Dulphy said, "Since Miss Furina is here, perhaps we can take this opportunity to call them back."
Furina looked confused. "Why do you say, 'take this opportunity'?"
Dulphy continued, "Miss Furina, your name carries tremendous influence for us."
Lauwick added, "After all, the troupe leader mentioned you constantly. To us, you were practically a role model."
Furina smiled, slightly embarrassed.
"You're flattering me too much… but I can't say I dislike hearing it."
"I think the reason they haven't returned is that the future of the performance still seemed uncertain."
"Now that one problem after another is being resolved, it's the right time to bring them back."
[Ningguang: Even without being the Hydro Archon, Furina is still deeply loved.]
[Keqing: Meeting devoted fans so soon after leaving her isolated life may help her recover quickly.]
[Venti: She truly looks happy here. Perhaps returning to the stage suits her best—as herself.]
[Charlotte: When Furina smiles, it's the most beautiful scenery of all.]
Dulphy nodded. "That makes sense. Then let's first check on the most important matter—how Boro's ending is coming along."
"He returned to Poisson a few days ago. He said staying with friends helps him relax and avoid loneliness."
Lauwick added,"Poisson suffered a disaster recently. I thought his friends might want peace and quiet, but it turned out to be the opposite."
Paimon thought for a moment."Maybe… they needed someone to talk to."
At the mention of Poisson, Furina's expression dimmed. She quickly forced a smile."It's nothing. If we want to lift his spirits, I'm indispensable, right?"
"Let's go. Poisson it is."
[Keqing: Furina clearly hasn't let go of what happened in Poisson.]
[Navia: Furina has already done everything she could.]
[Charlotte: The tragedy there weighs heavily on everyone, especially the residents.]
[Wriothesley: Given what they lost, will the townsfolk target Furina emotionally?]
[Nahida: Furina likely anticipated that — but she chose to face it instead of fleeing.]
They soon arrived in Poisson at Boro's residence. When Lauwick knocked, Boro didn't come out.
"Give me some time," Boro called from inside. "I still need to finish the manuscript."
Lauwick sighed helplessly. "All right. We'll be waiting for your masterpiece."
Furina murmured, "Looks like he's delayed as expected."
Dulphy explained, "The ending is critical. It's understandable that it takes time."
"Once he finishes, all the actors must review it. Only if everyone agrees can it become the final ending."
[Keqing: If something keeps being postponed, it may never be finished.]
[Ningguang: For context, Keqing is famous in Liyue for being a workaholic.]
[Keqing: Planning for the future is essential.]
[Ningguang: Fortunately, we complement each other well.]
At that moment, Navia walked over with a smile.
"Someone told me earlier—I thought they were mistaken. I didn't expect to see all of you… and Furina."
Furina lowered her head slightly. "So… I still ran into her."
Navia greeted them warmly. "You're here for Boro, right? If he needs time, feel free to walk around town. I've made arrangements."
Knowing Navia had things to discuss privately, Dulphy quickly pulled Lauwick away.
Facing Navia alone, Furina asked cautiously, "How is Poisson doing now?"
Navia shrugged gently. "Slowly recovering. Some wounds may never fully heal."
Furina said quietly, "I'm sorry. I truly wanted to do more."
Navia smiled. "Alright, must we always talk about heavy things when we meet?"
"We all have painful memories, but we don't have to suffocate under them."
"If you're trying to move forward, don't keep dwelling on the past."
Furina placed a hand over her chest. "Thank you. Your words make sense… but for now, allow me to remain solemn."
Navia didn't mind. "I know it's harder in practice than in words."
"I should also tell you — not everyone has forgiven the Hydro Archon for doing nothing during the disaster."
"To avoid trouble, I told the townsfolk you're members of the troupe, and that you're merely portraying Furina."
"It's not foolproof, but it should allow you to move freely."
Paimon exclaimed, "Wow, Navia, you're really thoughtful."
Navia laughed. "As president of the Spina di Rosula, being bold and meticulous is part of the job."
"Well then, I'll take my leave. Take good care of her."
[Nahida: Navia truly lives up to her role as leader of the Spina di Rosula.]
[Charlotte: Poisson's tragedy must weigh on Navia the most.]
[Nahida: Even in pain, she must carry hope for everyone.]
[Navia: If I don't stay strong and organized, reconstruction will suffer. At night, I still go to the river and talk to Melus and Silver about the town. They'd be worried too.]
[Furina: Navia… I'm sorry.]
[Navia: There's no need. You did everything you could. Thank you for your five hundred years of sacrifice.]
After Navia left, Furina invited Lumine and Paimon somewhere quieter.
"I don't really have friends I can speak honestly with. Maybe… like she said, you're the best people for this."
Once they were alone, Furina stared at the ground."I'm grateful for Navia's understanding, but truthfully, I don't know if I'm ready."
"Escaping is always the easiest choice — but it solves nothing."
Paimon said, "That's why you hesitated when Poisson came up."
Furina nodded. "Of course I'm afraid."
"But I still felt I needed to come. I want to see the things I never witnessed myself."
"If the people here forgive me, I'll be grateful."
"And if they curse me… I'll accept that too."
[Jean: Furina has grown so much.]
[Furina: Running away never makes problems disappear.]
Lumine said, "Some people may not believe Navia. They might think you're just an actress."
Furina nodded. "I can feel their gazes."
"They might see wearing the Hydro Archon's attire here as disrespect."
"I was always afraid of accusations — of doubt and resentment."
"…Perhaps I'm still not ready."
Paimon said softly, "You're pretty strict with yourself."
Lumine added, "Maybe a little too strict?"
Furina shook her head. "I can't just look at what I want to see. Otherwise, I'd be no different from before."
As more townsfolk gathered, whispers grew louder.
Furina led Lumine onto the Spina di Rosula's flagship, which overlooked all of Poisson.
[Ningguang: The townspeople still harbor resentment.]
[Keqing: Losing loved ones leaves scars that logic cannot erase.]
[Navia: I understand them.]
[Nahida: Fontaine City lost no lives. Poisson did.]
Furina sat on the edge of the ship, swinging her legs. "Sorry… you probably wanted a walk, but I keep bringing up heavy topics."
Paimon replied, "It's okay."
Lumine sat beside her.
Furina continued softly, "Stay with me a little longer… thank you."
"I reject my past self, not only because of the loneliness and pain."
Her voice trembled.
"Standing here, I still see the water rising. Lives dissolving into water. Memories turning into bubbles."
"People believed that before disaster struck, a god would step forward."
[Keqing: Blind faith is dangerous.]
[Ningguang: Many people hope to be saved, forgetting they can save themselves.]
[Nahida: Loss is always heartbreaking.]
"I performed endlessly to make them believe… yet when the water rose, the Hydro Archon did nothing."
Paimon and Lumine reassured her. "You had your responsibilities then."
Furina lowered her head. "To protect the truth, I endured endless repetition."
"I grew lonelier, more afraid."
"In the end, I had nothing but the truth."
"I feared failing — breaking down on that seat."
"But thanks to you… we avoided the worst outcome."
"Everyone bore their responsibility. And I regained my freedom."
"…But freedom also feels like being unnecessary."
[Paimon: Venti, your turn.]
[Venti: Freedom means pursuing your dreams. Furina, what's yours?]
[Furina: I… still need time to think.]
[Venti: The troupe suits you — just my humble thought.]
Lumine said gently, "Freedom isn't being unnecessary. It's a reward."
"At least now, you're no longer bound to pain and loneliness."
Furina's eyes widened. "Yes… having someone to confide in was unimaginable before."
"I had to protect a secret. I feared being seen."
"That's why I said I wasn't good at maintaining friendships."
Paimon said bluntly, "I thought you were just… kind of hard to like."
Furina shot her a look. "With the way you talk, you're the one people find annoying."