Trust in Her Tricks

Chapter 6: A New Obsession

Eris sat cross-legged on her bed, her phone screen glowing in the dim light of her room. Her eyes were fixed, wide with excitement, as she watched yet another video about Adeptus Xiao, the mysterious and solitary character from Genshin Impact. She'd only started playing the game a few days ago, but it had quickly consumed her thoughts. Xiao's enigmatic presence and tragic backstory had struck a chord with her, and she couldn't help but dive deeper into the lore.During lunch at school, Eris's friends noticed her distracted, glancing down at her phone every few seconds. "Hey, Earth to Eris!" one of them called out, waving a hand in front of her face. "What's got you so hooked?"

Eris grinned sheepishly. "Oh, sorry! I just... I found this new game. It's called Genshin Impact, and there's this character, Xiao... He's so cool! Like, seriously, I've been obsessed."

Ethan, sitting across from her, raised an eyebrow. "Obsessed, huh? What's so special about this Xiao guy?"

She laughed, a bit embarrassed by her excitement. "He's just... really deep, you know? He's got this whole mysterious vibe, and his story is so tragic. Plus, his fighting style is amazing. You've got to see it!"

Ethan chuckled. "Sounds interesting. Maybe I'll check it out."That evening, Ethan downloaded Genshin Impact and started playing, more curious than he cared to admit. If Eris was this obsessed, maybe there was something to it. As he progressed through the game, he found himself drawn to Hu Tao, a quirky, energetic character who seemed to bring a bit of chaos wherever she went. He couldn't help but smile at her mischievous antics—it reminded him a little of Eris.

The next day, Ethan approached Eris at her locker, trying to sound casual. "So, I gave that game a try. I think I'm getting the hang of it."

Eris's eyes lit up. "No way! Really? What do you think? Who do you like so far?"

He hesitated, feeling a bit shy under her eager gaze. "I, uh... I think Hu Tao is pretty cool. She's got this fun, chaotic energy, you know?"

Eris grinned widely. "Hu Tao? She's hilarious! I can totally see why you'd like her. But Xiao's still the best."

They laughed, falling into an easy rhythm as they talked about their favorite characters, quests, and strategies. For the first time in weeks, there was no tension between them—just genuine enjoyment as they bonded over a shared interest. Ethan felt a warmth in his chest, grateful for this unexpected connection.

As days went by, their conversations became increasingly centered around Genshin Impact. They debated over which characters were the strongest, shared fan theories, and even started planning co-op sessions in the game. Ethan found himself looking forward to these moments more than he expected. Each time Eris's face lit up when talking about Xiao, Ethan felt a mix of admiration and a tiny pang of jealousy—he wanted to be the one making her smile like that.

One Friday after school, they found themselves in the library, supposedly to study for an upcoming test, but their books lay forgotten as they leaned over Ethan's phone, watching a new gameplay trailer.

"See? Xiao's burst move is just so epic!" Eris gushed, her fingers brushing against Ethan's as she pointed at the screen. "He's like this... guardian, but so lonely and burdened by his past."Ethan glanced at her, seeing the spark in her eyes. "Yeah... I guess I can see why you'd like him so much," he murmured, more to himself than to her. For a moment, he wondered if she saw something of herself in Xiao—the way she often put others first, hiding her own feelings behind that mischievous grin.

Eris caught his look and smiled. "Maybe you could be my Xiao," she teased, her voice light but with a hint of sincerity.

Ethan's heart skipped a beat, but he played along, trying to keep it cool. "Only if you promise to be my Hu Tao," he replied with a smirk.

They both laughed, but as their eyes met, there was a brief, unspoken understanding. For now, the game was their common ground, a way to be close without saying too much. Yet, beneath the surface, something more profound was beginning to take root.