Early the next morning.
Jiang Yan and the others got up at dawn.
Today was the day Jiang Yan would be taking Ganyu and the children back to Liyue after their trip to Inazuma.
Since Ganyu, Raiden Makoto, and the others had stayed at Tenshukaku, Jiang Yan and the children—who had spent the night at the Kamisato residence—needed to go pick them up first.
Worried that little Ayaka might burst into tears and cling to him if she woke up and saw him leaving, Jiang Yan ultimately decided not to wake her. Instead, he left behind a letter before quietly departing with the children.
Kamisato Ayato's parents had risen early as well.
Knowing that Jiang Yan and the others would be leaving today, they had specifically come to see them off at the entrance.
"Mr. Jiang Yan, you are always welcome to visit Inazuma again in the future."
"No matter when, the doors of the Kamisato Clan and the Yashiro Commission will always remain open to you."
Kamisato's father smiled as he bid farewell.
Jiang Yan nodded in return before leading the children toward Inazuma City.
Before they even entered the city, Jiang Yan spotted Ganyu and the others already waiting by the gates.
Although Makoto and the others dearly wanted to return to Liyue together with him, Makoto and Ei were still the Electro Archons of Inazuma.
They couldn't simply abandon their nation and stay elsewhere indefinitely.
Thus, the only ones returning to Liyue this time were Jiang Yan, Ganyu, Ningguang, and the four little girls.
As he approached, Jiang Yan looked at Ganyu.
"All packed up?"
he asked with a smile.
"Mhm, more or less."
Ganyu handed him a bag.
Inside were all the little trinkets and souvenirs they had bought while sightseeing around Inazuma over the past few days.
Jiang Yan activated the Space Stone on the back of his hand, opened a storage portal, casually tossed the bag inside, then closed it again.
Turning to Makoto and the others, he felt reluctant to part with them too, though there was nothing to be done.
"Well then… we're off?"
he said softly.
Suddenly, Makoto threw herself into his arms.
"I want to go with you…"
"If only someone could replace us as gods…"
Her voice was filled with reluctance and sadness.
Ei and Kitsune Saiguu also stepped closer, their eyes carrying the same unwillingness to part.
And honestly, Jiang Yan felt the same.
Ever since he had opened his heart to the three of them, his feelings for them had only deepened.
But Makoto and Ei were still Inazuma's Archons—they couldn't simply leave Inazuma whenever they wished.
"What nonsense are you saying, silly girl?"
Jiang Yan chuckled softly.
He never expected that the gentle, wise, and composed deity revered across Inazuma would act like a little girl clinging to him in such a spoiled manner.
"You don't need to be sad. I can open portals anytime and bring you to Liyue—or come visit you whenever I want."
He gently stroked Makoto's long violet hair as she rested in his embrace.
"Really?"
Makoto looked up, tears still clinging to her beautiful face.
"Of course."
Jiang Yan nodded seriously.
Meanwhile, Ei stood silently with her head lowered, her eyes flickering with thought.
Makoto's earlier words had seemingly sparked an idea in her mind.
Since they couldn't abandon the role of Electro Archon…
Then why not create a puppet to take their place?
A puppet capable of protecting the people and handling governmental affairs…
Ei's thoughts raced as she considered the feasibility of such an idea.
"Ei, what are you thinking about?"
Jiang Yan noticed her distracted expression and asked curiously.
"N-Nothing. I'm just… a little sad."
Ei jolted slightly before quickly shaking her head.
This matter was better kept secret for now.
After all, she hadn't fully thought it through herself yet.
She shouldn't tell Jiang Yan until she had tested it properly.
That was what Ei silently decided.
Makoto, however, had already noticed something strange.
As Ei's twin sister, she could tell at a glance that Ei had definitely been thinking about something else just now.
Still, she didn't expose her.
If Ei chose not to tell Jiang Yan, then it was clearly something she didn't want him to know yet.
She could always ask her about it after Jiang Yan left.
As for Jiang Yan, although he knew Ei hadn't been telling the truth, he didn't press further.
After all, everyone had their own secrets.
As long as she wasn't doing anything reckless, he didn't mind.
"Alright, it's getting late. We really should head out."
After spending a little more time with them, Jiang Yan finally spoke softly.
"Mhm. We'll escort you to the harbor."
Makoto nodded gently.
"Alright."
Naturally, Jiang Yan didn't refuse.
On the way to the harbor, they happened to run into Yoimiya and Naganohara Ryunosuke, who were heading from Inazuma City toward Konda Village.
"Oh! It's big brother and the big sisters from last night!"
Yoimiya waved excitedly at them.
"Yoimiya, Mr. Naganohara."
Jiang Yan greeted them with a smile.
"You're out this early?"
"Good morning, Mr. Jiang Yan."
Ryunosuke laughed heartily.
"Well, our family handled the fireworks show for the Mikawa Flower Festival last night. It was a huge success—people all over Inazuma saw our fireworks."
"We've gotten tons of orders already, so we have to start deliveries first thing in the morning."
He gestured toward the large baskets of packages strapped to his back.
"I see. The fireworks really were beautiful last night."
Jiang Yan nodded approvingly.
"If big brother wants to watch again, we can still set off more fireworks tonight! I made lots more!"
Yoimiya suddenly chimed in, her bright eyes sparkling.
"Well…"
"I'd really like to say yes, but unfortunately…"
"We're leaving today."
Jiang Yan sounded genuinely regretful.
"I see…"
"So big brother's leaving Inazuma today…"
Yoimiya's expression instantly fell.
After all, fireworks weren't nearly as fun if you couldn't share them with friends.
"Mr. Jiang Yan is returning home?"
Ryunosuke looked surprised.
He had assumed Jiang Yan was a foreign resident living here.
"We're heading back to Liyue. We were just visiting Inazuma."
Jiang Yan explained with a smile.
"I see."
Ryunosuke nodded.
"Then I wish you a safe journey. Liyue's quite far from Inazuma."
"If you visit again someday, I'll treat you all to another fireworks show as thanks for spending time with my daughter last night."
He had been incredibly busy yesterday and hadn't had time to keep an eye on Yoimiya.
If Jiang Yan and the others hadn't taken her along to play, he probably would've ended up frantically searching all over the city for her again.
The moment no one watched her, the girl would disappear in a flash.
"Definitely."
Jiang Yan laughed.
Then he crouched down and rubbed Yoimiya's hair.
"When that time comes, you'd better make a gigantic firework just for us."
"Mhm! I definitely will!"
Yoimiya nodded seriously.
"I'll make one so huge that all of Inazuma can see it!"
It sounded almost like she was setting a goal for herself.
"Then big brother will be looking forward to it."
Jiang Yan smiled warmly.
After bidding farewell to Yoimiya and her father, the group continued toward the harbor.
When they arrived, the ship prepared by Makoto and the others for the voyage back to Liyue was already waiting.
Everything was ready.
All that remained was departure.
"Alright, this is far enough."
Jiang Yan smiled at the three women.
"We're heading out now."
"Mhm. Safe travels."
Makoto, Ei, and Kitsune Saiguu all looked at him with reluctant eyes, unwilling to part.
Jiang Yan nodded.
Then, under their watchful gazes, he boarded the ship with the others.
As the vessel let out a long horn blast, Jiang Yan and the children stood at the stern, waving toward the shore.
Makoto and the others remained standing at the harbor, silently watching the ship drift farther and farther away…
Until it finally disappeared beyond the horizon.
After Jiang Yan's departure, the Kamisato Clan also became busy under the leadership of the clan head.
As one of the Tri-Commission, the Yashiro Commission had plenty of cleanup and administrative work to handle after the festival.
Meanwhile, little Ayaka was still sleeping soundly.
A thin trail of drool dripped from the corner of her mouth as she sprawled across the bed in a starfish position, having kicked the blanket onto the floor.
Sunlight streamed through the window, falling across her face.
Her eyelashes trembled slightly as she turned over, trying to avoid the light and continue sleeping.
But suddenly, she remembered—
Today was the day Jiang Yan and the others were leaving Inazuma.
Ayaka instantly sat upright.
"Big Brother Jiang Yan!!"
Rubbing her eyes, she pushed open the door and rushed out.
The first thing she did upon waking was look for Jiang Yan.
After all, she clearly remembered that he had stayed at her house last night.
But no one answered her.
Ayaka hurried to the room prepared for Jiang Yan and pushed open the door—
Only to find it empty.
The bed was neatly made, spotless, as though no one had ever slept there.
Ayaka immediately realized what had happened and hurriedly ran to find her mother.
"Mother, where's Big Brother Jiang Yan?"
She tugged at her mother's sleeve, her voice trembling.
Seeing her daughter like this, Ayaka's mother felt heartache but still gently replied:
"Big Brother Jiang Yan and the others left early this morning."
The moment she heard that, Ayaka understood.
They had quietly left while she was still asleep.
Her lips instantly curled downward as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Why didn't Big Brother Jiang Yan wake Ayaka before leaving…"
Seeing her on the verge of tears, her mother suddenly remembered something Jiang Yan had mentioned earlier.
"Ayaka, don't cry just yet."
She quickly crouched down to comfort her.
"Big Brother Jiang Yan left you a letter. It should still be in his room."
Ayaka's eyes widened.
Without another word, she immediately dashed back toward the room.
"This child…"
Her mother sighed helplessly.
Ayaka entered the room once more.
The moment she stepped inside, she noticed an eye-catching letter resting on the table beside the window.
She hurried over and picked it up.
Inside was Jiang Yan's message:
Little Ayaka, I'm sorry for not waking you this morning.
You looked like you were sleeping so peacefully that I couldn't bear to disturb you.
And honestly… I didn't want to see you looking sad at parting.
So please forgive us for leaving without saying goodbye.
People always say that parting is for the sake of meeting again someday.
You need to study hard and behave yourself at home.
Big Brother Jiang Yan will come visit you anytime.
And of course, if you ever want to visit Liyue, you'll always be welcome.
Alright now, don't be sad, little Ayaka. Study hard!
I'll be looking forward to the day we meet again.
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