Kamisato Estate.
Inside the pavilion.
Kamisato Ayaka sat kneeling on the tatami mats, two books placed on the low table before her.
A copy of The Eternal lay to one side.
The copy of Your Lie in April in front of her had already been turned to the final page. On that cherry-blossom-colored last page, there was a sentence:
"A spring is coming... the spring that brought me to you is coming... a spring without you is coming."
Kamisato Ayaka's eyes were red, brimming with tears.
Miyazono Kaori had left in the end, after all.
Even until the very last moment, she had been wondering if Miyazono Kaori might survive.
It was a pity that no miracle occurred.
That girl's life stopped forever in that winter.
Thinking of this, Kamisato Ayaka could no longer hold back her tears, and they fell onto the paper as she spoke.
"Miss Kamisato, it is dinner time. Everything has been prepared for you."
The voice of a maid sounded from behind her.
"Thank you for your hard work."
Kamisato Ayaka wiped her tears and let out a long breath. She took a good while to compose herself before gently closing the book and setting it aside.
She then stood up and walked toward the dining room.
"Where is Thoma? Is he not here?"
Kamisato Ayaka sat kneeling on the tatami and asked the maid beside her.
"Master Thoma sent word back that he is gathering with people from The Crux Fleet today and cannot return," the maid replied.
"Is that so? Then you go eat first; you can come back to clean up later," Kamisato Ayaka said.
"Yes."
The maid responded affirmatively and left the dining room.
Seeing the maid leave, the tension on Kamisato Ayaka's pretty face relaxed considerably.
"Let's eat something first."
Kamisato Ayaka sighed faintly. She picked up the tea over rice—Ochazuke—that the maid had prepared for her and took a gentle bite.
As soon as the rice entered her mouth, Kamisato Ayaka couldn't help but frown.
The taste was clearly no different from usual, but for some reason, it didn't feel as appetizing as before.
This made Kamisato Ayaka involuntarily recall what Naganohara Yoimiya had said earlier: that after reading a novel where the female lead lost her memory and the wedding never happened, even snacks didn't taste good anymore.
"Although the ending wasn't beautiful, I have to say, it truly was a deeply moving story. I wonder what kind of person that woman named Fang Qiu really is."
Kamisato Ayaka sighed softly, casting her gaze into the distance as she murmured, "Right, when Thoma comes back, I'll have him ask Captain Beidou more about her."
...
Inazuma, inside an Izakaya.
"Wine's here!"
An employee of the Izakaya hugged three large bottles of sake, walking with difficulty toward the few people chatting happily in the innermost part of the pub.
"What? You recommended Fang Qiu's books to that Miss Kamisato?"
After hearing Thoma's words, Beidou and the others were all stunned.
"Yeah, is there a problem? Didn't you guys say she writes well?"
Thoma paused and said, "Besides, Miss Kamisato was very satisfied after reading them. She even personally went to Yae Publishing House today to buy Miss Fang Qiu's books."
"Your Young Miss probably hasn't finished reading them, right?" Xinyan asked from the side.
"Mhm, she hasn't finished."
Thoma nodded, still somewhat puzzled.
"It's fine, it's fine. Let's not talk about this. You'll understand once you read Fang Qiu's books yourself."
Beidou waved her hand and said with a smile, "The wine is here. Time to eat."
"Alright."
Thoma nodded and picked up a sake bottle to pour a cup for Beidou.
Although they had ordered alcohol, among the four present, only Beidou was drinking.
Kazuha, Xinyan, and Thoma didn't drink alcohol.
Beidou had once expressed confusion regarding Thoma's dislike for alcohol.
A Mondstadter who actually doesn't like to drink?
Who knows who started it, but people from that place, Mondstadt, all love alcohol as if it were their life.
Cider, wine, dandelion wine... the varieties are countless.
The owner of Mondstadt's Dawn Winery even became the richest man in Mondstadt City by selling wine.
Thoma had also expressed confusion about this, but later stated that drinking was harmful to health, so not drinking was quite good too.
Beidou raised her cup and drained it in one gulp.
Incredibly unrestrained, as if she were drinking water.
"As expected of Captain Beidou."
Thoma didn't want to be outdone, so he raised his teacup and drained it in one go.
Beidou chatted with Thoma while drinking, while Xinyan and Kazuha quietly ate appetizers at the side, occasionally chipping in a sentence.
Just then, groups of people began arriving at the Izakaya one after another. Soon, the entire establishment was full.
The Izakaya owner, wearing a headband, looked at the customers crowding the seats before him and couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled.
"Why are there so many customers today?"
He rubbed his hands together, somewhat confused.
"Isn't having many customers a good thing? We have more than three times the usual number today; we've made three days' worth of money in one day," a young helper at the side said.
"I'm just wondering out loud. What are you standing there dazed for? Hurry up and go serve the guests."
The Izakaya owner scolded laughingly.
"Okay."
The young man nodded and quickly went forward to serve the customers.
Soon, the Izakaya had served food and wine to this crowd.
After a few cups of wine went down, many of the silent customers opened up their chatterboxes.
"Damn it all, isn't reading supposed to be a happy thing? Why do I want to drink so much after finishing the book?"
"Brother, are you also here to drink after reading Fang Qiu's book? Which one did you read?"
The person sitting next to him also took a sip of wine, turned to look at him, and spoke.
"Your Lie in April. What about you?"
"I read The Eternal..."
"The ending is just too tragic. My Kaori..."
"The ending of The Eternal is also so tragic! My Jack!"
"Wait, Jack? That sounds like a man's name?"
"Er, don't mind the details. Let's drink."
The two drained their cups.
"Sigh, I rarely read a book, yet it makes me feel this thoroughly miserable."
"It's painful, Ma Fei."
"Say no more. Come, let's have a toast."
For a moment, the entire Izakaya was a chaotic buzz of noise.
Listening to everyone's conversation, Thoma sat in the corner of the Izakaya, his expression looking somewhat unsightly.
"Now you know why, right?"
Beidou took a sip of wine and spoke teasingly.
"This is big trouble now."
Thoma covered his forehead, speaking helplessly.
"Hahaha, if you get fired by the Kamisato Clan, you can come to my ship and be a sailor. I'll cover you," Beidou said with a laugh.
"Hahaha, I look forward to my life as a sailor."
Thoma said with a laugh.
Of course, this was just a casual joke.
The Kamisato Clan wouldn't fire him over such a small matter. Given Miss Kamisato's temperament, she wouldn't even scold him half a sentence.
But he still had a bit of a headache. He had recommended the books to Miss Kamisato to help her relax.
However, listening to the words of these people who came to drink after reading Fang Qiu's books, it seemed Fang Qiu's books didn't quite serve the purpose of relaxation...
________________________________________
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