"Her interpretation of eternity also differed greatly from mine."
Lumine said, "But Makoto's philosophy aligns more with humanity's understanding of the world."
Ei nodded. "Yes. I used to think she must have possessed some elusive, profound wisdom to say such things."
"In the end, I realized that Makoto's seemingly simple perspective was actually more mature, more far-sighted, and a more cautious choice."
Paimon asked excitedly, "Can you understand her now?"
Ei replied, "You have witnessed my past views on eternity."
"I no longer cling to those losses. I suppose she and I have also reconciled."
[Paimon: A key moment. Confetti and celebration!]
[Ei: At first, I was indifferent to this livestream and only occasionally glanced at it. Now, I realize that I can learn many things here.]
[Yae Miko: Ei, you have been secretly watching all along, have you not? After sitting in solitude for five hundred years, how could you refuse something so interesting? And you saw every single time I teased you.]
[Paimon: She really does not hold back.]
[Lumine: That shows how close they are. They no longer need to stand on ceremony.]
[Paimon: Lumine, will we be like that in the future?]
[Lumine: Of course.]
Just then, a subordinate brought the most suitable tea set.
Lumine and Paimon quickly returned to find Furuyama.
But where he had been was now an empty space.
Paimon rested her chin on her hand. "Huh? Where did that old gentleman go?"
"Could he have gone off to find tea utensils himself?"
Ei said, "Perhaps like the memories we saw earlier, the ley line power could not make him last very long."
Paimon felt a pang of sorrow. "Then we cannot drink his tea anymore? We did not even get to say goodbye..."
Ei slowly explained, "The information within the ley lines is far too complex and disordered. To have encountered him like that was already an exceptionally rare stroke of fate."
Paimon lowered her head, feeling sad.
[Furina: I never imagined we would not get to drink his tea in the end.]
[Navia: This is regret. In the future, Fontaine's regrets can still be made up for. But how can events from five hundred years ago be compensated?]
[Paimon: When the monsters cause chaos in Inazuma, Lumine and I can just bring the tea set with us, right?]
[Lumine: Exactly. This is a regret of the past, but it could also be a regret of the future.]
[Furina: We must protect his final stroke of luck.]
[Navia: I will also protect the people of Poisson.]
Ei suddenly spoke. "This is a rare opportunity, and we have tea utensils at hand. Why not let me try brewing a pot of tea?"
"I have watched Furuyama brew tea many times. It should not be a problem to try it myself."
She quickly finished brewing and then looked at Lumine. "The tea is ready. Let us taste it together."
"While brewing the tea, my thoughts were very complicated. I do not know how to express them."
[Yae Miko: Memories of an old friend. Lady Saiguu, I have grown up too. The shrine is doing well.]
[Paimon: How strange. I cannot control the Hydro element, so why does it feel so full?]
[Yae Miko: Haha. Everyone, pardon my tears.]
[Navia: I understand how you feel. When I saw Melus and Silver fall into the deep sea on the video, my heart felt as if it had been crushed.]
[Zhongli: I understand too.]
[Venti: I also understand that feeling.]
Lumine looked at Ei. "You do not need to say it. I understand. It is remembrance."
Ei said, "You are right. Today, I have seen many things that evoke my memories."
"I also recalled many people. Saiguu, Makoto, and the friends who passed away before my eyes even earlier. Just now at the Yashiro Commission, we spoke of lighthearted matters. Now, I wish to discuss something heavier."
"The catastrophe five hundred years ago not only took my friend Saiguu from me but also parted me forever from Makoto."