Just as everyone was eagerly anticipating the arrival of night, Raiden Makoto seemed a bit distracted.
It wasn't that she was unhappy; in fact, Raiden Makoto was quite looking forward to the fireworks display tonight.
She heard that Inazuma would be incredibly beautiful then, with brilliant fireworks lighting up the night sky, transforming the entire Inazuma City into a dazzling spectacle, as bright as day.
But... the fireworks also meant the end of the festival.
Thinking about her impending departure from Inazuma, Raiden Makoto couldn't help but feel a sense of reluctance.
After all, Inazuma City was Raiden Makoto's hometown; she had lived there her whole life.
Makoto noticed Raiden Makoto's somewhat dazed expression and more or less guessed the reason.
Regarding this, he softly asked, "Makoto, the festival is about to end. Is there anything else you wish to do?"
Something to do?
Raiden Makoto pondered for a moment, then looked up at Mr. Faxun and said, "Mr. Faxun, I want to see the cherry blossoms."
"Let's go see the cherry blossoms! I know a place where they are especially beautiful!"
Makoto nodded and said with a smile, "Alright, then we'll go see the cherry blossoms."
Hearing that they were going to see cherry blossoms, the Little Ones all seemed very happy, as it was the perfect season for flower viewing, and they didn't want to miss it.
Seeing Makoto about to leave, Venti also followed along: "Ehe, going out to play? Take me too~"
Guizhong also came along, arm in arm with Morax.
"Hmph, a certain someone has been in Inazuma for so long and hasn't taken me to see the cherry blossoms."
"Never mind, never mind. Then let me take him to see the cherry blossoms!"
Azhdaha silently followed behind.
He had just eaten too much and needed some exercise to digest it, or he would turn from Azhdaha into Fatdaha.
Seeing that everyone wanted to go flower viewing, Makoto said to Raiden Makoto, "Makoto, thank you for leading the way."
"Mm, leave it to me."
Raiden Makoto nodded gently.
"Although today's Inazuma differs from my memory, I can definitely find that place."
...
Relying on her approximate memory, Raiden Makoto led the group to Araumi.
Along the way, Raiden Makoto recounted past memories to Makoto.
"Araumi hasn't changed much; it's quite similar to my memory."
"If we go further, we'll see a very large cherry blossom tree."
"Look, ahead is the cherry blossom tree I spoke of."
"How is it? Isn't it very..."
Raiden Makoto pointed at a towering tree in the distance.
She turned her head joyfully, wanting to share with Makoto beside her.
However, before she could finish her sentence, Raiden Makoto's voice suddenly stopped, because she noticed that the cherry blossom tree was no longer as it was in her memory.
The large tree had withered, showing no signs of life.
Seeing this scene, Raiden Makoto felt an emptiness in her heart, as if she had lost something very important.
She had not only lost a cherry blossom tree but also some of her few beautiful memories.
Guizhong turned to Morax beside her and then asked, "Morax, do you have any way to make this cherry blossom tree bloom again?"
In Guizhong's opinion, since Morax could make the mountainsides bloom with glaze lilies, perhaps he could also revive this tree.
However, in response to Guizhong's question, Morax slowly shook his head.
"This is beyond my capabilities."
"Making plants emerge from the soil and making plants regain new life are two different concepts."
Morax expressed his helplessness.
He could instantly make cherry blossom trees bloom here, but he couldn't revive this particular cherry blossom tree.
Looking at the disheartened Raiden Makoto, Morax said he was sorry.
Raiden Makoto shook her head, forcing a smile.
"It's alright. After all, everything in the world eventually reaches its end, without exception."
She gazed at the withered tree and softly said, "I just feel a bit regretful that I didn't see my friend off on their final journey."
Makoto could feel Raiden Makoto's sadness, a sadness that overwhelmed like a tide.
For Raiden Makoto, this cherry blossom tree must have held special commemorative significance.
He remembered that he had obtained the item 'Resurrection Spring' from a lucky draw; just one drop could restore life and vitality to animals and plants, giving them new life.
Perhaps, 'Resurrection Spring' could save this cherry blossom tree.
While no one was paying attention, Makoto took out the item from his backpack.
He walked to the withered tree roots and then dripped a drop of 'Resurrection Spring' onto them.
The moment the water droplet touched the tree roots, everyone felt a powerful life force surge forth.
The previously withered tree visibly regenerated, becoming full of life at a speed discernible to the naked eye.
Immediately after, cherry blossoms bloomed along the branches, covering the entire tree.
In just a moment, everyone found themselves amidst a sea of cherry blossoms.
No one knew exactly what had happened, but everyone understood that it was the drop of water Makoto used that saved the tree.
Morax and Venti exchanged glances, both somewhat surprised, clearly not expecting Makoto to possess the power of resurrection.
Looking at the re-blooming cherry blossom tree, it was as if the figures of several friends appeared beneath the tree: Fox Saiguu, Miko Chiyo...
At that time, everyone sat under the tree playing cards or reciting poems.
For Raiden Makoto, those were some of her few moments of relaxation.
The past was vivid, as if it were just yesterday.
Unconsciously, Raiden Makoto's eyes welled up with tears.
A moment later, Raiden Makoto said to Makoto, "Thank you, Mr. Faxun."
"This cherry blossom tree indeed holds a different meaning for me."
At this moment, the system's voice echoed in Makoto's mind.
"Detected Raiden Makoto's friendship has increased to Level 4. Congratulations, Host, you have received one intertwined fate."
Raiden Makoto's friendship had increased again, which meant that more content could be unlocked.
...
Under the cherry blossom tree, the Little Ones played and ran around.
Guizhong held onto Morax's arm.
Azhdaha lay on the ground, curled up and sound asleep.
Venti stroked his chin, seriously pondering whether these cherry blossoms could be used to brew wine.
Makoto and Raiden Makoto sat side by side, in a quiet and beautiful scene.
"Makoto, would you like to come with me..."
Before Makoto could even finish his sentence, Raiden Makoto nodded gently: "Yes."
"Eh? I haven't even said what we're doing, and you've already agreed?"
Raiden Makoto looked at Makoto, a gentle smile on her face: "I don't need to know what we're doing. As long as it's with Mr. Faxun, I'm willing."
"Is that so?"
"Then come with me to see Liyue's magnificent mountains and rivers. The scenery there is different from Inazuma, you know."
"Go to Liyue?"
"Alright."
Raiden Makoto looked at Makoto, her eyes curving into a smile.
-------------------------------
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