Genshin Impact belongs to miHoYo


flâneur

(n) a person who strolls the city in order to experience it; one who wanders aimlessly but enjoyably, observing life and his surroundings.


Three hours before the moon is raging over the slow spinning weather vane above three-floored dormitory, yet the street has been shrunk into a lonely place that I've ever known and been left a faint of glimmering sight outside the building. It's also inept for me to casually enter through that door. For a moment, I walk along the short flowery bushes that bordered the building with the pathway beside it. Until finally I stop at the end of the building then look up. The light on the second floor is burning warm enough so I can feel it through the way here and I'm able to imagine that Amy is still awake with a book in her petite hands. It might be The Happy Prince and the Other Tales she just borrowed after Madame Ping class yesterday afternoon.

I grab two marbel-sized stones under my shoes and weigh them. I bet with weak throws, these stones won't be able enough to break the window glass. Still, I may be unlucky and cause trouble to Amy later on, and it may make her feel embarrassed too, and it also may make dormitory keepers get mad at her and it may—hey, Bennett, you'll be freezing instead! Then, I look for even the smaller gravel.

I throw one up to the window glass.

Clink.

I wait for seconds. Nothing is changed but weak wind that blows my hair slightly.

Clink.

Clink.

Clink.

I begin to think she has been sleeping already and the light in her room may come from Amber's study that yet to be turned off.

"Benny!"

I turn my head up to find Amy emerging from the windowpane which is already wide open. She is standing with light behind her. I can't judge her, but her hair is fluttering in excitement bright as if Tinker Bell sprinkled the golden dust into it. I show my very best smile with one hand waving at her.

Shortly after, the door is opened. Amy appeared with long sleeves plain ivory pajamas.

"Hi, Meine Prinzessin—My Princess," I greet her with even wider smile on me.

"Are you alright... Benny?" she asks worriedly. Her jade eyes trail over my build to look for mishap I might cause. "Why didn't you... call me if you wanted to come here...? Amber has fallen asleep... and I was too immersed with my reading... I just realized you were outside..."

I try to recall it, the book Amy borrowed was thin enough for her to end it in one sit. I'm curious about the story it has that made those gravel clinked in waste. Did it count as my misfortune too? But, who cares when she finally stands before my eyes with slightly panting.

I reach over her golden hair. "If you mean my body, I'm doing good—at least for now. At first I only wanted to grab some warm coffee near my flat, but I unconsciously walked all the way here." I laugh. Sometimes I'm too shy to admit that I want to see her. No particular reason besides I only want to make sure she is still with me.

"Do you want to come in?"

"It's already late. You better go to sleep too. You have class tomorrow morning, right?"

At least I know that she is doing all fine. I hand over a cup of chocolate milk I bought in coffee shop before. Still warm. Even though you didn't hold it, you could judge it from steam that hanging over the lid.

"Thanks, Benny," she mumbled as taking my hot chocolate milk with her hands which is half covered by pajamas sleeves. "What are you doing after this?"

I rub my back neck, looking for a suitable answer. I don't want to go home yet—also coffee effect makes me feel excited—so maybe I will walk up a little while to Cider Lake then return home. I tell her that. She nods then grabbing my hand. I'm surprised of her sudden act.

"Amy?"

"Bring me too. I bet you went through a tough day. I'll give you all my ears you ever need, Benny...," mumbled her in soft voice nearly whispering. I frowned. She then adds as if she could read my mind, "Mr. Zhongli changed the class schedule for tomorrow, so I can exchange this night to be with you."

I smile then kiss her cheek that already turned pink by the chill breeze. How funny to see her face turns even as red as cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving Eve. "Es ist mir ein Vergnügen, Meine Prinzessin—it's my pleasure, My Princess!" I laugh out loud before leading her hand to mine to stroll the serene night together.

By the side of empty boulevard, Amy hears me talking about my routine, from I got up until now. What mishaps I've been encountered all the day long—thank God I don't need to get wounded. Once in a while, I hear her slurping down the beverage and then said that I would be just fine as long as I only thought about all the happy things.

Sometimes, I feel it's unfair: why only me to feel heartbroken of my everyday life and have to bear things up—for this, I choose to keep it—and then she came and jumped into my solitude. I'm glad to be able to stand until now because I have Amy staying by my side for past year. She slowly trust me and show her true self. I also no longer force myself to pretend all things are fine that actually make me more tired and hollow inside.