Hearing Zeyan's apology, Kamisato Ayaka's beautiful eyes curved slightly, carrying a hint of a smile.
"I got wet in the rain, which was clearly not your responsibility, yet you apologize. This makes me feel a bit impolite."
Zeyan smiled awkwardly.
"No matter what, let's dry off first. Otherwise, catching a cold would not be good. Also, we should not stay in the courtyard any longer. Let's go back inside."
Kamisato Ayaka pursed her red lips and nodded.
She took the towel Zeyan offered and gently wiped her face, then walked back under the eaves with Zeyan, sharing the same umbrella.
One umbrella was too small. Two people were too many.
Kamisato Ayaka only realized this when they returned under the eaves. Looking back, she saw that one side of Zeyan's shoulder was indeed wet. It seemed he had been holding the umbrella over her the entire way.
This made Kamisato Ayaka feel a little helpless. She was already soaked, and there had been no need for him to shield her so carefully. Yet, she had to admit that Zeyan's attention to such details made her feel a few more good impressions toward him.
Watching Zeyan put away the umbrella, Kamisato Ayaka said,
"Zeyan, my house has some clothes from Liyue. Let me get them for you to change into, since you also got wet."
"Is it men's clothing?" Zeyan asked instinctively.
"Of course. I do not have a hobby of dressing male guests in women's clothing," Kamisato Ayaka said, slightly puzzled by his train of thought.
"Haha, then I will wait for Miss Kamisato to bring me the clothes. To be honest, I am a little embarrassed," Zeyan said with a sheepish smile.
Kamisato Ayaka nodded with a smile and turned to leave.
She returned not long after, still looking somewhat wet, bringing Zeyan a set of black clothes and pants that indeed had a Liyue-style design.
Taking the clothes, Zeyan said with concern,
"Miss Kamisato, you should also change your clothes."
Kamisato Ayaka nodded.
"I know. Thank you for your concern. And do not worry about me going out in the rain again. After being rained on for a while just now, I have figured some things out. Before I reach complete despair, I will not give up on myself."
She seemed to be speaking to Zeyan, but also to herself, her tone sounding somewhat different from usual.
Watching her departing figure, Zeyan was silent for a moment.
When would the moment of complete despair arrive?
And what would Kamisato Ayaka be like then? Would she still show the elegant and dignified side of herself, or would she reveal an unknown, hidden side?
Zeyan returned to his room.
He changed into the dry clothes and leaned against the windowsill, gazing out at the storm.
Heavy rain poured from the sky, lightning flashed, thunder roared, and the world was a scene of raging fury.
Would this rain really stop tomorrow?
He did not know how much time had passed, but soon he heard footsteps in the corridor outside. He quickly went to open the door, and there stood Kamisato Ayaka, now dressed in different clothes, looking as beautiful as ever.
She wore a light blue yukata, her slender waist cinched by a dark-colored belt. A pink bow was tied at her back, and a sachet hung gracefully from her waist.
She seemed to be about to knock, and when she saw Zeyan open the door, a trace of surprise flashed across her flawless face.
Looking at Kamisato Ayaka, Zeyan could not hide the admiration in his eyes.
"Miss Kamisato looks beautiful in formal attire, and equally beautiful in a yukata. It is truly a sight one never tires of seeing."
Kamisato Ayaka's delicate cheeks flushed slightly.
"Zeyan, you are joking again."
Zeyan spread his hands.
"I am telling the truth. Even the servants in the Kamisato Estate must be very happy. After all, they can see Miss Kamisato from time to time. That must be the most beautiful scenery they see all day."
Kamisato Ayaka's face turned even redder. She could only change the subject.
"Zeyan, I plan to stay in the room next door. If you need anything from me, just come over there."
Zeyan glanced at the room next door.
"That seems to be a guest room too..."
He did not continue.
He felt that Kamisato Ayaka, in the current situation, must feel lonely, and he was the only person who could accompany her.
Of course, men and women were different, and they could not possibly share a room, so being separated by a wall was probably the limit.
Thinking of this, Zeyan nodded seriously.
"Alright. If there is anything I need, I will look for you. But likewise, if you need any help, you can also come find me. I will do my best."
Kamisato Ayaka said a little embarrassedly,
"Zeyan, you do not need to make it sound so serious. You and I are the only people we can see now. If I really encounter something that requires help, I definitely will not hesitate to ask for your assistance. I only hope you will not find me troublesome then."
The two chatted easily, exchanging a few more words, then returned to their respective rooms.
Entering his room, Zeyan sat down by the wall, his back pressed against it.
What was Kamisato Ayaka doing on the other side of the wall? Was she lying in bed, praying for a beautiful tomorrow?
In her room, Kamisato Ayaka also went to the wall and sat down, leaning her back against it.
What was Zeyan doing on the other side? Was he lying in bed, worrying about the days ahead?
Separated by a single wall, both were lost in countless thoughts.
The rumbling thunder and endless rain continued outside.
As they sat there quietly, sleepiness gradually crept over them. Their eyelids drooped, and they slowly drifted into slumber.
When they awoke again, it was already the next morning.
"Boom!"
A clap of thunder jolted Zeyan awake. He looked up at the sky, which was still dark and gloomy, but no longer pitch black like the night. It was more like a very cloudy day.
So he knew it was morning.
He got up, stretched, and opened the door to go outside.
As soon as he stepped into the corridor, he saw the door next door had opened too. Kamisato Ayaka, now changed back into the clothes she wore when they first met, stepped out.
Zeyan greeted her with a smile.
"Good morning, Miss Kamisato."
Kamisato Ayaka nodded, smiling back.
"Good morning, Zeyan. Seeing you so full of energy makes me think that perhaps today will be a smooth day."
"Let us hope so," Zeyan replied, then looked at her and smiled again.
"You have changed your clothes? It seems Miss Kamisato woke up earlier than I did."
Kamisato Ayaka gently smoothed her long hair and said,
"Next, let us have breakfast first, and then prepare to go to the Grand Narukami Shrine."
As she spoke, she lowered her head and turned slightly away.
In truth, she had not slept much at all the night before.
Her heart had been full of worries, and even though her body felt exhausted, her mind refused to rest. Those tangled thoughts had become an unsolvable knot, tormenting her quietly.
But she could not voice her worries.
She could not let the person beside her feel burdened because of her own troubles.
---