Side Story: The Nostalgic Wind of the Sea

"The waves are rougher tonight." Beidou, the captain of the Crux Fleet said as she stared at the vast dark ocean in the distance.

"It seems so." Sitting not far away, Kazuha, a wandering Samurai and a wanted criminal within Inazuma's borders said.

Beidou then sighed. "At this rate, we'll reach Liyue Harbor in three weeks. I hope by that time, I could still convince Ningguang to let me initiate the Crux Clash..."

The Crux Clash, in simpler terms, is a tournament arranged by Beidou to scout hidden talents.

Hearing what she said, Kazuha smiled. "Worry not, captain Beidou. The wind this night tells me that our sailing will be smooth tomorrow."

"Uh-huh, I sure do hope that your wind-listening skill is reliable," Beidou smiled with a scoff.

Kazuha lightly laughed. "Do I really sound that untrustworthy?"

"Even the famous Tenryou Commission's Hunter didn't believe me." He added with a feigned smile. "I must say... it hurts a bit when no one trusts you."

"Oh stop it, kid," Beidou approached him and ruffled his hair. "Don't even think about making me feel guilty. You're still too young..."

"Heh, I guess so?" Kazuha smiled gently.

Soon, the two of them laughed amongst themselves. However, they were soon disrupted by a person's scream.

"NO! Why did you have to end the series there!?" Yelled a crew member as he sat at the edge of the ship. On his hands laid a book. "Migi! Please come back! Don't leave Shinichi alone!"

Kazuha and Beidou looked at the crew member who was lamenting and looked at each other.

"Another one..." Beidou sighed. Such occurrences have been appearing in her ship these past few days, and it was starting to tick her.

She then glimpsed at Kazuha.

"I'll go see it myself," Kazuha caught her glimpse and sighed with a smile before jumping down from the barrel he was sitting down on.

He then walked towards the sobbing crewmember and politely asked: "What seems to be the problem?"

"*Sniff* Oh? Kazuha?" The crewmember sobbed as he looked at the young man with silver hair. "It's nothing... it's just... this new series from Shonen Jump really hit me hard..."

"Hm? Shonen?" Kazuha heard the word and became interested. "Can you tell me more about it?"

"Sure..." The crewmember nodded after wiping his tears away.

He then began to explain to Kazuha the recently opened Manga shop in Liyue Harbor and how it recently attracted the people of Liyue with its products.

It published a lot of series already, but the people of Liyue always argued which are the best.

Out of the published manga, the people voted on which are the best. In the end, three were picked.

The best and first published book, "Your Name" which is quite popular with teenagers.

The second is the manga that even the Yuheng Qixing likes, "Death Note." It was particularly liked by scholars as well because of its smart characters.

And finally, the new and rising popular series which was first published in Mondstadt, "JoJo's Bizarre Adventures."

"I see..." Kazuha listened to the crewmember as he grasped his chin. "Then... what is that one you're reading?" He pointed at the manga the man was holding.

"Oh? This?" The crewmember raised his manga and showed it to Kazuha. "It's called Parasyte. It was just published three weeks ago and became as popular as Death Note."

"It follows the story of a high school student named Shinichi Izumi, who is infected by a parasitic creature that takes over his right hand." The man began to explain.

"The parasite, named Migi, is sentient and can communicate with Shinichi, and together they must learn to coexist and fight off other parasitic creatures that are taking over humans in order to survive." The crewmember said as he acted like his own arm also had a Parasyte to add more to the appeal.

"I see, it certainly sounds like a great story." Kazuha applauded the man for his acting and explanation. "I must say, it seems like it also carries a lesson of Philosophy and tackles the human mind..."

"A very interesting story, indeed." He added as he slightly nodded.

"Well, if you're interested, I can show it to you once we dock in Liyue, Kazuha." The crewmember invited him.

Kazuha thought for a moment before nodding. "Hmm, yes, that would be great."

"Alright then," The crewmember stood up. "I better get going then. See ya, Kazuha."

Soon, the man walked away, leaving Kazuha alone.

The latter then became silent as his eyes were filled with melancholy. He then looked out at the distant sea as nostalgia hits him. He then faintly smiled. "This type of story... you and Tomo also liked this kind, didn't you?"

"Igarashi..."

* * *

A/N: ...Don't expect too much.

Also, a lot of people asked why Igarashi's eyes were blue in the last chapter, so check this paragraph comment for the answer.