"This is a stall where you can buy 'ema', five-sided wooden plaques on which people in Inazuma draw or write their wishes, praying for them to come true..."
Kamisato Ayaka and Feng Yi wandered near the 'ema' racks, pointing to a board already adorned with many 'ema', as she explained.
"Praying for wishes? That sounds a bit like Liyue's Lantern Rite..."
Feng Yi nodded. He had already released Sky Lanterns in Liyue, and now in Inazuma, drawing an 'ema' to wish for harmonious relationships with his many admirers seemed like a good idea.
"Two esteemed guests, would you like an 'ema'? Such matters are most effective when wished for during a festival. Come, make your precious wishes!" The stall owner smiled and offered two wooden plaques.
"It sounds quite interesting. Feng Yi, have you thought of what you want to wish for?"
Kamisato Ayaka accepted the plaque handed by the owner and gave one to Feng Yi.
"Of course. And you?"
"I've thought of mine too!"
Kamisato Ayaka gave a gentle smile.
"Please present your wishes on the 'ema' through writing or drawing. Once completed, you can hang it on the 'ema rack' nearby." The stall owner briefly explained the rules of the game before stepping aside, leaving Feng Yi and Ayaka to themselves.
A few minutes later.
"All done. Feng Yi, may I see your 'ema'?"
"Certainly, please do!"
"You've used a combination of writing and drawing? How unique... And Feng Yi, you've written the character for 'harmony' on the house. What does that mean?"
"I hope all the friends I know can get along harmoniously, like a loving family..."
Just like his wish during the Lantern Rite, he wished for his close female companions to coexist peacefully, to avoid any domestic troubles. Such a simple and pure wish, he believed, would surely move the heavens.
"Ayaka, what you've drawn there... is it the Shogun's Castle?"
"Yes. My wish is for everyone to be safe and happy, and for my family and friends to be in good health. Looking at it this way, our wishes are quite similar. I hope they can be realized..."
"They surely will be!"
...
The happier one is, the faster time seems to fly, like flowing water and falling cherry blossoms.
After playing with Kamisato Ayaka until late into the night and watching a magnificent fireworks display, Yoimiya truly lived up to her title as the fireworks queen of the summer festival. The fireworks were incredibly brilliant and grand, illuminating the entire festival night sky with breathtaking beauty.
"Feng Yi, it's truly wonderful to be able to attend the festival with you today! Actually... today is the first time I've come to a festival like this!"
On their way back, Kamisato Ayaka smiled radiantly.
"I'm also very happy to be able to attend the festival with you. I hope we have the chance to do so again..." Feng Yi said with a smile, and before they knew it, they had arrived at the Chinju Forest.
"Mhm, Feng Yi, by now you must understand my personality, right? Someone like me... If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have had such a happy day today. Thank you so much. Today is a significant day for me, and I will remember it forever... Ah~ Festivals are so wonderful! Without so many rules, everyone's face is filled with genuine smiles; it's so free and joyful... Oh, right, Feng Yi, there's something else I want to do, and I'd like to borrow a little more of your time!"
Arriving by a small stream, watching the moonlight spill onto the water, casting a milky white glow, Kamisato Ayaka took a deep breath, having made a significant decision.
"Please... watch me closely!"
Kamisato Ayaka stood in the stream, letting the cool, trickling water soak her pure white socks. She gazed directly into Feng Yi's eyes and took out the folding fan from her waist.
"Hmm hmmm... hmmm hmm..." A light melody hummed from Kamisato Ayaka's lips. She gracefully waved her fan and began to dance under the moonlight. Her frost-white robes, long silver hair, and flawless, exquisite face, all seemed to flutter in the wind, alight with genuine joy. Her silver eyes shimmered like a rippling river under the moon.
Suddenly, she raised her fan, and crystal-clear snowflakes rose from the water's surface, drifting down gracefully, enchanting and cool.
"How was it? My dance... was it alright?"
Kamisato Ayaka closed her fan, looking at Feng Yi with hopeful eyes.
"It was incredibly beautiful. So graceful and elegant, just as expected of the 'White Heron Princess', Ayaka. I'm not good at compliments, but this was truly art!"
"That's good then. I... I'm not skilled at this kind of dance, so I'm glad I didn't embarrass myself. It was just a sudden impulse, wanting to be a little willful... Hahaha, speaking of which, today has been a very willful day!"
Kamisato Ayaka laughed heartily, her beautiful eyes curving into crescents.
"Speaking of being willful, I want to be willful too. Ayaka, may I borrow your folding fan?"
Feng Yi suddenly thought of something and chuckled.
"Eh? Of course, you can borrow my fan, but Feng Yi, what do you plan to do with it?"
Kamisato Ayaka was surprised but still handed him the fan.
"I'm going to perform the dance for you in return! Ayaka... please, watch me closely!"
Hearing such familiar words, Kamisato Ayaka was startled, sensing Feng Yi's intention.
"Hmm hmmm... hmm hmm..." The slightly off-key tune from Feng Yi's lips made Kamisato Ayaka chuckle.
Under Kamisato Ayaka's gaze, Feng Yi perfectly replicated her "Sacrificial Dance." Kamisato Ayaka couldn't believe Feng Yi's incredible learning ability; he had mastered it completely after seeing it just once. He even replicated the finer details flawlessly. His talent was terrifyingly immense, making Kamisato Ayaka feel inferior.
Feng Yi: *cough cough* ... Without boasting, I practiced it many times following Da Wei Ge's rhythm back then.
"Ayaka, how was it?"
Feng Yi closed his fan, his face practically screaming for praise.
"It was wonderful, truly wonderful. Feng Yi, your learning ability truly astonishes me!" Kamisato Ayaka clapped her hands, a smile gracing her lips.
"Ayaka, I also know the Mondstadt Sacrificial Dance. Would you be interested in learning it?" Feng Yi recalled Eula teaching him the Lawrence family's Sacrificial Dance in the bathroom, and thus, he decided to initiate a dance exchange between the two nations. A simultaneous exchange of Sacrificial Dances!
"Yes, I'm very much looking forward to the Mondstadt Sacrificial Dance..."