This Side of Paradise (Aeventi) (finished)

6 - "Who are the new transfer students?"

3rd person omniscient

Aether walked into the university with Venti and Lumine at his side, and immediately noticed the commotion.

"What's going on?" Aether asked no one in particular.

"I haven't seen this much commotion since you two first came to the university..." Venti stated, "maybe there's another new student or two."

"Really? I didn't think Teyvat University would get many transfer students..." Lumine said, "but I guess anything is possible."

"Or they could be from Inazuma," Venti commented, "recently, many university students from Inazuma have been transfering to other regions due to Inazuma's unfair laws."

"Unfair laws?" Aether questioned, "like what?"

"Well, I heard that the reigning tyrant has-" Venti was interrupted by Lisa speaking over the crowd of adults.

"Now now, let's leave them alone...I'm sure they're quite overwhelmed from the attention...get to your lectures." Lisa commanded confidently.

Everyone listened, and the halls almost immediately cleared. Aside from a few stragglers, Lisa, Venti, Aether, Lumine, and the ominous transfer students.

Lisa was talking to the new students, and one of them looked over at Aether, watching him for a moment. She quickly averted her gaze as the two made eye contact.

"Aether, I'm gonna go meet Fischl before her first class.. see ya!" Fischl and Lumine were good friends, but it was completely obvious to everyone but them that they wanted to be more.

Lumine ran off after everyone exchanged goodbyes, and Venti watched the young girl as she continued to look over at Aether. Venti was not liking the feeling that was forming in the pit of his stomach, and waited until the girl looked back over to grab onto Aether's arm.

"Venti wh-" Aether was interrupted by Venti, who laughed loudly.

"Aether, we should head to the direction of the southern wing of the university!" Venti boasted, still clinging onto Aether.

"But neither of us have any classes over there..." Venti only half listened to Aether as he narrowed his eyes, watching the girl avert her gaze once more when seeing Venti's actions.

"Hey Venti, do you know who those transfer students are?" Aether asked, and Venti let go of his arm, shaking his head as a reply.

"Hm...we should probably talk to them, then!" Both Aether and Venti had gotten better at social interactions over the past few months.

Venti tried thinking of every excuse not to go over there, but couldn't think of any. Before he knew it, Aether was already over there, motioning for Venti to follow- which he reluctantly did.

"Hello, I'm Aether! Welcome to Teyvat University...and who are you four?" Aether introduced himself.

Venti just glared at the girl from before, watching her watch Aether.

"I am Kamisato Ayaka...please refer to me as Ayaka." Ayaka put out her hand for a handshake, which Aether took.

Venti felt the angering feeling pooling in his stomach as he watched Ayaka hide her face behind a fan, obviously hiding tainted red cheeks from the interaction.

"Please, call me Thoma. Nice to meet you, Aether." One of the boys grinned, also offering Aether a handshake (which he took).

"I'm Gorou!" The boy with abnormal ears and tail introduced himself, a huge smile on his face.

The final boy introduced himself as Kaedahara Kazuha, and then Aether turned to look at Venti.

"Aren't you going to introduce yourself, Venti?" Aether asked, and Venti ceased glaring at Ayaka in order to quickly introduce himself to everybody, keeping it short.