Liyue, beneath the statue of the Geo Archon.
Rola sobbed in her brother's arms for a long time before finally regaining her composure.
"Brother, how long can I stay like this?"
She was already dead, her current state only possible through the divine power of two Archons.
Diluc opened his mouth, unsure how to answer.
Just one day left... He couldn't bring himself to say it, nor could he bear to see his sister's reaction.
"Rola, you have only one day left," Venti said, stepping forward. "In this final day, do whatever your heart desires. Leave with no regrets."
Among those present, Venti was the most suitable to deliver this news.
Though Lumine and Paimon were Rola's close friends, they were still outsiders, having only known her for a few months.
As for Diluc, forcing him to utter these words himself would be too cruel.
After Venti spoke, everyone secretly observed Rola's expression.
To their surprise, instead of sadness or disappointment, Rola smiled.
"So I still have a whole day? I thought I only had a few hours... If I have a whole day, can I finally finish all the things I never got to do?"
The mere thought of this makes me so happy! I never imagined someone like me, already dead, could have such an opportunity! Thank you so much, Lord Barbatos!
Venti smiled bitterly.
I couldn't make it in time... I let my people die in my own land. Why won't you blame me, even just a word would do...
Rola stood up and walked over to Lumine and Paimon, giving Lumine a big hug.
"Lumine, I'm so sorry for causing you so much trouble."
Rola's words were completely sincere, considering she still had six more "identities" to reveal.
Lumine shook her head repeatedly, hugging Rola tightly.
"I'll avenge you!"
Lumine's words echoed not only her own feelings but also the sentiments of countless players.
"No, that guy's really strong. I just want you to be safe."
After hugging Lumine, Rola turned to Paimon, whose little face was stained with tears.
Seeing Paimon's tear-stained face, Rola felt both heartbroken and amused.
Unable to resist, she burst into laughter.
Paimon, who had already stretched out her arms for a hug, immediately pouted. She crossed her arms, turned her head away, and huffed loudly.
"Rola's so mean! Paimon doesn't want to be friends with her anymore!"
Rola quickly leaned in.
"Little Paimon, I'm sorry! You just looked so adorable crying like that. Please forgive me~"
Paimon hadn't been truly angry to begin with. With a cry, she threw her arms around Rola's neck.
"Waaah! Rola, Paimon thought she'd never see you again! Waaah~"
Paimon's tiny body shook with sobs. Rola quickly pulled her into a comforting hug, and it took a while for Paimon to calm down.
"Paimon, am I still number one on your 'Good People' list?"
"Mm-hmm! Rola will always be number one in Paimon's heart!"
"Hehe... Paimon, if you ever run out of mora, come find my brother! He has so much mora, he'll definitely give you some!"
Rola glanced at her brother as she spoke.
Diluc nodded vigorously.
Rola carefully placed the small crown she had accidentally grabbed earlier onto Paimon's head. How strange, this crown can actually be removed?
Finally, Rola turned to her brother.
"Brother, before we leave, I want to see my good friends and say goodbye. Can I?"
Diluc stepped beside his sister. "I'll go with you."
He wanted to spend every last moment of her final day by her side, following her wherever she went.
"Paimon, Paimon wants to come too!"
Paimon glanced cautiously at Rola. "C-can I?"
"Of course! Lumine should come too—you're both my very best friends!"
Lumine readily agreed.
Noticing that Rola hadn't mentioned him, Venti couldn't resist clearing his throat.
"Rola, what about me?"
"Eh? Does Lord Barbatos even have time for this?"
"Lord Barbatos always has plenty of time~"
"Mm-hmm, then let's go together!"
-
Liyue, Yujing Terrace.
Just an hour ago, Mu Qingge had been at home, sharing a meal with her parents and younger sister.
Rola's situation still weighed heavily on her. Although she knew this fate had been inevitable since she arrived in this world, still...
Seventeen years—almost eighteen.
How many seventeen years does one get in a lifetime?
In this limited time, she felt she should spend more time with her family.
Mu Qingge appeared to be gazing blankly at Liyue Harbor below, but in reality, she was waiting for Rola and her group to arrive, while also contemplating the malicious forces pushing for her departure.
"Qingge!"
It was a voice Mu Qingge knew well, yet shouldn't have been hearing again.
When that lively voice reached her ears, she initially thought she was hallucinating.
"Qingge, what are you doing here?"
Whirling around, Mu Qingge saw Rola sprinting toward her, followed by Lumine, Diluc, and the others.
"R-Rola?!"
Rola immediately leaped into Qingge's arms. To prevent her from getting hurt, Qingge took several quick steps back the moment they embraced.
Though they were the same age, anyone seeing them would assume Qingge was the older one.
That's just how enthusiastic people are, especially since Rola only had one day left. No one would blame her for indulging in a little indulgence.
"Rola, is it really you?!" Qingge exclaimed, cupping Rola's face. The touch felt real!
"Of course! See for yourself—genuine article!"
"But... how did this happen?!"
Rola fell silent.
Having an emotional moment with herself—how to describe the feeling? It was... peculiar.
As the mood deepened, they embraced again.
When Jiang Mumu used to feel worn out from her part-time jobs, she would yearn for her mother's hug. She believed that just one embrace from her mother could erase all her frustrations and fill her with renewed energy!
Right now, both Rola and Qingge probably needed a hug, too.
-
As the two girls exchanged passionate performances and heartfelt expressions, Lumine and Paimon watched from the sidelines.
Paimon couldn't help but remark, "Rola and Qingge really have a close bond!"
Diluc gazed tenderly at his younger sister while explaining to Lumine and Paimon:
"Rola and Miss Qingge from Liyue have known each other for a long time. Despite their different personalities, they surprisingly get along very well."
"After Rola obtained her Vision, I originally intended to teach her Favonius Swordsmanship. But after visiting Liyue and spending a few days there, she insisted on learning the spear. She claimed the spear was 'cool' and would better showcase her heroic image as a future great hero... heh..."
Diluc chuckled softly, though a hint of bitterness lingered in his voice.
-
Rola and Mu Qingge spoke at length during their meeting, but most of their conversation was staged for the benefit of others.
What could one say to oneself?
In the end, Rola didn't tell Qingge she only had one day left. Knowing Qingge's personality, she would naturally want to spend Rola's final day by her side—an inappropriate and unnatural arrangement.
Moreover, it went against Rola's character.
Rola, ever pragmatic, made a promise to see Qingge again and prepared to leave.
After all, Qingge, unlike others, would offer her no emotional feedback.
As they departed, Mu Qingge slumped into a chair, her gaze fixed on the direction they had gone.
"Rola, may you bloom like a flower in your final moments, finding joy in doing what you truly desire, leaving no regrets..."
In the live stream:
[Even though Rola didn't say anything, Qingge seems to already know.]
[Even on her last day, Rola still doesn't want her best friend to grieve for her.]