed by loneliness right now. Only Ei was still dazed, thinking of Lucian. Back when they watched fireworks and drank together, Lucian had said those same words to her—stolen, of course! Lucian had "borrowed" so many lines to tell her, but Ei didn't mind. Those words genuinely touched her back then. The feelings weren't fake, nor were Lucian's words—that was enough. Some people wouldn't even bother "borrowing" words to comfort you, let alone scheme as thoughtfully as Lucian.
In this story, those with similar experiences were deeply affected. Hanyuuda Chizuru's existence and words stirred up everyone's regrets about their friends, especially the Anemo characters. The earlier story about Bosacius had just ended, and now this? It hit Xiao hard. His thoughts echoed Yae Miko's: "I've just been through it myself."
Kaedehara Kazuha closed the book, sitting quietly at the ship's bow, the night sea's breeze cold and lonely. So cold, it almost brought tears. Everyone else was in the cabin, leaving him to "enjoy" this solitude. Alone, no one would know if he cried.
"Sadly, my poetic talent is lacking," Kazuha shook his head with a bitter smile. In a blink, the sea breeze carried away his tears. "Captain, are you cold?" Behind him, Beidou leaned against the mast, silently keeping him company—no, they were keeping each other company.
"Mm."
Faruzan wasn't as composed as those two. She buried her face in the book, crying silently. As a senior, she couldn't let those around her see her vulnerability, so she held back any sound. But she missed them so, so much. "I miss you…" Faruzan murmured.
If anyone was calm, it was Jean, Lynette, and Heizou. Sayu was calm too—she didn't read it. She was sleeping. She never reads firsthand, always skimming it the next day at work. Okay, Heizou's calm was fake. Inside, he was a storm. Meeting at a festival, parting at a festival, a friendship tinged with "deception" and "distance." Heizou's chest heaved, his breathing unsteady, his eyes fixed on the illustration of Chizuru's smiling face. Back when his friend said goodbye, he wore the same smile… it was starting to overlap… Back then, his friend, protecting a wallet from a thief, was stabbed in the heart. In his final, weak moment, he still smiled when he saw Heizou.
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Character Voice · Furina: About Chizuru
"Hehehe, my dear Lucian said she can be saved—great! I was already thinking about biting him!"