Lucian planned to seek out Lumine because she was tough—really tough. Not just physically, but mentally too. Her only weakness was status effects. Lumine didn't know what Lucian was thinking, but he had mentioned going to see Furina. So, she wasn't the least bit worried about his "disappearance" and continued reading with Paimon.
In the story, beside Ayaka and the others, Yae Miko and Kamisato Ayato stood chatting, presumably overhearing Ayaka's words. Ayato didn't have any opinions about Ayaka "sneaking" hotpot. Ayaka's strict diet was mostly due to her own high standards. In Ayato's view, his little sister should eat whatever she loves! Hotpot with cake? What kind of cake do you want? I'll even steal the Hydro Archon's cake for you! Not letting his sister eat what she loves? No way! Even if he stops drinking milk tea, he'd still buy it for her!
In the story, Ayato was giving his "sister-doting speech." He explained that he deliberately kept this event from Ayaka so she could purely enjoy it as a game, not work. Besides, he "tricked" the Traveler into joining, ensuring she wouldn't be too scared. A bit of fright could relieve stress.
Seeing Ayato's well-meaning intentions, readers understood: this guy's a sister-con.
[Yae Miko laughed: "Hehe… This plan went quite smoothly. Seeing clueless people panic is truly delightful."]
[Kamisato Ayato chuckled: "Hehe… I share the sentiment."]
Looking at the illustration of the two squinting with fox-like smiles, they were practically a pair of foxes. All that was missing was a deadpan Ei standing between them to perfectly match that meme of three laughing foxes. Readers nodded: sly sister-con.
In the story, Yae Miko chatted briefly with the Traveler, then said to Chizuru:
["Alright, you probably have something to say to the Traveler alone, right? We won't intrude."]
[Chizuru, surprised: "You saw through me again… It feels like you understand everything."]
[Yae Miko smiled, her tone tinged with melancholy yet acceptance: "It's not that I 'understand everything.' I've just been through it myself."]
Readers: ?
What's with this sudden stab? A zero-frame attack—how do you dodge that? I told you I can't dodge these!
Readers cried out, "We're done for," as memories of Kitsune Saiguu's story flooded back. They didn't yet know Saiguu had been saved, so sadness overwhelmed them. But hold those tears—there's even sadder stuff coming.
At the beach, with no one else around, Chizuru and Lumine strolled along the shore.
[Chizuru spoke of her story: "Actually, when I first discovered I could take human form, I was thrilled."]
["I wanted to join festivals, make friends with humans, and play Akitsu Yuugei with others."]
["But every time it was late at night, I'd remember the bitter smile on the old samurai's face as he set down the hagoita."]
["I'd think of Mr. Kamaitachi, drinking alone and sighing."]
That was why she didn't dare socialize. Despite being a youkai born to love liveliness and friendship, she suppressed that instinct. This reminded readers of Xiao's words: "May the heroes of the world never be strangers."
They were great, living vibrant lives, long or short—truly remarkable lives. They wouldn't regret knowing each other, as the memories of their time together were real and vivid. The loss of loved ones is like "a persistent drizzle," constantly washing over the heart until the rain spills from the eyes. But the memories of time spent with them are an umbrella—unnoticed in daily life but there to shield you from the storm when sadness strikes.
Now, the Traveler was Chizuru's umbrella. When they met a second time, they "mistakenly" played Akitsu Yuugei together. Perhaps it was an "instinctive hope," or maybe… because Chizuru knew her time was running out and didn't want to leave alone. Whatever the reason, their lives intertwined, no longer strangers. The Traveler had a long journey ahead, but no matter how far she went, this moment of connection would be a memory for life. In the Traveler's memory, Chizuru lived so vividly.
Lumine wouldn't regret meeting her.
[Chizuru said: "During the Akitsu Yuugei, little Paimon said the winner could make the loser grant one wish."]
Back then, she said, "Let's never meet again," but the Traveler hadn't fulfilled that. So, shouldn't she get to make a new wish? The Traveler naturally agreed.
[Chizuru pondered: "Let me think. 'I hope you'll remember me'… No, if I can only make one wish, it shouldn't be that."]
Yes, not that. Traveler—no, we won't forget you. That was the readers' thought, tears already welling up. Chizuru, now all of Teyvat has you as a friend. Everyone will remember you. Don't worry—time's just a joke; it can't erase memories.
[Chizuru coughed lightly to regain Lumine's attention: "Ahem, listen up. My wish is—"]
In the illustration, Chizuru's smile was radiant. Moments ago, she'd been looking down in thought, but now she raised her head, her ruby-like eyes gazing at the Traveler, full of warmth. Fireworks exploded in the distant sky, their vibrant colors trying to lift this "heavy" moment, but even their brilliance paled against Chizuru's dark figure in the night. The Traveler's gaze couldn't leave the woman before her.
The next illustration zoomed in on Chizuru. Her smile was so beautiful, but why were there tears in her laughing eyes? What was Chizuru thinking? Did she feel time was too short, with words left unsaid? Yes, some words are always left unsaid, but some must be spoken.
[Chizuru said softly: " 'I hope your journey ahead is as joyful as a festival every day.' "]
In the end, Chizuru closed her eyes, but the smile on her face never faded. That was her final wish.
In the illustration, Chizuru gradually faded, while the fireworks reached their climax. Now, readers deeply understood Yoimiya's words: "Fireworks fade quickly, but human bonds endure."
This was too heartbreaking. If she'd said, "I hope you'll remember me," it would've been sad but expected. But instead, she said, "I hope your journey ahead is as joyful as a festival every day." That one line made readers understand Kamaitachi's feelings in the story—oh, so that's how "they" felt. Wistfulness, sorrow, regret—an endless stream.