𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐓 ˣ 𝐆𝐑𝐈𝐃 | ᵃʳˡᵉᶜᶜʰⁱⁿᵒ, ᶠᵘʳⁱⁿᵃ

8: 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙆𝙣𝙖𝙫𝙚

Happy 2k reads ( ੭˙▷˙)੭!

Took some time because school had me in chokehold and had articles lined up day to day so whenever I come home my head is tired from all the writing. Anyway, enjoy the chap! Tried to squeeze all brain power to publish this literally minutes ago so it'll fit right into Alrecchino's birthday but couldn't. And again, sorry for making you guys wait.
-outer_god, august 23, 2024, 12:15am

(Re-edited)
———

It had been only 2 hours ever since Furina and I went back to the hotel after a long day in the circuit. But just before I could break in my room and collapse on the lush bedding, Furina grabbed me by my wrist. I remember her sounding so nervous.

"So- uh, I know this may sound abrupt but, er, wait—sorry." She stutters, completely failing to keep her composure. Furina took a deep breath and rooted her eyes onto mine.

"I'd like you to come to the Fei Bar later at 8." Furina ushered with smily look on her face.

The bar was unfamiliar with me, but it's understandable. I barely went out with any sort of escapades during my trips as the reason of  fear for mora flying out of my wallet is an issue that I had yet to resolve. Still, it's nice to hear someone invite me. So, I asked what the invitation is for.

"For a party." Furina answered before continuing on by patting my shoulder, "We won the first race of this season! It's just normal to celebrate it," she laughed under her breath, "since you know— after RB's complete dominance last year..." Furina whispered to me even if it's information that everyone already knows.

"That's understandable." I replied, "But I don't think-"

Furina interrupted me with a sing-song tone, "I'm treating everyone that comes~"

Mhm.

Been a while since I had a drink, having one wouldn't be too bad... "Oh how could I deny you when you're being so generous, miss Furina?" I mused with a smile lifting up my lips. Adorably, Furina smiled at my reply and repeatedly thanked me with an enthusiastic shaking of my hand. It made me recall that moment we had back at the pit lane. Her hands were small but it perfectly fitted in between my own. Warm, just as I expected. It felt good against my cold ones, a sensation that I'll certainly miss for some bit.

All's good when Furina retracted her hand away and waved me goodbye to the confines of her room. I went back to my own and collapsed to the bed that I'll be dis attaching myself from tomorrow— a straight trip to Inazuma, I hear. The Ritou Grand Prix will be the next race for the following days.

My back feels a bit stiff, the curved posture while driving the car back at the circuit for 2 hours is a bit too much for my body to handle. Nevertheless, I pulled my shirt off, discarded it on top of my bag just next to the bed and pulled the thick blankets over me.

It's 2 in the afternoon, a nap shouldn't be too bad. The party's at 8. The worst can happen, I'll wake up past over the designated time. Furina can't come by my room since, I think I remember her grumbling about attending a photo shoot not long after this hour.

Ahem.

I may have been more exhausted than I thought.

If I wasn't, I wouldn't be walking around the crowded streets of Liyue, completely lost from looking for the bar that Furina mentioned. I woke up at 8:30 still in complete bliss just like how anyone would after waking up from sleeping. No thoughts, head completely empty. That said bliss got wiped off my face when I glanced on my wristwatch which resulted to me bolting out of my bed and scrambling whatever remains of "party-worthy" clothing I have stored in there.