[Genshin Impact] A world where only travelers are alone

How can we avoid losing something?

It's okay as long as you never had it.

Kazuque understood this sentence when he realized that the engagement that thought it could help Kamisato Ayato was actually pushing Kamisato Ayato deeper into the fire pit.

She stubbornly refused to meet Kamisato Ayato, as if this could avoid any possible quarrels and keep the relationship in the most harmonious state.

It would be best if Kamisato Ayato could forget about herself and the origin of this engagement, as if everything had never existed.

It's a pity that she didn't get what she wanted in the end. Not to mention Kamisato Ayato, just talking about herself, this incident has become a thorn rooted in her heart that can't be removed. As she thinks about it day after day, the wound slowly festers and oozes pus.

Kamisato Ayato probably thought the same.

However, the education he received from Kamisato's family destined him to not be a coward who breaks his promise, so he could only take on the responsibility of taking care of her.

He Que didn't want to make the same mistake again.

Even if Kamisato Ayato would not break off the engagement with her because of the downfall of the Kujo family as her father said, as long as that thorn still exists, a conflict will break out sooner or later.

Perhaps at that time, he would still indulge in Kamisato Ayato's tenderness out of responsibility, just like some time ago, if Kujo Kamajichi hadn't let it slip -

Kazuque refused to think about it any further and instead refocused his attention on Kamisato Ayato in front of him.

After a long time without receiving a reply, she repeated what she had just said: "Sir, I am here to cancel the engagement."

“…Yeah, I heard it.”

After a brief silence, Kamisato Ayato responded calmly.

The clasped hands covered the lips that were always smiling, leaving only a pair of deep blue eyes and the complex emotions that were difficult to discern.

Kamisato Ayato changed his posture, which made him look more oppressive.

He Que couldn't help but think that perhaps her act of actively canceling the engagement offended him. After all, no matter what the reason was, if the news of the cancellation of the engagement spread, it would lead to rumors and damage the family's reputation.

Fortunately, the Kujo family no longer has to care about their face.

Heque took a deep breath and said, "Don't worry, Lord Society Bugyo. The Kujo family will issue a statement to attribute the reason for the cancellation of the engagement to us. It will not damage the reputation of the Kamisato family—"

He lost his voice halfway through his conversation.

Because Kamisato Ayato suddenly stood up, crossed the narrow low table, and came close to her, just a few inches away.

His free hand seemed to want to touch her cheek, but he moved away just before touching it and grabbed a strand of her hair instead, trying his best to maintain his final decency.

At such a distance, He Que couldn't even dodge and could only move back, but the cushion was only so big, and no matter how she dodged, she couldn't escape Kamisato Ayato's shackles.

"Sir..." She protested weakly.

However, Kamisato Ayato still did not change his current posture. He just played with the strand of hair lightly and asked softly, "Miss Kujo, do you think I am worried about this?"

He Que didn't dare to talk to him anymore.

Kamisato Ayato could sense her discomfort, but he still didn't want to let go, after all, he was angry.

Yes, angry.

He understood the implicit meaning in all the words of Kujo and Que. They were all trying to distance themselves from the two of them and attribute the entire process of the engagement to the interests between the two families.

"Let me guess, why did Miss Kujo come to Kamisato's house to see me today with such a sentence - did Kujo Takayuki say anything to you?"

""The Kamisato family will not want a daughter of a sinner with no family background to be the mistress. Once the Kujo family falls, the Kamisato family will definitely cancel the engagement." - That's what he said, right?"

The words were not completely correct, but the tone was almost perfect. If he was not sure that it was Kamisato Ayato in front of him, He Que would even have a feeling that time had flowed back to that day in prison. Kamisato Ayato held her hand that was trembling slightly because of fear, spread it out, and kissed it lightly: "The end of the last mission sent a letter yesterday, telling me that you and Kujo Sara went to the prison to visit Kujo Takayuki. I should have taken action immediately when they said that you were not in a good state after you came out-"

As soon as he finished speaking, he rejected it again: "No, it should have been earlier. I should have taken action when you rejected my invitation and locked yourself in the room."

He Que paused as he was about to withdraw his hand: "...The end of the show?"

"Yes, you may have heard from your father and brothers that there is a secret organization under the command of the Society, but you probably haven't heard of its name. I originally wanted to tell you these things after we got married - but now is not the time to talk about this."

Kamisato Ayato looked at her quietly: "Wasuque, tell me what you are thinking."

"... Lord Society Commissioner, please keep your distance." Heque's voice was already tinged with tears.

"I was offended."

Kamisato Ayato finally let go of his hand and returned the distance to the original safe situation.

He chuckled, "Can you call me Ayato, Kazuque?"

He Que nodded a little flusteredly.

She still couldn't speak directly, but Kamisato Ayato didn't intend to force her on this matter, so she skipped the topic and continued: "The Kamisato family will only have one mistress, and that is you. Wadame, no matter what you hear from others, please don't doubt this fact."

But how could Heque not be suspicious?

Kamisato Ayato would not speak without a purpose. Since he said such things, it proves that he had anticipated the rumors that might arise. If one speculates in a worse way, Heque even thinks that some things were pushed by Kamisato Ayato.

At least she didn't think Kamisato Ayato would be unaware of what Kamisato Ayaka said.

Heque felt like a unreasonable child. Even though she had received such assurance from Kamisato Ayato, she was still not satisfied and wanted to know more, even though she knew clearly that there were some things she might not understand.

Her emotions were almost written all over her face, and Kamisato Ayato only needed to take a quick glance to see that she still hadn't truly relaxed.

The plate of pastries that He Que liked the most was pushed in front of her again.

Kamisato Ayato smiled: "Perhaps I made the wrong decision from the beginning. Could you please give me another chance to correct it? Heque, please seek more security from me. If there is anything I have misunderstood you, I apologize - no, perhaps it would be more sincere if I took the initiative to confess."

The frequent changes in decisions symbolize that the owner's state of mind is not as calm as it seems, and He Que unexpectedly gained a little comfort from this discovery.

She told herself that this was a bad start, as she had clearly decided to end everything.

On the other hand, Kamisato Ayato had already figured out where to start her confession: "Ayahua said that you came to see me half a month ago. She couldn't get over what she said to you, and she also had some complaints against me."

He Que immediately guessed the reason, and his eyes suddenly widened: "Did the Society Bugyo-sama ask you to say those words?"

"I'm sorry, Kazuque. There won't be another time when you act first and ask for your permission later. But if the Kamisato family wants to apply for a reduction in punishment for the Kujo family at the meeting in three days, I must be fair and avoid any further contact with you. But now I think this is a big mistake."

Kamisato Ayato shook his head, his lowered eyes revealing his emotions clearly, just like the clouds that obscured the sky suddenly dissipated.

“Some things can’t be hidden.”

(End of this chapter)