Zeyan had been hoping that Kamisato Art: Senho could be mastered, but he also wondered if he could learn other abilities like Kamisato Art: Hyoka or Kamisato Art: Soumetsu.
Yet, even after Kamisato Ayaka had finished her battle, Zeyan didn't gain any new insights. This made him realize that the threshold for comprehension might have increased, or there were key points he had missed.
Once all the Ruin Destroyers were dealt with, Kamisato Ayaka stood still, seemingly lost in thought.
Zeyan picked up her umbrella from the ground and walked over, sheltering them both under it.
He then spoke, "Tomorrow and accidents are always hard to predict. We thought the umbrellas we brought would be enough, but we still got wet and covered in mud. We'll need to change clothes again."
At the sound of his voice, Kamisato Ayaka looked up and asked, "Zeyan, what do you think the black shadow we saw in the shrine was? Could it have been a Ruin Destroyer?"
This was the question that had been weighing on Kamisato Ayaka's mind.
Unlike the Ruin Scout, which had been in the form of a box and only moved when approached, the Ruin Destroyers were clearly in a roaming state from the start.
So the black shadow they saw was likely one of the Ruin Destroyers.
Zeyan already had an answer in his heart. Upon hearing her question, he sighed and said,
"I found it strange from the beginning. Mt. Yougou isn't short, and from such a high vantage point, a normal person would appear much smaller than the black shadow we saw. And the Ruin Destroyers are much larger than ordinary people."
Kamisato Ayaka gave a bitter smile. "So, you think what we saw was just a Ruin Destroyer?"
Zeyan nodded. "As hard as it is to accept, I believe that's the case."
Although sometimes a lie can be more comforting, Zeyan knew that Kamisato Ayaka was perceptive, and she would eventually see through any falsehoods. In fact, she likely already suspected the truth, so it was better to face reality.
At that moment, Kamisato Ayaka's expression faltered, and she seemed to lose all her strength. She whispered,
"I thought I would see something new, but instead, it's these things like Ruin Machines."
Zeyan didn't know how to console her as her mood turned somber again. He could only suggest,
"Let's go first. We should find a place to change clothes, or we'll catch a cold."
Kamisato Ayaka pursed her lips, giving a faint smile. "Let's go back to the Kamisato Estate first."
With that, she forced a weak smile, clearly not wanting her emotions to burden Zeyan. But Zeyan knew that it was more painful to have hope and then see it dashed than never to have had hope at all.
He knew Kamisato Ayaka's heart must be fragile at that moment, but he didn't know how to ease her pain. Any wrong words might only make things worse. So, he kept silent and returned to the Kamisato Estate with her.
At the Kamisato Estate, there were some clothes from Liyue stored there. After Zeyan picked them out, he went to a guest room to change.
He came out feeling refreshed. Kamisato Ayaka, too, had changed, but she was still wearing the same style of clothes as before, suggesting she had many outfits of that design.
The two met in the corridor, and Kamisato Ayaka spoke softly. "Zeyan, please come with me."
She turned and led the way, and Zeyan followed, knowing she had something to say.
Outside, the storm raged on, the thunder booming and the world obscured in a vast white blur. Inside, however, the large hall was a sanctuary, the doors and windows tightly shut, blocking most of the storm's fury.
Once they sat down at a wooden table, Kamisato Ayaka spoke seriously, "Zeyan, I saw you use Kamisato Art: Senho earlier. Is that true?"
Zeyan nodded. "Yes, I mentioned before that by observing Miss Kamisato's moves, I would gain some insights. Just now, when facing the Ruin Machines, I finally comprehended Kamisato Art: Senho."
Though Kamisato Ayaka had suspected as much, she was still astonished to hear Zeyan confirm it.
After all, she had never taught him the Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu, yet Zeyan had managed to master Kamisato Art: Senho simply by observing her. What kind of terrifying talent was this?
Could it be that she had encountered a rare genius?
Kamisato Ayaka couldn't help but exclaim,
"Zeyan, you truly are gifted. If you were to dedicate yourself to this path, you would undoubtedly achieve great things. Once everything here is resolved, I plan to introduce you to my older brother, Kamisato Ayato. He is the head of the Kamisato Clan. With both his and my approval, we could officially teach you the Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu."
Zeyan didn't feel any joy at the offer, instead asking, "Once everything here is resolved? What do you mean by that?"
Kamisato Ayaka replied, "I mean the disappearance of the people of Inazuma."
Zeyan sighed, his voice heavy. "But how can such a thing be resolved? Even if we live our lives to the fullest, will that day really come? Can it truly be fixed?"
He felt that Kamisato Ayaka was too fixated on restoring the lost people, something that seemed inherently impossible. Though his words might be harsh, he said them in the hope that Kamisato Ayaka could accept reality.
Only by doing so could she begin to heal; holding onto an impossible fantasy would only cause her more pain.
Kamisato Ayaka fell silent at his words.
Could the lost people of Inazuma really be restored?
Even Kamisato Ayaka had no answer to that question. She had already visited Inazuma's most important locations, like Tenshukaku and the Grand Narukami Shrine, but found nothing.
So where else could she go? Other places in Inazuma couldn't be more significant than those two, could they?
Seeing her deep in thought, Zeyan spoke softly,
"I don't necessarily want you to teach me Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu. I just hope you'll stop holding on to the fantasy of finding the others. Clinging to that will only make you feel worse."
Kamisato Ayaka looked at him with sadness in her eyes. "Zeyan, have you already given up?"
Zeyan sighed. "What else can I do if I don't give up? I'm just an ordinary person. What can I change?"
Kamisato Ayaka gazed at him intently, sensing that Zeyan had truly given up, seemingly resigned to living in this lonely world. But she couldn't give up on this cause, no matter what, she couldn't abandon it.
Biting her lip, a light flashed in Kamisato Ayaka's eyes. She had made a decision.
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