"The Frostflake Heron!"
Looking at the fervent gazes of the Inazuma citizens, Raiden Makoto felt that Kamisato Ayaka's popularity in Inazuma was truly immense. Unfortunately, she had only participated in the Genshin Impact game beta out of boredom, and she knew nothing about the vast knowledge of the Genshin Impact world.
She knew too little about Kamisato Ayaka. During the beta, her favorite character was probably Jean; she liked the mature, older sister type.
As for Kamisato, she barely played her back then and knew very little.
"Your standing among them must be very high, right?" Looking at the fervent citizens around them, Raiden Makoto knew that Kamisato must hold an esteemed position in the eyes of the Inazumans, and they didn't seem like fanatic celebrity worshippers, but rather showed gratitude and respect.
"As a member of the Yashiro Commission, it is only right to be with the common people," Kamisato Ayaka smiled. "Only by doing so can one truly understand their lives."
"Mhm."
Kamisato Ayaka's gentleness made Raiden Makoto look at her sideways. In some respects, Kamisato Ayaka and Jean were somewhat similar: both were the Demoiselles of their respective clans, both wielded regional authority, both were beloved by the populace, and both handled matters personally.
"What is it, Makoto?" Seeing Raiden Makoto looking at her strangely, a hint of confusion appeared on Kamisato Ayaka's beautiful face. She gently tucked a strand of hair back. "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing." Raiden Makoto originally wanted to speak her thoughts aloud, but given her current identity, it seemed inappropriate to say them directly; it wouldn't fit her persona.
"Come home with me first. I will look for your family, but you must wait until then."
"Mhm."
Raiden Makoto was quite looking forward to it. In her previous life, she was an orphan without parents, only adopted by her master in the Opera Troupe. Since then, she considered her master her only relative. Unfortunately, her master passed away early, and she had been alone ever since.
Family—it was truly a distant word. Her original body, which she transmigrated into, must have family, right? She felt a little expectant.
"Thank you."
"I was the one who found you by the sea, so I must take responsibility." Kamisato Ayaka turned back and smiled slightly at Raiden Makoto. A gentle warmth shone through her ice-blue eyes, making Kamisato Ayaka especially sweet and charming at this moment.
"Mhm."
"The Frostflake Heron!"
The surrounding fervent citizens merely called out that title affectionately from the roadside. Knowing they shouldn't disturb Kamisato Ayaka, none of them stepped forward, choosing only to observe from afar.
Even from afar, Raiden Makoto could feel the passion and respect of the citizens. She couldn't help but sigh with emotion that Kamisato Ayaka was truly revered by the people of Inazuma.
"However, before coming home with me, shall we first visit an old acquaintance?"
"Of course."
…"The sound of a zither?"
Following Kamisato Ayaka, they walked into a small alley. As they drew closer to the old house, the sound of the zither became clearer.
"I've bought enough daily necessities. Let's go in together, but please don't reveal my identity." Kamisato Ayaka smiled brightly. This matter was a long-awaited enjoyment for her busy life.
"Mhm, okay."
Raiden Makoto didn't know exactly what Kamisato Ayaka was planning, but judging by her preparations, she must be visiting someone, right?
As Raiden Makoto entered, she saw the old woman playing the zither. The old woman's eyes were somewhat cloudy, as if she couldn't see, but her hands playing the instrument were still nimble.
Raiden Makoto couldn't identify the tune, but the music seemed tinged with sadness. The old woman's skill wasn't superb, but for a blind person, it was more than enough.
"You've come?" The hoarse voice revealed joy. The old woman clearly knew that Kamisato Ayaka and Raiden Makoto had entered together.
"Grandma, I've come to visit you again."
"This time I brought a friend to listen to your music with me." Kamisato Ayaka's gentle voice echoed in the old house, and the old woman stopped playing.
"I'll brew two cups of good tea for you... please wait."
"No need to trouble yourself, Grandma." Kamisato Ayaka quickly refused, not wanting to inconvenience the old woman too much. "Grandma, just play one tune for us."
She was certainly familiar with the old woman. She knew the old woman's hobby was playing musical instruments, and their best course of action was to serve as her audience, quietly listening to her performance.
"Alright."
In the silence, a tune concluded. Kamisato Ayaka was immersed in the melody; she enjoyed it. It was a small corner of her busy life, a life she cherished, distinct from her duties at the Yashiro Commission.
Possessing the national style master system, Raiden Makoto was exceptionally proficient. It could be said that she was skilled in all Four Arts—zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting—having reached the Master realm in almost all of them due to the system's existence.
Her master's dying wish was to promote Peking Opera, and she had always strived to do so. However, now that she had arrived in a different world entirely unlike Earth, promoting the national style seemed pointless.
Wait, she could no longer promote the national style on Earth, but what about in this other world? In the Genshin Impact world, it seemed she could still greatly promote the national style.
"Grandma's performance was lovely, wasn't it?" In truth, in Kamisato Ayaka's eyes, the old woman's playing skill wasn't necessarily high, but it was the closest to ordinary life, and the most genuine.
She truly liked that simple, ordinary life, but as the Demoiselle of the Yashiro Commission's Kamisato Clan, such a life was too distant for her.
"Mhm."
"Very good."
Raiden Makoto was immersed in contemplating whether or not to promote the national style in the Genshin Impact world, otherwise, possessing the national style master system seemed useless.
But the Genshin Impact world was a world filled with gods and demons. She was merely a Lady without the strength to truss a chicken. Promoting the national style? That seemed a bit too difficult.
"Sometimes, sitting here and listening to Grandma play is also a kind of enjoyment."
"Do you like listening to music?"
"Mhm."
A few glints of light flashed in Raiden Makoto's pale purple eyes. Kamisato Ayaka had awakened her, and she needed to properly thank Kamisato Ayaka.
"Then I shall play a tune for you."
"Makoto, you can play the zither too?" Kamisato Ayaka was stunned for a moment, then a look of anticipation surfaced on her beautiful face. She looked at Raiden Makoto with bright eyes.
"Yes."
Whether it was Flowing Water and Lofty Mountains, Rustic Tunes, or Guangling San and Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute, Raiden Makoto was extremely proficient. She knew almost all ancient zither pieces, even those that had long been lost.
Unfortunately, on Earth, besides the older generation, young people were hardly willing to listen to ancient zither pieces anymore.
"Wonderful."
"Grandma, could my friend also play a tune?"
"Of course."
-------------------------------
Hope you enjoy this fanfiction if you do and would like to read the next 30 chapters in advance, pls do check out my Patreon.
patreon.com/TLScarlet
Also don't forget to give me a Power Stone if you do like this fiction. Your support really motivates me to continue doing my best in translating, Thanks!!