Rewind | Genshin Impact

Chapter 14

25th April 2020

The questioning had been just as intense as Venti remembered it to be, if not more so. They asked him everything that came to mind, predictably most of their questions were directed towards Diluc and Kaeya's 'brotherly' relationship. It was obvious that they were pretty set on it being Diluc.

Although unlike last time, Venti couldn't really, mentally, convince himself the authorities were wrong. There was too much evidence, it was too likely. When they accused Xingqiu, it definitely seemed like a stab in the dark. However this, this made sense. 

He still hadn't talked to Xiao. However, he had attempted to on various occasions. It just seemed like the other boy was avoiding him but Venti didn't know why. The few attempts where Venti attempted to start a conversation Xiao would either excuse himself or simply state that he was busy.

Although, obviously he couldn't avoid him forever. Xiao knew too much, and they were too deep in this together to just ignore one another. Therefore, after their intense day of questioning, Venti waited around on his phone for Xiao to finish packing up, then right as he was about to leave Venti grabbed his wrist.

Xiao looked to his left and right quickly, then yanked his wrist out of Venti's grasp. Turning around and quickly hurrying out of the door. However, Venti wasn't going to let it go this time.

"Hey!" Venti called out as he chased after Xiao, following the boy outside the police station and walking alongside him down the pathway. There was barely any life in sight, most people left before Xiao finished his questioning and no cars were passing them on the road. It was pitch black and silent besides from a few streetlights and the tapping sound of water from drains hitting the ground.

Xiao continued to ignore him, as he stared right ahead and quickened his pace. Venti followed this, matching his speed once again. Suddenly, Xiao halted and sighed before turning around to face him.

"What?!" His gaze was shooting daggers making Venti feel a bit uneasy.

"Why are you ignoring me?!" Venti questioned him, attempting and failing to match the harshness of the other boys tone.

Xiao sighed, placing his head in his hands, then he averted his attention back to Venti. "Why do you think?"

"Well I'm not sure, if I knew I wouldn't be asking you, would I?" Venti was getting increasing annoyed at the situation, it's not like he could read minds.

"Well-" Xiao began as he drummed his finger against his thigh impatiently, "don't you find it awfully very suspicious that you were the only one who knew that Kaeya was going to die that night?"

"Wh-" Then the realisation dawned upon Venti, "wait you can't possibly think- you can't be inferring-" He stuttered, unable to comprehend how anyone could possibly suspect that he, out of everyone, could be a murderer. 

"I don't know." Xiao sighed in annoyance, now avoiding eye contact. "I don't know what to think. You came to me the other night with a weird and completely unrealistic story about how you knew that Kaeya was going to die that night-" Xiao paused, seemingly about to say something else but thinking better of it.

Awkward silence filled the air, until Venti decided to speak up awkwardly as a small smile made it's way onto his lips. "Wellll, you know your home town seems to have weird legends where magic is obviously very present. How is this any different? Ehe."

Xiao stared at him in absolute disbelief, which Venti could understand, it was a pretty bad reply. Although, he was desperate to have Xiao on his side. Even though Xiao definitely wasn't the most reliable person there is, and could quite possibly be a good suspect in this situation, Venti couldn't help but trust him. He didn't know what it was, but for some reason there was a voice in the back of his mind screaming at him to go to this boy for guidance, to trust him and his judgement. 

"Besides, I did give you enough proof, right? I mean I predicted what was going to happen before it happened. I'm sure you know the others well enough to assume that this isn't just some sick joke that we're all in on." Venti added, trying to fill the deafening silence.

Xiao seemed to be deep in thought for a few seconds, then he nodded his head. "I'm only believing you because I know a boy like you wouldn't kill a fly if you could help it."

"You think too low of me." Venti chuckled, although quickly directing the conversation back on track. Not wanting to get distracted from the task at hand. "So, can we work together to figure this out? Even if I don't get sent back for a second chance at least we'll get justice for Kaeya." 

Xiao hummed in confirmation. "Fine, but if this does actually turn out to be some kind of joke or you're playing me then the next time we go to the police station it will be to try and figure out your murderer." Venti was about to laugh, but then he noticed the seriousness in Xiao eyes, causing the bard to gulp and nod his head frantically. "Good." 

"So, what's the plan? Any suspects?" Venti inquired as they continued to walk down the pathway, but then Xiao stopped and turned to face Venti, holding out his hand.

"Give me your phone." He said nonchalantly.  

"W-what?" Venti questioned, taken aback.

Xiao rolled his eyes, "so I can add my number." 

"Oh right." Venti laughed, grabbing his phone out of his pocket and unlocking it, handing it to the boy. Xiao held it up from Venti's gaze and started tapping on the screen. When he was done, he handed it back to Venti.

"I'll text you what's going to happen tomorrow. Goodnight Venti." At that, Xiao turned on his heels and continued walking down the street. Instead of following him, Venti frantically opened his phone and went into his messages to see what he had done. 

Xiao: You better not be playing me or you'll regret it.

Venti scoffed then giggled at the message the boy had sent, he really was paranoid, wasn't he? He felt a mixture of fondness and joy in his chest at the fact that he was actually agreeing to help him, then skipped down the path to head home.