With You | Thoma x Ayaka | Genshin Impact

Before I Say, 'Goodbye'

       "Ayaka! Good morning!" Hu Tao greeted cheerfully, shoving open the doors to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

        "Director, you are missing your hat!" Zhongli said, "Plus, you haven't fixed up your hair yet."

       "I'll worry about that later." Hu Tao shrugged, her hair was not tied in their usual pigtails and was instead left down.

       "Good morning Hu Tao, you as well Zhongli." Ayaka said, bowing her head slightly.

       "Good morning... Ayaka and Thoma." Zhongli hesitated at only using Ayaka's first name.

       "So, what brings you two here?" Hu Tao asked excitedly after Thoma said good morning to both of them.

         "We have a letter from someone named Xiao." Ayaka said, handing Hu Tao the envelope.

       "Director, what did you do this time?" Zhongli asked.

       "Nothing! I'm innocent!" Hu Tao defended, "Here, let's see... blah, blah, blah, yadda, yadda, aha! Xiao is just asking if we've got any tofu that we can spare... or tea."

         "Xiao is quite poor, is he not?" Zhongli asked.

        "Zhongli, I must remind you that if you're not careful about your every day spending... on the funeral's tab! The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is going to go poor." Hu Tao sighed.

        "... But the identical tea cups were quite fascinating..." Zhongli said.

        "Well, are you two headed anywhere after this?" Hu Tao asked.

         "We don't have any plans." Thoma admitted.

         "Then I suggest that you go to the Wanmin Restaurant and ask to sample a few dishes!" Hu Tao exclaimed.

       "Really?" Ayaka looked intrigued, "Shall we head over there later, Thoma?"

        "Certainly!" Thoma nodded.

       "Ah, don't let us hold you up. It's what? 10:00 AM? I would suggest to go right now!" Hu Tao grinned, "Could you also hand out some flyers if you have the time?"

        Hu Tao ran inside and came back carrying a small stack of flyers advertising the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. In medium-sized yellow and red letters it said, 'WANT TO DIE PEACEFULLY? WANT TO DIE WITH ONLY THE BEST SERVICE TO GET YOU OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE? THAN COME TO WANGSHENG FUNERAL PARLOR! WE'RE THE BEST IN LIYUE!'

         Then, underneath that paragraph was written in bigger words, 'NEVER ONCE RECEIVED A SINGLE COMPLAINT FROM A CLIENT!'

         Ayaka and Thoma both looked at each other, the client is question was... the dead body of the beloved, as in, one that could not voice any complaints.

         "Erm, Hu Tao, this is..." Ayaka struggled to find the right words.

        "Don't worry," Hu Tao assured, "It's true! Never once received a complaint!"

         Thoma and Ayaka both looked at Zhongli whose face said, 'I tried to tell her as well and gave up.'

         "Now then! Get on with your day! Make sure to say that you want to try the chef's sample dishes!" Hu Tao reminded. Ayaka and Thoma bowed their heads slightly and headed off in the direction the director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was pointing with flyers in hand and a destination in mind.

        Once they were far away, Zhongli turned to Hu Tao and said, "Director, Xiangling usually comes at around 10:30 AM to ask you to try her sample dishes, correct?"