𝐇𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐞𝐭𝐡

♔ 𝟖: Amity

♔

"You and Ms. Jean look cute together," Y/n grinned, watching how the Diluc had a blush on the face. "Y/n... you know she is just a friend. I do not find my heart yearning for her, and... I'd prefer to use my time to take care of you." Y/n grinned, flashing an innocent smile, "But Diluc is free to find whoever he wants... and I am a big girl now, so you don't have to be burdened by me..."
Despite these words, Diluc could only sigh. He cared for her this much, and hid away the swirling dysphoria inside his heart, locked away and never to show. If Y/n knew such a thing exists...

She would be sent back to Oletus City and back at that school, just as her parent's explained.

"Your cousin... she's classmates with my sister, right? Barbara really likes her a lot, and I am thankful that she had a friend to hold onto," said Jean, smiling before waving her friend, Diluc, a goodbye.

♔

The Sports Festival... is four days away.

           "WE'RE AN UNTOUCHABLE TARGET CUZ WE KNOW BLUE TEAM RULES!"
The cheerleading section shouted, earning an applause for the whole class. "WE'RE AN UNSTOPPABLE ROCKET, FLYING THROUGH MANY MOONS!"
They could hear them cheer. Meanwhile, Xiangling settled on Y/n's place, a bench where the trees shielded her from the sun.

Everyone is busy. Chongyun got placed in cheerleading along with Xingqiu, and Albedo supervising...

Xiangling watched the way her friend's e/c eyes settled onto her necklace... Xiangling looked at the beautiful resin jewelry, wondering who gave her such a pretty necklace. Another rival... and yet here I am being the side character...

...This time, I'll make a move.

"Is Y/n okay?" Y/n flinched upon seeing Xiangling pop out of nowhere. "I'm fine. Just tired," The amber-eyed female sat by the bench, a small pack of candy on her hand. "Do you want some? Lynette and Lyney gave me a pack of candy! Here try it!" Y/n plopped a pink-colored candy in her mouth, and her cheeks flushed red when the strawberry flavor hits her tongue.
"Taste good, doesn't it? Hey! Why don't we go to their candy store in Fontaine, and buy a lot of them? I'm not a sweet tooth, but I know you are so...?" The thought of a candy paradise... Y/n nodded vigorously, smiling like a child.
God her smile... the whole room would have quivered if they were to see her with genuine joy.

"You two, run five more laps!" Y/n choked on parts of her candy, and groaned. Xiangling whined, just as Keqing scolded them for slacking off the sports exercise.

♔

From a different class, came Bennett, Razor, and their new classmate, Aether.

"Hey Aether?" The blond in question looked back at the ash blond male as the three walked to the stall. "Do you... like Y/n?" Bennett asked nonchalantly, trying to make sure he does not trip on the process. "W-why do you ask?" Aether looked back at him. "Well, I never see you talking to Y/n... but you're always looking at her, you're just not talking to her."

"Maybe I do like her... but I can't talk to her because I get shy. My sister is usually the social one but..."
His face grew grim, and Bennett could see a flash of pain in his friend's eyes. "Let's get to the stall before the melon pan gets sold out!" Aether changed the topic to the surprise of Bennett, and the three quickly ran to the stall. That grim face on Aether just didn't suit him right.