Childe arrives in Inazuma with a heavy feeling. He still can't believe he made those stupid promises with the stranger. His mind keeps flashing back to what happened. He really regretted his foolish behavior back then. It was probably due to the intensity of that moment when he wanted to tease those strangers. It is almost midnight when he arrives. "Thank you for your services," Childe pays his fee, and the boat disappears from view.
The road grows quieter, with fewer people wandering around. It reminds him of that incident where Zhongli leave in the middle of crowded people, remind of his empty feelings. He sighs.
"Why would you ever think that again? He doesn't want me anymore. What else can I do?" Childe walks while monologuing to himself. He knows that his heart is still raging, and he wants a detailed explanation, but he wants to respect Zhongli's choices. He sits on a bench, wiping away the tears that have welled in his eyes. It still hurts. "I need a place to sleep." He gets up and wanders towards the mountain, intending to set up a tent there. A cold, lonely night seems fitting for him to sleep. As he walks toward the mountain, he hears a familiar voice chuckling. He turns around and almost smiles when he recognizes the person. Initially feeling a little embarrassed, a slight flutter occurs in his heart. Perhaps it's nothing. He hurries to catch up with Thoma. "Hey, Tho-.." He stops. He sees Thoma laughing brightly in the dim light with a girl? Curious, he follows them carefully, his specialty being stealth.
"Thoma, you're so funny! Thank you for always cheering me up," the girl expresses her gratitude while Thoma is beside her. "It's nothing, Yoimiya. I hope you don't keep your feelings bottled up and try to solve everything alone. Everyone needs someone they can rely on no matter strong the person is. You can always depend on me." Thoma smiles warmly at Yoimiya. "My father... His condition is deteriorating day by day. He keeps forgetting his late wife. I'm already 21 years old, but I don't know what to do, Thoma. Thank you so much for helping me search for my father, even though he just played hide and seek in the town square," Yoimiya sighs. Thoma looks at Yoimiya, concerned. "Can I hug you? If you don't mind?" Thoma asks. Yoimiya smiles and hugs him tightly. "I feel so safe around you, Thoma. I'm really grateful that you're willing to be friends with me" Yoimiya snuggles against Thoma's chest. "Um, if you snuggle like that, I might worry that you can smell my sweat from searching for your father." They both giggle. "Let's go, I'll escort you home," Thoma holds Yoimiya's hand, showing his care for her. "Sure!"
Childe, peeking from behind trees, feels curious.
Who's that girl?
Is she, his girlfriend?
Isn't he fanatical towards his so-called lord?
Or... did his Lord hurt him so much that he became straight?
"That guy has no taste in women at all", Childe says to himself.
It's already past midnight as I walk back home. The cold wraps around my skin. I've noticed it for a while. Initially, I wanted to ignore it, but as I started walking, he walked. When I picked up my pace, I sensed the person speeding up too. I felt scared, anticipating the worst. It could be a boar or worse, the Fatui. I didn't bring any equipment for protection. I don't want to turn around, fearing I might become their next target if I see their faces. "What do you want?" I scream. Silence. "I.. have no mo...ra" His body trembles. He's on the verge of tears. One step, two steps. All his senses become heightened. The guy behind him stops. The person is behind me! He screams out loud in his mind. As he senses the person attempting to grab him, he turns around and exclaims, "I'm still a virgin!" while executing a self-defensive kick to their private parts, very effective and safe. "Ouch!" Childe groans in pain. "What the hell! Thank goodness!" Thoma expresses relief. "Hey, that hurts so much. Help me," Childe frowns. "Actually, that was good to snap you out of it," Thoma crosses his arms, proud. Childe smiles and stands. "Missed me?" Childe kisses Thoma's palms. "No way in hell!" Thoma snatches his hand away.
Childe smirks. "Who's that girl?" Childe asks Thoma. "Who?" Thoma responds. "The one you hugged earlier." "YOU STALKING ME?!" Thoma gasps. "I happened to see you both. So, no harm," Childe proudly states. "Stay away from my business," Thoma, annoyed, begins to walk away, leaving Childe behind. "Hey, wait up!" Childe runs to catch up with Thoma.
In front of Kamisato Estate
"Why are you following me?" Thoma whispers to Childe. Childe, initially mesmerized by the design of the building in front of him, refocuses on Thoma and smiles. "What? I'm looking for a place where you're kind enough to let me stay for a few days." "Nonsense!" Thoma is furious. "I'm not inviting you and never will!" Thoma is mad at Childe. "Oh, no need to shout. Relax, if you're angry, you'll age faster," Childe provokes Thoma. "Thoma?" a soft man's voice gently calls out. "Yes, my Lord. Go home already" Thoma walk to Lord Ayato. Childe, observing Thoma's reaction, finds it quite expected.
"My Lord, you've been drinking a lot lately," Thoma sighs. Ayato looks at Thoma, worry etched on his face. "Am I burdening you?" Ayato asks Thoma, leaning on his shoulder while clearing the table. "Of course not, My Lord. Why do you always ask that? Or do you prefer me not to be around you anymore?" Thoma consoles the drunkard, Ayato.
Actually, he never knows why his Lord is always drunk at night but prefers not to ask. Childe watches Thoma from afar, doing nothing but posing and judging Thoma's foolish behavior.
"Hey, who are you?" a burly guard grips Childe's shoulder. "This is private property. You can't enter the Kamisato Estate without permission from its Lord," the guard's tone turns cold. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but he's with me," Thoma intervenes. The guard looks at Thoma, visibly disgusted. "You always use your privilege to get what you want, huh?" the guard sneers at Thoma. Childe visibly irritated. "Well, it's not that I have privilege, but this stranger helped me close the shop, and he is homeless, so I want to help him, only for tonight. I hope you understand," Thoma manages a smile towards the guard. Childe seems more irritated when Thoma refers to him as 'homeless,' even though he was right; Childe didn't have a place to sleep because he just arrives in this area. The guard crosses his arms. "Whatever. Tonight, the entire army has to use the kitchen room. So, I don't want this kid to bother us during our mission tonight." Thoma is shocked. "What— What do you mean?! Does the army use the staff room? And there's no room left?" Thoma confronts the guard. Childe smirks teasingly. "You heard me." the guard leaving them both alone. Thoma is left shaken by the statement. As he turns back, Childe is already making annoying faces. "You want me to sleep with your Lord?" Childe teases Thoma. "Ugh, come on!" Thoma exclaims, clearly annoyed.
"Excuse me for intruding," Thoma opens his sliding door, while Childe observes Thoma from behind. "Why did you say that when that's literally your room?" Childe asks Thoma with curiosity. "And? Please leave your shoes outside," Thoma instructs Childe. Childe removes his shoes and hesitates, considering whether he should say the words Thoma used. Thoma, waiting for Childe to come in, turns back to see Childe still standing outside. "Why are you standing there? Planning to sleep outside?" Thoma teases Childe. Childe looks lost or wary about something. Thoma chuckles, "You can just come in; there's no pressure here. Close the door." "I know," Childe replies, embarrassed, and closes the door.
