EN | An encounter she will never forget | ᴄʜɪʟᴜᴍɪ

23 - Windblume Festival

"You look terrible, Lumine. Thank you, Harbinger, for giving me the excuse to kill you."

Without even seeing it, Lumine knew that Childe was currently wearing that famous smile that would appear on his face at the start of every fight, what's more if his opponent was powerful. The Harbinger separated from Lumine and got into a fighting stance as Diluc brought out his gigantic black and red claymore, the Wolf's Gravestone.

The locals and tourists began to watch the scene unsuspectingly, believing it to be a planned festival activity. But as Childe materialized his water blades, Lumine stepped in between the enemies as best she could despite the hangover screaming at her to sit down and let them kill each other.

"That's enough, you two! You're not going to fight in the middle of the city, are you? Are you crazy or what!"

"Come on Ojou-chan, if he's so intent on trying to beat me up, let him—"

"I don't want to hear anything from you! And did you see yourself? You can barely stand up!"

As Childe opened his mouth to protest, the young woman cut him off again. "One more word and I'll kick your ass again!"

Seeming to see in her eyes that she wasn't kidding, the Harbinger fell silent with a sulky expression. Lumine sighed before turning to the bartender.

"Diluc, can I talk to you for two seconds, please?"

The latter looked at Lumine and Childe in turn, before fixing his attention on the young woman. She didn't know if it was her imploring gaze or the fact that it was clear she was having trouble standing, but to her great delight, Diluc made his claymore disappear in his world after glaring one last time at the Harbinger.

Watching with relief as Diluc put his weapon away, Lumine turned back to Childe.

"I'll be back in a moment."

Then she led Diluc into an alley where no one was around so they could talk in peace. Lumine leaned against the wall of a building to steady herself, the back of her head also resting on the hard and cold surface. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, her eyebrows furrowed, before looking straight at Diluc, placed directly in front of her.

"I can only imagine how you feel every time you see him, considering your resentment for the Fatui because of what happened with your father... But I would appreciate it if you would stop trying to kill each other every time you cross paths. I'm not asking you to become best friends, only to tolerate each other."

"How do you expect me to tolerate that jerk when he gives me his disgusting smiles and doesn't hesitate to hurt you?! Sorry, but that's never going to happen."

Diluc hadn't lost his usual calm and impassibility, but the coldness he was giving off meant very clearly that his impassibility was only a façade, and that inside he was fulminating.

Lumine knew she wasn't going to win him over that way. She had tried the gentle method, but now her headache had worn off her patience, so she attacked without further delay with the strong method.

"Diluc, I've considered you a brother since I got here, and I respect you for that, I respect the choices you've made to protect me. I really do. However, Childe is the man I chose to love of my own free will, today and who knows for how long. I took into account the fact that he is a Harbinger of the Fatui and that he has this most... original personality when I made this choice. I'm not asking you to stop killing each other, I'm forcing it on you."

The bartender stared at her for long minutes, trying to decipher her expression and see if she meant what she said. Lumine hadn't moved, still leaning against the wall, but her expression had become serious and slightly annoyed.