thank you to the kind guest review that was left on chapter 76 3 it was very sweet, and it makes me so happy knowing there are people who have been following along for so long!

"Nervous about something?" Childe asked, taking note of how my leg bounced under the table.

I commanded it to still.

"You could say that. It's not normal for Kaeya to be the last one to show up, and on top of the new information…anxiety is no stranger."

Not only was this the first time Kaeya was late to a meeting, but it was the first time we were all sitting together. Instead of spreading out along the long conference table, the four of us were clustered to the end closest to the chalkboard. Childe sat next to me while Diluc and Thoma sat together across from us. One seat was left open at the very head of the table since Kaeya preferred optimal access to the board.

Our group was beginning to feel more whole. After finally opening up to all of them, an invisible screen had lifted, and it warmed my heart to know our common interests extended beyond the safety of campus. At least, that was the case for everyone except Kaeya.

He would show. He had to.

"If anything, I'm more annoyed than anxious. It seems Kaeya doesn't value our time." Childe thumped a fist on the table and leaned back in his seat. "I'll give him five more minutes. Any longer than that, then this important information he has to share must not be so important after all."

Kaeya wasn't the only one who knew the topic of today's meeting. Childe made a good point about time, and I would start the meeting myself once the five minutes were up. Besides, there were things that even Kaeya didn't know that I had to share.

"It is important," I asserted. "I don't know what's keeping him so long."

Childe's face twitched. "Y'know, sometimes it seems like you and Kaeya prefer to maintain a close partnership rather than an open collaboration with the rest of us. How is it that you know what's going on, and we don't?"

Any semblance of a close partnership with Kaeya was rapidly falling away.

"I just so happened to be the one to learn this new info. So much has been happening this week, and I told Kaeya about it when I saw him in the mailroom by chance just yesterday. Trust me, if there was a way to simultaneously stream information to the four of you at a moment's notice, I would do that." I watched Kaeya's empty seat, feeling both a mixture of dread and anticipation for his arrival. "He's the best person out of all of us to arrange and send word of these meetings."

Childe's slanted frown smoothed out at that. Seemingly satisfied with my answer, he sat back up and looked at me. "In that case, is it good news or bad news?"

"Well," I squeezed my hands together. "What Kaeya knows can be considered good news, but something else came up last night. Not to be dramatic, but it's on the worse end of bad news."

"The suspense," Childe clutched at his chest. "It's killing me."

I rolled my eyes with a smile, thankful for him to lighten the mood. "It'll take more than a bit of suspense to take you down. Who's the dramatic one now?"

Ready to welcome whatever light taught Childe had for me, I jolted in surprise when the door suddenly opened. My chest seized the moment Kaeya stepped through and securely shut the door behind him. To everyone else in the room, it was just Kaeya. Just Kaeya carrying a folder. Just Kaeya finding his usual seat. Just Kaeya present for our meeting.

For the sake of our meeting, I had to remind myself it was just Kaeya. Kaeya the aspiring treasure hunter. Student council member. Third-year. Nothing more.

"You're late," Diluc spoke first, casting a lazy glare in Kaeya's direction.

Kaeya opened the folder and begin shuffling the contents. Laying out a single sheet, he said, "There was a bit more preparation than I anticipated. Worry not, Diluc. You'll have plenty of time to brood on your own soon enough."

Preparation? I looked to the paper he had arranged on the table, but the script was too difficult to read from this angle. As far as I knew, there was nothing to prepare. Of course, Kaeya had gone above and beyond to further the investigation somehow. Curiosity gripped me, but tension held me tighter.

"Lumine said you have good news for us," Thoma piped in. "In addition to some bad news from her end."

Kaeya's hands stilled, and he slowly turned his gaze from Thoma to me. It was the first time we'd properly looked at each other since he told me to get lost. There was no emotion in his stare. No sadness. No regret.

"Bad news?" he asked haltingly. "What could this be about?"

The change in his tone was small, almost imperceptible, and I could hear the additional question he was asking. He thought Thoma was talking about what had happened yesterday between us. I almost wanted to scoff at that. As if I would broadcast his blatant, rude treatment of my feelings. As if I would use this meeting as a chance to slander him.

That wouldn't go over well for either of us.

"We can get to that later," I said sternly. "Since you've put so much effort into making these preparations, show us what you have. I doubt we'd be able to focus on anything else once I've said my piece, anyways."

Kaeya stiffly nodded, though I'm sure he intended for the motion to appear casual. "Alright, then. While it seems additional matters have come up, the initial purpose of tonight's meeting regards the Champion's identity. Instructor Barbatos has unintentionally revealed that the Champion was an underclassman at the time."

"That rules out the fourth-years," Childe murmured. "We should be looking at the second and third-year population, then."

Kaeya went on. "We can also rule out half of the student body. The Champion was a male student. There's no sense in reviewing the current or past student rosters for who he could be since it's obvious at this point that he is no longer in attendance. However, though it's possible to erase records—and apparently memories—the Academy can only do so much."

"What do you mean?" Diluc frowned.

"The Champion wasn't the only one to participate in the Grand Tournament last year. While there are no records of him, there are records of the other students who were a part of the tournament." Kaeya pushed the paper out, allowing us to get a better glimpse. "I've compiled a list of all the competitors who are still enrolled. Each competitor must have had some sort of encounter with the Champion or have had their performance impacted by his success. By interviewing each student, we can uncover the events of what happened during the Grand Tournament as well as any potential anomalies that led to his disappearance."

I pulled the paper close to read more clearly. Sure enough, there was a list of students' names as well as their current year and ranking in last year's Grand Tournament. There were only six names: Keqing, Sara, Beidou, Kokomi, Gorou, and Ayaka.

"Why are there so few?" I asked and handed the paper for Diluc and Thoma to see.

Childe was quick to answer. "The Grand Tournament appeals most to fourth-years who have a chance to showcase their abilities and strengths built over the years. They've all graduated now, so this is who we're left with."

"Six is still quite a bit," Diluc grumbled. "If we're considering the time it takes to arrange questioning according to their schedule in addition to our own existing engagements—"

"I will be handling all of the interviews," Kaeya interrupted.

"Are you sure?" Thoma pressed his lips together. "I could try to find some time."

Kaeya retrieved the paper, tucking it back in the folder. "The four of us questioning one person would be far too intimidating. It's also not ideal to handle the interviews individually. The simplest way to create a holistic report of what happened back then is to stage each interview consistently. I think we can all agree that I'm best suited to make the approach without being suspicious."

"Perks of being on the student council," Childe nodded.

"All it'll take is a few choice words from me. Then, I could get them open up on just about anything," Kaeya finished. "Piece of cake."

I narrowed my eyes at that.

"Then what?" my question came out sharper than intended.

Kaeya pointedly remained looking at the folder. "Then, we review and discuss our findings. If we're lucky, there could be a clue on what the Abyss Order had planned. Once we know to details, we can find a way to stop it."

The briefing ended there, and a thoughtful silence filled the room. In the span of one day, Kaeya had thought out this whole plan and even pulled records of the students beforehand. I wanted to hate that he'd been able to think so clearly while I had fallen apart, but I couldn't. I didn't want to be impressed by his dedication. I didn't want to worry that he was overworking himself.

Kaeya had made it clear that I shouldn't think of him as anything but a tool.

"What about that Domain in the forest?" Thoma asked. "We said we would come back to it. If I'm being honest, I've wanted to get a look at it for myself."

Kaeya shook his head. "That can wait. Focusing on one thing at a time will ensure there are no mishaps."

"No," I interjected. "Thoma has a point. That Domain is just sitting there, and the rest of the cave needs to be explored. It's not fair for you to do all the interrogation work while we hang back and wait for results."

Childe rested his arms on the table. "We can bring weapons and extra supplies this time. I'm willing to research Domains if it means getting in there and draining the life out of whatever beast is waiting inside."

"We have time." Kaeya leaned into his seat. "There's no need to act rashly."

Now was probably the time to reveal my unfortunate dream.

"Actually, we may have less time than you think." I looked directly at Kaeya. "Here's the bad news that was brought up earlier: Enjou showed up in my dream last night."

I expected a reaction from all of them, but I especially wanted to see one from Kaeya. There it was, a flash of shock and concern—guilt. Being the master of deception he was, any knowledge that he was the likely reason behind Enjou's appearance was carefully masked before the others recovered.

Childe pulled back sharply and looked at me with disbelief. "Girlie, you should have opened with that from the moment we stepped into this room."

"That doesn't make any sense," Diluc murmured, his attention sharper than ever. "I thought you found a way to block the Abyss Order's interference with your sleep. Your mental shield. Us—your support. What happened to weaken that?"

I fought the urge to address Kaeya. With how perceptive Diluc was—how all of them were—they would piece it together in no time. Kaeya, at least, was slipping in his facade. I caught the way he shifted in his chair. I noticed his slight frown. Try as he might, Kaeya couldn't disguise his feelings entirely.

Childe snapped his fingers loudly. "Or—Enjou got stronger and broke through your defenses. What did he have to say?"

"The usual. That he was looking for me and wanted me to join him. I wish it ended there, but he brought up something quite concerning. If I don't give them what they want, the Abyss won't be able to sustain itself, and that means monsters invading Teyvat for good."

"A scare tactic," Thoma supplied. "We don't know that for sure."

"Speaking of scare tactics, Enjou did say one other thing. Apparently, others in the Abyss Order aren't as accommodating as he is, and they're planning on a more…aggressive approach. I'm not sure when exactly, but it'll be after winter break."

Childe looked wary for once. "What will be after winter break?"

"They're going to take me by force," I said bitterly. "It appears I only had an illusion of choice, not that I'm surprised."

The room elapsed into stunned silence. This was news to them, but saying it out loud hit me just as hard. Chide reached over to grab my hand then—I didn't even notice it was shaking. His touch calmed me somewhat, but there was a subtle tremor in his own grip.

Diluc stared hard at the table with an angry fire in his eyes that was sure to burn a hole into the wood. His jaw ticked. "Like hell, they will. Over my dead body."

"You have nothing to worry about," Childe said. "I'd rather dig my way down to that cursed pit before they even think about touching a single hair on your head. Though it was ages ago, I've seen what it's like over there. I ran from those abominations then, but nothing will stop me from hunting each and every one of them down. I'll tear them apart with my bare hands if I have to."

Thoma spoke in a measured tone. "This is…we have to be careful with how we move on from now. You both make good points, but can we really face the Abyss Order as we are? Uncovering secrets is one thing, but this is beyond us."

"What do you suggest?" Kaeya asked in almost a whisper. "What else is there?"

"I know we have our reservations, but there is always the Academy."

Kaeya tensed. "No. If we tell them what we know, if the Academy catches wind of the Abyss Order's plans, they'll take Lumine away for who knows how long."

My lips parted, and I stared at Kaeya. He didn't look like someone who wanted to keep me at an arm's length. Somehow, he looked just as murderous as Diluc and Childe while also agonizing over what seemed impossible.

I wanted to ask why would he care. I already knew that he did—I refused to believe that he didn't—but I wanted him to admit it. To embrace it. Now more than ever was the time for him to push past his reservations.

"I want you to be safe." Thoma's earnest eyes rested on mine. "The best-case scenario would be for all of us to come out of this unscathed, but I can't think of a reality where that happens without the Academy's help. The Champion from before was a target, but not anymore. The same could be for you."

I swallowed hard, taking in his advice. Thoma was right. The Academy could ensure my safety, but did this have to be the only way? Were our efforts up until now useless?

"But," I wavered. "You would forget everything about me. The Academy would take your memories. Everyone would forget. My friends…"

Kaeya stood abruptly, shaking the table. "We still have time."

Swiftly, he picked up a piece of chalk and began to draw what looked like a timeline on the board. Days. Weeks. Winter break. The period after—the unknown. Without saying another word, Kaeya outlined what was to come in the near future. Frantic taps of chalk on board ceaselessly stretched on. His back was turned to us, but I still caught his unguarded expression. Panic.

"After winter break," he said after dropping the chalk. "We have until after winter break to make something work. We have to."

Childe's jaw clenched. "We will."

Uncertainty swam in my mind as I tried to believe those words. There were too many unknown variables in this problem to be sure of anything, but I was certain of one thing. I would never allow myself to be separated from those that I cared about without a fight.

Never again.