For you (Xiaother Winter Special)

Week 1

Miss Lisa asked everyone to talk about the assignment that she's set but of course, nobody did. During this time, Xiao got up to go to the bathroom and Childe found it the perfect opportunity to discuss him.

"Dude, he's such a weirdo. I wouldn't even bother talking to him."

'That's ridiculous' was the first thing to cross Aether's mind, but then he thought about it. He obviously did not want to be bothered by not just Aether, but anybody. If he wanted to be left alone, it would've been disrespectful to step over his very thin boundary line. But he did have good intentions and was generally interested to see what he was like when he opened up. So, then there, he decided that it would be his goal to break the new guy's little protective bubble and become friends with him before Christmas. He had...10 weeks. 70 days. If he starts today, it shouldn't be that hard, right?

"Hello? Earth to Aether? You thinking about how awkward it was talking to that guy?" the ginger questioned, waving his hand in front of Aether's face.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. Whatever you said."

"Damn, you zoned out for like 20 seconds there. What's on your mind?"

"Nothing important. Let's just..do this literature sheet."

"You know damn well I'm copying off you," Childe said, then resumed to 'his' work. "I hate Mondays.." Xiao sat back in his seat just after.

~~~~~~

The end of English came and eventually, everyone threw themselves into the busy hallways of the school, trying to get to their next class. While everyone had already emptied the classroom, the blonde noticed the blue-haired boy staring at a piece of paper. It was a map. To be specific, a map of the school. Everyone knew got one, but with the endless hallway and about 100 different classrooms, it proved to not be much help if you couldn't even find the classroom you were in. Aether, though, saw it as the perfect opportunity to help and make small talk.

"So," he questioned, walking towards his desk."What class do you have next?"

"PE." He sighed. "Fighting, weapon stuff or something like that." The other smiled internally. His best grades were probably in fighting, what made it even better is that he never really had to try hard as well. If he'd used all his potential, someone would've been killed by now. The PE teachers praised him endlessly as he earned the award 'Best Fighter" Out of the entire school, not a lot of people came close to his level. This award stayed for fights when they were allowed to use visions in spars as well. In truth, he didn't expect Xiao to do well.

"Oh, me too! Come on, I'll show you where!" He grabbed the other hand, but then was met with an unexpected scolding.

"Don't touch me." He pushed his hand off the others and folded his arms.

"Ah! Sorry, a force of habit..!" This wasn't a good start. They both continued to walk to past the gym, then into the changing rooms where everyone was there already changing. Childe didn't seem to be there though, so Aether assumed he had skipped class again. They both changed into their uniform and patiently waited for their teacher, Diluc, to begin inside the hall.

"Today," he began, keeping a cold face on, "We will be duelling as practice for techniques. As a claymore specialist, it is most likely that I may not be able to help you in other areas, that you will have to learn and practice yourself." Nobody in the crowd among him seemed to be excited to do much, and Xiao still kept his poker face on.

"Would anybody like to demonstrate their personal techniques, regardless of weapon type?" The crowd of students suddenly went quiet, not even daring to say a word. The red-haired man sighed. "I guess I'll just have to pick."

His eyes scanned through the crowd, looking for a promising face. And then there was Xiao, the new kid. He made eye contact with him.

"Ah, what's your name? You're new unless my memory is failing me," He said, his eyes clearly observing him. In all truth, he didn't expect him to do so well. He didn't look like he had muscle, even if he tried. At first glance, he wasn't scrawny, but not muscular either.

The boy had to admit that getting called 'the new kid' every second was getting tiring. "Xiao. Yes, I'm new." He said with no emotion in his voice.

Diluc let out a low, undistinguishable grumble and then spoke. "You can go with," He paused for a moment. "Yun Jin."
Yun Jin was a medium-level fighter. She had a unique technique, but at times was often slow and un-precise with her movements. What made her slightly better though was that her way of moving made her unpredictable as to what she was going to do next, probably a trait of her dancing skills. She didn't have lots of friends, but liked it like that and kept to herself most of the time. She was perfectly happy with her quiet life as it was. The two reluctantly stepped forward, standing in front of the crowd and facing each other. They were both handed their polearms, both being 4-star ones.

"You may begin now."

The girl attacked first, striking it at the other's head, but it was quickly blocked with a counterattack by Xiao. Before even giving her time to respond, he struck again, this time aiming for her waist. In a frenzy, she still managed to block it, but just barely. They continued sparring like this, Xiao taking the lead. The way he moved was very impressive as he dodged movements accurately and with speed, unexpected from most of them. He wasn't necessarily unpredictable, but it was in the sense that his actions didn't give time to predict. It was just one move in front of the next, and he maintained the speed well. Yun Jin, on the other hand, had her movements start to go sloppy as she failed to keep up. Eventually, she had her polearm knocked out of her hand. She had lost.

The crowd of students gawked in amazement at the sight. Sure, they didn't expect Yun Jin to be excellent but Xiao was just something else. No amount of practice could get some people in that room to the level he was at now, he seemed to be a natural. Even the teacher seemed to be a little shocked. Everyone burst into mummers, and then stopped once Diluc spoke.

"Alright guys, as you can see Xiao is the winner. You guys can get into pairs now and start fighting. Just try not to seriously injure anyone."

Everyone scattered and Aether ran up to his accomplice. "Wow, you were so good! I'm impressed!" The other's eyebrows furrowed.

"So you didn't expect me to do well then?" Aether realised what he had said, looking slightly embarrassed. Technically, what he said wasn't far from the truth.

"Well-I- That's not what I meant.. I was just complimenting your skills!"

"I don't come to school for compliments. I wouldn't come to school if I had a choice."

"I know right? School is so annoying! All the homework and... homework and stuff to do! So draining," he tried to relate to him, but he only sighed and walked away to find a different partner.

~~~~~~

It was only week one, but he hadn't even had a meaningful conversation with him yet. The 7 days had gone by faster than he'd wanted and it didn't even feel like he'd brushed past the talking stage. Not that this was some love story or anything. I mean, he was struggling enough at becoming friends, let alone dating. He didn't even know what his personality (if he had one) was like. If they wanted to be friends, both of them would need to put in the effort. Aether wasn't convinced that this was what Xiao was like to his friends - that is if he had any. So, the invisible barrier was still holding up. Not like that would stop him.