"Hey Lumine, can I try a sip of your Berry & Mint Burst? They were all out by the time I got to the counter," Bennett asked from across the table.

I wordlessly slid over the blue drink without breaking my gaze from my target across the dining hall. Kaeya sat with a group of other third years that held a variety of Visions. After a week of memorizing the names and faces of everyone I could, I deduced they were a table of student council members. There was Kaeya, Jean, and also a few students that I hadn't got the chance to officially meet.

Kaeya threw his head back in laughter at something Eula had said, but her cold glare suggested she didn't take the matter so lightly.

"What are you staring at?" Next to me, Amber leaned in to follow the direction of my gaze. "Oh! Aren't those the student council members? Do you want to join?"

I shook my head. "Not really."

Initially, after learning that there was a chance my brother attended the Academy, I did my best to keep an eye out for him. However, Aether was nowhere to be found. It was obvious enough that he couldn't be a first-year like me, despite the fact we're twins—it'd be no surprise that he could have had an advanced placement into a higher year. But even after stealing glances into the lecture halls of upperclassmen, there was no sign of him.

"I can't believe the first week of classes is already over." I overheard Amber talking with the others. "It all went by so fast."

And so, my next move was to close in on Kaeya, a member of the student council and surely someone who has access to all student records. Even if he doesn't, I'm sure he could find a way. Problem is, I haven't been able to speak with him at all since the first day of class. Moving to Physical Combat II meant that meeting Kaeya in the library before Vision Studies wasn't possible, but I'm beginning to have the sneaking suspicion that Kaeya Alberich was avoiding me.

The man in question cocked his head to the side, his eye catching mine before quickly darting away.

Yeah, there's something going on with him.

I stabbed into my Tianshu Meat and forgot to savor the matsutake flavor as I considered what could be up. Was he trying to keep a distance after I called him out that one time? No, I feel like he wouldn't let a little confrontation change his antics.

"What about you, Lumine?" The question broke me from my zone of thought.

"Huh?"

Bennett cupped his hands around his mouth and spoke louder. "How have your classes been?"

"Geez, stop yelling!" Xiangling covered her ears. "We can hear you just fine."

"Sorry," Bennett scratched his head. "Lumine wasn't responding, so I thought it was too loud in here."

"My bad. Lost in thought."

"We were talking about our first week," Bennett said. "Mine could have been better, but I'm used to it."

"Oh, I've been doing alright." I looked up thoughtfully, recalling the past week. "Beginner's Gliding has been going smoothly—there haven't been any incidents like in the first class. Venti started conjuring Anemo currents to increase our air time, it's nice."

I gave a brief overview of the rest of my classes. Moving up a level in Physical Combat was quite underwhelming as we focused on strength and conditioning in the fitness room. Much to Childe's disappointment, we haven't gotten the chance to spar yet, though we did race each other during warm-up laps at the start of each class.

Thoma was in Physical Combat II as well, but we didn't spend as much time together as we did in Vision Studies. Childe immediately claimed the role as my spotting partner before we were even introduced to the fitness room. Though, Thoma walked with me to Vision Studies together right after, and we spent extra time in the library after classes to study for the quiz.

Amber wilted. "I barely passed Minci's quiz. Who knew there would be so much to all of the elemental reactions?"

"I failed." Bennett's head thumped on the table. "I have to retake it next week."

"Second time's the charm!" Amber patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Or is it third?"

"I think it's fourth," Xiangling added.

"No," Amber frowned. "I'm pretty sure it's third."

Movement from the other end of the dining hall caught my eye, and my attention was once again pulled away from the table. Kaeya had gotten up and was leaving the dining hall.

Quickly clearing my plate of food, I bid my Pyro friends goodbye.

"You're not grabbing dessert?" Xiangling protested. "They have Sakura Mochi!"

Kaeya disappeared through the exit.

I shook my head. "I've got to go."

The hallway was empty by the time I had finally made it out of the dining hall, and there was no sign of which way he could have gone next.

I perused the perimeter of the dining hall building with no luck in picking up clues on his whereabouts. Considering all of my options for a moment, I set out in the direction of the student dorms. He'd have to go to sleep at some point, right?

Crossing campus swiftly, I thought of how I might bring up the student roster without seeming suspicious. Of course, I could always outright mention I had a dear twin brother long lost to me since we were children at an orphanage, but I didn't fully trust Kaeya. Nor did I care to indulge anyone else at the Academy in my life story during week one. Besides, if the circumstances Katheryne spoke of were nearly as sensitive as she made it sound, I wouldn't want other people poking in Aether's business.

I was his sister, so it's fine.

My beeline towards the dorms slowed after I caught a flash of crimson close to the library.

Was that who I thought it was?

Approaching the library doors, I hesitated for only a moment before pushing them open and stepping in. The night was still young, and I'm sure I could catch Kaeya later on. I may not have any leads on my brother, but if I've ever had anything, it was plenty of time.

Normally, I'd be in the library at this hour with Thoma, pouring over notes together and trying to make sense of examples given in Minci's class. Now, it was just me and a handful of other students catching up on work.

And then, I spotted him.

Diluc Ragnvindr was setting up yet another solo game of chess at one of the study tables.

"Well, if it isn't Diluc." I approached with a smile and sat in the seat across from him. "Long time no see."

"Lumine," he regarded me before gesturing to the chessboard. "I was just settling in for a game of chess. Would you like to join?"

"Of course," I nodded and selected the white pieces for myself. We silently arranged the board together before I spoke again. "You haven't been in the library for a while."

He looked up at me. "Have you been keeping tabs on me?"

"Not at all. I just come by here a lot to study and notice who's around. Y'know, we said we'd play another match in the future, but I don't know where to find you."

"I visit on occasion."

I selected a white pawn. "It'd be nice if we could have regular matches."

"It would," he agreed and moved his own pawn. "Though, during the week is quite busy, which is part of the reason why I do not frequent the library nearly as much as I would like."

"Weekends are fine," I shrugged. "But if you really are so busy, I don't want to add on to that."

"Nonsense," he waved off the notion. "Time to unwind is essential. A match of chess offers both the opportunity to engage the mind while also taking a break from...everything."

Other students in the library milled about with hushed whispers and rustling papers. We continued on with the game, and I was hardly surprised to see Diluc's strategy playing out in his favor—signaling the end of our first game.

"I was just warming up," I sighed as his queen took my king.

"What do you think of Celestia? Have you met any interesting individuals?"

After clearing the board, I rearranged the pieces. "Everyone here is interesting." "Hey, how about you be on the light side this time? Maybe the dark pieces are luckier."

"You and I both know luck has nothing to do with who wins," he chuckled softly. "But, if you insist."

He flipped the board around and I continued. "I'm sure you know about Childe—er—Tartaglia. He's one of the more interesting characters around here."

"I know him. He's not a good influence."

"Believe me, I know. Kaeya is up to no good either."

"Kaeya?" Diluc's gloved hand tensed, hovering over a white knight. "You can only trust half of what he says…at best."

"I noticed the first time we met." I decided to pry, just a little. "Not on good terms?"

"Far from it," he grumbled as we exchanged turns. "I would suggest that you keep your distance from him if you know what's good for you. But I trust you can make your own decisions on the matter."

"Thanks for the warning."

Diluc nodded in response.

"What happened with…" I was about to ask about their past, but decided against it after observing the stormy expression that shadowed his eyes. Okay, maybe I'd be better off getting information from Kaeya, instead. "I mean, what are the upperclassmen classes like?"

"Tedious," he began the next game. "Nothing you should worry about, just focus on getting to your second year. You'd be surprised to hear just how many drop out after their first-year."

"I'm already in Physical Combat II."

His scowl washed away. "Really? How are you holding up with that?"

"It's fine. Instructor Xiao is—"

"Don't let him get to you," Diluc interjected. "He's harsh on everyone."

"Nice," I finished. "He's a good instructor."

"You think he's—" he didn't bother hiding his surprise. "Well, I suppose there is a first time for everything."

I knocked out another loss and went into how my other classes have been. History with Professor Morax was proving to be the most troublesome. As much as I enjoyed listening to his stories, they were never about the material in the textbook covered in the quiz. I had to go over the book on my own time and take extra notes in class to be able to keep up with everything.

Baizhu paid me no attention now that I've made it a point to get to Horticulture early. Sure, it required me to deplete all stamina sprinting across the campus, but my grade was safe. Learning about plants was beginning to get monotonous, though.

"You'll move on to Alchemy in your second year. Professor Kreideprinz is extremely talented in that regard. Also, checkmate."

"In my defense, I was distracted by telling you about my classes."

"Ah, yes," he leaned back into the chair and crossed his arms. "I would be doomed had it not been for your wandering mind."

"I wouldn't call it a wandering mind. Listen, I'll win against you one day."

"Will you, now?"

I stifled a yawn. "Next time. Next week."

"Make sure you're getting proper rest." He began to clear the board and I helped to put the materials away. "It's gotten quite late."

"Has it?" I looked around and noticed for the first time that we were the only ones left in the library. A few lamps had been left on at the other tables, but everyone else had retired for the night. "I guess I should sleep soon."

"Alright," he walked with me to the library exit. "See you next time. I'll make sure you leave safely."

"Next week, same time?"

He nodded in confirmation, pulling the door open for me to step through. Diluc and I walked the way to the student dorms in amicable silence. I regarded the moon that had already risen to the highest point in the sky, it really was late.

Too late for me to intercept Kaeya.

"You're going to sleep too, right?" I turned to Diluc once we had gotten to the front lawn of the student dorms.

"There is still work to be done. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

"No, no," I grinned. "I'm not worried. The more tired you are, the better I can envision my future win."

"Then that would make it…Lumine: one. Me: thirty? If you're lucky, that is."

I crossed my arms. "It's just as you said, luck has nothing to do with it. And you have not had thirty wins."

"Yet."

"I'm going to sleep." I feigned frustration and walked towards my House floor—conveniently with its own separate entrance since it was on the ground level. "Prepare yourself to lose."

Diluc wasn't fazed at all. "Sleep well, Lumine."

what i would give to see traveler banter with diluc. mihoyo pls let the man smile...and give him a high ponytail while we're at it