After their terrible first meeting, they declared a challenge. However, they needed to postpone it because, as Childe explained to Thoma, he had something that needed to be settled—a matter of work involving a secret organization he wanted to keep hidden from everyone.
"So, I hope I can see you around!" Childe waved to Thoma as the ship was about to sail. "Gosh, why did I even make such a ridiculous agreement with you!" Thoma grunted, while Childe just enjoyed the show, knowing he might not see this stranger again.
Upon returning to Liyue, it was already evening. Childe went to the Wangshu Inn after a rough day, intending to order food and get drunk. However, as he attempted to indulge, memories of what happened in Inazuma flooded back, leaving him feeling embarrassed. Consequently, he settled for a simple dish and a light alcoholic drink to retire early. After placing his belongings in his booked room, he lit a cigarette to clear his mind.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" Childe grunted. "I don't have time for this, Xiao." He turned around and saw a short figure with a polearm behind him, sarcastically intruding on his solitude. "You owe me an explanation," Xiao said, removing his mask, revealing a person with a pretty face but an icy gaze, known for the unsettling rumor surrounding him.
"I don't owe you anything, so back off," Childe retorted, blowing another puff of smoke. "Such a rude way of talking," Xiao replied, arms crossed, expecting Childe's response. Childe turned away, provoking Xiao further by stating, "I ended things with your dad. Happy now? That's what you wanted, right? I thought I could control him." As he blew smoke toward Xiao, the latter coughed and aimed his polearm threateningly. "Don't disrespect my master like that!" he growled. Childe scoffed, "Why? I've already ended it. There's no reason to be polite to you anymore." He lowered the polearm near his throat. "Go home, kid. I'm no longer interested in your 'master'." Childe averted his gaze, holding back tears over the memory of Zhongli. Xiao looked at him, sensing the change.
He changes, Xiao mused to himself.
The night felt cold and lonely. There were no flames in his heart as he began to isolate himself from the crowd. He does go to some places that can release his remorse about what happened but there's nothing can do. Every place, every corner of his journey his mind keeps on thinking about him. Childe couldn't shake off thoughts of his encounter. "You can drink?" Xiao's voice pierced the silence. Surprised, Childe turned to see the small figure behind him. "You drink? Who taught you?" Childe was astonished, knowing demons weren't keen on human indulgences. "I don't know! It just crossed my mind! How should I know!" Xiao flustered. Childe chuckled, "Aww, do you care about me?" Xiao, expecting mockery, retorted, "Whatever! I don't care. If you want to jump, I won't help you. Bye!" With that, Xiao vanished, leaving Childe to smile and gaze at the night. As he rummaged through his pocket to take another cigarette, he felt something. It's a picture.
Picture of the stranger he met and his devoted crush, Thoma and his "so-called" Lord Ayato.
"Aha," he smirked. "I bet he doesn't even remember me taking this picture."
Meanwhile in Inazuma,
Thoma was frantically searching every corner. He couldn't find it—the only picture capturing all the staff together, the one where he could express missing his parents. Overwhelmed, he broke down in tears.
Knock, knock...
"May I come in?" Lord Ayato's soft voice makes Thoma become aware. He swept his tears with his sleeves and rushed to the door. "My Lord, did you need anything?" Thoma didn't fully open his door, just enough to see with his right eyes to look at Lord Ayato. Lord Ayato smiles. "No, it's nothing. It's just tomorrow I'm going to to see business there." Lord Ayato pauses for about a minute. "Yes?" Thoma waited for him to say something. "Ouh, I'm sorry I'm in a daze. Sorry that I made you wait." Lord Ayato chuckles. Thoma sighed in relief, 'I thought he's going to say something serious. I'm worried for nothing'. "Ok then. May I take my leave?" Thoma asked him permission to close his door. Lord Ayato smiles and moves back one step away so Thoma can close the door to get a nice sleep. "Go on. Goodnight" Lord Ayato wishes him.
Yet, in Ayato's mind, questions lingered.
What actually happened when Thoma met the foreigner?
Why did Thoma stay out so late that night? What occurred?
Did Thoma willingly spend the night with that foreigner?
Or was Thoma forced into such a situation?
Ayato can't bring out single questions as he looks at his childhood friend faces. He desperately wants to know what's going on between them. Why are they so close? Why does that foreigner show an unpleasant expression plastered on his face? Who is that actually? Every time he thinks about it, it becomes more complicated. Thoma is his best friend, concerned that Thoma's kindness might lead to exploitation. He wished to unravel the complexities between them and safeguard Thoma from potential harm.
