Omniscius II [Genshin Impact]

73: The Gift He Left Behind

Ayato couldn't find it in his heart to punish Ayaka for her misbehavior. All he felt was relief when he spotted the boats carrying an injured Ayaka escorted by a few doushin.

Thoma was just as worried. They stood all day by the docks at Ritou for that very moment. Seeing her safe and sound immediately banished all the others thoughts tormenting their minds for two days.

"Lady Ayaka! Thank the gods you're safe!" Thoma said as Ayaka was helped up the docks.

"I'm...sorry if I caused trouble," Ayaka said, wincing at her fresh injury. "Please, don't apologize! Come, let me help you," Thoma said, immediately coming to pick Ayaka up in his arms.

Thoma paused in front of Ayato. Ayaka flinched and looked away in embarrassment. Then, slowly she looked back at him.

There was little to no emotion on his face. She felt guilty being under his gaze.

"I heard about everything," Ayato said. "I...have no excuses," Ayaka replied quietly, ashamed.

She was surprised when she felt a soft pat on her head. She looked at Ayato, seeing the softest flicker of worry and...guilt in his gaze.

"I know, and I respect where your resolve has taken you," Ayato said, "But this is the last time you will do something this dangerous without me."

I can't lose you, too, Ayato thought he should say, but too many eyes were on them, and not all of them were friendly.

"I understand, brother. And I apologize," Ayaka whispered. Ayato sighed and looked at Thoma.

"See to it that her wounds are treated immediately," Ayato said, and Thoma bowed. He disappeared from sight, and Ayato crossed his arms.

There was one last matter that weighs in his mind. He gazed to the far south, where Seirai Island would stand.

"Lord Kamisato told me something once during the Irodori Festival: 'Ayaka has a very strong attachment to Soleil. Perhaps that is where she gets her inclination to be involved in things she shouldn't be. Look after her for me, why don't you? You'll find that the three of you share many similarities. With Soleil's scholastic knowledge, it shouldn't be difficult to know what they are'."

Kazuha remembered those words, hearing Kamisato Ayato's calm but also blithe voice as he said them to him.

"Lord Kamisato speaks in a roundabout way, and it took me some time to understand what he meant. That was when Lady Ayaka herself came to me, asking for my assistance so she arrives uneventfully in Tsurumi Island. She came to look for you, and that's where I understood," Kazuha explained.

Why would she ask him of all other people she knew? Surely, there were those who were stronger than him and more capable. Then he learned Ayaka not only went to Tsurumi to look for Soleil, but also to ask her questions.

Ayaka has told him before how Soleil helped them immensely in securing their position as heads of the Yashiro Commission. Whatever she had to ask Soleil was related to that, and he knew it wasn't a topic to be discussed when there was a stranger with them.

But it was a matter of concern for only the Kamisato family and Soleil, so why should he be involved? Kazuha didn't know and yet Ayato implied that he should help Ayaka meet Soleil when the chance arrived.

"There's only one thing I can guess that we all share. The Kaedehara Clan once served under the Kamisato Clan until both faced consequences due to an incident in the past," Kazuha stated, "Could it be that you were also connected to that same incident as well?"

Soleil stared, then she sighed loudly. Son of a gun, Ayato. Why is he sending these children to her like she was some encyclopedia?!

Ayato already knew everything since he was able to lead these kids with clues during the Irodori Festival. But as for Ayaka and Kazuha...