The Never Working Organ II. | Kaebedo |

Chapter 23 : Why Don't You Understand?

"Albedo,"

"Albedo!"

"Albedo wake up!"

Albedo's eyes fluttered open, "What's happening..?" He asked as he looked around.

"We're at your headquarters. Let me help you inside." Nikolai got Albedo out of the car, wrapping Albedo's arm over his shoulder for support.

"Where's Zhongli? He should be bringing me inside..." Albedo sleepily claimed. "I'm not sure Albedo." Nikolai responded with an irritated sigh.

Nikolai struggled to open the door but he eventually got it.

"Where do you usually sleep?" Nikolai asked Albedo who was barely keeping his eyes open. "Office...my bedroom is in my office.." Albedo yawned.

"Where's your office?" Nikolai looked towards him, but he had just fallen asleep.

Shit.
Nikolai looked forward, discouraged.

There's so many rooms and floors....surely it'd be at the top?
Nikolai hoped his assumption was right.

He began walking up the stairs, but it didn't take long until he realized that it was going to be too hard with the way he was supporting Albedo's body. Carrying him would be more efficient; so he did.

Carrying Albedo up the stairs, he got weird stares from other Fatui members. One was even bold enough to go up to Nikolai and ask; "What the hell are you doing with our boss?"

"He got drunk, so I'm taking him to his bedroom!...by the way, do you know where his bedroom is?" Nikolai tilted his head, trying to look innocent. The Fatui member grunted, "It's the last door on the second to last floor."

"Thank you very much," Nikolai nodded at them as a thanks and began walking to Albedo's room.

Nikolai opened the door, revealing a man with long brown hair, looking worried.

Oh. Isn't that Zhongli?
Nikolai thought to himself.

Zhongli sharply turned his head towards Nikolai and Albedo, "Oh there he is! I was just about to go looking for him..." Zhongli rushed over, taking Albedo out of Nikolai's arms.

"He got drunk, so I took him back." Nikolai avoid Zhongli's gaze. "Hm." Zhongli stared at the stained wine all over Nikolai.

"I'll be taking him to his room," Zhongli started, "I'll be just a second." He then walked off into Albedo's bedroom.

Nikolai waited until Zhongli was out of sight before he went looking through Albedo's office.

Opening the file cabinet in Albedo's desk, he skimmed through them.

This is all useless...
Nikolai tightened his jaw.

The door suddenly flung open and a strong, projecting voice said, "I'm sorry for coming announced but I—" Nikolai scurried away from the file cabinet and tried to act like he wasn't just snooping around.

"Who are you?" The man with blue hair asked, Nikolai cleared his throat; "I'm Albedo's friend. Who are you?"

"Dottore. And why should I believe you're Albedo's friend?" Dottore put a hand on his hip for easy access to his gun.

Shit.
Nikolai just smiled nervously, trying to think of something that would prove he's Albedo's friend.

"I'm sorry I took so long," Zhongli suddenly came out from Albedo's room. Nikolai and Dottore's head both snapped towards him.

"Oh, Dottore, is there something I can help you with?" Zhongli asked, putting on a polite smile.

Dottore looked back to Nikolai then to Zhongli. "I wanted to speak with Mr. Kreideprinz."

"He's sleeping right now, could you come back tomorrow?" Zhongli let out a soft hum.

"Yeah.." Dottore looked away, putting his hand back to his side.

"Great." Zhongli jerked his head to Nikolai, "Nikolai, would you like help getting to your car?"

"Oh, no thank you." Nikolai waved his hands in a 'no' gesture.

"Alright. Well then, goodnight everyone." Zhongli smiled at them before he went off to his own room.

Dottore glared at Nikolai—he took that as a sign to leave.

Zhongli threw himself onto his bed, letting out a big sigh.

Albedo is going to ask me many questions tomorrow. I know it. I disappeared for basically the whole day...that was a mistake.
Zhongli gripped his sheets.

I didn't realize what I was doing to him was wrong. It was my first time mentoring someone...I wonder if Xiao feels that way too.

No. I doubt it. He's very different from Albedo. Albedo was 15 when I first started mentoring him. Xiao was 21. I was a bit easier on him as well.
Zhongli didn't want to think about it anymore, it just made his head hurt too much.

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I got a concussion isn't that fun -Author