Chapter 19 Two Separated Stars
Lumine's POV

Ayaka had led us to Amakane Island.

"Why'd you bring us here, Ayaka", Paimon asked.

"Follow me", Ayaka instructed.

Then, she led us up to the top of the island.

"Look up at the sky", she instructed, before pointing to it. "Do you see those two stars that are separated by that glowing streak in the sky? It is said that those stars are Orihime and Hikoboshi."

"Really", Paimon asked. "Are those two stars really Orihime and Hikoboshi?"

"Nobody knows for sure", Ayaka replied. "But, a fun festival came from it, so I personally don't really care if the myth is true or not."

As Ayaka said this, I looked up at the two stars.

Two stars, unable to be together.

When I had this thought, I began getting emotional.

"Huh? Why does that tree have a bunch of colourful pieces of paper tired around it?"

Hearing Paimon ask this snapped me out of my thoughts. I then turned around, and saw the tree she was talking about.

"Those pieces of paper are called Tanzaku", Ayaka revealed. "You write your wish on one, and then tie it to the tree."

"Really", Paimon asked excitedly, before looking at me. "Traveler, let's go write down our wishes!"

With this, Ayaka led us to a stall that had tanzaku and writing supplies.

"Paimon's gonna wish to eat a ton of yummy food", she revealed. "What are you wishing for, Ayaka?"

"My wish is to be able to travel to more places in Teyvat and experience many more new things", Ayaka replied.

As she and Paimon chatted about their wishes, I wrote down mine. Once we were all done, we went back to the top of the island and tied our wishes to the tree.

As I was tying mine, somebody much taller came behind and tied his above me.

"Enjoying the festival, girlie", he asked.

"There you are, Childe", Paimon said. "Where have you been?"

"I've been here the whole time", Childe replied. "But you seemed busy catching up with an old friend, so I decided to stay back."

"I see", Paimon said, before changing the subject. "Anyway, what you'd wish for, Childe?"

"I wished to grow stronger and get more opportunities to fight strong opponents", Childe replied.

"Of course you did", Paimon said.

"What did you wish for, Girlie", Childe asked.

Then, he leaned down and read my tanzaku.

"I wish to be reunited with my brother. Should've known that's what you'd wish for."

After Childe said this, I looked down sadly. Then, I walked to the edge of the cliff, and looked back up at the sky.

"You okay, girlie", Childe asked in concern as he walked up to me. "You seem kind of down."

"It's just…hearing the story of the Star Festival, and seeing these two stars separated from each other, I couldn't help but start thinking about my brother. I can only imagine what Orihime and Hikoboshi were feeling. Being separated from the person you love the most is…really hard."

After I said this, I had to fight back tears. Then, I felt Childe put his hand on my shoulder, and I looked up at him.

"I somewhat know how you feel", he stated. "I miss my family a lot when I'm away on missions. Thankfully, I've learned how to cope with feeling like that."

"How do you do it", I asked.

"Instead of being sad about not being with my family, I use it to motivate myself to complete my mission."

After Childe said this, I thought about his words. Then…I smiled at him.

"Thanks, Childe", I said. "I'll try that."