Good Evening Traveler

Chapter Ten: Professer Ayaka

The next morning came along with the sun peeking through the windows. Xiao hadn't slept, but also hadn't moved. Lumine was fast asleep, giving a peaceful feeling to the both of them. Of course, Paimon soon began to show signs of waking up. Putting quick reflexes to use, Xiao made sure Lumine was comfortable before returning to his room, sitting atop the bookshelf. He made it out just in time before Paimon began to speak. "Goooood Morning traveler! Wakey wakey!" She shook the Lumine up.
"augh...Why can't I sleep in?"
"Well, we gotta do commissions! The sooner you get those done, the sooner you can go back to sleeping! Plus you slept really good last night!"
Lumine wanted to say that she didn't, as she had another nightmare about loosing her brother. But...it all seemed to stop at some point. It was as if something - or someone - made all her nightmares go away with a mere gesture. Was it Paimon?...No. It couldn't be. Was it Xiao?...Though he would show affection the day that Khaenri'ah rose from the depths and became one with Teyvat as the eighth nation. Whatever it was, it worked. Just as Lumine was about to leave, Ayaka had stopped her as she was walking outside. "Lumine! I'm glad I caught you. May I speak to you for a moment?"
"I was just about to leave...Could we talk when I return?"
"Please? It will only take a moment."
Without waiting for a response, Ayaka dragged Lumine outside to the patio. Paimon, of course, tagging along. "So, I have to ask. How can you easily get along with Xiao? He's quite an... interesting character," She asked.
"Oh! Uh...believe it or not, he can actually be very sweet when you actually get to know him. Xiao doesn't really go all grand when it comes to showing affection, but often expresses it through small gifts or even a gust of wind when you're gliding across Liyue! Plus, after he gives you a say-so, all you have to do is call out his name and he'll appear right there."
"But of course, it doesn't work for Paimon! See? Xiao!! XIAO!!" Paimon grumbled. Ayaka giggled, and gestured for Lumine to give it a try. "Xiao?"
"...Yes?" As soon as Lumine said his name, Xiao was right beside her. After he realized the sight around him, he silently sighed and didn't say a word. She was one of the first to notice, and made sure to calm him down. Lumine merely said, "Xiao, there's nothing to worry. Ayaka wanted me to show how you are such a reliable ally. I hope I didn't alarm you!"
"Oh, I see. You did not cause any alarm."
"Phew. I hate to say this, but I have to go to my commissions. I'll be back later! Goodbye! See you!" Lumine waved as she ran off, a smile brighter than the sun. Xiao, who was still outside, was being intensely watched by Ayaka. "Would you care to speak instead of staring?"
"No, I'm alright. Here, just follow me," she led him out to the patio once more, and made sure he was sitting down on the pillows.

Ayaka set down her fan, and gently placed her hands on the table. "Is there something on your mind? Perhaps relating to your girlfriend?" she teased. "The traveler is not my girlfriend. Though yes, I would like to talk about something. How can you be so intrusive yet still manage to keep your own secrets?"
"I've been speaking to people since I was a small child. After awhile, you find some tricks. Now, is there anything else? Are you going to officially confess your love to Lumine?"
"No... I just wanted to ask...What is love? Like...what is it?"
"What?! Do you really not know what love is? Or even how it feels to be in love?"
"No. Again, I do not concern myself with mortal affairs."
Ayaka looked shocked, but there was a glimmer of excitement beside her. She instantly began to speak, sounding like Thoma teaching his housework class. "Love is like... you have a special connection with someone. More than friends. You can't help but want to just be with that person till the end of time. You'll do anything to just see them smile. You'll sacrifice everything you know and love for the livelihood of the one you love. And it can also be something as simple as feeling nervous. Everyone has their own awkward way of showing love. It could be... small gifts, avoiding eye contact, blushing, kissing, holding hands, all of it could be considered signs of love," she described it as if she were writing a poem. For once, Xiao was vulnerable. With much fear, he merely asked, "How do you know it's not just a strong friendship? If it's this big do a deal, it should be mutual and something that shouldn't be hidden."
"Well, everyone lieges to keep their secrets. Sometimes, people such as yourself don't share anything about themself. The only person that knows about their feelings is them. It only officially becomes open once both people get the courage to share their feelings with one another. Hence, why you gotta tell Lumine you love her!" 
"I...I do not love Lumine."
"Hm, alright then. As compensation for this conversation, I will be inviting you all to Uyuu restaurant once more!"
"You do not need to trouble yourself."
"It's my pleasure, Mister Adeptus. Is there anything else I can do for you?
"Stay out of my business. You aren't allowed inside every detail."
"Very well then. I'll do my best to respect your privacy, but I know how Lumine looks at you, how she acts around you, and how fondly she speaks of you. Just...give it all some thought, okay?"
Xiao didn't respond, but instead walked back inside to his room.

Successfully climbing atop the bookshelf, Xiao couldn't help but think of Lumine. If he really did love her, why hadn't he done anything? Maybe he was afraid. Why was this so crazy? As he meditated, he couldn't help but jolt. Xiao's mask began to appear on his face, strengthening his karma. He couldn't do anything. He felt like he was going to kill anything and everything he saw. All Xiao believed he was meant for was slaughtering demons and nothing more. He was meant to kill or be killed. Suddenly, he heard something. It wasn't anything that was actually in front of him, but he could hear it nonetheless. It sounded like...laughter....Xiao longed to look where it was, but then it hit him. He felt like his vision was becoming clearer. A young woman appeared to be calling to him. Not out of pain, but out of...love. The young woman kept laughing, and smiled. Xiao kept feeling like it was getting clearer and clearer. The woman was smiling brightly, her corn-yellow hair blowing slightly in the wind. Finally, his vision was clear. Standing there, as bright as the sun, was none other than Lumine. As he looked upon her, Xiao's mask faded away. As he reached out to her, he was broken out of his mediative state. He looked around, and blinked his eyes to adjust to the light once more. Without anything else, he sat there. What was that all about? Maybe...no. It couldn't be. Whatever it was, Lumine walking inside the Kamisato Estate was what brought him out.