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A single, tear-shaped petal fell in Kumiko's hand as he sat on the red stairs, contemplating. He clutched it, frustrated by the silence that settled upon the two. He dared not to glance behind him, to look at her.
The Thundering Sakura stood mighty and tall, branches stretching out to the heavens, decorated with delicate, pink blooms that carried the slightest energy of Electro. With a full moon that cast an ethereal glow, they seemed to shine with a light of their own. The shrine stood silent, the only sound being the natural ambiance. He listened to her garments shuffling as she turned to look at him- or the Sakura.
He thought he'd have the guts to face her. He kept reassuring the Traveler he didn't need assistance- yet here he was, lump in his throat and eyebrows furrowed, unable to even glance at his creator. At least it seemed she was calm, considering the clear sky that let the moonlight shine down on them. They both kept silent. Maybe, because they were unsure of what to say to each other.
What does one say, after eons, to the puppet they had created and then abandoned?
"Why?" He finally decided to break the silence. She stiffened at the sound of his voice: Flat, lingering with burning emotions beneath the apathetic facade. She turned her head to him, soft eyes staring at the seating Wanderer. Her look lingered at the back of his neck before she replied. "It was never my intention." She began, fully turning her body to face him. His fingers instantly went to the golden brim of his hat, slightly pulling it over his face.
"I wished for you to merely be free. To not bear the burdens I had obtained."
"You didn't set me free." He hissed through his teeth, resting his elbows on his knees. "You let me out to fend myself, completely at the mercy of the world's cruelty." He said, shaking his head at the memories of his past life. Ei couldn't argue with him on that- they both knew she had done wrong. "I did." She didn't try to deny the truth, even if it stung. Her heels clicked on the wooden floor as she took a few steps, settling beside him. She held her hands, the remotest hint of her thumbs fidgeting giving her sincere emotions away.
"And I'm sorry."
He scoffed, turning his head to the side, hiding his facial expression from her. Inside, he had many, contrasting emotions. On one hand, he wanted to be mad at her, to insult his creator in the face for all the wrong she had done to him. On the other, he yearned to just make things right with his mother.
A paradox, honestly.
"Why didn't you destroy me?" He asked, daring to look her in the eyes while attempting to hide the pain from his eyes. Ei didn't, giving a pained smile.
"I couldn't. I'll be honest... I don't know why. But..." Hesitantly, she moved closer to him. "The thought pained me." He scoffed. The idea of ceasing his life pained her, but letting him wander Teyvat without guidance didn't? She slightly frowned at the scowl he gave her, turning her head to her feet. They sat in silence for another moment, the gentle wind rustling their clothes and the sakura's branches, coaxing more petals to float down.
He was about to speak again, but she cut him off with her continuation. "I don't know how to express how mortified I am. It was a naive choice to let you go like that. I've failed you." She quietly said, staring blankly at the entrance of the shrine. He bit his tongue back from replying with sarcasm, instead sitting up somewhat straight. As he felt his pride crumble, he sighed and spat out the words that carried his ache:
"I just wanted to be good enough."
She looked at him- Her violet, vibrant eyes full of pain and sorrow from his words. He continued, glaring at the floor. "All this time, I thought you had forgotten me due to me being 'weak', not worthy of holding the Gnosis. I've worked all my life to take revenge on you, to prove myself deserving of it."
"You didn't deserve it, and you still don't."
At her words, he almost snapped. He swiftly turned his head around, ready to bark at her insults. He thought they were reaching some sort of agreement, and now she just called him useless? His anger settled for a moment when she lifted her hand, slowly removing the hat that shaded and hid his face. He glared at her with resentment, yet waited to see her next move. Softly, she cupped his face. He had to restrain himself from leaning against his mother's touch.
"I was so blinded by my grief, that I failed to see how I've hurt my nation, my people- you included. My pursuit of Eternity twisted my reason. But now- everything's clear. I know what to do. I've vowed to my people to honor their dreams." She leaned closer, both of her hands now on his face as she spoke with warmth. He tried his best not to burst into tears, the yearning for this moment making it difficult.
"I let you go, not because you weren't worth it, but because you didn't deserve such faith. You didn't deserve to bear my burdens. I'm sorry."
His brows scrunched, a mix of sentiments swirling in his pale, blue eyes as he glared knives at her. She wavered, her fingers twitching ever so slightly as she anxiously waited for his response. The silence was awful now, and she was about to pull her hands off his face- Until a loud sob escaped him. In a surprise, she widened her eyes, watching his face redden as tears overflowed down his cheek. Impulsively, his arms wrapped around her choked sobs escaping his lips. She relaxed from her initial shock, a pained yet relieved smile tugging her lips as she hugged him back, hand softly nestling in his indigo hair. She coed, silently patting his back and running her fingers through his locks as he sobbed his heart out. At the sight, her tears began stinging her eyes. They silently held each other tightly, his face buried in Ei's chest as he cried. A child seeking and, finally, obtaining their mother's comfort.
As they finally held each other, the Thundering Sakura provided shelter from the rain that began pouring down. A gentle rain, mixed with a soft wind, ready to wash away their pain and sorrow and allow room for a fresh start.