Rewind | Genshin Impact

Chapter 22

Venti didn't have too many regrets in life. Honestly, most of the regrettable things he did was when he was too wasted to remember it the next day, or he was simply too unaffected by his actions that it didn't bother him. However, right about now he was feeling a pang of regret.

Regret that he disposed all the wine.

What was he thinking? How did he think, just 15 minutes ago, that getting rid of all the alcohol would be a smart idea? He should have at least kept a bottle hidden for himself to help him get through the night.

He took a deep breath, adjusting the hat on his head before walking straight towards Kaeya. Kaeya was already engaged in a conversation of his own with both Amber and Bennett. Amber was grinning up at the blue haired boy, and Bennett seemed to be laughing at something they said.

"Hey." Venti smiled at them as he inserted himself into the little circle they formed. "It's a shame about the food, right? ehe." He said awkwardly, trying his best to seem normal. 

"Yeah. I feel really bad for Xingqiu, you know he worked really hard on it and all." Bennett sighed, sadness present in his eyes. Bennett always cared about everyone else, Venti really admired that about him. 

"Yeah, it is truly horrible that such an unfortunate event occurred." Amber voiced, a lot more passion in her voice then Venti would have expected from just a guest, taking him aback. There was a mixture of anger and disappointment in her eyes. 

"Mmm yes, he certainly worked hard on it." Kaeya sighed thoughtfully. "I am very appreciative for his efforts nonetheless." 

"It's still horrible what happened though." Amber sighed in exasperation, her cheerful personality switched just like that.

odd.

Bennett started flailing his arms around to gain everyone's attention. "Yeah, but takeout's good too, right?" He asked, attempting to add positivity to the situation.

"Depends on what it is." Kaeya said, "but generally, it's rather pleasant." He chuckled as an afterthought. Then as soon as Kaeya chuckled Amber switched again, her irritated look changing into a look of admiration and joy as she looked up at Kaeya and giggled along at his words.

"Yeah! You can never go wrong with noodles!" Venti giggled, but then Xiao's words flashed through his mind, 'For the rest of the night I just need you to keep an eye on Kaeya, and make sure he doesn't eat any food or drink any drinks'.

"Or not!" Venti quickly followed up with. "You know actually, I've heard a lot of horror stories about takeout, ehe."

"Horror stories about takeout?" Amber questioned, placing her hands on her hips as her eyes narrowed. 

"I mean, yeah, ehe-" Venti began, scrambling to quickly think up an excuse. "I mean you never know, you can always go wrong with takeout!"

Amber, Kaeya and Bennett just looked at him as if he were crazy, and who could blame them? Venti just wanted to curl up in a hole and disappear. Why he was the one chosen to go and change the past was beyond him.

"Right..." Bennett drawled out slowly, blinking a few times as if trying to regain his train of thought before Venti interrupted them. 

Luckily, before the awkward silence could hold any longer a voice interrupted them. "It is a shame, that we cannot feast on Xingqiu's creations, however our winds chose our fate to go on a different path." Venti turned around-

Kazuha

"Mind if I join you?" The red eyed boy asked, being met with happy hums of agreements. 

Perfect. This was perfect. Now, Venti could kill two birds with one stone. He could watch over Kaeya and maybe find out some information from Kazuha. 

Without much thought, Venti turned around in hopes to spot Xiao in the crowd. Luckily, it didn't take much looking. He was in the corner of the room engaging in a deep conversation with Scaramouche. They both had a serious expression on their face, seemingly talking is hushed whispers. Kazuha seemed to have followed Venti's gaze as he spoke up.

"I wonder what they are talking about too." He hummed, talking loudly enough for Venti to hear him but too quiet for the others to pick up on what he was saying. "Scara requested I give him and Xiao some space. So I followed through with that request, I just hope he chooses to inform me afterwards."

"Oh, yeah, ehe-" Venti giggled. "Well, maybe they want to keep it between them for a reason." He said thoughtfully, turning to meet Kazuha's eye. Various thoughts stirred in Venti's mind, the main one being how much Kazuha knew about the situation. From what he knew about Kazuha, he was honest and honourable. Perhaps if he wanted to get information the best way to get it would be through him. 

Despite the fact that Venti didn't know Scaramouche personally, he could still tell that the indigo haired boys morale's vastly differed from his boyfriends, therefore making this situation even more particular. Did Kazuha have any idea at all what was going on? Or was he as clueless as Venti was about the affairs Scaramouche seemed to get involved in? Or did he just know more then he was letting on?

"Hm, maybe." Kazuha hummed, then the other boy swiftly turned on his feet to engage in the conversation Bennett, Amber and Kaeya were having. Venti followed this action with a smile on his face, having two pressing objectives in mind.