[DISCONTINUED?] Are We Star-crossed Lovers? (Childe X Lumine)

Chapter 12: The Cat Cafe (Part 1)

(The picture for this chapter is the ACTUAL Ginger. He's one of the stray cats that I take care of. I take care like more than ten strays including dogs.)

"Lumine, you've been sulking there for like two hours now." Paimon looked at her. Lumine is still angry about the incident yesterday. She's lying down on her bed, covered by her favorite cat-themed quilt.

There was no response.

Aether was beside her, hugging the sulking sushi roll. "Come on Lumi. We came here to enjoy the trip right?" He patted her.

She peeked out a little and just stared at him. Aether sighed. "Let's go out and get desserts. How does that sound?" Aether smiled at her. Lumine finally went out of her quilt. "Okay..." She replied while trying to mask her excitement.

Heizou jumped off his bed. "Alright, since you guys are going out. I think there's a place that might strike Lumine's interest." Venti cuddled up on Lumine. "If our Lumi is going, I'm coming too-"

"There's a nearby cat cafe here. You can check that place out." Heizou suggested. "Looks like I'm staying in for today." Venti sulked back to his bed, pouting. Lumine made the opposite reaction. "Really?!" Her eyes lit up. Lumine wanted a cat ever since she was little yet her brother is always busy and doesn't quite trusts her to be alone with a pet especially that she gets too clingy. So going to a cat-cafe sounds like heaven. There's a cat-themed establishment in Monstadt. Though it's a bar filled with cats. She's still underaged so she can't really get in there.

She went to the bathroom to get dressed and she went out with her best friend and brother. She wore a cute beige cat-themed top and ripped jeans. She wore the white shoes that has cat ears on the flaps that Aether gifted to her when she received the Honorary Student award. Aether went with a simple yet fashionable clothing.

"The cafe is just a seven-minute walk from here." Paimon looked at the map on her phone. Aether couldn't help bet admire Lumine in her cute outfit. He stopped the two from walking and decided to take pictures of them.
"You girls look so cute in this." Aether smiled sweetly while looking at the picture. "The cafe is not far from here. Let's go." Lumine couldn't hold in her excitement. She grabbed Aether by the wrist and ran with him. "H-hey! Wait up! Don't leave me here!" Paimon followed them.

"Grr, those twins don't know how to take a break!" She pouted.

"Wow!" Cats filled the cafe. "So.. so cuuuute!" Lumine felt like she reached cloud nine. The cafe's atmosphere is so relaxing and cats are surrounding them. "Hey, we can't have you fainting, Lumi. You want desserts, right?" Aether giggled and patted her head. "I want this Valberry cheesecake with a chocolate cat on top and Berry Milktea."

"How about you, Paimon?" Aether turned to her. "Hmm.. it's hard to choose because they all look delicious." Paimon drooled as she keeps looking through the menu. "I guess I'll go with the same order as Lumine but just add in some pancakes and Chocolate Mousse Cake." Aether stood up and went to the counter to order their food.

A familiar cat approached their table. "Ginger?" Lumine smiled brightly. The cat meowed at her and purred on her legs. She lifted the fluff ball and it meowed at her again. She made Ginger sit on her lap and petted him. "I thought I'd never see you again. But what are you doing here?"

"Is this the cat you were with the other day? He's so cuuuuute~" Paimon petted the cat. Ginger purred and suddenly chose violence. He nibbled on Paimon's sleeve. "Hey! Why are you suddenly attacking me? Why didn't you attack Lumi though?"

Lumine held in her laughter. "What's with the stupid expression?" She looked at Lumine dead in the eye. "Well.. you are emergency food." She couldn't contain her laughter and she bursted. "Why you- why are you so mean to Paimon?" She sulked.

"I was just kidding, of course." Lumine patted her head.

Wait... If Ginger's here, doesn't that mean...?

"Whoa, I didn't expect you to be here, Lumine." The ginger-haired boy gave a sugary-sweet smile at her. "C-Childe?!" Lumine slightly broke her lips apart. Anger rose inside of her yet she tries not to let it show. "Ugh! You sadistic maniac, what are you doing here?" Paimon hissed at him.

Childe pouted at them. "Sheesh, now that's a harsh way to greet someone. I know what you're thinking, though. I am not following you guys. I am just here for business. I happen to own this place after all." Lumine looked down at Ginger snuggling against her. It made sense so her suspicions faded away.

"So.. this is what you meant of fostering cats?" She looked around to see every cat looking healthy and lively. Childe just nodded. He looks so happy and content with his business. "Yes, these cats are all up for adoption. People who come to the cafe can take the cats to their forever home." He looked down to see the cat snuggling up on Lumine. "Looks like he really took a liking of you." Childe chuckled.

A hand suddenly gripped on his shoulder. "What are you doing here, bastard?" A smiling yet irritated Aether appeared. He doesn't seem so pleased to see him. "So you're the owner of this place, huh?"

"Comrade, it's you." Childe chuckled and patted him on the back. He's glad that he's back on shape. "Don't pat me so casually, idiot!"

Childe ignored this and kept on chuckling. He looked at the counter and he saw a tray full of desserts. "Are those yours? Don't worry, I'll just get it for you guys."

He took the tray from his employee and he placed it on their table. He sat beside Aether which irritated the blonde boy. Lumine digged into the food to which she smiled with so much joy. "The cheesecake is so good!"

Paimon was enjoying the food she ordered to the point that she is seemingly in her own world full of sweet desserts. Aether hated to admit it but the Grilled Boar Meat Sandwich with Jueyun Chili Barbecue Sauce tasted so good. Like the food was really a blessing from the Archons.

"I'm glad you liked them, Comrades. I came up with the recipes myself." Childe proudly said. Lumine was impressed with him yet she won't say it herself especially that he's the same guy that injured her brother not that long ago. She looked at him cautiously. She is still mad about what he did to her brother yesterday. That moment in her life really scared her to death. She glared at him with her golden eyes.

Childe seemed to notice her death glares. Guilt written all over his deep blue eyes. "As a way to apologize and compensate for what happened yesterday, all of this is on the house and you guys can order anything you want." He really is sorry for what he have done. It is scary to see your only family getting attacked and hurt in front of you.

Lumine was not buying it and stopped eating. She stood up and glared at him. "You think you will be forgiven through simple compensation?.."

End of Chapter 12