fortuity | zhongchi

14

"LOOKING HANDSOME TODAY, MR. ZHONGLI."

⎯

the ginger hesitantly eyed the spa chairs then, along with a sigh, sat down on the one next to where kaeya was. a slender-figured, blonde young woman assisted the idol. childe recognized the face, however also looked so different — she resembled the man in albedo's photograph.

another lady with lilac twin tails set herself on the low stool in front of childe. "my my, what a beautiful sight i'm seeing right now," kaeya said. the blonde didn't look even a bit affected by the idol's charismatic advances, replying with an eyeroll.

ningguang went beside childe as well as beidou to kaeya. the blue haired man continued his conversation with the actress as the workers started — well, working. "you start," the lady beside him spoke. childe sweat dropped, "ah? o — okay uhm... there's not much to say though. kaeya and i have been friends since elementary school i think, he started his career on our first year of college and so forth."

the woman raised an eyebrow, "and you're saying you didn't tell me?" childe frowned, "it's not like you told me you were dating my favorite actress!" ningguang cleared her throat, glancing at him, "i'm about to so shut up." the ginger wanted to counter but he knew very well that would only result in them bickering like one with his older sister and he didn't want to bother those just wanting to do their jobs.

"as quick as you explained, beidou and i have only been together since the start of your last year of college so just a few months ago," ningguang said. childe had no comment, serving as the cue for her to continue, "also, because that zhongli guy is seemingly a good friend of yours i assume you've met guizhong?" the ginger turned his head to her, nodding in response.

"yeah i've known guizhong for years, and she was the one that introduced me to beidou. apparently they've known each other longer than i have her, so there." ningguang concluded. childe wasn't surprised much since he knew ning wasn't a woman that was easily read.

he then flinched which seemed to startle the woman below him and he apologized, laying his head against the chair. "i guess i owe you an apology as well huh?" childe remembered. chatter next to him was the only thing heard for a few seconds until he spoke again, "sorry for the attempted matchmaking i did. i seriously wouldn't have known you were in a relationship already."

ningguang scoffed, "no big deal. it just further proves what a small world we live in."

for the rest of their little spa session, the two pairs were indulged in conversation until about an hour and a half later. childe proposed the couple to dinner as thanks for the unexpected treat but the two refused and proceeded to go their own way.

and then there were two.

kaeya followed childe to his vehicle to pick up his belongings and decided to take a different route. "are you sure? it really isn't a problem." childe asked from the driver's seat. the idol's eye formed a crescent, grinning, "yes yes, i would hate to intercept your way home. besides, the bus stop isn't far from here."

childe exhaled through his nose, "if you say so, take care." he shut the window and kaeya smiled, waving as he backed out of the parking lot. the ginger went straight home since for some reason he felt awfully exhausted.

upon arriving at his apartment, he plopped down on his bed taking his phone out. he messaged kaeya to check in, "have you gotten home yet?" not too long after came a reply, "nope, still on the bus." he followed up with a few short sentences and switched the device off, standing up to take a quick shower.

by the time he realized it, it was already a quarter past nine so the ginger decided to shut the lights soon. on the way to his bed, he placed his framed degree on the drawer, 'are you proud of me mom?' he said, followed with a sneer, 'well i am.' childe closed the curtains, his night lamp, and his eyes — awaiting to live his life to his own expense.

on a certain day, childe was woken up by the sound of his ringtone (of which kaeya always teased him about because it was his favorite show's opening). he sat up on his elbow, answering the call.

"hello?" he said, his voice rather raspy. due to him being half asleep, he didn't bother checking the caller id assuming it was kaeya right away. hearing the voice on the other side caught him off guard.

"sorry did i wake you?" it was zhongli. childe then raised himself up quickly, completely surprised because of the time they haven't contacted each other since graduation. also because of the other's oddly soothing, deep voice which he — undenyingly, found attractive.

"to be honest yes but it's totally fine," he cleared his throat, "what may you need?" the recipient's side was quiet for a while before speaking with an embarrassed tone, "i apologize, i figured you were awake by now. but i wanted to invite you to a late coffee, perhaps? i have something i need to talk to you with."

the ginger's senses sharpened, "uh can't you just tell me across the phone i mean..." zhongli's tone then switched into a firmer one, "please, if you can't today then maybe sometime else? it's... not something we can discuss through these means." childe felt his chest beating for no reason and so he gulped, laughing it off, "are you sure it's not because you just want to see me?"

the older one didn't respond to the remark, his breath only heard from through the device. childe coughed, "mm, yeah i'm available." zhongli then replied quickly, "alright thank you. the usual cafe." hanging up just as fast.

childe rose up out of bed and changed. he went straight to the cafe venti works at, assuming that was which he was referring to as 'the usual'. surprisingly, the ginger arrived first with no venti nor zhongli in sight. so then he sat at a vacant table after he's ordered his drink, waiting for the older one to arrive.

about 20 minutes has passed while the boy sipped on his coffee, scrolling through his phone. a car approached from the side of his eye and a tall figure with his brown hair tied in a bun emerged from the front passenger seat.

childe noticed guizhong in the driver's seat, apparently speaking to zhongli through the window. the man's face was bright red, though no one can say for sure whether it was from embarrassment or the scorching sun. who would believe it has only been a few months since he saw zhongli wearing a thick coat.

the boy averted his attention to his phone as zhongli walked towards the entrance, pretending to be unaware. the jingle of bells made childe tense up, with footsteps nearing him. when the ginger raised his head, he saw the brunette looking extremely red.

saving him the trouble, childe spoke first,

"looking handsome today, mr. zhongli."

⎯