Soft mellow breaths with eyes closed.
"Ahahahahahaha!"
Childish laughs.
"Hahahahaha!"
Somehow, she couldn't stop the confused furrow of her brows as she listened to the noise around her. It was simply too loud, with the soft howls of the wind and carefree laughter echoing all around her, disturbing her well-deserved peace.
"Hahahahaha!" And another, but the sound was so familiar that she couldn't stop herself from opening her eyes and had to squint at the brightness that was overwhelming her vision. Too bright, she remarked as she sluggishly pulled herself from her position.
"Catch me if you can, Lumi!"
She absolutely knew that voice.
"Aether...?" Despite her exhaustion and confusion, she carefully turned her head, recognizing a young Aether beaming from ear to ear in the distance, clad in a plain brown robe with gold linings embellished at each end, and….
...he was waving his arm at her with great enthusiasm. The sight had soothed her frayed nerves, and she couldn't help but be endeared to see her brother all grins and so young right in front of her eyes. It was a sight she dearly missed. Something about it brought back memories of their early years together, playing tag in their favorite domain.
"Lumiiiiii!"
"What…?" She muttered to herself in disbelief. Her brother was still waving his arm at her, urging her to come right at him, but Lumine was far too confused. She was in a dream, right?
"Just wait until I catch you, brother!"
When the owner of the voice appeared right in front of her, she instinctively froze. Her small back, the long single braid adorned with those familiar flowers, the white robe with a similar design to Aether's—everything—was unmistakably a younger version of herself, perhaps her eight to nine-year-old appearance identical to her brother's.
While she admits she was still grasping at straws to retrieve any of her lost memories from her past, Lumine was confident that this precise scenario had occurred at least once in her life, if not several times in the same domain.
She observed as her younger self pursued her brother around the grassy fields, and how happily they laughed as they played. While the sight was intriguing and nostalgic, it also made her reflect on her current circumstances.
Everything was too surreal. It seemed like a memory from the past, while at the same time it didn't feel like one as well. The sound of their laughs was like a continuous echo; even their bodies were surrounded by bright light, as if they were an apparition from a time long passed.
A shiver went through Lumine, and she couldn't help but see herself as a bystander. Someone unfamiliar, a kind of spectator, an overseer, who was in charge of observing them play merrily in the fields.
Was it a memory from the past? Well, it could be. Now that she thought about it, she could vaguely recall playing in the fields with Aether until the sun set while waiting for their mother to pick them up.
Was there any chance she'd catch a glimpse of their mother in that dream as well?
"Hey there!"
She stilled.
Huh?
She blinked as her brother's younger self waved both of his arms in the air. "Come here!"
What was going on? And why were they both staring at her as if they could see her?
"Me?" she said, clearly dumbfounded.
"Yes, you are! Bring the tall guy with you too!"
'Tall guy'…? What in the devil's name is he talking about? "What—"
Snap
"...!" A snapping twig startled her, and Lumine swore she had never turned her head so quickly in her life to face the newcomer head on, and scrambled away out of instinct and wariness. White. The man was dressed entirely in white; his hair was straight and long, and the color was almost reminiscent of snow, with a bluish-like tinge at the ends. He also possessed one pair of eyes with a shade of rich molten gold, framed by ridiculously long and thick eyelashes.
Lumine just assumed that time had stopped at that point, and all she could do was stare in silence. She was both astonished and puzzled. Who was this undeniably captivating individual?
"Who are you?" she blurted out of the blue and watched as the stranger tilted his head to the side, looking at her but not responding. His long strands of hair had also followed the simple motion, making it flutter like a flowy silk curtain.
Silence.
Now, she couldn't stop the mild furrow of her brows as she asked once again, but more slowly. "...who are you?"
"..." He stayed motionless as he stared at her, his soft yet penetrating golden eyes nearly drilling holes in her face, causing her little hairs to stand stiff owing to their intensity. She knew it was only for a little while, but Lumine couldn't help but notice how he didn't blink for a few seconds while staring at her.
Was there any chance he knew her? No, that was quite unlikely. She didn't recognize him. Not at all. So, how does that work?
And with a frown on her face, Lumine only withdrew herself from him, somehow perplexed by his lack of emotion.
Why wasn't he responding? Why did he just stand there, doing nothing, staring at her as if she were an intriguing species that silently enthralled him?
Was he also mute or something?
Well, whatever, I doubt I'd recall his face even when I woke up.
"Heeeeey! Come play with us!"
She shook her head and sighed, leaving the silent guy behind as she found herself walking all the way to the beaming children.
Her younger self then began to exclaim. "Look, it's about to rain!"
A powerful gust of wind suddenly swooped down on her, forcing her to shield her face and pause completely in her step. The hearty laughs died along with the sound of nature, no more sounds could be heard except for her small breaths, and Lumine assumed she had magically gone deaf due to the sudden stillness of the place.
Strange, she thought as she looked up. The falling leaves from the trees had become suspended in the air, as well as the plethora of raindrops that were about to fall from the sky.
"Time has stopped," she murmured.
The time had simply stopped in that place for no apparent reason, and she had no idea how that could have happened in a matter of seconds, with no warning whatsoever. Was it because of the strange ambiance? The rain? Not only did she not know why, she had no idea who had caused time to stop at that exact moment.
Even the young twins were nowhere to be found, leaving her alone, puzzled, and wary as she scoured every location her eyes could land on in quest of a single soul, or at the absolute least, that particular breach in her dream where she could forcefully eject herself from that mirage, but then—
Whoosh!
"Ah—"
"Go."
"!" Out of instinct, she turned her head to the source of the voice and was taken aback by the sight of the strange man in the distance, standing there and absolutely living in his full splendor, like a bright beacon under a giant tree thanks to his all-white ensemble. She had to admit that he appeared out of place with his golden and shiny appearance, as well as like a sore thumb among the earthy colors that surrounded them.
Unlike the twins' apparition-like appearances, he did not appear to be covered in bright light; rather, he was just simply bright to look at because he was so pristine from head to toe.
(And somehow, she couldn't help but wonder if he was a divinity at some point.)
With his golden eyes, which were almost the same color as her own and her brother's, Lumine found herself staring at the man. As she gave it some thought, she realized that there was something uncanny about him that even she was unable to quite place.
And then he raised his arm, his index finger pointing to something in the distance, causing her eyes to follow it unconsciously—
—and found herself looking at nothing but the same place and the same things, where everything was still frozen in time.
Now visibly dumbfounded, she turned her head around to regard the stranger once more, but Lumine couldn't find any trace of him under the tree. The man in white simply vanished for no apparent reason (which she thought was strange), and it almost felt like he was only a product of her imagination, which caused her to see things or strange people that weren't supposed to be there, let alone in her dreams.
(After all, what could she expect from a dream? Dreams are supposed to be bizarre in their own perplexing way, aren't they?)
But still, she couldn't ignore how unusual it was. Was it possible that losing her brother had finally driven her insane?
Before she could get any more distracted with her musings, Lumine found herself advancing forward towards the unknown. Not until she spotted a suspicious starry portal amidst the trees, a portal similar to where Aether and his Herald had fled before—something she had not expected to see, let alone in her dreams.
"Aether..." She carelessly flung herself towards the portal, effortlessly passing through the starry gaps and diving straight into the snow.
Snow…?
Lumine blinked and looked up, witnessing a plethora of different types of snowflakes falling from the sky, which she couldn't help but appreciate silently for a brief moment. She realized she was no longer in her childhood domain, and the earthy tones she had grown accustomed to had been completely replaced with wintry hues such as black, pure white, and coldest blues.
It was a very cold winter night, and the stillness would have been somber or solemn if it hadn't been for the sound of a familiar lullaby being hummed somewhere in that place that unconsciously called her.
Unbidden, she followed the sound until she saw a humble abode in the distance with orange paper lanterns hung around every corner, illuminating the place with its warm amber light. She even saw a tall man with his back to her, humming to a tune she knew wasn't native to his land—
—that only she and her brother knew about, which was a song from a world that no longer exists and was completely wiped out from the very face of the universe.
And the longer she stared, the clearer it became that the man was carrying a small bundle in his arms. A sleeping infant, all swaddled by thick, warm, dark blankets around his small frame.
Even the infant's white mop of hair was peeking through the gaps in the blanket, and Lumine couldn't help but think about the strange beautiful man she saw back in the domain.
Then the humming abruptly stopped, and it seemed like the man finally sensed her presence because he stopped singing. That was Lumine's cue to scurry away from the place as if it were cursed and off limits. Urging signs were also sending messages to her brain, warning her to leave the area lest she discover or witness something she wasn't supposed to see.
And as she fled, the sound of the infant's cries pierced the calm of the winter night, causing her to nearly pause in her tracks as she listened to the painful sobs that made her small hairs stand erect. Goosebumps appeared all over her body as a peculiar sense of need grew in her chest.
Just what was going on with her? And why were her knees and hands trembling? Why did her chest feel so constricted, as if listening to the sound alone was causing her pain?
The man started humming once again as he gently rocked the sobbing infant in his arms, and Lumine was very tempted to turn her head and watch them one last time, especially the man who she had assumed was quite familiar to her.
"Shhhh…"
Her heart skipped a beat for a split second.
"She will scold me if you cry too much…"
Even though she hadn't done anything, Lumine found herself being pulled away from them before she could even turn to look at them. She knew she hadn't been that far and that she had stopped running the moment she heard the infant's cries, but why did everything seem to get further and further away? Why did it appear as though the snowy ground in front of her had stretched out, hurriedly escorting her away from the scene—as if it were ejecting her against her will?
When her curiosity finally got the best of her, she realized with surprising clarity that she wanted to return to the place where she had seen the humming stranger, so she began to retrace and run.
"...Y..u..ei—"
Just the face, all she wanted was to see the face.
But it was all for naught as the ground caved beneath her, sending her free-falling into the unknown, her scream caught in her throat.
"Ah..!" she exclaimed.
That was the gap she was searching for earlier. It was now attempting to force her out of the dream, which was unusual given that it had discovered her rather than the other way around.
And as a result, Lumine had no choice but to accept and let herself be engulfed by the darkness.
.
.
.
.
.
With a start, she opened her eyes and felt her heart nearly explode out of her chest. As she suspected, when she woke up from her dream, all she could recall was meeting the little twins and then a man, the exact appearance of whom she could not even recall.
She felt so tired that she couldn't help but wonder what she had done the night before to feel that way in the morning. Her mind was also unusually blank, as if it was drifting somewhere else.
After a few moments of forcing herself to ruminate, Lumine sighed and buried herself deeper in the soft sheets. Right, she remembered being tormented by dreams of her brother, so to make up for the days she had neglected to see Ayato, she made the decision to pay the Kamisato head a visit in the middle of the night in his estate, and then…
"Don't worry," Ayato continued, as he then grinned on her flesh, all of his teeth baring. "I'll cum inside you soon, lots of it, to the point where you won't think about anyone else but me and my cum inside of you."
She blushed instantly, remembering what they had done the previous evening, and timidly peered over the cover to see the sleeping man next to her. She could not even count the number of times she had cummed with his fingers and tongue, since Ayato was so persistent and passionate.
She couldn't forget it, and she didn't think she'd be able to forget those memories any time soon. The look of liberation on the Commissioner's face, all sweaty and red while eating her out, his pink nimble tongue poking out to lick his lip to taste the residual fluids left in his mouth...
The memory of how passionate he'd been with her the previous night made her blush even more, to the point that she found herself gripping her thighs to ease a sudden and new ache in her core. It was embarrassing to acknowledge, but Ayato was an attractive man, possessing the ideal physical proportions that would make any woman drool. Furthermore, she would be lying if she claimed that his liberated, sadistic, and debauched side of him did not arouse her intensely.
Lumine observed the handsome man asleep next to her, openly appreciating his soft aristocratic features, his absurdly long eyelashes, and then his pink, thin lips—
(She even remembered biting down hard on those last night, and she'll never forget how Ayato groaned hotly in response as he plowed himself unhindered inside her.)
She let out a groan as she wiggled uncomfortably beside him, squeezing her thighs to relieve that annoying sensation in her groin. It was just so unfair. How could he sleep so well when her mind was filled with obscene thoughts about him?
Lumine sighed to herself as she leaned forward to get a better look at his face. She could even feel the warm, steady puffs of air coming from his nose. Both of their faces were only a few inches apart, allowing her to see every dip and curve of his facial features and even admire his beauty mark near his lip up close.
Looking at him in that way brought her comfort, and having him close alongside her caused her heart to flutter so wildly that it was nearly unfathomable. She just thought she could get used to that almost delirious-like feeling whenever she was near him, but...
...would she ever be allowed to see that same face again and again, especially during sleepless nights?
(Well, she was an outlander, a complete stranger who came from a whirlwind of dimensions unknown, where her origins, like Aether's, were shrouded in mystery; something she was still unsure about due to her scattered lost memories.)
And Aether. She still had a task to complete, which was to witness Teyvat's real nature all the way to the end, thus she didn't think she could afford to be sidetracked by things unrelated to her mission.
So with an inward shake of her head, Lumine smiled almost sadly to herself.
No, that is surely unlikely.
"I actually don't mind when you look at me like that," A murmur, "but I have to admit it makes me feel so embarrassed."
She blinked at the sound, her attention fixated on the man in front of her. "You're awake?" she asked, a bit incredulous.
Ayato smiled as he drew her naked body closer to him, their bodies snuggly in contact beneath the blanket, with her chest tightly pressed against his pecs. "Ah, perhaps five to ten minutes ago?"
"That long? And you knew I was staring at you the whole time?"
"I do," he replied with a breathy chuckle, hugging her close. "Does it bother you?"
She couldn't stop her pout as she responded, almost like a grumble. "Yes, it bothered me; after all, you fooled me into thinking you were still sleeping."
The Kamisato head broke into laughter for a split second, and when he finally opened his eyes, Lumine was positive she saw a certain playfulness dancing in those bright eyes as he glanced at her. "My apologies. It's just that… I like it when you look at me."
Lumine only narrowed her eyes at him to express her displeasure, but the rebellious blush refused to leave her cheeks, making the man chuckle even more, clearly enamored by the sight.
"You're...so..." she trailed off, trying to find the right words.
"Hm? Yes?" he smiled.
She quickly turned her head away before he could see and outrightly grin at the worsening blush that kept spreading on her face. "Are you making fun of me, or are you like this with everyone?"
"Of course not, and what makes you say that?"
"You definitely have a way with words, that's for sure, and I'm not sure what to make of it."
"Oh?" Now intrigued, the man only leaned forward to her and Lumine swore she could feel his shrewd smirk near her skin. "You're not saying I'm only good with words, are you?"
"Well," she completely turned around with her back to him, trying to ignore his teasing tone. "I guess you kind of—"
She then felt his hand crawling up her side, his silky palm slowly gliding on her body until it came to a halt on her thigh, palming it with his enormous hand and gently squeezing it, causing her to wriggle against him, now conscious of the growing tension between her thighs.
"Do you feel sore?" Ayato murmured in her ear. The sound was almost husky and hot, which was definitely doing some unimaginable wonders in her body.
His simple inquiry brought her mind to a standstill before she could extend her answers. After so many hours of continuous hot ramping and playing with candles on her skin last night, she expected to feel sore and achy in some regions of her body, or at the very least notice any marks (such as red splotches) as a result of the hot wax—
However, much to her surprise, it was the exact opposite. She didn't even notice any burn marks from the candles. It was as if her body hadn't experienced any of the wild, rough sex with Ayato the night before. Even her wrists were fine, though she remembered how sore they were from all the tying and stuff.
"Not at all.." she shook her head.
"That's good to hear then. I guess I've healed your body enough."
Healed?
"Healed?" Lumine asked, intrigued. "You healed me?"
"Yes, actually, the candle that I used on you last night did the trick. I made that candle myself, so I'm confident it wouldn't harm you if it made contact with your flesh. The wax has healing properties, you see; not only for insomnia, but it could also help revitalize the muscles and the skin. And with my element, it was a lot easier to make the healing process faster."
"Oh..." she blinked, simply fascinated by the discovery. "No wonder I don't feel so sore. It was as if nothing happened last night because of how very fine my body is right now, which I think is very nice."
"Then it makes me relieved that you think so; I don't want to make you feel so battered in the morning, so I have to make sure to heal and clean your body as you slept last night," Ayato said as he nuzzled his nose against her nape and began to draw lazy circles on her thigh, forcing her to bite the side of her cheek to keep herself from moaning. "Did I do well?"
"...yes, you do." she replied, a little breathless. "Thank you so much for thinking about me, a lot."
"It was my pleasure…" He murmured as he took hold of her other thigh and slowly spread it as if to open her legs. "Everything for you, my sweet tsubaki."
She gulped, "A-Ayato…"
"Can I?" Ayato drew in closer, his gaze drawn to hers, which were now tinged with desire.
"But shouldn't you be up right now? You still have duties to fulfill, don't you?"
"I believe it's still early," he remarked with a hum, his fingers playing with her soft curls in her groin before suddenly dipping his index finger into her clitoris, causing her to groan. "We have two hours to kill before the servants would bring the breakfast."
"S-seriously?" she sucked a mouthful of breath when his finger started stimulating her small bundle of nerves. "Hah...How do you know that?"
"Through my clone. I could see what he's doing right now in my head. He's currently above us, reading the documents I've checked last night."
"You're really something, Ayato. You're not—ahh—slaving your clone, aren't you?"
He chuckled, "Of course not. I'm just teaching him what I do in case of emergencies." The Kamisato head began to bury his fingers in her pussy and play with her tiny sensitive nub, she gasped. "So that I could rest a bit from time to time. As you can see, the human mind tends to be so sensitive. In order to be able to think cleverly, you have to make sure you have a sound mind and memory through resting, don't you think?"
She became undeniably hot all of a sudden, thanks solely to his wonderful fingers. It was almost embarrassing. "..."
He suddenly slipped a single finger inside her (which she let out a surprised yelp), and he wondered aloud, "Interesting. You're already wet."
She blushed as she held onto his arm, her nails digging through his flesh. "Don't tease me," she stressed her words out.
"No, I am not. I actually like it," he murmured. "Can you please spread your legs for me?"
She did what she was ordered without saying anything, and Ayato began thrusting his single finger within her. He was doing it slowly, allowing her to feel the entirety of his long finger gliding in and out of her, until another finger appeared, and his movements began to increase for a brief while.
Lumine grasped his arm fiercely, as if her life depended on it. Her pleasure was growing with each thrust he made with his fingers, and she swore her mind was about to melt every time he struck her delicious erogenous zones.
"You're getting even wetter, sweet tsubaki," Ayato remarked with a delicate nip on her ear lobe. "Let me guess; you're thinking something perverse before I even planned to touch you, aren't you?"
He did a deep, hard thrust.
"...!" Her toes almost curled as he deftly slammed two of his fingers repeatedly on that exact sensitive spot.
"Or perhaps way prior to that, as you watched me sleep?"
She gasped breathlessly as she stretched her leg even further, allowing his fingers to go in and out freely. "I-I guess so."
"Oya, I wonder what that would be?" He hummed as he inserted his third finger inside her, causing her to moan his name even louder. "It makes me curious."
Lumine was definitely feeling that familiar build up within her, that familiar urgency where she could almost sense the pinnacle of pleasure that she longed to reach that was rapidly approaching.
She was sure she was going to cum in a couple more thrusts.
"Looks like you're being mute once again. So I guess it's near?"
She nodded almost frantically as she sank her nails even deeper into his arm (which she knew would leave bruises later on, but she was far too preoccupied with achieving her nearly approaching bliss to notice), and then she let out a loud whiny groan.
I'm close! Very close!
"P-please, more…!" she begged, grabbing his arm even more. "... Ayato, it's very close!"
As if Lumine's body was an overstrung rubber about to snap, she finally cummed with a soundless scream after Ayato's few more thrusts, as well as his calculated rub of her exceedingly sensitive clitoris with his thumb.
Her mind stuttered as she climaxed. Ayato even continued to thrust his fingers until it lasted, almost making her squirm due to sensitivity, but it was still pleasurable either way, so she just left him be. Lumine was unable to comprehend how he could have such skill with his fingers that, in just a few minutes, he could dismantle her like a gushing waterfall by simply tapping the appropriate spots.
She could feel her slick juices coming out of her sacred places, making her feel so sticky and satisfied.
Ayato then pulled away for a moment and sat, as he licked one of his fingers. "I don't actually mind having a kind of taste like this early in the morning." he said.
"..?" She blinked, her mind foggy from the orgasm, but she still turned to face him. "...what?"
Lumine could only watch as he brought his wet fingers to his mouth and sucked his digits clean with his tongue. The image not only made her incredibly flustered and embarrassed, but it also made her easily hot and bothered. Ayato was just like that; she wasn't sure if he was even aware of how sexually appealing he was to others, but the fact that he was so open about showing his perversions (as if it were the most natural thing) with her with no qualms made her feel just as equally unhinged as he was.
Though she was aware that she shouldn't actually have to feel or think that way, her tiny, evil side was pushing her to act more, or at least say something, to stir things up and force this man to act in a way that would make him act like the degenerate he had become towards her the night before.
"Then...taste it to your heart's content," she said, taking the blanket off her body and spreading her legs even farther to his view, causing the man to stare a little longer at her wet core. Lumine simply couldn't stop herself. "I won't stop you."
This is fine…
After giving her a brief glance, Ayato's lips curled into a seductive grin that sent her into complete delirium at the sight of it. His beauty was so breathtaking that it bordered on being illegal and infuriating in and of itself.
His hand found her pussy once again, gently rubbing it until her wet essence transferred to his hand, and then he leaned forward to her, grabbing her other leg to place it on his shoulder.
"Perhaps I'll take you up on that offer," he murmured, his wet fingers moving to his firm shaft as he gently stroked himself. Ayato smiled. "We still have an hour and a half to kill, after all. We can do a lot of things in that time frame."
….right?
Without any further action, Lumine reached out to him, her tiny hands finding his face and their lips meeting right away to create a lovely and passionate tempo.
Only this once? She inwardly asked herself a question.
He hummed through their kiss as he deepened it, and she could only accept it with the same intensity as him, their eager tongues swirling in a wild tango.
Right, just this once.
She would let herself indulge for the last time. Lumine couldn't be even certain if they would both be able to share the same warmth and intimacy after that day. After all, it was only a one-time thing between them, wasn't it?
"Paimon?" She called out as she entered their room and slipped the shoji door shut.
"Lumine!" Paimon exclaimed as she soared all the way to her. "Paimon panicked and was so confused where you had gone, so Paimon asked Thoma to find you for me—but you're finally here!"
Thoma? She blinked, "Thoma?"
"Seriously, why didn't you leave a note for Paimon before you went somewhere, huh? Did you know you almost gave Paimon a heart attack?!" Her companion fumed, her cheeks flushed and on the verge of tears. "Lumine, you're such a big meanie!"
Crap, she's pissed.
She frowned for a second; her hands were both raised before her, trying to pacify her. "Paimon, I can expla—"
"Paimon knows this world hasn't been so good to you, and Paimon really really understands! Paimon knows you're always so sad, so that's why even though Paimon couldn't help you a lot in finding your brother, Paimon still wants to do her very best, at least by staying by your side!"
She was rendered completely speechless by that, and Lumine was certain that the words were stuck in her throat.
Unlike Aether, this small creature was so concerned for her well-being that the prospect of losing her brought her to tears.
"Paimon thought you left Paimon!" Paimon suddenly threw herself at her, hugging her as she cried. "Lumine, you scared Paimon so much! Don't do that again! Don't leave Paimon again without a word!"
Wordlessly, she nodded as she hugged her small figure in return, patting her head comfortingly.
"Promise me! Or you won't see your mora pouch, and you'll find yourself really, really broke because Paimon spent it on food! More food, you hear me?!" She half-heartedly threatened with a sniff, and Lumine could only smile.
"Okay, I promise."
"Where have you gone anyway?"
"I'm sorry, I just remembered I had an errand somewhere. It was urgent, so that's why I forgot to leave a note for you."
Paimon wrinkled her nose as she backed away. "Was it really that urgent that you had to forget it? You always do that before leaving Paimon for a commission somewhere, so Paimon really thought you just left me for good..."
She was correct in that conclusion, but Lumine's response was nothing more than a lie. "I'm sorry, it was really that urgent." She hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Look, I even forgot my mora pouch with me. I didn't even get myself to wear my full get-up. So why would you think like that?"
She sulked and confessed, "You're being so out of yourself nowadays, that's why! So, what exactly do you want Paimon to consider? You always have this distant expression on your face, as if you're planning to go somewhere no one, including Paimon, could follow!"
She immediately froze, as if she had been doused with a full bucket of ice water, freezing everything in her body and mind.
"Geez, seriously! Your behavior always makes Paimon anxious! You have to cut that out!"
Was she that obvious? No, no. She knew she was trying to be very covert about her true sentiments about being in Teyvat for so long. If she were to be honest with herself, she didn't care about that world's affairs, but in order to fit in and obtain information quickly, she had little choice but to blend in.
(If Aether hadn't pushed her to learn about Teyvat's alleged true nature, she wouldn't have bothered blending in with humanity. To hell with it.)
Lumine's wish was only simple; she just wanted her brother back so that both of them could leave the world as soon as possible and forget anything about it. Was it really that hard?
Paimon was right. This world has certainly been too much for her.
It simply took her a few seconds to reply, but she offered nonetheless. "I see… Then I'm sorry. I'm just thinking about a lot of things; there's no way I'm going to leave my best travel guide, y'know."
"Hmph! Stop buttering Paimon up! Paimon is still upset!"
Lumine couldn't help but chuckle, albeit a bit forced. "Even though I'm going to tell you that I'll treat you to a good restaurant?"
Though she was aware that she had already shared a meal with Ayato following their sexual encounter that morning, she felt compelled to lift her companion's spirits by treating her to some food.
(So that Paimon wouldn't get too suspicious about where she had gone last night, of course.)
"...You'll treat Paimon to anything she wants?" Her small companion asked, seemingly considering.
Too easy.
She scratched her cheek, "Yes…?"
But I really hope she won't splurge all of our funds. I'm currently saving us mora for Sumeru.
"Oi! I know that look! You're thinking about something nasty about Paimon, are you? How could you?!"
She snorted, "Of course not."
"Lies!" she screeched as she threw tantrums in the air, fuming.
She laughed out loud.
.
.
.
.
.
"Lumi, t-this is perfection!" Paimon gushed as she stuffed herself with food in front of the amused restaurant owner, and Lumine could only eye her companion with absolute exasperation. "Try it!"
"Paimon, eat more slowly, or else you're going to choke yourself," she warned with a shake of her head.
"It's fine! Paimon won't choke on her food, Paimon can assure you!" Her companion continued to fill herself with some mochi cakes and a Katsu Sandwich, "Paimon loves it! Paimon thinks she can eat these snacks all day and never get tired of them!"
"Oh?" Lumine smirked at her way as she took a bite of her own. "Does that mean Sticky Honey Roast is no longer your favorite?"
"No, it's still Paimon's favorite!"
She commented wryly, "One of your favorites, you mean?"
"Well, Paimon has a lot of favorites," she trailed for a second. "But still, a favorite is a favorite! Paimon would never change her favorites; in fact, it would only increase!"
"Haha, Paimon, you're so funny." Lumine chuckled for a moment, "I'm still wondering how you could eat so much without getting full and fat. It's always been a wonder for me, you know," she shrugged momentarily, "I guess you really have a stomach akin to black hole..." she murmured the last part.
"Hey, that's too much! How could you say that!"
She blinked for a moment, somewhat taken aback. Did she hear that right?
"Black holes are scary, and you're telling Paimon that Paimon has a stomach that has the same thing... such as... that monstrosity?! No, Paimon disagrees! Truly!"
What?
Although Lumine had always been interested in learning more about Paimon's origins, she had never taken the time to ask her as she felt that it was unnecessary. After all, her companion seemed to evade some of her questions about her family, relatives, or anything else about her life before she fished her out of Starsnatch's beach, so she reasoned that forcing her to talk about them would be pointless.
Furthermore, it has been a year since she and Paimon traveled together. She simply thought her floating companion was harmless and trustworthy enough, so she absolutely didn't mind Paimon's mysterious origin.
But how the hell did Paimon know about black holes?
"Say, Paimon…" she started with a murmur, "How do you—"
"Okazaki-san!" An Inazuman woman barged into the seat next to her, absolutely cutting Lumine off. "One Tonkotsu ramen for me, please!"
"You're so full of life today, aren't you?" The restaurant owner, Okazaki Rikuto, smiled as he looked at the new customer. "Did something happen?"
"Oh yes! Actually, my husband is finally going back to Liyue for his work!"
"That's great. If my memory doesn't fail me yet, he used to be a miner before marrying you, wasn't he?"
"Yes, but guess what?" The woman nodded and continued, "Liyue Qixing has finally reopened the Chasm, so that's why they're calling the old miners to return to work for the committee once again."
Lumine's ears had perked up for a second.
Chasm? Isn't that the place next to Liyue where it's been off-limits for years?
"Well, isn't that really great for your husband? I heard Chasm's resources there are truly one of a kind. It's a great, real honor for miners to work there, despite the unknown dangers lurking in that land."
"Ooohh, this is interesting, don't you think, Lumi?" Paimon commented in a whisper and she only nodded in response. "That place was closed for years and they're finally letting the old miners go back to their duties. Paimon really thinks it's a huge improvement."
"It surely is. That would mean Liyue's future is moving forward, just like what the Geo Archon hoped for his land to be without his further guidance." Lumine replied with a whisper, "I'm sure Zhongli is definitely delighted to see the Qixing doing well with their duties. At least he could enjoy his mortal life without thinking too much about Liyue because Ningguang and the others were doing a good job."
"Hmmm~ that's true, that's true." Her companion nodded.
Rikuto dashed all the way over to get some bowls and other supplies for making ramen. "—Ah, my apologies for the delay. I almost forgot to prepare your order, goodness me. Can you wait for at least ten minutes?"
"It's no big deal, Okazaki-san. You know I can always wait." She waved with a smile. "And also, can I have some Sakura Tempura as well, and a Katsu Sandwich for takeout? It's for my husband."
"Nah, it's in the house. Think of it as my congratulatory gift for your husband."
"Ahh, thank you so much! Zhen would definitely love that."
Drowning. She felt as though she was drowning again. The waters were sucking her faster than she expected, as if she were trapped in the center of a churning maelstrom, all helpless and terrified.
Her survival instincts were screaming for her to do something, whether it was flailing her arms or kicking her legs under the water to swim. But either method seemed futile, and all Lumine could do was struggle and become more terrified of her horrendous predicament as unbidden tears began to well up in her eyes and that familiar feeling of suffocation began clawing at her lungs, then creeping all the way to her windpipe, completely cutting off any sense of breathing she could manage through inhaling.
Fear gripped her. She was extremely afraid for her life. Having not even been reunited with her brother, Lumine had no desire to pass on. That was not how she could abandon her task unfulfilled. She refused to die.
"Glub—!"
No.
Splash
Her eyes stung, her ears rang, and she swore a lot of water was entering her nasal canal, making it quite unpleasant. She desperately flailed her arms and kicked her legs even harder.
No.
"—pwaah!"
Not in this place, please!
She continuously kicked her legs, despite the fact that every kick seemed like a very tedious effort.
Splash
Another tug appeared from underneath, this time more powerful and severe.
"...!"
No!
And the waters engulfed her completely, and everything went black as she drowned in the pool of nothingness.
….
…..
…
"...Lu…"
….
…..
"...e."
Who…
…
..?
Then she felt a delicate, warm caress on her cheek, which felt oddly both familiar and reassuring. Warm?
Huh? But, wasn't she drowning just now? What on earth—
"Hey." What greeted her up close was her brother's familiar face—kind, young, and patient—and Lumine felt another load of tears build up in her eyes just seeing him again. She was on the verge of death earlier, and seeing her brother's face moved her deeply. "Why are you crying whilst calling for my name? I'm just here."
Aether…
"No matter what happens, you know I won't leave you. Not ever."
Lies.
Leaning forward, he pressed his forehead against hers and mumbled. "It's only a dream, don't worry."
Lies…
"Everything will be fine—"
Lies….!
"—my dear Lumine."
.
.
.
.
.
With a jolt, she woke up from her brief nap. She drowsily rubbed her eyes and looked around, finding herself inside the warm comforts of the Kamisato estate, along with the Commissioner who was sitting right before her behind the low table she was resting upon, silently perusing some documents as usual.
For a moment, Lumine almost forgot the reason why she was there, until she remembered how Thoma visited her in her quarters that morning— telling her that the Yashiro Commission was in need of help and was wondering if they could commission her (which she absolutely agreed in a beat; just who can say 'no' for a paid commission anyway?).
But then, there she was, already caught sleeping in front of her boss, which had her so embarrassed that she inwardly wished the ground would open and swallow her up.
"You're awake."
She blurted out, "I'm sorry."
Ayato's eyes landed on her, confused. "About what?"
"For sleeping," she answered as she fidgeted before him and continued, "I was waiting and I just didn't realize I'd dozed off. I'm sorry."
He put down the papers on the table, and asked. "And why would you apologize for something natural? If you're simply tired, you can rest, you know."
"But…"
"Lumine," he remarked, interrupting her with a soft stern expression, and she fell silent. "I told you, remember? You shouldn't be too hard on yourself. Don't tell me you already forgot it?"
She shook her head.
"Then please don't apologize about it. All is well for me." Ayato crossed his fingers on the table and smiled. "I don't mind waiting for you. Even as you sleep."
She bit the side of her cheek, attempting to keep her blush at bay but failing, when she felt her cheeks warm up slightly. "So, you need my help with something?"
"Ah, yes. Apparently, I need an assistant."
Lumine couldn't help but knit her brow as she parroted, "Assistant."
He nodded in confirmation, still smiling. "Yes, assistant."
"And why is that? I thought you have many people who work under you? Isn't Thoma acting as your assistant up until now? And let's not forget about your clone too."
He chuckled as he waved a hand. "I admit Thoma lessens a quarter of my duties, as well as my clone, but everything is pretty hard nowadays that my duties keep on adding and piling over. Seeing those new additions had finally made me consider seeking help from someone I could truly trust." Ayato regarded her openly, and she did the same. "To be honest, it was Ayaka who suggested seeking you out, and reinforced with Thoma's honest opinion about it, I believe it's not a bad idea to seek you out for help."
"..."
"You're efficient, very smart, and literate. You would do everything in your power to help as much as possible, whether it was mundane or not." He went on, "You wouldn't mind helping the Yashiro Commission, I hope? Don't worry, I'll pay hourly for your services."
Well, it didn't sound like a horrible deal.
"So if I accept right now, what would you want me to do?"
"Well, for today, all you have to do first is check many documents with me," Ayato stated, pointing to the papers on the table. "Help me sort them from the most important to the least."
Lumine couldn't help but notice the mountains of papers towering on the low table and remarked, "Looks like you have it rough, huh?"
He smiled sheepishly and replied, "I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight if I'd check them one by one all by myself as I sort them. So I really hope you will help me this time to lessen my burdens."
She sighed as she reached out for a document. "I accept."
"I'm truly grateful."
.
.
.
.
.
"A-Ayato—" She rasped breathlessly as she drew away from their intense liplock, briskly pressing her hips on his evident hard-on, causing wonderful friction between their aroused nethers that made both of them groan with ecstasy.
He took a hold on the back of her head and suddenly pulled her again closer to him, kissing her thoroughly, hotly—desperately—as if he were in dire need of sustenance, and kissing her was his means to survival.
"Haaah."
He pulled away and then started attacking her bare neck with open-mouthed kisses, mapping her flesh with his warm tongue, leaving a wet trail behind. As she observed, Ayato was quite forward; unlike the previous day, when he had acted with more calculation, this time he seemed to be acting solely on instinct.
"My apologies. You've been right next to me for the whole hour, and I couldn't really help myself," Ayato murmured with a gentle nip on her neck. "You smell so good, and it's driving me crazy; I have no idea why."
Her smell? Now that she thought about it, after Thoma left her quarters that morning, she came across an unpackaged perfume in her inventory that she had received from Ying'er some time ago. The aroma was somewhat sophisticated yet fruity at the same time, and she had to admit that it was so pleasing to the senses that she couldn't help but occasionally use it on herself—
"I..." He trailed off, as he continued to pepper her neck with kisses. She shuddered. "I know we're supposed to be working right now, but I couldn't help it. I'm very sorry. Please tell me when to stop."
—But she had no idea that it would affect him that much, to the point where he appeared to be on the verge of losing control before her, all flushed and eyes completely glazed with want. He was merely keeping himself from taking her there, and Lumine swore his efforts only made him look more breathtaking in her eyes.
He was so hard beneath her that she could feel his familiar curve and girth. She could tell how much he was attempting to pacify himself by merely kissing her or causing friction between their nether regions. Ayato never tried anything without her permission, and even if he did something out of the blue, Lumine was certain she wouldn't mind since she was inwardly enjoying the passionate attention he was giving her.
And now, she couldn't help but think to herself, wondering what might happen next if this went on.
"Lumine, I—"
Would it be okay to do it again?
Thud
With Ayato?
There was a resounding thud in the room when her back met the tatami mats, along with Ayato's kneecaps as he straddled her.
With a light nuzzle of his nose on her jaw, he breathed out. "—I need you."
Lumine could only close her eyes and reach out to grab the back of his head, raking her fingers through his smooth, bright hair and scratching his scalp with her blunt nails in the process. The simple confession was almost loud to her ears, which made her shiver inwardly when his warm breath hit her flesh.
"Yes," she murmured with finality and continued, "please take me."
Really, she couldn't have stopped him from wanting her right then and there, could she? She was turned on, and she took pleasure in his attention. Ayato was struggling, and he openly declared that he needed her.
If she wanted to be honest with herself, she also wanted it—wanted him—and it was fairly natural that desires must be fulfilled in order for them to move forward with whatever they had at the moment, right?
He suddenly crashed his lips against hers, and she returned it wholeheartedly in a beat without any preamble. Hot, sloppy kisses were exchanged between them as labored breaths mingled every second in their mouths. Hands were busy touching each other, fumbling at every scrap of clothing to tear. To simply drown in pleasure and ecstasy.
And with that, Lumine couldn't remember how many times she screamed out his name that day as they made love again, but this time next to a table piled high with unfinished business.
"Oh, it's you, Miss Traveler!"
"?" Lumine blinked for a moment, automatically turning her head to see a familiar woman walking towards her with the brightest smile that could momentarily blind someone for a second. "Koharu?"
"Good to see you again!" she chirped with a grin and eyed the mountains of documents in her arms. "Oh, look at that… Do you need help?"
She shook her head. "It's nothing. They're not really heavy, you see."
"Really? Cool!" The young woman whistled, seemingly impressed with her remark. "Are you taking that to Ayato-sama?"
"Sort of."
"Ah," Koharu looked at the foreign guards stationed near the doors of the mansion, skeptical. "I guess…that won't do. I think you'll have to come back later for that."
She blinked, "Huh, why?"
"Well, for starters, Lady Sylvie is—"
"Miss Lumine!" Madarame spotted her and casually waved as he quickly made his way to their direction. "That's a huge burden of papers you're carrying there, let me help you."
Shaking her head, she responded. "No, it's fine. They're not really heavy, so…"
"Shush that. You may be tough and hella strong, but there's no way a man would like to see a small woman like yourself carrying tons of papers when they could at least lighten the load by lending a hand," he said with a shake of his head, forcibly stealing the half stacks of papers in her arms without batting an eye. "This is for the Commissioner, and you're helping, right? These are important, so there's no way you could afford to delay this."
"..."
He went on, but this time he looked at and spoke to Koharu. "It's also fine, Koharu. Miss Lumine is actually permitted to enter the mansion as she pleases. These need to be delivered as well; Ayato-sama is already expecting it."
"Oh, is that so? I understand." The young woman nodded slowly and dropped her head slightly. "My apologies for stopping you, Miss Lumine. That was foolish of me."
"It's fine," Lumine replied, shaking her head. "No offense taken at all."
"Now, if you'll excuse us, we'll be on our way," Madarame remarked nonchalantly, and Lumine could only follow wordlessly, with Koharu glancing behind them as they walked all the way to the Yashiro Commission's headquarters.
.
.
.
.
.
"Is it really okay if we enter like this?" She couldn't help but wonder, especially once they were inside the estate. "The guards seem opposed to it."
"Opposed?" Madarame, perplexed, just arched an eyebrow. "What are you talking about? Of course not. We're allowed entry; we're carrying something important after all."
"No, I'm not talking about the Yashiro Commission's guards," she paused but then shook her head. "Well, nevermind."
"?"
The Fontaine guards stationed outside made Lumine uncomfortable. The hawkish and disapproving eyes, particularly when they noticed her, perplexed her. She meant no harm and barely knew them. Was it because that's how they saw foreigners? She had no idea.
"I wonder where Thoma is right now? For some odd reason, I couldn't spot him." Madarame mused as he looked around, "He's usually around here whenever there's an important guest that Ayato-sama has to entertain."
"Perhaps he's with Ayato at this moment?"
"Ah, yeah. Probably," he hummed as they took a turn, and Lumine could only follow in silence, mindful of her steps. "It's only Lady Sylvie, after all. She wouldn't even mind Thoma being there with them."
Curiosity began to rear its head, unbidden. "Oh? Is it now?"
"Yes. Thoma is also good friends with the lady."
Oh, I figured.
"He has been with the Kamisato siblings since childhood, even when the matriarch and the patriarch were still alive back then. So everytime that Lady Sylvie would visit, Thoma was always there to firstly greet her upon her arrival. It's been becoming a norm for years actually, since Thoma is Ayato-sama's trusted right hand."
"I see."
Madarame opened a certain shoji door, revealing the same room that Lumine had been occupying for days. However, for some reason, what awaited both of them inside was a complete disaster. It was filled with enormous boxes, scattered curtains, and even scrolls. The image made her shake her head inwardly. It was a complete disaster. She could not possibly fit herself inside to finish her work, and Madarame seemed to agree, as he simply shook his head and sighed.
"It looks like they forgot that you occupy this room."
"I guess so..."
"No worries. I can find you a room where you can stay there to finish your duties." The advisor reassured while closing the shoji doors back, "Please follow me."
With an understanding nod, Lumine silently followed him, holding the documents securely to her chest. After a few moments of strolling, Madarame came to a stop in front of another shoji door, opened it, and checked to see if it was occupied, but they both discovered it was available.
"This is one of Ayato-sama's study rooms."
Wordlessly, both of them entered the space and simply lowered down the tower of documents on top of a table, next to other writing paraphernalia that was neatly sitting on the wooden furniture.
"I hope you're okay with this?" He inquired.
She responded by nodding. "Yes. Thank you so much for your help. I really do appreciate it."
"Don't worry about it; you can always count on me for assistance or extra lifting." Madarame laughed sheepishly, to which Lumine responded with a kind smile. "Oh well, I'm not going to impose on you any further, and I have some errands to do as well."
"Thank you so much again for your time, Madarame."
"No, thank you for helping us with the Commission, Miss Lumine." Madarame bowed his head in reverence. "You've always been a big help to us. This country changed a lot when you came, even this household. You have no idea how much your existence had an impact on all of us here."
"That's…" she blinked, somewhat taken aback by the advisor's show of gratitude.
"I know a simple 'thank you' won't be enough, but we're really happy to have you here in the Commission. And I bet Ayato-sama and Ayaka-sama also feel the same way too." He smiled once more. "Alright, I'll be leaving you on your own now. For real."
That made her feel appreciated for some reason, and she chuckled in response. "Right."
"See you again."
The soft thud of the wooden door filled her ears, signaling that the adviser had finally left the room, leaving her alone with the mountains of documents she needed to organize from least important to most vital. It wasn't much, but she had to admit that she needed to be critical in sorting them out to make things a lot easier for Ayato.
She had been working for an hour and a half and was almost finished sorting them when she heard some faint words next to her room. Despite the difficulties in hearing them clearly, Lumine, who was naturally curious, remained focused and heightened her senses to listen attentively.
And there it was. A sweet, feminine voice with a foreign accent. It didn't take her long to figure out who owned the voice, and that the owner of the voice might be the Lady Sylvie that everyone talks about.
"... that's….I would love to…. Ayaka tells….a lot…."
She frowned for a moment, focusing more on the voice.
What are they even talking about?
Her heart skipped a beat as she heard the familiar, boyish chuckle that came after. That was unquestionably Ayato.
"Ayaka did that?"
"Yes, she sure did. It's obvious enough that she likes talking about it, so I only listened. It's interesting anyway."
"I hope it entertained you enough if that's the case."
A moment of pause.
"Where did she hail from?"
"For that, even if I knew, it's something that you shouldn't know, Milady."
"Why is that? Is it bad if I want to know?"
"Not really. But it's something private, considering she's a traveler. Not all adventurers like to share where they came from, you see."
"I see…"
Another silence, and Lumine couldn't help but interrupt her work to eavesdrop on their conversation from her seat. She couldn't help it; after all, they were both talking about her.
"... Father is still waiting for your response."
"..."
"My father and your father wished for our families to be even closer. We have known each other since we were young, Ayato."
"I am aware."
"Then what's wrong? Why couldn't you just—"
"Milady, we already talked about this."
Lumine could hear a loud, almost sarcastic snort. "'Milady,' really? I couldn't count how many times I would have to remind you that you can call me by my name just like the old times."
"That was the old times, Milady." Ayato replied calmly, "You're a respectable figure from Fontaine; of course I would have to regard you as one. Regardless if we knew each other since childhood, I still need to give you respect according to your status."
"…please."
"..."
"Don't push me away."
"I believe I am not."
"You are."
Another pause.
"I was patient enough; you know that, but now you're just creating a barrier between us. What did I do to warrant such a change in your behavior towards me?"
"..."
"Was it because of the last time I visited? When I visited you in your chambers—"
"—Sylvie."
She leaned subconsciously away from her seat, her eyes locked on the neatly arranged papers on the table. She knew she was infringing on something and shouldn't be eavesdropping like a nosy individual behind the shoji screen.
However, for some reason, her mind began to wander, thinking about the possibilities and meaning behind those words.
Lumine's heart began to race. Her stomach churned, and she felt sick, as if she had swallowed some nails.
Just what is the meaning behind those words?
She began to hear the rustle of clothes and then a thud, a sound so audible that it almost felt like a bad premonition resounding through her ears. Lumine couldn't help but overthink; the urge to simply slide the shoji door open to see what was going on behind just made her completely leave her seat. She was now already facing the screen; the sound of rustling persisted, and she thought her heart also began to sink at the same time.
"We already talked about this, Sylvie."
"No, we don't. We never did."
"We did. Through letters. And I believe I already told you my answer, if this persistence of mine isn't obvious enough."
Ayato let out a sharp, deep breath that she thought might have been a sigh. "Since we're already done talking about business and formalities, then I guess let's discuss whatever matter you wish we should talk about?"
Again, another pause.
"But..." he added, his tone hesitant. As if something had prompted him to hesitate for a second. "...what are you doing?"
Silence.
A few moments later, Sylvie murmured, "Right… I forgot we only communicated through letters; it's not like I had fully conveyed my feelings to you through letters alone. So I'll have to do this properly."
Lumine unconsciously grasped the fabrics of her skirt on her sides; every word spoken—exchanged—set her heart thumping against her ribcage, making her uneasy and apprehensive for whatever discovery she would have to find at that moment.
"Ayato, I…"
(Thump thump)
"..."
(Thump thump)
"...I have loved you for years, but I know you already know that."
Just as she thought.
In the wake of this revelation, Lumine found herself grappling with the weight of her emotions. As she contemplated her next move, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease and uncertainty.
So, what was she supposed to do now?
With an inward shake of her head, she decided to take a step back and found herself swiftly finishing the remaining documents, drowning out the noises around her with nothing but thoughts of Paimon and her brother.
It had been a week since she had seen Ayato, and her dreams had been a little more pleasant than the awful nightmares she was used to.
However, her dreams concerning her brother this time had left her perplexed in the mornings, and she couldn't quite explain to herself how peculiar they were. She noticed that her dreams were no longer repetitious, but the underlying mystery did not make her feel any less better.
And the fact that she couldn't recall much of it afterwards was new. After all, she became insomniac as a result of the vivid dreams she were forced to remember through and through, so why did her dreams have to shift so drastically that she couldn't remember most of them? It was just too odd.
"Hey, watch out." Someone instantly grabbed her arm and gently drew her aside, preventing her from colliding with someone.
Shoot, she was being out of herself again.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, that was—" she blinked as she gazed at the familiar red-clad figure towering over her. "—Eh, Thoma?"
"Yo," Thoma smiled in greeting. "Fancy meeting you here in Ritou. I have to say it's been a while." He then saw a mora pouch on her other hand. "Ah, came back from a commission?"
"I was helping a friend here."
"Oh, where is your small companion? I remember she panicked the last time I saw her, and she desperately asked me to look for you, which I did, but then Waka-sama told me it wasn't needed…" He blinked at her as he trailed, and she couldn't stop fidgeting in front of him. "Well, still, you made it back safely, so I'm glad."
Was there any chance he knew?
"Thoma, I—"
"Have you eaten yet?"
She shook her head, bewildered. "No, not yet."
Is he trying to change the subject?
He smiled and pointed his thumb somewhere on his right. "Wanna grab some food with me? Don't worry, it's my treat."
.
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.
.
"Ara, Thoma! It's good to see you again!"
"Hello, Ryouko-san," Thoma greeted the food vendor with all smiles, and Lumine could only nod in greetings when Ryouko saw her. "We're here to eat your food."
Ryouko chuckled, seemingly pleased, as they sat in front of her food kiosk. "I see, you're with the beautiful blonde traveler, Thoma. I fancy seeing you again, and I hope you enjoyed your stay here in Inazuma so far."
She smiled and said, "Inazuma is nice, and the people here are also nice, so I am."
"Right? Haha, so have you considered getting yourself an Inazuman husband? You're already at that age, right?"
Her mind stuttered to a halt. "No, t-that's a bit—"
Sensing her discomfort, her male companion began to join the conversation. "Ryouko-san, stop that, you're making her feel awkward." Thoma intervened, offering Lumine a consoling pat on the back. "As you can see, Lumine is quite busy looking for a sibling, so I think marriage is the very least of her priorities."
"Oh, my bad." The food vendor was astonished at first, then apologetic. "I'm sorry for being insensible. That was very rude of me, Miss Traveler."
She shook her head. "It's fine. Please don't worry about it."
"Then, to make up with you, I'll give you an additional egg roll. What do you think?"
"You don't really have to do that," she blinked, "but if you insist, then it would be rude of me to decline the offer."
"Perfect! I'll just do that," Ryouko exclaimed, clapping her hands. "So what kind of snacks would you like to order?"
.
.
.
.
.
As they left the food kiosk with a smile and reciprocated Ryouko's warm goodbye wave, she and Thoma found themselves retracing their path.
"Here's a napkin." Thoma handed her a table napkin, which she accepted with a smile.
"Thank you. I also enjoyed the free food, Thoma," she said.
He laughed, "Don't mention it. Nothing makes me happier treating a friend with food somewhere along with me. After all, good food is sweeter when shared with good friends, don't you think?"
She smiled and answered, "Right."
"I know this is kind of silly, but I have always wanted to treat you. I just didn't have the chance to do so because we're both busy at times." Thoma confessed while scratching his cheek. He added, "Ever since you came in here, you've done a lot for us. If it weren't for you who did everything to stop Raiden Shogun with the Vision Hunt and to help abolish the Sakoku Decree, who knows what would become Inazuma right now?"
"I had nothing to do with the abolition of the Sakoku Decree," she said quietly. "It was something that Ei must stop and make amends for her country in order to break free from the chains that she had imposed on herself."
"Ei?" he said inquisitively.
She shook her head. "Apologies. I meant Raiden Shogun."
The man then smiled at her, so kind and warm that Lumine thought he looked so attractive while doing so. "You're very amazing, y'know that?"
She couldn't stop the snort from coming out, laughing. "Not really."
"No. You're really amazing, Lumine."
Lumine shook her head instantly. "You're mistaken. Just like what I mentioned, the abolition wasn't my complete doing—"
"Lumine—" He stressed out her name, making her pause, and then he continued, "Please, believe me."
"I…"
He urged on, "Y'know, I would never lie. Not to you. Ever."
Thoma spoke with unwavering conviction, his bright emerald eyes fixed on her astonished pair of golds. Lumine was left speechless, her mind drifting to other things— wondering what made Thoma take that specific topic so seriously.
It wasn't only him; nowadays, everyone treats her with great veneration. While she didn't mind people's kind and polite gestures (or their gratitude, for that matter) for her assistance during the crisis, it doesn't imply she was thrilled to be the only and sole recipient of them.
She was entirely fine with people praising her for her tremendous achievements, but she wouldn't lie— the more compliments she received, the less she could claim to have become accustomed to being treated like a hero by those who looked up to her.
In fact, it also gradually overwhelmed her too.
Because after all those eons of traveling from world to world with her brother, it wasn't her name being sung praises to.
It was always Aether's. Not hers. Not Lumine, but Aether's.
Before her mood could dampen from her elusive thoughts of self-worth, she could only smile in acceptance, in return to Thoma's serious gaze.
"I'm serious that it wasn't my complete doing, but if you think I've done enough to help…" She paused for a moment until a helpless, breathy chuckle escaped her lips. "Then I'm not going to oppose you anymore."
They remained staring into each other's eyes for who knows how long until Lumine realized it was uncomfortable to have those serious emeralds riveted to her. She averted her gaze, turned around, and spoke.
"Should we get going? I left Paimon at the inn, so if you don't mind…"
"I have made you uncomfortable."
She froze instantly, but didn't turn her head still.
"My apologies," Thoma said, his voice low and small as if he were repentant. "I didn't mean to be this pushy."
"..." For some reason, Lumine could tell that he still had something to say, so she let him be and remained silent.
"But please accept it. I have nothing but pure intentions, and I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable with it," he said and continued, "I'm indebted to you. You saved my life, Lumine."
At this, she couldn't help but turn around to face him, and she was greeted with a beautiful smile plastered on his face.
"No matter how much you kept insisting that it wasn't your complete doing," Thoma gently grabbed her hand, gave a comforting squeeze and smiled. "It doesn't change the fact that I'm still here because of you."
"Thoma…"
"I know this isn't an Inazuman thing to do, but," he murmured, moving and pressing his lips on the back of her palm, surprising her with the gentleness of the gesture. "I have always wanted to do this, so I hope you don't mind."
Despite being surprised and inwardly flustered about how tender their interaction was with each other, Lumine could only laugh as she pressed on.
"If not an Inazuman thing, then it must be a Mondstadt thing to do?"
"Now that I think about it, I was born in Mondstadt." Thoma laughed out loud in return, while grinning at the back of her hand. "So it's definitely a Mondstadt thing to do."
And they laughed even more.
She was avoiding Ayato on purpose.
It had been a week since they had slept together, and three days ago when she finished her duties in the Yashiro Commission. Even though she felt a little empty without seeing Ayato, Lumine decided that it would be much better if she avoided the said man.
It was just too much. Those feelings deep within her were beginning to confuse—bother her—to a certain level that even she couldn't comprehend.
Her mind couldn't help but dwell on the conversation she inadvertently overheard three days prior between Ayato and the noblewoman, replaying it in her thoughts relentlessly.
"I was patient enough; you know that, but now you're just creating a barrier between us. What did I do to warrant such a change in your behavior towards me?"
Just….what does it mean?
A part of herself was telling her she shouldn't dwell on it too much, while somewhere in the deep recesses of her mind was telling her—nagging her—that there was something more behind it.
"Was it because of the last time I visited?"
Lumine knew she wasn't supposed to hear all of that. She shouldn't have listened. She shouldn't have been too curious. She shouldn't have been nosy about other people's affairs.
"When I visited you in your chambers—"
She should have minded her own business.
It was not meant for her to envision the two of them in a solitary room, engaging in conversations about feelings. However, it was too late to halt the influx of unwelcome thoughts that now consumed her every thought.
"...Nghhhh." There was a muffled groan, reminding her that her gluttonous companion was dead asleep right next to her, completely hogging all of the bed's space with her tiny arm resting on top of Lumine's head.
"Paimon…wants the…. whole world to…become Paimon's."
With a heavy heart, Lumine only curled up in her bed, hoping that the dull ache throbbing within her chest would come to pass soon.