Good Evening Traveler

Chapter Nineteen: Recovery Detectives

Two days passed before Xiao finally woke up. It wasn't common for him to loose a fight, so Lumine had barely left his side. While he was resting, she read him several light novels, sang some songs, and even tended to his wounds. Though overall, Lumine's favorite part of taking care of Xiao was setting Qingxin flowers around the room.

It was noon when Xiao woke up. Thankfully, it was quite a lovely day and light poured into the room. He tried to sit up, but winced in pain. Why did he have to loose now? Sure, everyone lost now and then. Except Xiao. Looking around the room, Xiao heard footsteps. "Who's there?!" He snapped.
"Xiao! Oh my goodness! You're awake!" Ayaka instantly walked into the room, dropping whatever she was holding.
"I never slept."
"Whatever you say, 'demon boy'" She giggled, "I'm assuming you're going to ask where Lumine went, correct?"
"...I never said that."
"Well too bad. Would you like me to sugar-coat it or get straight to the point?"
"Just hurry up. I don't want to waste my time."
Ayaka sighed before sitting down on the ground across from him. She looked quite worried - even though she didn't seem like the type of person to underestimate people. "Earlier, Lumine left to go check the scene with the wolf lord. She was holding some piece of fabric...she also told me to say exactly this: 'Tell Xiao not to worry. I'll return by nightfall, and I'm going alone. Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself.'"
"And that's supposed to make me relax?" Xiao grunted, crossing his arms.
"I feel the same way - as much as I believe in Lumine, I'm not sure if she's being safe with this. I would love to go myself, but my brother gave me some work..."
"I'm going."
"No! Please, as much as I'd want you to check on Lumine, you have to rest! Don't be insane!"
"I'm going. You can either agree or disagree. I don't care."
Sighing, Ayaka continued, "Fine then. At least let me help you up, and please give me your word that you'll be safe, alright?"
"No promises."
"You got this!"
"Shut up."

Xiao slowly, but surely, make his way to the golden wolf lord. He was able to fend off a few hilichurls though he grew weaker as he went on. Eventually he reached the battlefield. Lumine, sure enough, was fighting the golden wolf lord. The abyssal fabric was tied to the hilt of her sword and blew in the wind. It didn't take long for the fight to conclude, victory going to Lumine. Before Xiao could say anything, she spoke. "It's good to see you're awake," she chuckled.
"It's good to see you're alive," Xiao grunted. Anyone could hear his growing weakness in his voice. Instinctively Lumine had went right over to him, checking all of his bandages. "What the hell do you think you're doing out here? You should be resting. Didn't Ayaka tell you to stay and rest?"
"Too bad, I'm here. But what do you think you're doing out here?"
"...This," Lumine took the abyss fabric and held it infront of Xiao, "Do you know anything about this?"
"Suppose I do, what of it?"
"You know what I'm going to say. Just make it easier for me."
Xiao sighed, and reluctantly said, "I was doing the given commission when an abyss herald appeared. The wolf wasn't the hardest thing, but the herald put up a decent fight. Is that what you need?"
Lumine was silent for a moment, appearing to be thinking. Did this have any connection to her brother? Why would they have gone after Xiao? Before they could think anymore, a loud rumbling came from behind them. Suddenly, an abyss mage began to speak.
"Haha! Surprise!" The mage laughed. It was a hydro abyss mage who appeared to be quite gitty to be there, "Wait till the Prince hears about this! Haha! I'm totally gonna get a promotion!"
Xiao instantly tried to stand up, but fell to the ground. The mage continued to laugh as Lumine walked over. "Why was there a herald here before?"
"None of your beeswax! It was a mostly successful mission, and would have been a full success if a certain guy would just die already! Geez!"Lumine gripped her sword tighter and tighter by the minute. Xiao longed to stand beside her, but there was no way he could get up. He could barely stand up. Nevertheless, the abyss mage continued. "If your little boy-bestie would just die, then I would get a promotion, you wouldn't be distracted, and you could finally hang out with the prince! The Prince and the Princess, taking over the land!"
Before the mage could continue, Lumine struck. She just barely missed as the mage appeared to disappear from thin air. As soon as he was gone, Lumine went back to Xiao. "You're going back to the Kamisato estate - we've done enough investigating today."
"I'm going to keep an eye on you."
"...What?"
"I can't be certain if you will go out and investigate by yourself. If you do, then you'll just get hurt."
"As long as you don't die, we'll be good."

Lumine helped Xiao to the estate, immediately revealing a panicked Ayaka. "Oh thank the shogun! Are you alright?! What happened?"
"Nothing."
"Xiao, please just go rest. We don't have to argue."
"...Fine."
Xiao walked away to the his room, not before stumbling. He somehow made it safely to his room, leaving Ayaka and Lumine by themselves. "Why is he so stubborn!?" Lumine sighed.
"You can be quite like that as well, y'know," Ayaka winked, "He is indeed really sweet. He's perfect for you!"
"What? I-I don't know what you mean!"
Ayaka gave her friend a look of both playfulness and comfort. "You can trust me. The last thing I'd ever want to do is hurt you. Please, just tell me," she smiled gently. Lumine sighed, smiled in return, and shook her head.
"I don't know what it is...He's just...amazing. He's protective, compassionate, and overall adorable. I love him."
Ayaka smiled, nodded, and left. Lumine spent some more time outside before following her, checking in on Xiao on her way. He was "resting his eyes." Hoping he wouldn't mind as well, she sat in his room and read a children's book to him. Maybe she really did love him. Maybe he even loved her. Whatever it was, it was a positive feeling, and a very positive one at that.