The Tragedies of Life {A Genshin Impact OC Story}

Chapter 12: Changed Views

"Everything's fine." Kinoko told herself as she walked up the steps to the Akademiya, a small satchel with sketchbooks and art tools slung over her shoulder. "Everything's great, actually." She plastered a small smile on her face. "I'm doing great in my classes,  and I'm just a normal human girl, not a monster-whatever that means."

She swung open the door to the Akademiya, and locked eyes with Wanderer leaning against a wall at the side of the room. Shit. She didn't exactly prepare for what she would say to him. Thank you for breaking me out of my panic attack? She thought, trying to practice the conversation in her head. Did you even know what I just learned before you read my mind? Are you going to try and read my mind again?

"Oh look, she finally made it." Wanderer said sarcastically. He unfolded his arms and stood up from the wall behind him, walking over to her. She was so grateful he spoke first. "Alhaitham was looking for you."

Her eyebrows furrowed, but she relaxed when she remembered that she still had a book of Alhaitham's that she needed to return by the end of the day. She quickly flipped through the books in her satchel before pulling out the book. "Do you know where he went?" She asked. It felt so awkward to be talking to Wanderer, but it was a relief he didn't mention anything. The atmosphere was tense though, and she knew she would have to bring it up at some point.

"He went to his office." He replied casually. She hated how he always looked like he was trying to figure her out, and figure out what she was feeling, thinking. She knew it was fair since she did the same thing, but she still didn't know if she trusted him with sharing her thoughts and opinions, especially since she didn't ask for him to read her mind an hour again. But I still needed it, though I hate to admit it. She thought.

It was all overwhelming in a sense. There were so many things she could say to him. "Are you going to tell anyone?" She asked quietly, breaking through the tense atmosphere.

Wanderer tilted his head slightly, and clicked his tongue before speaking. "I don't have anyone to tell." He said, his face neutral. No other hidden emotions within it. But she wanted so badly to know what he was thinking. She gave him a nod, and walked away in a brisk pace. How do I express gratitude to him? He'll probably shut down whatever I say, and I don't even know what he likes. Does he even like anything?

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"Where were you anyway? Your class must've started by now." Alhaitham said while reshelving the returned book on the tall bookcase in his office. The acting grand sage eyed her weirdly, almost like the look of suspicion when he was practically interrogating her about The Balladeer a month ago.

Kinoko shook her head. "It's nothing to worry about. I was just having a rough night, and was taking care of business. It ended up going later than expected and I was late..." She knew better than to say anything relating to staying at the sanctuary of surasthana, and the events that followed.

"I was never late when I was a student." He said coldly, turning around to face her.

Kinoko forced down the look of absolute annoyance when he said that. She wanted to say something rude, but his new position made her bite her tongue. "This is one of the only times I've ever been late. There's really no big deal."

"I'm just saying that you're lucky to have been accepted into the Akademiya." He said calmly. She knew not to take his words to heart, as Alhaitham was always like this, but it still hurt.

Kinoko sighed, and turned around. Another thing that brought her down when she was already sinking. Did she really deserve to be here?

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