My Best Friend | Kaedehara Kazuha x Reader

chapter 2 - dinner with him

Again, this chapter is in the past, chapter 3 will be future with him 

- very light language warning -

Y/N's POV

Okay wait so if the old city ruins in the chasm aren't Khaenri'ah, what are they? Why are they upside-down? And why is there an anemo statue that's upside-down too? And based off what the traveller told me, their sibling was definitely there during the fall of Khaenri'ah.. were they? Oh I don't know, I'll think about this later, what time is it? 

I picked up my phone, 6.57pm. SHIT! I have to go to dinner! I pressed the button to hide my research, grabbed my keys and opened the door to my office to see Kazuha's shocked face, his hand about to knock on the door. 

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were there, didn't mean to scare you." I laughed. 

He chuckled and stepped back, allowing me to lock the door. 

"It's alright, let's go." he said in a reassuring tone. 

We left the detective agency and began to make our way to the restaurant. The day being Saturday, the city was overly crowded. I started to panic and my face showed uneasiness. 

Kazuha seemed to have picked up on my unease as he grabbed hold of my hand and walked me through the crowds carefully until we made it to the restaurant. 

I smiled a weak smile as we walked into the restaurant. 

"Heya, what can I get you guys?" the owner asked with a smile.

"Ooh, I would like dry-braised salted fish please, would you like that too y/n?" Kazuha turned his head to me. 

I nodded and grinned at him.

"Got it, it'll be 15 minutes, why don't you two lovebirds take a seat?" the owner said before turning his back to the kitchen chefs. 

"H-HEY! WE'RE NOT DATING, WE'RE JUST FRIENDS!!" I yelled, both mine and Kazuha's faces bright red in response to his words. 

The owner chuckled. I scoffed and grabbed Kazuha's wrist and dragged him over to a table, a small grunt leaving his mouth in shock. I sat him down across from me and I took my seat, looking away from him to hide my flustered face. 

He chuckled and cupped my chin, forcing me to look at him, laughing again. 

"Here's your food you two, enjoy!" 

Kazuha nods to the waitress and begins to eat his fish. I take a bite of the corner and my eyes lit up. 

"THIS IS SO GOOD, WHY HAVEN'T I EVER HAD THIS?" I say in disbelief. 

"You clearly need to improve your choice in food if this is the first time you've had such a delight." Kazuha rolls his eyes sarcastically. 

"So rude but I'll ignore it, how'd it go with Tougo?" I ask him, taking another bite. 

"It went well, Yuuya is now back home and I gave traveller a nice new sword, how are your cases going?" he smiles. 

"Well, I need to visit Liyue to see a friend for one of them, then after that I need to get in touch with traveller again to visit Mondstadt to discuss something with Master Diluc and the Dandelion Knight Jean. I've finished most of my other cases, I now just have to work on a few arrests." 

"That's amazing! You do so much work and travel a lot, I'm guessing?" 

I nod and take my last bite, smiling. 

"Well I'm an adventurer too, would you like to be travelling partners?" Kazuha asks, bracing himself for rejection. 

"Oh my, really? I'd love to! I hate exploring alone!" flashing him a grin as I speak. 

Kazuha sighs a sigh of relief and smiles back at me before calling a waitress over to pay for the meal. 

"Will that be shared payment?" she asks. 

I open my mouth to answer yes but I get cut off by Kazuha paying for the entire thing. I look at him in disbelief, it was 20,000 mora! I know I could definitely afford it but could he? 

"Thank you, we hope you enjoyed your meal!" and with that, she walked away, leaving me to ask Kazuha about why he paid for the both of us. 

"What was that about? Why did you pay for the both of us? I could've covered it you know.." I take a sip of my drink while waiting for his response. 

"I took you out, I pay, simple as. I'm well aware you could've covered it but 20,000 mora isn't my limit so please do not worry about it Y/N, you deserve to be treated anyway." He muttered that last part. 

"What was that last bit?" my eyebrow raised. 

He dismisses me and stands up, walking over to my chair and offering me his hand. I accept and stand up, he pushes the chair in behind me with his foot. Kazuha lets go of me to wave goodbye to the staff then grabs my hand again, leading me out. 

The time's 9:14pm by now so the streets have cleared a little bit. My face is a little red from him holding my hand so casually as if we're a couple but I've only known him one day! I have a feeling though, that soon, we'll be really good friends. 

We start walking in the direction of the Yae Publishing House. I start to shiver a little because of the cold air but pay no mind to it. 

Kazuha, once again, takes notice of my issue and takes off his suit blazer and puts it around my shoulders with a smile. I look away and nod. 

We get to the Publishing house and the collection of books are set on display. Picking up a book at random, I read the cover. Princess Mina of the Fallen Nation. Kazuha is talking to the salesperson. 

"Would you like to buy that book?" the voice comes out of nowhere and startles me. 

I nod after calming down for a second and laughing it off. 

"I've got it, how much is it?" Kazuha interrupts my movements. 

"3000 mora please!" the salesperson says with a smile. 

He hands them the mora and links my arm through his, thanking them. I'm still in disbelief that this man has spoiled me for 13,000 mora, he only spent 10,000 on himself! 

"Don't worry about costs ever, I'll walk you home, where to?" he asks. 

"Uh.. the Naganohara Fireworks building, I'm living there with Yoimiya for the time being." he nods and we walk. By habit, I rest my head on his shoulder as we walk. He clears his throat. I look up confused, before I realise what I'm doing. 

"OH SHIT I'M SORRY I DIDN'T MEAN TO!" I apologise, removing my arm and bowing my head in front of him. 

"I-It's fine, I didn't hate it" Kazuha mutters again. What is this mans problem with muttering? 

A puzzled look creeps up on my face and he links our arms together and keeps walking. I smile. Today was nice.

***

YAYYYYY CHAPTER 2 IS DONE, okay, reminder that chapter 3 will be the present. This was the most fun I've had writing in a while. Anyway yayyayay okay goodbye.