Chapter 12. Forever Here to Stay [CONCLUSION - Short Chapter]

"Come over to Wanmin restaurant while there're still seats!" Xiangling called to all the passers-by as crowds bustled about, celebrating the end of the battle. Ayaka and Yoimiya stood at a balcony together and watched the lanterns as they began to fill the sky with yellow, warm light. Chongyun and Xingqiu sat at the pier, arms around each other as they admired the view and the reflection the water gave off. It really was like a festival; Hu Tao and I were the kinds to sneak off to a quiet place. We ended up on the same bridge where we fist kissed and looked up to see the lanterns roam around the lit sky. 

"It's so beautiful," Hu Tao gasped as she stared with great fascination,"that one there is floating just like a ghost would! Ooh - and that one there, too! And that one!"

I chuckled and reach my hand out to hold Hu Tao's. Hu Tao looked down and tightened her grip on my hand. We both smiled at each other and looked back up. More lanterns were released, making the sky look brighter but warmer. 

"You know," Hu Tao began as we watched the newly lit lanterns,"you really scared me back there."

"Yeah... I know..." I said; guilt suddenly struck me like an arrow,"I'm sorry."

"Promise me you'll never do something, anything, like that ever again." I felt her hands tighten around mine even more as she spoke. 

"I promise." I said firmly as I squeezed her hand. Albedo came over to hand us each a lantern. These lanterns are known as 天灯 (tiān dēng), which translates to sky lanterns, and we write our wishes and let it out into the sky, hoping it would come true. I wrote my wish and decided to sign off with my name:

To have Hu Tao be the person I see.

-Yanfei

The fish in the water below the bridge started to dance around the reflections of the sky. Hu Tao and I faced each other and pressed our lips against each other. I hugged Hu Tao around her waist tight, not wanting to let go from the kiss as she wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me closer. This feeling was the best feeling I've had. Ever. And if Hu Tao is forever here to stay, then I'm pretty sure that there will be more extraordinary moments like this.