**Chapter 38: Ayaka, You Know I'm a Girl Who Loves to Smile**
"Lord Jingchen, do you... do you have any instructions for us?"
Jingchen glanced at the Fatui agents surrounding him, their faces etched with confusion, and waved his left hand helplessly.
"I'm going on a journey. Carry on with your duties."
The Fatui agents brightened slightly. A wave of the left hand and the mention of a journey were coded signals indicating Lord Jingchen was about to embark on a mission.
*(Fatui code words used during the strange Omikuji world quest)*
"May the southern winds favor you, Lord Jingchen, and grant you the Raiden Shogun's heart."
The Tenryou Commission guards nearby darkened, but remained silent and made no suspicious movements.
To openly declare the intention to seize the Raiden Shogun's heart in front of Tenryou Commission guards only proved the commission had been completely infiltrated.
Jingchen slipped through Ritou's streets, heading toward the Yae Publishing House.
Along the way, Inazumans lined the streets, eager to witness the spectacle.
"Lord Jingchen?! Is he back?"
"Returning at this time... is he going to join the war between Narukami Island and Watatsumi Island?!"
Jingchen smiled wryly. He had no desire to meddle in the conflict between Watatsumi Island and Narukami Island.
Still, it was clear that even after a decade without wearing the Vice Priest's robes of the Grand Narukami Shrine, his reputation in Inazuma remained intact.
The moment he stepped into Byakko Plain, foxes began gathering around him.
The foxes emitted joyous cries, surrounding Jingchen and making it difficult for him to proceed.
Jingchen smiled helplessly at them.
"Ah, my friends, I don't have any fried tofu with me."
Even after Jingchen said this, the foxes remained reluctant to let him leave.
In their eyes, being the Vice Priest of the Grand Narukami Shrine meant Jingchen was a human recognized by Yae Miko.
They were filled with curiosity about this human.
Most foxes in Inazuma possessed spiritual abilities, and the fox statues along the roads were often in a dormant state.
On the day Inazuma once again plunged into endless calamity, they would awaken, standing beside the Raiden Shogun and Yae Miko.
"Next time, I'll definitely buy fried tofu for you. I have urgent business in Inazuma City."
The foxes parted into two groups, standing by the roadside and howling at the moon.
Columbine witnessed all this from within Jingchen's Serenitea Pot.
One had to admit, the foxes of Inazuma were indeed clever.
At the end of the small path through Byakko Plain stood a massive Dreamwood Tree.
Scarlet cherry petals drifted gently down in the breeze. Jingchen extended his hand, letting the petals settle in his palm.
More than a decade ago, after completing a day's tedious duties as Vice Priest, he would bring young Ayaka and Yoimiya to lean against this Sakura Tree, reading light novels from Yae Publishing House.
Or they would play Duoruo Maru and other small games.
We used to climb to the top of this tree together to watch the sun set over the sea and the moon rise.
Now, times have changed. Columbine is by my side, and they've both grown into adults.
Those innocent days of the past... perhaps they'll never return.
"Lord Jingchen, is that really you?"
A middle-aged man's voice drifted over. Jingchen turned to find Yoimiya's father, Naganohara Ryunosuke.
In his memory, Ryunosuke hadn't had a full head of white hair. But now... *Sigh*, is it from worrying about that girl Yoimiya every day?
"Uncle Naganohara! It's been ten years. You've..."
Yoimiya's father pressed a hand to his head, smiling ruefully.
"Lord Jingchen, time waits for no one. Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye.
Yoimiya finally obtained a Vision, which we thought was a blessing, only for the Vision Hunt Decree to follow.
*Sigh*, the Tenryou Commission is cracking down hard, and Yoimiya insists on defying them."
"Where is Yoimiya now?"
Yoimiya's father glanced around to ensure they were alone before speaking.
"Lady Kamisato Ayaka of the Yashiro Commission took her away yesterday. She said she'd give Yoimiya a position that allows her to use her Vision without it being confiscated."
"Hmm? What kind of position?"
"Something about suppressing the Fatui's secret plots in Inazuma. Still, it's a relief knowing Lady Shirasagi is looking after Yoimiya."
"This..."
Jingchen frowned involuntarily. *Surely Kamisato Ayaka wouldn't let Yoimiya steal from my house, would she?*
*Sigh...*
Seeing Jingchen's expression, Yoimiya's father quickly asked, "Lord Jingchen, what's wrong?"
"Ah, nothing, nothing, Uncle. Can you still make fireworks?"
"I can, but they certainly won't be as good as the ones my daughter makes."
Yoimiya's father always spoke with immense pride whenever he mentioned his daughter's talent for fireworks. In his eyes, Yoimiya had long surpassed him, having become a true master of her craft.
"Then when Yoimiya returns, I'll ask her to make some custom fireworks for me."
"Hmm, what kind of fireworks? Scattered Blossom Pearls or Neonlight Dragonflies?"
"Let me think... I'd like Yoimiya to design fireworks with a theme of ribbons, wings, and the transition from dawn to dusk."
Yoimiya's father pulled out paper and a pen, carefully noting down all the details.
Jingchen handed over some Mora as a deposit.
Just as Jingchen was about to leave, Yoimiya's father called out to him again.
"Lord Jingchen, thank you for taking care of Yoimiya in the past."
"Ah? It's nothing, nothing. I had a lot of fun setting off fireworks with her back then."
Columbine sensed the two figures hiding behind the Sakura Tree but didn't alert Jingchen, instead urging him to hurry to Yae Publishing House.
Kamisato Ayaka and Yoimiya remained hidden behind the Sakura Tree, observing everything.
"Ayaka, that girl with the closed eyes and wings isn't with Jingchen-nii."
"Yoimiya, they were definitely together last time."
"Huh? Where did Columbine go? Did they have a fight?
We still have a chance, right, Ayaka?"
Kamisato Ayaka clenched her teeth.
"What chance?! Columbine suddenly appeared from Jingchen's spatial backpack."
"Ah? Such a strange thing happened?"
"It must be the legendary Serenitea Pot Abode of the Adepti from Liyue."
"As expected of Jingchen-nii! He has so many magical treasures from the Immortals."
After a brief silence, Kamisato Ayaka asked softly, "Yoimiya, if—just if—Columbine and Jingchen were to be together forever, what would you do?"
Yoimiya smiled as usual.
"Of course, I'll wish them well! When they have children, I can even help take care of them."
This answer immediately stopped Ayaka from pressing Yoimiya further.
Ayaka turned and continued tracking Jingchen.
Yoimiya remained standing, gazing up at the Sakura Tree, reminiscing about her memories with Jingchen.
A crystalline tear slipped from the corner of her eye.
"How strange... I promised Mother I wouldn't cry anymore. Why... why is this happening?"
"Jingchen-gege has found his other half. I... I should be happy for him!"
"But why... why does my heart ache? And why do I feel this inexplicable envy toward that girl Columbine?"
"Ayaka! Turn around quickly!"
"I... I just got some fireworks in my eye. That's why I'm crying. You know, Ayaka, I'm a girl who loves to smile."
When Ayaka didn't respond after a long moment, Yoimiya turned around only to find that Ayaka had already resumed tracking Jingchen.
Yoimiya crossed her arms and pouted.
"Ayaka! Wait for me!"
....
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(End of Chapter)