Carried in by the Gentle Wind

CHAPTER 5

     Kazuha watched you anxiously clasping your hands together, as your eyes kept darting between him and the unconscious Venti. It was clear that you needed him to help you out with Venti, so he quickly got down to one knee, knowing what you were going to say.

     "Don't worry, I got this. Just help me put him on my back and I'll deliver him to your car."

     Your worried expression finally started clearing just a little bit, though you still looked a slight bit sorry that you were making him go through the trouble. You made quick work of trying your best to drag Venti over to his back, and helped him make sure the former was secure, before hurrying off to the door. Assuming that this would probably be the last time he saw you that evening, he said his goodbyes, and watched you scamper down the stairs. Thankfully, Venti wasn't heavy, so it didn't take long for Kazuha to take a few long strides, before a voice in his ear made him stop short. 

     "Kazuha..."

     "Venti? You're awake?" His voice was at a soft whisper, just in case Venti wasn't actually up.

     "Yeah... I'm sorry about that. You can put me down, actually. I can walk fine."

     "It's alright. If you're feeling a little under the weather, I can still take you to Y/n's car."

     "No, actually-" Venti made an effort to wriggle off of Kazuha's back, and was on his own feet before long. 

     "Will you be okay? You did.. ahem, drink considerably more than the average person." Kazuha's expression was tainted with concern, his arms ready just in case Venti might start swaying, or even trip. Though he had to admit, Venti looked a little too sober for the sheer amount he drank in one go. 

     "Yup! I have a, uh, high tolerance! Yeah, you could say that... And hey, why don't you take up Y/n's offer to get driven home? She's an excellent driver y'know, if that's what you're worried about." Venti held the door open for Kazuha, as they made their way to the back parking lot. 

     "It's not that I don't trust Y/n. It's just that I plan on taking a walk through a park that's on the way home. Can't do that if I'm pampered at the expense of someone else's steering wheel." 

     "I see~! I guess you like parks, huh."

     "Yes, well. It's quite beautiful. Very inspirational, if I might add."

     "Interesting... I should visit sometime! Maybe I'll also be inspired to come back out of retirement."

     ".... Retirement?"

     "Oh. Did you not recognize me this whole time? But then again, that makes a whole lot of sense."

     "I'm sorry.. I can't recall..?"

     "Barbatos."

     "Huh?"

     "I used to work under the name Barbatos! Stage name, y'know? I didn't really have a lot of influence here in Inazuma, but back in Mondstadt, I was the idol. They practically worship me up there. That's probably because I'm the only Mondstadter who made it international though. I retired a few years ago, to start Barbatos Entertainment. And now we're here!" He must be a lot older than he looks, but that's a topic for another day... Dude, seriously?   

     "Venti..."

     "Yeah?"

     Kazuha put a hand at his forehead, looking slightly disoriented. "You're telling me that you're the Barbatos of Barbatos Ent."

     "Mhm!"

     "And you're telling me this now?"

     "Wellll. You never asked. And honestly, if you just looked up Venti, you could have probably found the whole Sumerpedia article that talks about everything from my date of birth to my cat allergy."