Before they knew it, the day for little Ayaka to leave Liyue had arrived.
After sneaking away from home for so many days, her family must have been extremely worried about her. Staying in Liyue forever wasn't a solution either—after all, this wasn't her home.
She couldn't possibly marry into Liyue, could she?
The day Ayaka left Liyue was a calm and sunny afternoon.
Jiang Yan personally escorted her to the harbor.
Taking a few steps and then turning back again and again, little Ayaka tightly clutched the corner of Jiang Yan's clothes. With tearful eyes, she looked up at him and said:
"Brother Jiang Yan… I don't want to leave you…"
The past few days had been the most comfortable days Ayaka had ever experienced.
Here with Brother Jiang Yan, she didn't have to worry about etiquette or noble conduct. She could play freely without restraint.
No one cared about her identity, and no one watched her every move.
To little Ayaka, it truly felt wonderful here.
She genuinely didn't want to part with the big brother she had only known for a few days.
Rather than simply being reluctant to leave, it was more that in just a few short days, Ayaka had already grown accustomed to having Jiang Yan by her side.
Now that they were about to separate, her heart was naturally filled with sadness and reluctance.
Seeing the pitiful little girl in front of him with her lips pursed and eyes brimming with tears, Jiang Yan smiled helplessly.
Ayaka couldn't bear to leave him—how could he not feel the same?
But he couldn't show it. Otherwise, Ayaka would find it even harder to go.
Jiang Yan reached out and gently rubbed her snow-white hair, smiling as he comforted her.
"Little girl, don't be so sad. Every farewell is for the sake of a better reunion later, right?"
"If I get the chance in the future, I'll bring Ningguang and the others to Inazuma to visit you."
Hearing Jiang Yan's words, Ayaka nodded vigorously.
"Mm! When Brother Jiang Yan and everyone come to Inazuma, I'll definitely treat you all well—just like how you took care of me here!"
At that moment, the ship docked by the shore sounded its horn, signaling preparations for departure.
On the large vessel, an adventurer from Inazuma leaned over the railing and called loudly to the people below:
"The ship bound for Inazuma is about to depart! Passengers, please board immediately and don't miss the departure time!"
Jiang Yan looked down at Ayaka.
If he remembered correctly, this was the ship she would be taking to return to Inazuma.
Hearing that the ship was about to leave, Ayaka raised her head, her eyes filled with reluctance.
She knew that once she boarded this ship, she would no longer be a carefree little girl without restraints.
After returning to Inazuma, she would have to compose herself and return to her repetitive daily life—once again becoming the noble young lady of the Kamisato Clan.
"Alright, the ship is about to leave. You should go now," Jiang Yan said gently.
"When you get home, remember to apologize properly to your parents. You ran away this time—your father and mother must have been worried sick."
"Mm, I know."
Ayaka nodded.
Then Jiang Yan took out a jade pendant made from Cor Lapis and handed it to her.
"I specially made this jade pendant for you. I placed a perception restriction inside it."
"If you ever run into danger, use it to call me."
"No matter where I am, I'll come to your side immediately."
Jiang Yan spoke softly.
"Eh? Then does that mean I can use it often to contact you, big brother?"
Jiang Yan smiled and shook his head.
"This only provides me with your location after you activate it."
"I won't be able to hear what you say."
"And since the pendant is small, the energy it can hold is limited. So unless it's an emergency, try not to use it."
"Also, take this as well."
Jiang Yan then took out a dragon-shaped bracelet carved from wood.
Yes—this was created after Jiang Yan summoned a Wood Dragon using Wood Release, then transformed it into a small dragon using the Monkey Talisman.
If Ayaka encountered danger, the bracelet would immediately transform into the Wood Dragon and protect her until Jiang Yan arrived.
Although Jiang Yan never explicitly said words of concern, every gift he gave carried deep care.
Ayaka was deeply moved.
She nodded vigorously and said,
"Brother Jiang Yan, thank you for the gifts! I'll treasure them and wear them every day!"
Just then, the ship sounded its horn once again.
Ayaka realized she didn't have time to linger any longer.
She looked at Jiang Yan with reluctance, then suddenly said:
"Brother Jiang Yan, I'm leaving now! You mustn't forget me!"
"If… if one day I secretly run back to Liyue and find that you've forgotten me… then I… I'll cry right in front of you!"
"Also, I won't forget you either, big brother!"
"I've been very happy living here these past few days. Thank you for taking care of me!"
After saying that, Ayaka waved at Jiang Yan and ran toward the ship without looking back.
She didn't dare to turn around.
Because if she did, she might not be able to leave.
Although she wasn't from Liyue, she had found a home there.
Jiang Yan quietly watched as Ayaka boarded the ship. Suddenly, he smiled.
"Goodbye, little Ayaka."
"I look forward to the next time we meet."
Not long after she boarded, the ship departed from Liyue Harbor, sailing toward Inazuma.
Gradually, it disappeared into the horizon where the blue sky met the sea.
On the ship, Ayaka stood on the deck, standing on her tiptoes as she looked back toward Liyue.
She tried her best to memorize the entire view of Liyue, because she had another home there.
If she ever managed to run away again someday, she could rely on that memory to find her way back quickly.
Only when Liyue had shrunk into a tiny black dot and vanished completely did Ayaka sit down in a corner of the deck.
Several people nearby were secretly watching her.
They were Millelith soldiers Jiang Yan had arranged on the ship.
There was no way Jiang Yan would feel at ease letting Ayaka travel alone without anyone watching over her.
In fact, on this ship, from the sailors to the captain—everyone was part of the Liyue Navy.
Ayaka took out the two gifts Jiang Yan had given her and gently stroked them.
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