Rewind | Genshin Impact

Chapter 10

Once it was settled, they all put in their takeout orders and split the bill. They decided to order noodles from the local store. Which was an extremely good choice as it was delicious, much better then Venti originally remembered it to taste. Even Xingqiu admitted he liked it, although it was hard to get that confession out of him, he was still upset about not eating his food. 

After they all finished eating, Diluc came around handing everyone a glass of wine. Apparently he felt bad for Xingqiu, so while everyone was waiting for the takeout to arrive, he drove to a nearby winery and bought one of the best wines it stock. Which lifted Xingqiu's mood, but only slightly.

Venti leaned back in his chair with a wine glass in his hand, sipping every now and then while taking in the scenery in front of him. Bennett and Razor were being lovey-dosey, sickly so. There was also Kaeya making jokes in the corner of the room as a bunch of people gathered around him, laughing. There was Scaramouche and Kazuha in the corner having their own conversation. Scaramouche seemed much more content in this conversation then he did in his conversation with Kaeya in the previous loop. Which Venti was really grateful for since angry Scaramouche was terrifying. Although it probably did help that he was talking to his boyfriend instead of Kaeya who he was involved in something with. 

Venti's eyes landed on Xiao as the other boy made his way over to him. The tattooed boy had a concerned and alert look on his face. Once he arrived to Venti's side he knelt down. "So, what's the plan?"

Venti looked back at the boy confused. "What plan? We succeeded, Kaeya isn't going to die."  

Xiao gave him a deadpan look, before he rolled his eyes and spoke. "The murderer failed with the food poisoning, but don't you think they'll try something else?"

Huh, hadn't thought of that.

"I don't even know why I care so much, at the end of the day there is still the possibility that this is a prank and I'm going to get completely humiliated. If it is by the way I'll cut your eyes out." He shot at Venti. That's when the boy became aware to the fact that Xiao wasn't a person who trusted often. Therefore, considering the fact that he was trusting him so easily on something so significant and unbelievable was a big deal. Venti turned to face the boy and reached to grab his hand, but quickly stopped himself halfway and brought his hands back to his side.

"I'm not lying, I promise. I wouldn't lie about something like this." He offered the boy a sincere smile, then he turned his attention back to view the room. Xiao was right, the murderer was still in this room and is probably plotting the next way he can attempt to murder Kaeya. "Do you have any pressing suspicions?" 

Xiao hummed in thought as his eyes also scanned the room. "Perhaps Diluc, he and Kaeya always had a rocky relationship. Or maybe Lumine, since her and Kaeya made a deal and he seemingly hasn't met his end of it." 

Venti tilted his head in confusion. "What sort of deal?"

"I'm sure you're aware that Lumine's brother went missing a few years back?" At Venti's hum of confirmation Xiao continued, "Lumine's been desperately searching for her brother, and she'll do anything humanly possibly to find him. Kind of sweet but also creepy. Anyway, before Kaeya left for America he realised he was short on a huge amount of money that was necessary for something important, I'm not sure what. Although, Kaeya was also aware that nearly no-one would donate, despite how much he begged." At Venti's confused expression, Xiao added, "before he left for America he was on a bit of a rocky page with everyone, including Albedo. Luckily, Lumine and him were on reasonable terms. Although, the thing is Lumine wouldn't just give him the money without anything in return. So they made a deal, if Lumine gave Kaeya the money he needs, Kaeya would do anything humanly possible to get a lead on her brother. He promised her that he'll be able to find something, and went on about how America has everything necessary to find missing people. However, I assume due to the tension between them tonight Kaeya failed." 

Venti looked at Xiao in shock, letting it sink in for a moment. Wow, this really was something. He never knew that. "How do you know that?" Venti questioned him curiously. 

"One day I went drinking with Childe, Zhongli and Lumine. Not that I actually drank anything, however Lumine got absolutely wasted. She told me without hesitation." He shrugged nonchalantly. 

"Okay - well that's definitely a motive. But murder, isn't that a bit too far?" Venti was still skeptical as he looked towards the girl in question. She was currently laughing at something Amber said, seemingly brightening up.

"Maybe she wants to avenge him." Xiao suggested. Venti couldn't deny that he was definitely onto something. 

"So - what do we do? We can't really go and confront her..." He trailed off.

"For now there isn't much we can do without seeming suspicious. I'll try to talk to Diluc about his relationship with Kaeya and see what I can find out, it seems like the alcohol is starting to kick in." Xiao stated, standing up and dusting off his pants. 

"Okay...." Venti said thoughtfully, "and what shall I do?" 

Xiao rolled his eyes, "Whatever you think will be helpful."

"Yeah but I don't know what'll be helpful." He whined, swinging his arms dramatically, causing Xiao to scoff. 

"Fine - since you can't make decisions for yourself..." Xiao trailed off as he looked around the room, "why don't you go question Bennett and Razor. You're roommates with Bennett, right?"

"Alright! That'll be fun!" He grinned, as he stood up and started to walk towards them, but only after he took a few steps he felt a hand on his wrist and turned around to face Xiao.

"Don't say or do anything stupid." Xiao sighed.

"Yeah, yeah, have more faith in me." Venti rolled his eyes and pulled his wrist out of Xiao's grasp, then skipped over to where Bennett and Razor were flirting. 

This was going to be interesting...