Good Evening Traveler

Chapter Seven: Told You So!

There was silence before Ayaka spoke again. "How about we play two truths and a lie? A simple game, but a quite lovely one!"
"How do you play? This game sounds...interesting," Xiao asked.
"Oh! You say two truths about yourself and one lie. It's up to the others players to guess which is which," Lumine explained. He shrugged, assuming it was as easy as it sounded. Ayaka volunteered to go first to merely demonstrate.
"Okay. My brother is the head of the Kamisato Clan, my favorite food is animal fat, and I have never traveled out of Inazuma."
"Ooh! Ooh! Paimon knows! Paimon knows! Pick Paimon!"
"...yes?"
"The lie is that your favorite food is animal fat! Haha!"
"Correct! See Xiao? The game is simple. Now that Paimon guessed correctly, it is her turn," Ayaka explained.
"Hm...interesting."

The game went on for quite some time. Xiao even managed to take a turn, which he was actually able to stump a few of the others. Though as the night grew on, so did everyone's exhaustion. Paimon was the first to fall asleep. Lumine did her best to stay awake, but ended up passing out. "I knew she should have rested today," Xiao whispered to Ayaka. She smiled before falling asleep herself.
Once everyone was fully asleep, Xiao made the sleeping Lumine rest her head on his leg. Hopefully that would bring some comfort. He found himself trying not to look at the peaceful traveler, fast asleep. Her soft snores made Xiao feel some sort of pride to just be by Lumines side without fear of anyone else. He was on top of the world - until morning, of course.

As the sun rose, Xiao hadn't moved all night. He was still sitting at the table, making sure Lumine was able to rest. Ayaka woke up soon enough. "Good morni-"
"Shut," Xiao glared.
"Oh my...That's so sweet!" Ayaka whispered.
"Please, Miss Kamisato. Be quiet before I shove my polearm down your throat," Xiao glared in response. She nodded and simply continued to rest herself. Not that long later, Paimon and the Traveler woke up. As soon as the Traveler sat up, Xiao quickly went to a corner of the room to make it not look like he was with Lumine. Ayaka winked at him though, assuring that she wouldn't forget about it.
"Good morning!" Lumine yawned, stretching.
"Did you rest ok?" Xiao asked as soon as she finished. Lumine looked to be thinking for a moment before she eventually spoke.
"Actually...yes! I guess I did," She smiled.
"Lovely!" Interrupted Ayaka, "Now, I would hate for you to miss your commissions. Please just take it easy, alright?"
"Yes, of course."
"Are you going to return to the Kamisato estate tonight, or are you going to stay here?" Xiao asked, razing a brow. Lumine merely shrugged and giggled. Xiao was always fond of her laugh. Pair it with her smile and it was enough to make the whole world be at peace. Maybe even someday, by some miracle, her smile would save Xiao from insanity.

Lumine soon left the tea house, Paimon along with her. Ayaka was smirking at Xiao, sitting like a fourteen-year-old girl on the telephone. "Well, how was that?" She asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Oh come on - you spend all night cuddling with Lumine! See? You do love the traveler!"
"As I have said before, I do not concern myself with mortal affairs. I merely made sure the traveler slept."
"Sure, you keep telling yourself that," Ayaka winked before standing up, "Shall we return to the Kamisato Estate? I likely have work to attend to, and I surely don't want you to get lost. Not when you have a girlfriend now!~"
Xiao rolled his eyes with frustration and walked outside without a word. Ayaka tagged along, patting Torumaru on the head on the way out. Ayaka kept asking many things about Xiao's relationship with Lumine. He eventually just stopped responding all together, annoyed. Once they reached the estate, Xiao simply went to his room to meditate.

Ayaka took care of some of her work outside, secretly waiting for the traveler to return. She wouldn't spoil Xiao's feelings. She just needed to see if the traveler felt anything in return. Thankfully, Lumine returned before nightfall. "Ah, Ayaka! What are you doing?"
"Just finishing some work - I'm always glad to help my brother when he needs it!" She smiled before closing some papers, "Please, take a seat! Xiao is inside, so there's no reason to worry."
There was a look of slight disappointment on Lumines face as she sat down. Paimon sat beside her, going through the food Lumine kept in her bag. "Is everything alright?" she asked.
"Yes! I apologize if I've appeared upset to you. It's just that...with the spring coming along, the sakura flowers blooming, Inazuma is quite beautiful. Such a romantic spectacle," Ayaka sighed dreamily.
"Are...are you feeling alright?" Lumine asked nervously.
"I'm doing quite wonderful! I'm just wondering if there's anyone special on your mind that you can admire all of this beautiful scenery with!"
"Hm...Well, I have Paimon!"
"You know what I mean! There has to be someone that you love~" Ayaka continued to tease. Lumine was clearly flustered, trying her best to avoid these questions. All the signs pointed to her having someone in mind. The identity remained a mystery. "I don't know what you're speaking of. I'm often too busy traveling to get attached to someone... plus I have many of my own personal goals that would get in the way of everything."
"Aww, well, I apologize."
"It's no problem! Don't worry about it Ayaka - it would be quite difficult for you to upset me!"
Lumine smiled, and so did Ayaka. The two friends talked for a while longer. While Lumine claimed not to have anyone of interest, she knew there was someone. That someone made her feel joy and sorrow, excitement and fear, and so much more. While they were talking, Lumine couldn't help but think of the events of the chasm - the second time that is. Specifically how Xiao was adamant about sacrificing himself for the group. Every time Xiao spoke of himself, he always said negative. He claimed to be only meant for murdering and sacrifice. He shouldn't be alive, but instead should be with the other Yaksha's. But Lumine didn't see that. She saw a protective, sarcastic, and quite friendly young man. If he was meant for murder, why did he make her feel this way? And...what was this feeling? She wanted to know, but was too nervous to speak to Ayaka about it. Maybe she would bring it up later - or maybe Xiao would be the one to bring it up when the time would come.