The "actual" plot (I think so…)
*FLASHBACK OF FLASHBACK INTENSIFY*
2 weeks before the showdown
In the middle of the ocean filled with the cool breeze of the calm sea in the morning, there was a fleet called the Crux which was on its way from Inazuma to Liyue Harbor to re-establish the relationship between two nations.
On the deck, there were a blonde Traveler along with Inazuma people having a talk.
"This is going to be an interesting trip" Ayaka said in excitement "This is the first time we've gone out to another nation since the Sakoku Decree"
"Glad everything is solved without too much trouble" Aether said
"Thank you, Aether for helping us all of the time" Ayaka gently grabbed Aether's hand while leaning close to him
Aether was surprised and flustered as he was looking at Ayaka whose face was blushing. He also realized his face was also redden too then tried to reply back to her with his stuttering voice "It's…it's nothing…we are friend…remember?"
As the fleet approached close enough, he saw the familiar silhouette of Liyue Harbor and a welcoming sign
"Welcome back, Aether"
"Wow they even prepared a party for us; I can't wait for it" Paimon said as both of them were so excited.
"Seem like everyone likes you huh?" Yomiya said "Can't wait to see how's the fireworks are in Liyue"
But as the ship approached the port, the more clearly Aether could see the rest on the sign. And his eyes widened in surprise and fear when he saw all the words on it.
"Welcome back, Aether
.
.
.
.
CHEATER!"
"Is that "CHEAETHER"…"CHEATHER" or something?" Beidou tried to look at the last word on the sign but it was too blur for her to see nor could everyone on the ship as well. Meanwhile the people on the docks still hadn't recognized the word "CHEATER".
Except Aether because he knew that handwriting too well and it belonged to a purple cat-haired girl called Keqing.
"Not sure if this is a good time to go return for now, Paimon…" Aether mumbled weakly while sweating and shivering. He could hear thunder rumbling inside his head and it was way more terrifying when he faced Raiden. "I want to go home…".
But why did this happen?
Before the journey to Inazuma, Keqing said she wanted to know more about Inazuma but she couldn't go with him because she was too busy. Therefore, Aether often met Keqing in his teapot and told her all about his adventure and she was really excited about them.
Then it started to go wrong when Aether began to talk about girls he had met along…in a very honest way. Especially when he talked about the white hair girl, Ayaka…It almost made Keqing's mind exploded right before him.
It took Aether a lot of time to explain to Keqing afterwards to calm her down…temporary.
But he couldn't run away from this forever.
A "pleasure" welcome was waiting for him as he told Keqing that the representative of Inazuma was coming to Liyue soon and it was Ayaka.
As a result, while writing the welcoming speech to Inazuma people, Keqing couldn't remember how many papers she ripped to pieces when she wrote the word "Ayaka".
...
30 minutes later, the ship had finally docked Liyue
When Aether went out, many people quickly came and gave him a warm welcome as well as the guests from Inazuma.
Except one person who was glaring the guest around Aether with furious…
"Why there are so many girls around him…!? How do they attract to him that much" Keqing then looking at the white hair girl next to him while gritting her teeth "And why she is so close to him?"
"Thanks everyone" Aether was happy to know there were a lot of people waiting for his return.
"We are your friends after all" Ningguang said then gazed at Keqing "Besides, there's a person in here who really wants to see you return"
Aether gulped as he saw Keqing was rushing into him at full speed and only stopped when she was very close and faced directly at him and…
Keqing quickly locked her arm with a tight grip into Aether, her smile was still there but somehow it was so scary as she whispered: "Hey, Aether…long time no see, eh?". She then darted her eyes around the Inazuma girls "I see you have brought a lot of "friends" come to join us as well…"
Meanwhile, Aether wasn't only stunned by Keqing's bold actions he had never seen from her before but also felt the pain inside while being gripped as well.
"Well…the…more the merrier…I…I think" Aether tried to make a smile with his pale face and hide his inner panic.
Fortunately, there was a person came to "rescues" him…
Ayaka grabbed his other arm and did the same as Keqing did...now he was being pulled on both sides.
"What are you doing to MY Aether!?" Keqing shouted at Ayaka while trying to hold Aether back to her.
"YOUR Aether? What are you talking about! Since when he's yours?" Ayaka shouted back and also did the same "YOU ARE HURTING HIM!"
"SO DO YOU! LET OFF HIM!"
"Lady…Please calm down" Aether had no choice but to speak "Let's just have some friendly party, shall we?"
"HMPH!" Both of these two girls still didn't forget to beam each other another death glare one more time before heading to the party. Of course, both of them still holding Aether's arms on each side and dragging him along…
Whereas others looked at those three in confusion, they could hear the cry for help coming out from Aether as well.
P/s CHEATER = CHEAETHER or CHEATHER I guess…Eh he xD
