Chapter 32 - He Who Once Knew You

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Kazuha's Perspective

"I told you, we haven't seen her anywhere," Captain Beidou argued, taking a swig of her sake.

"I'm sorry, miss, but we're going to need to do a thorough search on the Alcor," the Millelith argued. "The Ministry of Civil Affairs has reported an offense against one of its respectable officials, and this 'Yunxi' is nowhere to be found."

Beidou rolled her eyes. "Look, I've known the kid for a long time, and she wouldn't harm a fly. I promise you it's a false alarm. Those snooty government officials are just trying to make trouble. Leave my ship now."

Suddenly, a young soldier made his way through the crowd, his expression gentle.

"The Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing has ordered to halt the inspections immediately. We are to cease all investigations before sundown."

There was a bit of clamor amongst the Millelith before the youth who had been speaking to Captain Beidou bowed apologetically, marching robotically off the ship.

Leaping from the crow's nest, I landed beside the captain gracefully.

"Captain Beidou, who is this 'Yunxi' you spoke of?" I asked inquisitively.

Beidou grunted. "A good handful of years back, Yunxi came to Liyue from Inazuma, and she started working on the Pearl Galley as an escort. She became popular amongst the upper class, and they called her the 'Celestial Pearl'. Fitting name for that silver hair of hers. She disappeared only a year or so after she reached her peak fame, and she came back two-or-so years ago only to disappear just as mysteriously. Ha. Who knows what that girl's up to?"

"I see," I responded, allowing my mind to process her words. "She is from Inazuma, you say?"

"If we hadn't been so busy lately, I would've invited her over for a drink or two." She smiled at me. "I know you'd appreciate the company of someone from your homeland."

I remained silent.

"Something on your mind, kid?"

"Oh! It's good to see you, Kazuha," she called from afar, gathering the tails of her ceremonial gown and rushing in my direction.

"And I, you," I replied accordingly. "Greetings, my lady. Your dance was lovely. In my eyes, you truly resembled a white crane in the snow."

She chuckled, her laughter a natural melody. "You have such a way with words, Kaedehara. Have you eaten yet? I'll treat you to something nice today."

"Ah, a kind offer," I smiled. "But if the mistress allows it, shall I go pay my respects to the late Lady of Kamisato?"

Her eyes darkened ominously.

"My apologies" she said, an unfamiliar tremble in her tone. "I would suggest that you rejoin the others, Kazuha."

I remained silent as she stood with her back turned to me, clutching her Vision in her left hand like a lucky charm. Her shoulders were tense, her arms were shaking ever-so-slightly, and she shifted her position ever-so-slightly.

"Lady Ayame?"

She swallowed.

"It's Rin," she choked out, her cheeks a bright red. "My name is Kamisato Rin, for I will always answer the call of the lightning's glow."

She pressed her sleeves to her eyes, and when she removed them, they were damp.

With her last breaths, she whispered a solemn goodbye and rushed into the rows of wisterias, her fists balled at her sides.

You've reached the end of published parts.

⏰ Last updated: Feb 15, 2023 ⏰

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𝙗𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜'𝙨 𝙜𝙡𝙤𝙬 // scaramouche x ocWhere stories live. Discover now