You fixed up your clothes and tied your hair up into low ponytail using a red ribbon. After tying it up tightly, you then grabbed your bag and approached an old photograph of your mother on top of the drawer.
"I'll be heading off now, mom" You softly smiled before you walked out of your house. Upon exiting the door, you were slightly surprised as you were greeted by a brunette with a red ribbon and a red Favonius Knight uniform, who seemed to be waiting for you outside your house.
"Oh Amber-"
"Lisa told me to see you off at the gate in her stead since she has work to do right now"
"Oh, alright then" You smiled at her then the brunette reciprocated as you both started making your way for the city gate.
As you two were walking, Amber's expression hesitantly frowned. "Hey.. are you sure you're fine going on your own?" She slowly turned her head to look at you with worry clearly written all over her face.
"Don't worry too much!" You lightly pat her back. "Besides, I've already made up my mind that I'm heading back to Inazuma and since everyone is busy with their duties, I'll just go by myself"
"It's just that..." She frowned as she looked at you. Although you really can't blame her, Amber has been trying to check up on you ever since she found out about your health condition.
"If you're worried about my condition, don't worry. I'll make sure I get it all under control. Besides, the Traveler will accompany me upon my arrival in Inazuma so I won't be alone" You tried to assure her with a confident smile. She just sighed and gave a light smile as the both of you finally reached the gates.
You gave amber one last hug then she did the same, firmly holding onto you for a moment. "Please be safe" You both pulled away from the hug and you looked at her with a nod.
"Take care too, I'll be writing you all letters soon!" You then started going ahead, looking back at Amber as she was waving at you. You waved a farewell back at her while holding back your tears with a smile.
It has been half a year since Heizou left you behind. You were in distraught and you couldn't do anything about it because of your health condition that worsened for a couple of weeks during your stay in Mondstadt. On the day that the Windblume festival ended, Amber planned to visit you at your place but only to find you as a sobbing mess while in pain on the floor. For the next few days, you were under the care of the Acting Grandmaster's sister, Barbara in the church but unfortunately, even she couldn't heal the condition of your body. It didn't take long until you finally told the truth to Amber and Lisa about your condition and how it all happened. At first, they were clearly furious and wanted to confront the Fatui but you told them to not do anything, considering that going on a war against the Fatui will result into a diplomatic issue between Snezhnaya and Mondstadt, and you didn't want that. They then agreed to your wishes and decided to keep your condition a secret so there won't be any more conflicts.
After a while, as you were recovering, you tried to convince Lisa that you wanted to return to Inazuma, but knowing how much Lisa really cared for you, she would give you a no every time. It took months and a lot of convincing before your aunt finally gave in and decided to let you go. You tried to assure her that you'll be more careful and wouldn't put yourself in a difficult situation anymore. You didn't want everyone to worry so much about you because in all your life, you always thought of yourself as a burden so you often had to hold everything to yourself.
As for the reason why you wished to return to Inazuma, simply because you wanted to find him. You want to know the main reason why he left, why he didn't tell you personally and just disappeared. You were heartbroken, had so many regrets and unable to make him stay was one of it. You refused to accept the fact he will no longer be a part of your life, you never even got to tell him how you felt and so you were determined, despite the health condition that you had to endure.
You soon arrived in Liyue without any incidents nor attacks. You then immediately went straight for the docks to meet up with Beidou, and there she was. She was busy instructing her crew on their assigned tasks, though she took notice of your arrival as she looked at your direction.
"Ah, y/n! Glad that you could make it! I was wondering when you will show up, was gonna leave you behind if you were gonna be delayed"
"E-ehh..?" You sweatdropped as you couldn't tell if she was being serious or not.
The captain then let out a laugh at your reaction then ruffled your hair. "Haha! Just kidding! Well, you're not late either way, we're about to leave in an hour so you can go ahead" She then pointed at the ship behind her using her thumb, gesturing you to climb aboard. You nodded and thanked her before going up to the ship. You went to the other side of the ship and indulge yourself in the vast view of the ocean, you missed the scent of the ocean which vividly reminded you of Inazuma. You had a wide smile on your face, grinning from ear to ear at the thought that you're finally returning to the place you considered as your second home.
"It sure is a pleasant view, isn't it?"
You turned your head to the source of the voice and saw a familiar white-haired man with scarlet eyes and dressed like a samurai. He was sitting by the edge as he was also gazing admirably at the view before turning to you with a soft smile. "We haven't formally introduced ourselves during the first time we met, right? I'm Kaedehara Kazuha but you can just call me by my first name"
"Oh- uhm- l/n y/n" You quickly fixed yourself for a formal introduction which made the ronin chuckle. You thought to yourself how soft and calm his voice is, much like a certain redhead detective you both know, except that the latter's voice has a slightly flirty tone to it.
"Forgive me for asking you this all of a sudden but.. did something happen between you and Heizou back then? I just can't help but wonder why he would leave you be to travel by yourself even though he was quite protective of you last time"
You glanced down at the sea, your expression slowly turning bitter as you recalled the events of the Windblume Festival. You and the detective were so happy and enjoyed your time having a stroll around the city and showing him around, even went to Starsnatch Cliff to see the sunrise together, then everything fell apart on the last day, leaving you in tears.
"It's okay if it's too much for you. I won't pressure you to answer" He then reverted his attention at the horizon. "Sometimes, silence is our only choice. Not everything can be answered just by our words. Even just the person's expression will tell us everything we need to know"
"Are you a philosopher or perhaps a poet, Kazuha?"
He lightly chuckled. "A wandering poet, I guess"
"I see.."
"I wish you the best of luck. Hope everything is settled between you and Heizou"
You couldn't help but smile at the ronin's words, it somehow made you feel better. "Thank you, Kazuha"
***
You finally arrived at Inazuma as the ship stopped by at the docks of Ritou. You got off the ship and looked around, it didn't take long before you spotted a familiar blonde person with a silver-haired floating companion beside them.
"Traveler! Paimon!" You waved at the duo as you rushed towards them.
"There she is! Hey y/n!" Paimon waved back at you.
"Great to see you again, y/n" The traveler greeted with a smile as you reciprocated.
"Great to see you both as well! It's been such a long time, I ended up missing this nation" You chuckled.
"How was everyone in Mondstadt?" Paimon tilted her head.
"Diligent to their duties as always. Some of them offered their regards to you two. Anyways, are you both busy today?"
"Actually, we were planning to head to the Adventurer's Guild after picking you up so the three of us could do a commission together. Also, we got a notice from Katheryne about an emergency commission so why don't we go check it out? Paimon's really curious!" You and the traveler nodded in agreement as the three of you made your way to Inazuma city.
As the three of you finally arrived in the city, you three went straight to the Adventurer's Guild to see Katheryne.
"Katheryne! We're here!" Your silver-haired companion chirped.
"Ah, perfect timing you three. The Adventurer's Guild is currently receiving an emergency request from the Tenryou Commission, they currently needed as much help as they could get" The black-haired receptionist explained, making you wonder if something major happened.
"Why? What's up?" Paimon asked.
"Unfortunately, I don't have enough information on the matter but if you wish to learn more about the commission, the adventurers who will accept the request must head to the Kujou Encampment within 3 days"
"Hmm.. What do you both think?"
You turned to look at Paimon. "I think we should. It could be very crucial and something major" The traveler then seemed to nod at your decision. You then revert your attention to Katheryne. "We'll take the commission"
"Very well, I wish you all the best of luck. Ad Astra Abyssosque"
The three of you then immediately went to take the boat and sailed for Kannazuka, though you could feel something within your gut that a storm is slowly brewing in. You began to wonder, what could be waiting for you up ahead in this journey?