"Wow! Wow wow wow! Look at you two! you both look...amazing!" Amber gushed, snapping photo after photo of the pair in front of her.

"A-Amber, this is kind of embarrassing." Lumine blushed, as she proceeded to take a multitude of pictures from every angle she could get of the two.

"Yeah," Aether gave a nervous chuckle, "I'm sure the newspaper club isn't going to just want photos of the two of us plastered on every page."

"Aren't you supposed to be taking photos of all the other students in all the other classes too?" Lumine questioned, watching as their friend stiffened at the reminder of what she was meant to be doing. Amber had been assigned to go around and take photos of all the school festivities, but then she caught sight of Aether. He stood outside his class passing out flyers for people to come and stop by the cafe they were hosting. A good ploy as well, using someone like Aether to attract customers, and seeing him dressed in a Yukata. It had her heart taking wild leaps, and considering the number of girls going in as per his suggestion, she couldn't have been the only one feeling the same.

He wore a navy colored yukata, lines of gold trailing down the fabric with gold sparkles trailing down its ends. His Yukata seemed to depict a starry night sky, or she supposed that of falling stars, and when she caught sight of Lumine, who had come outside to inform her brother of something, she practically lost her breath.

"Ahaha, Oh. That's right, I almost forgot," She stood up from her place, securing the camera back by its strap draped around her neck. "I just can't help it considering the two of you just look so-"

"Cute!"

Lumine let out a yelp as a pair of arms were suddenly thrown around her, feeling another face press against her own.

"V-Venti?!" She exclaimed,

"What…are you wearing?" Aether gawked, taking notice of the attire he wore.

"Ehe~ What do you think?" Venti posed, giving a small twirl to show off the maid costume he was given. "I think those humans back there called it a crossdressing café?"

"It seems like Cafe's are the popular choice among the student body." Amber hummed, taking a quick photo. A look of confusion suddenly hitting her when she thought of what he just said. "Why did you say it like that, though?"

Venti blinked, realizing he misspoke in his excitement of seeing his favorite twins.

"Say what like what?"

"Just now, you said-"

"AHHH! IM! sooooo….jealous." Aether quickly intervened, stepping between the two.

"R-RIGHT? I bet doing a crossdressing café would have been so fun." Lumine added, clearing her throat before continuing. "I mean, if you think us wearing these kimonos are cute, can you imagine how Aether would have looked like in a maid's uniform?"

He opened his mouth to speak, before quickly turning to his sister.

"Wait a minute! Why am I the one in the maid's uniform?!"

"It's a crossdressing café." Lumine emphasized, "That's where the guys dress as maids and the girls dress as butlers."

"Ah~ Now I wish even MORE that we could have been in the same class!" Venti pouted, having this new thought introduced into his mind. "I would have loved to have seen maid Aether!"

"Stop imagining it! And, don't say that out loud either!" Aether blushed, embarrassed at just the thought. Thanking whatever archon that was still overseeing things, that their class had decided to do an Inazuma styled Café instead.

They had gone to Kazuha for advice, wanting to make things as close to authentic as possible. It helped that Lumine and Aether had a chance to experience a bit of Inazuma for themselves, but they were by no far experts on the culture. So, it helped to have someone like Kazuha to run things by. He was also the one who had chosen their costumes, saying "it suited them very well."

Which Aether admits, he did a particularly good job in choosing Lumines. A little too good of a job, but Lumine was happy with the choice, so Aether was too. He'd just have to keep a watchful eye out to make sure no guy overstepped their boundaries.

Had their class gone the typical maids café route with Lumine having to wear the maids uniform, he could just feel the growing signs of a pounding headache beginning to form. If he had to imagine the scenario in reverse, with him being the one forced to wear the maids uniform, he felt absolute dread.

"What's with that look? I think you could pull it off pretty well~" Lumine teased, earning a grimace from him. "What do you think Amber?"

"D-Don't ask her opinion on this! Amber, don't even-" He stopped, seeing her face in pure awe.

"I could totally see it! In fact, that be even MORE perfect! Maybe Venti could let Aether try the outfit on after-"

"ABSOUTLY NOT!" Aether cried, already seeing pictures of him in the front of the school papers.

"Lumine, Aether, your last breaks almost over." One of the students called to them, catching both of their attention.

"Ehhh…I wanted to spend some more time with you two." Venti whined, throwing himself back into Lumines arms.

"This is our last shift, so we should be free to stroll around the festival grounds if you want to join us and Zhongli." Lumine smiled, unbothered by his affections.

Venti in turn sighed at the mere mention of Zhongli's name, burying himself further into her. Reminding Lumine almost of a little jealous child who refused to share, which always felt like the case between them when it came to having Aether and Lumines attention.

"I still can't believe you invited that block-head to come…"

"Be nice." She warned, moving to pet the top of his head in a comforting manner before Aether pulled the ex-archon away.

"Aren't you just a bit TOO affectionate today?" Her brother frowned,

"Aw, Aether, If you wanted my love and attention too, all you had to do was ask." Venti smiled, opening his arms up to him next.

"That's NOT what I was doing!" he said, keeping him at arm's length.

"Is Zhongli showing up really such a good idea?" Amber voiced, being one of the few people who was aware of the twin's secret life. Parts of their secret life, anyways.

"I thought the same thing, but everything should be alright as long as he keeps a low profile and doesn't bring any attention to himself." Aether explained, only to immediately look back towards the classroom as they could hear a sudden commotion being made.

"Hm? What's going on?" Amber blinked, making a move to have a look, before feeling someone shove past her as they ran down the halls.

"Hey! Watch where you're going!" Lumine scolded after the stranger, as Aether quickly caught Amber before she could fall foward.

"Are you alright?"

"Y-Yes." She blushed, seeing Aether suddenly so close. As he moved to steady her back on her feet, he felt himself pushed against her as more students ran past them in the halls. A number of them coming out from the classrooms around them, while others were running into them. Everyone seemed to be in an almost frenzy.

Without really thinking, he pulled her closer against him, pulling her and his sister aside and closer to the walls to make room for the growing number of people coming into the halls. Trying to make way for those same students who seemed in a hurry to be elsewhere.

"What the heck is going on?" Lumine voiced, being the first to move with Venti as she noticed people clamoring to get a look at the window inside their classroom.

Aether moved to follow, before realizing he had a very still Amber wrapped around one of his arms. Quickly separating himself from her, flustered by the situation.

"Ah! Sorry about that Amber! I was just trying to steady you but then those other guys pushed me in and-"

"No," she kept her gaze down, mumbling slightly to herself. "I wasn't really... bothered or anything by it."

"Huh?" Aether leaned his face in, looking to her in concern merely seeing she was refusing to meet his gaze. "Sorry, I didn't get that. Are you... mad?"

"No! I'm fine! Really! Rather, I think something is going on back in the classroom!" She jumped back, looking just as flustered as she tried to divert the attention away from her. And, as if on cue.

"Aether…" Lumines voice called to him from the classroom door, face looking grim. "I think you should see this…"

Venti stood beside her annoyed, merely letting out another long sigh, and suddenly Aether felt like he knew exactly what was going on.

"No…"

"Yup." Venti confirmed, as Aether quickly moved into the room with Amber trailing behind, trying to get a look out the window with everyone else.

At the entrance to the school gates, was an extravagant limousine. Outside its doors stood Ningguang, Zhongli, and a very hesitant and embarrassed Ganyu, each sporting a pair of sunglasses as they made their way through the crowd forming by the entrance.

"Uh, I don't think…that's very low profile…" Amber grimaced, seeing the complete disbelief and horror written across Aether's face.

"Ningguang?! She's-"

"Ganyu and Zhongli must have invited her to come along..." Lumine trailed off, not so much having a problem with her coming as well, if only..

"And Sunglass?! Seriously?! Was that his way off-"

"Aether, Lumine." Jean peeked into the room, looking none to happy. "Might I borrow one of you for a moment?"

"Aha, the student council president doesn't look all to happy, does she?" Venti pointed out, seeing the annoyed expression she donned.

"...Want me to take care of it?" Lumine looked to her brother, thinking he may have had a point after all when he first warned her about this.

"No," He sighed, trying to reign himself in. "I got it. You stay here and take over for the both of us."

"I would say you owe me, but I guess this is partially my fault."

"Don't you mean ALL your fault? You invited him."

"You said yes."

"Now, thank you." Jean frowned, making the two yelp as her voice cut through their small dispute.

"I-I'm coming." Aether stepped over,

"I guess I should be going too, though this would be a perfect chance for a good shot. I'm the sure the school paper would love a picture of those two. Seeing as they'll be the talk of the school tomorrow most likely"

"Please, don't make this worse." Aether groaned, seeing the NEW headlines for the school paper in his mind.

"Don't worry! You take care of that problem and meanwhile, I'll stay and help out Lumine in your place!" Venti offered, an arm already around the petite blonde, only to be tugged out the door by Aether.

"YOU'RE coming with me."

"B-But! Lumiiii~!" He called out to her, as she somewhat laughed while waving after the group.

.

.

.

Things had quieted down in the café, after that. Most people had gone after to see what all the commotion was about. Some wanting to take pictures to share online, some wanting to try and catch Ningguang's attention in hopes of getting scouted by her company, and others wanting to catch Zhongli's attention.

All people knew of Zhongli was he had been a previous company president and CEO, he had stepped down from those roles and since then, nobody knew what had become of him. Probably retired off somewhere swimming in pools of money.

Completely far from the truth.

If only they knew She thought, partially wondering if Zhongli even had a "type" to begin with if there were girls trying to fight for his attention.

"Woah! What a real beauty!"

Lumine stopped, completely taken back by the compliment. She had been in the middle of serving two men their green tea's, before one of them spoke up at the sight of Lumine.

"I'm…sorry?" Were all the words she could muster out, her mind still trying to catch up with what he had said.

It was odd, hearing those kind of words from a complete stranger.

It was not like she had never been complimented before. Amber had been here not long ago, gushing over her and Aether. Venti had even called her cute, and there were many instances of him calling her that and more besides just today.

Sometimes the compliments were embarrassing depending on who it came from within her circle of friends and sometimes even nice, but from this stranger it was weird.

Perhaps, because he was being so brazen. Even Kaeya, who she thought of as the most flirtatious of the men she knew, had never outright told her anything like this.

"I said, you're a real beauty, you know that? Kinda makes you wonder how you would look out of those robes too." The man chuckled, letting his eyes travel along the kimono Kazuha had picked out for her. She had absolutely loved the robe herself, the color being a mix of white with skyish blues near the ends of her sleeves and feet. Flowers that reminded her almost of Glaze Lilies were depicted amongst the blues, while sparkles of gold could be found along the whites of her kimono. A floral headpiece being the finishing piece that he had placed in her hair.

Truly, stunning. Kazuha had breathed out, as he had gotten a final look at her.

The way Kazuha had looked to her, and the way this stranger looked at her were completely different.

This felt...ikky, and he only proceed to make it worse with his comments.

Defiantly not like either one of them. She thought, as her jaw tightened. Trying her best to keep any unsavory comments to herself.

"He didn't mean it like that, just so you know." His friend tried to assure, smiling as he himself continued to ogle at Lumine himself.

"Unless you want it to mean that."

"We're done here." She finally spoke, giving the men a look that she could only hope told them everything she wanted to say but could not. "Enjoy your tea." She said, with little enthusiasm.

"Hey! hold on," The first one spoke up again, grabbing her wrist before she could leave completely. "My friend and I are actually visiting from another school. We were invited by a friend that goes here, but he's too busy to show us around."

"So, how about you show us around instead?" His friend chirped in, loving their new apparent change of plans.

"I'm actually pretty busy too, in case you haven't noticed." Lumine's eyes narrowed, keeping them trained to the hand on her wrist. Noticing his refusal to let go.

"We can wait, after all having a cutie as our tour guide would make the trip down here all the more worth it." He smiled, as Lumine mentally debated if it be alright for her to break his arm if he continued being difficult.

"I actually already have plans with some other friends, so-"

"Come on babe, don't make us beg here." He urged, feeling his hold on her wrist tighten. Fixing her with a suggestive look. "Besides, I bet you'd have way more fun if you came to hang out with us."

"Let. Go." She glowered, giving him one final warning.

His friend sighed in response seeing her continued refusal, shaking his head in defeat.

"No dice man, let it go."

"Alright, alright, I'll let go." He pouted, before giving her one last playful look. "IF, you give me your info."

Before she was able to make good on her warning from before, another hand shot out between them, grasping at his wrist dangerously.

"OW OW OW!" He cried out in pain, shooting up from his seat as he released the hold on Lumine, trying desperately to pull away from-

"Xiao?!" Lumine called out, doubly as surprised as the men. He stood between them, his face obscured by the Yaksha Mask he wore. He looked to be in more casual attire, sporting a black and green jacket that the twins had gifted him on his birthday with a white undershirt underneath.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry, okay?! Please, let go!" The man whined, his friend already on his feet and putting some distance between the two of them.

"H-hey! You're going to break his arm!"

Xiao let out a low growl in response, before throwing his friend over to him.

"Leave."

"Okay! Okay! We're leaving! I didn't know she was already taken man!" came the barrage of excuses, as he and his friend hurriedly stumbled out of the room.

Lumine blushed, both at the misunderstanding of Xiao being her boyfriend, but also from the set of eyes suddenly on the two.

She nudged him quickly off to the side, to the part of the room where the people on break could relax and rest a few minutes before going back out to the duties they were assigned. Wanting to be away from the curious onlookers and for a bit more privacy.

"…You know, I was already getting ready to break his arm. You pretty much did him a favor by intervening." Lumine gave a half-hearted laugh, waiting a moment to see if he had anything to say.

He did not know what she wanted him to say but sensing she was waiting for him to speak, he asked,

"…Do you want me to go break his arm?"

"No! I mean he deserves it, probably, but- Nevermind." She sighed, before giving him a grateful smile.

"Thank you, anyways, Xiao."

"Hmph, I didn't do it to receive your praise. I'm tasked with keeping you and Aether safe. I'm merely fulfilling my duties." He said, continuing to look elsewhere and away from her. The Yaksha mask continuing to keep his face hidden from view, much to her disappointment.

"I see, I didn't realize chasing off flirtatious men was also part of your duties." She teased, before having a thought come to mind. "Unless that's something Aether asked you to do when he isn't around?"

When he refuses to humor her with a response to that, she decides to ask him something else on her mind.

"Not that, I'm unhappy about you deciding to join us, but I know how much you hate these kind of things…So, why are you here, Xiao? I thought you were going to be patrolling and watching the event from afar?"

She is met with more silence, before his voice finally comes through the mask.

"Too many people around," He mumbled out, "it's harder to keep track of everything and everyone coming in and out. So, its' easier just for today if I stay by your sides. I saw Aether running across the grounds towards Mo-..Zhongli, but I failed to see you."

"Oh? Did you get worried?" She moved closer to him, clasping her hands behind her back as she continued to smile.

"That's not-..." He scoffed, Lumine giggling away as she could only imagine the flustered expression, he must have underneath. "Don't twist my words."

"Heh, tell me Xiao. Do you plan to look at me anytime soon?" She asked, waiting patiently as he finally seemed to turn and look her way.

"Good," Her smile brightens, pleased to finally have his eyes back on her. Though it was hard to tell with the mask on. "It's kind of hard to guard someone when you don't look at them, you know."

"I'm always looking at you" The words come out, before he even realizes what he's said. Catching the both of them by surprise.

Ah

"Oh yeah, I know, because you have too. I just meant, before, you weren't looking.." She stampers over her words, trying not to overthink what he's just said.

"Anyways...you...haven't told me what you think." She looks back to look at him, once she's sure her blushing face has calmed. Feeling a bit more shy under his gaze, suddenly.

It isn't a surprise when her question is only meant with more silence, but is looking at her. Happy at the mask hiding the increasing blush rising to his own cheeks, feeling a bit...stupid that he misspoke, but also flustered over the sight of Lumine.

He mulled over the many words that came to mind when he looked at her.

"You look…"

Beautiful

"Fine."

She laughed, somehow enjoying that "compliment" more then she should. Taking his hand gently into hers with no hesitation, she leads him back to a table exclusively for him. Opting to give him the special Almond Tofu dish Aether and Lumine had prepared before hand for him. They had planned to call him into the room and share the dish together with him once every one had gone home for the day. They had signed up to be on cleaning duty, for the purpose of having the room to themselves. They would pretend to be servers and have Xiao as their final customer. But, Xiao was here now, and Lumine thought it be fine to have Xiao just to herself for a bit while they waited. Especially if it would help calm him. She was aware of his dislike for large crowds, and despite this, he came to her. Worried when he hadn't seen her besides her brother, though he would never admit to it.

"Come on, You silly Yaksha." She smiled back to him, feeling his hand squeeze hers.