Wanderer had been observing people when something concerning caught his eye. Today was a Monday morning. Nobody could be happy on a Monday morning. And yet, all the students and faculty wore big smiles.

His eyes narrowed. Something wasn't right here. No, he realized with dawning horror, this was wrong.

Nahida signed the final tax form and budgetary document. She whistled a jaunty tune. It was a rather nice day.

Suddenly, Wanderer burst into the room and slammed his palms on her desk.

"Archon! We have a problem!"

She tensed. "What? What is it?"

"There's been an outbreak!"

Nahida stiffened. "An outbreak?! What are the symptoms? Has anyone been quarantined?"

"No, but if we don't act too soon, it will be too late!"

"What's the outbreak? Do we know what the disease is?"

"Yes," he said gravely. "It's an outbreak of … joy."

Nahida blinked, totally lost for words. Wanderer gazed intently at her, his eyes awash with panic. Long seconds passed before she could summon the will to speak. She laid her hand on Wanderer's hand and spoke as gently as possible.

"Wanderer? Are you sure you're not being perhaps a little too catastrophic?"

"No, Archon," he snapped. "It's Monday morning and people are smiling. That's not natural. The joy, it's possessing them."

Nahida reached into her desk and pulled out a little fidget spinner. She grabbed Wanderer's hand, put the spinner on his index finger, and spun it.

"Feeling any better now?"

Wanderer growled. "No! This is serious! We have to isolate the victims immediately before the infection can spread!"

"Wanderer, being happy isn't a disease. I'm happy and I'm not sick."

He recoiled.

"Oh no… even you… I'm too late…Sumeru has fallen. And soon, Teyvat will too."

He rushed out of the office, leaving the Archon to her paperwork. Nahida sighed. Part of her wanted to pursue him, but she hesitated. Sometimes, a good parent had to let their kids work things out for themselves. Perhaps this could be a learning opportunity for her ward.

She opened a file containing the Akademiya's Monthly Academic Proposals. Nahida got to reading them, kicking her legs and humming pleasantly. It was a rather nice day.

Wanderer ran out into the streets and found himself in a sea of smiling faces. Every last man, woman, and child grinned, laughed, and made sickeningly sweet salutations. Wherever he looked, someone smiled. He rushed through the crowd, desperately seeking one frown, one neutral expression—one person who hadn't gone insane!

They all smiled: the soldiers, the bazaar merchants, and even the birds chirped happily. Sumeru had become a holiday postcard. He flung open the tavern doors and entered the bar. Wanderer searched desperately for someone not infected.

Then he saw the most dreadful sight of all. In a booth, two gentlemen laughed like they were the best of buddies. Alhaitham and Kaveh.

Kaveh noticed Wanderer and waved. "Hey! How are you doing? Come share a coffee with us."

Alhaitham grinned. "Yeah, Kaveh and I were just having an interesting conversation."

Wanderer took a step back, shaking his head in horror.

"Oh no," he gasped. "Not you too…"

Wanderer took another step back and bumped into someone. Before he could apologize, her tired voice spoke out.

"Oh, um… I'm sorry."

"Layla!" he said. "Please, tell me you're okay!"

"Of course I am." He wheeled around. Layla wore a smile that stretched from ear to ear. "I've never been happier."

"No," he said.

"You don't look too good, Wanderer," she said. "Maybe, you need a hug."

"I think that's a wonderful idea," said Kaveh.

"No, stop, please," he whimpered.

Too late, the bar patrons surrounded him and hugged him. The tips of his lips wobbled. His mind began to break. He resisted with all his might, but his lips curved inevitably upwards into a grin. Before the joy snuffed out the last free thought in his mind, Wanderer screamed.

"How? What could cause so much joy?!"

Mualani and Yoimya's naked bodies pressed onto opposite sides of him, as they all relished the hot springs. They kissed his cheeks while caressing every inch of him—every single inch. Their giggles filled his ears, and their palms stroked his abs and thighs. They took turns kissing him on the lips. He wrapped his hands around their smooth, athletic waists, bringing them even closer. If there was a heaven, Aether didn't see how it could compare to this.

"So much joy…" he said dreamily.