Flying in the Wind [Genshin Impact]

Chapter 44. Having fun in a group

Chapter 44
Having fun in a group

The group hadn't gone far before something, or rather someone, caught Itto's attention and made him stop dead. His three friends almost collided with his back, but Sara, with her sharp reflexes, stopped well in advance.

"Hey, look," Itto exclaimed, pointing a finger toward the crowd. Sara looked in the direction the oni was pointing, but couldn't see anything unusual. "I know that mask."

"Lots of people are wearing masks; it's a festival," Sara said seriously. "Weren't we going to the games?"

"It'll just be a second," Itto replied, immediately pushing his way through the crowd toward whatever he had seen.

Sara sighed heavily and followed a few steps behind him, although with considerably less enthusiasm than him.

She began to seriously reconsider that idea. While it seemed important to her to check each booth and make sure there wasn't someone else playing dirty with the festival attendees, she wasn't sure that doing so in the company of those four civilians was the best option. It was unlikely that that guy had any comments against the Tenryou Commission that she found relevant, but... it had certainly confused her a lot to hear someone speak that way about the organization she proudly represented.

Perhaps it had been a little naive of her, but she assumed that everyone in the city held the Tenryou Commission in high regard and saw them as the protectors of the Shogun and, of course, of peace. That someone so close to her would express himself in such a contrasting way with that idea struck her as curious, to say the least. Was it the effect of not wearing her uniform and not being recognized as a General?

"Hey!" She heard Itto shout, apparently trying to get someone's attention. Sara wasn't paying much attention and was still a bit lost in her thoughts. "Did you think you could hide from me, friend Kazuha? But I recognize that pair of masks well."

"Itto, guys," someone else answered shortly after in a calmer and more serene voice. "Good night."

"So I guess this is the lady you wanted the fox mask for, huh?" Itto asked curiously.

And a second new voice appeared, almost immediately catching Sara's attention.

"Good evening. It's a pleasure to meet you. I am..."

The presentation was cut off as Sara returned to reality and looked ahead. Itto had approached a boy and a girl, perhaps no older than twenty.

The boy had light hair, a black haori with yellow and orange patterns in which the shape of maple leaves could be distinguished, and the most distinctive thing was undoubtedly the raccoon mask that left little of his face visible, but his reddish and serene eyes could be seen.

The girl was of a similar height and build to the boy. She had long light blue hair tied back in a ponytail and was dressed in a rather modest-looking blue kimono. Her entire face was covered by a striking fox mask. This girl was apparently the one who left her introduction halfway through, and although she couldn't see her face clearly, Sara thought she was staring at her.

"You are?" Itto asked curiously, after letting an acceptable amount of time pass, after which it was clear that she would not say anything more.

Upon hearing this, the blue-haired girl was a little startled but quickly regained her composure.

"I am..." She hesitated momentarily but then answered with greater conviction. "Aya... Nice to meet you," followed by a deep bow to the front.