Speaking of warmth, Kamisato Ayaka could not help but think of the gentle embrace she had felt when she had briefly collapsed earlier, and her delicate face subconsciously flushed.
Why was she thinking of that again?
Kamisato Ayaka quickly withdrew her thoughts, lowered her head, and replied, "Hmm, let us go back."
With the doors and windows tightly shut, the wind and rain outside seemed to be isolated in another world, faintly audible yet distant and unreal.
The fire in the stove crackled softly as it burned the firewood, filling the room with a cozy warmth.
Seeing Kamisato Ayaka remain silent, Zeyan knew that although she appeared to have recovered from the earlier blow, her mood was still very low.
He wanted to create a topic to distract her but struggled to think of what to say.
After a long moment, Zeyan finally spoke. "Miss Kamisato, when do you think this heavy rain will stop? It has been raining for so long. The duration seems a little too much."
Hearing this, Kamisato Ayaka sighed softly and said, "So many people have disappeared without a trace in Inazuma, and now there is this continuous heavy rain. This is clearly not a good omen. It feels almost like the end of the world."
Zeyan fell silent.
He realized his attempt to lift her spirits had backfired and her mood had become even lower.
Racking his brain, Zeyan quickly tried to change the subject again. "Miss Kamisato, after watching you perform the Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu along the way, I feel like I have gained some insights. Maybe if I watch it a few more times, I might be able to learn it myself."
This time, Kamisato Ayaka's attention was successfully diverted. She looked at him in surprise and said, "Just by watching, you think you can learn the Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu? If that is true, then Zeyan, you might really be a genius."
As a gracious and understanding young lady of the Kamisato Clan, Ayaka did not directly deny his words.
Zeyan immediately followed up on the topic. "Maybe I really am a genius. I am feeling a little excited myself. Miss Kamisato, if you have the chance, could you show it to me again? Or... would that be inappropriate? After all, it is the Kamisato Clan's art. As an outsider, perhaps I should not learn it."
Hearing this, Kamisato Ayaka smiled softly and said, "The Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu indeed cannot be casually passed on to others, but if you are able to master it simply by watching, then there is no harm."
Zeyan's eyes lit up. "So, Miss Kamisato, you are willing to show it to me?"
Although he had brought up the subject to ease her sadness, if he could actually learn something valuable in the process, it would be even better.
Kamisato Ayaka nodded gracefully. "Since you wish to see it, I can naturally show you. Besides, I am merely demonstrating what I have learned, not teaching you every move."
In truth, she did not really believe anyone could master the Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu just by watching her perform it.
But she was too kindhearted. Since Zeyan had asked so earnestly, she did not want to reject him, and she was even willing to cooperate.
Just like how she had always suspected Zeyan might be connected to the strange changes in the world but never voiced those doubts. She chose instead to treat him as innocent.
She could not bring herself to hurt someone based on baseless suspicions.
The Amenoma Kageuchi was slowly drawn from its sheath. Its brilliant blade caught the firelight from the stove, causing light to dance along its polished surface in dazzling patterns.
But the brightest sight of all was the girl holding the sword.
Kamisato Ayaka gracefully swung the Amenoma Kageuchi, displaying the Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu move by move.
Every motion was elegant and flawless, the cold blade tracing mysterious arcs through the air.
Zeyan watched intently.
He knew that how much he could understand depended entirely on how seriously he observed.
The first time he had only comprehended ten percent because he had only seen a partial demonstration. Later, he had managed to absorb about twenty percent more with each full performance.
This time, he could not afford to miss a thing.
Before long, Kamisato Ayaka concluded her demonstration and said, "This is the Kamisato Art Senho from the Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu. It may seem to focus only on technique and movement, but it is actually very crucial.
As for the other techniques, Kamisato Art Senho, Kamisato Art Hyoka, and Kamisato Art Soumetsu, they require elemental power, and the space in this room is too small to perform them properly. So I will not demonstrate those."
Zeyan showed a thoughtful expression.
A moment ago, the familiar feeling of comprehension had surfaced again in his mind.
This time, his progress in Kamisato Art Senho had increased by another twenty percent, bringing him to eighty percent total mastery.
He was getting very close to full comprehension.
Zeyan grew excited. Perhaps he was only one step away from truly mastering the Kamisato Art Senho.
Thinking of this, he almost wanted to ask Kamisato Ayaka to perform it once more.
But then he saw her sheath the Amenoma Kageuchi, sit down by the fire, and even yawn slightly.
He swallowed the words he had been about to say.
There was no need to rush. He could always ask her tomorrow.
Besides, he thought to himself, it was more gentlemanly to let her rest.
Zeyan said instead, "Miss Kamisato, if you are sleepy, please go ahead and rest. Although, I must ask, where should I sleep in this shrine? I did not find any bedrooms when I was looking for food earlier."
Kamisato Ayaka sat down on the floor, wrapping her arms around her knees, resting her head on them, and said softly, "I will sleep here. There is no need to find another place. It is warm enough with the fire."
Zeyan pointed to himself. "Then... can I stay here too?"
Kamisato Ayaka lifted her head slightly and nodded. "Of course you can stay, Zeyan."
Hearing her reply, Zeyan felt a little awkward.
A lone man and a woman sharing the same room would naturally stir certain thoughts, especially since Kamisato Ayaka was so breathtakingly beautiful.
He sat at the far edge, leaning against the wall, hugging his legs just like her, and resting his head on his arms. His gaze unconsciously drifted toward her and he noticed she had already fallen asleep like that.
Had she not slept well the previous night?
He felt that for someone with so much on her mind, falling asleep so easily was not normal.
It must have been pure exhaustion that had forced her into slumber.
For a moment, Zeyan's eyes grew complicated.
He watched Kamisato Ayaka for a long while, and as he watched, he too grew sleepy and slowly drifted off.
---
The next morning.
When Zeyan woke up, Kamisato Ayaka was no longer in the room.
Only his own clothes remained, neatly supported on a frame beside the stove.
The sound of wind and rain still echoed faintly from outside, but there was no sign of Kamisato Ayaka.
Zeyan quickly stood up, removed the shrine maiden's robes he had worn overnight, changed back into his own Liyue-style black clothes and pants, and then pushed open the door and stepped outside.
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