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Ayato stays locked up in his office as he completes his work. His mind is unable to focus as the thoughts of the season plague his mind. Summer has arrived in Inazuma. He used to look forward to summer. Playing under the hot summer sun while drinking cool boba with his family by his side. It was during this season he felt free from the burden of his clan.
But now he eagerly waits for a certain someone to arrive in Mondstadt– you.
He smiles alone in his office as he recalls the summer days he spent with you. You are older than Ayato; more mature than him, yet more playful than him. He concludes it was because of the difference in your upbringing. You grew up in the land of free, Mondstadt, and he grew up in the land of eternity, Inazuma.
You were different than him, yet so similar. If Kamisato Ayato had to describe your entire personality in one word, it would be free. It was Cliche since you hail from Mondstadt and are an anemo vision user, after all. But no other word could perfectly describe your personality.
He recalls your first meeting, how his eyes widened in confusion as you greet him in Mondstadt etiquette.
He continues to bask in memories of you– engraving you into his heart, memorizing your habits and hobbies. Afraid that one day he might forget everything about you. His heart aches at the thought. He can’t forget you, he told himself– you were there for him at his toughest.
But did you forget about him?
He bites his lower lip.
It has been five years since you last visited Inazuma; four years since your last letter to him; three years since Inazuma closed its borders; and one year since Inazuma opened its borders to foreign visitors again. Yet where are you? Ayato sighs to himself, rubbing his nose bridge as his thoughts once again get plagued by you– the Mondstadt noble who barged into his life unannounced and left unannounced.
five years ago, in the year he just turned 18, you didn’t come. All that arrived from Mondstadt was his now retainer and a letter from you. He sighs as he opens his drawer, unveiling the very letter he received from you all those years ago.
Ayato grabs it, scanning the paper. It has been five years since this letter found its way to his doorstep, yet the letter is still in great shape because of his care. He unfolds the letter, rereading the contents for the umpteenth time.
To Kamisato Ayato,
Happy birthday, you have finally turned 18! I was getting tired of being the only adult between the 3 of us. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to visit Inazuma this summer. As much as I wanted to see you and have your first drink of Mondstadt’s famous dandelion wine, problems occurred.
You might’ve heard of it— I mean, of course, you would! Though, let me retell it to you. Master Crepus, someone very dear to me, passed away, and his son, Diluc Ragnvindr ran away. Because of that, politics in Mondstadt has been pretty hectic. I had to assist my sister with Ordo Favonius's affairs— even though I’m not a knight!
Also, I recently heard an acquaintance of mine would visit Inazuma to find his long-lost father or something— I forgot! But anyway, his name is Thoma. So if you ever come across a blonde-haired man with green eyes, take good care of him for me, alright?
Anyways, I promise I will make it up to you next summer! I’ll even bring extra dandelion wine from the vault of Dawn Winery for us to drink together!! So, let’s see again next summer, Ayato. :D
— [Name] Gunnhildr.
Ayato smiles to himself– the contents of your letter never get old. Yet he still can’t help but think how time traveled so fast. He is no longer 18 years old, he has drunk Mondstadt’s famous Dandelion Wine, and Thoma, your acquaintance, is now one of the people he trusts the most. But the only thing that didn’t change, was you not coming back next summer.
He puts down the paper with a painful expression. How can he ever forget about you? when he can’t seem to remove the very existence that reminds him of you?