If Only

2

After weeks of traveling from Sumeru City, they finally reached Liyue Harbor. The Traveler and Paimon stood near the entrance of the smaller gate by the Golden House. Lumine took in the view of the beautiful city. Paimon tugged at Lumine's dress, eagerly expressing her desire to eat, specifically from Wanmin Restaurant. Lumine smiled and headed straight toward Liyue's famous chef, Xiangling.

The aroma from Wanmin Restaurant filled their senses, the enticing scents of Matsutake Meat Rolls and Adeptus' Temptation making their mouths water. After weeks of long walks and preparing meals with roadside ingredients, they finally got to enjoy a hearty feast. The fairy joked about how her friend had attempted to cook a whopper flower in an effort to imitate Xiangling's dishes. "Ha, ha, very funny. You're the one who wanted something exotic!" Lumine laughed in response.

As night fell, the city lights illuminated Liyue Harbor, casting a warm, golden hue over the surroundings. While they chatted, Paimon remembered the extra money they had received from Teucer's funds. "What do you say, Astrid? Let's spend his money. He doesn't need it anyway since he's a Fatui and super rich," she suggested gleefully. After some back-and-forth, they reached a compromise: they decided to keep a reasonable amount of the money and return the rest.

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"Paimon and Astrid would like to return the money we borrowed from Childe three years ago," Lumine announced at the bank counter.

After a tense fifteen minutes, the lady at the desk returned with a puzzled expression. "...I don't see any details about this transaction." She looked up from the file in her hands and continued, "Since there's nothing in the records, you'll have to personally return the money to Tartaglia." She motioned for them to step aside for the next customer as she processed their request. Lumine and Paimon took a seat on a nearby bench, where Paimon crossed her arms and muttered that they should just keep the money since Childe had never come back for it. Lumine jokingly considered the idea to tease her friend but ultimately decided that returning at least some of the money was the right thing to do.

As they debated what to do with the extra funds, a familiar voice interrupted their conversation. "Hey, girlie, what're you doing here?" Both their heads snapped towards the source of the voice, revealing none other than the 11th Fatui Harbinger, Tartaglia. He wore a broad smile as he approached them, his enthusiasm evident. After shaking their hands warmly, he asked what had brought them to Liyue.

The receptionist, having overheard the interaction, looked genuinely shocked. "Master Childe allowed you to keep this money for three years without any follow-up?" she asked in disbelief. Lumine and Paimon exchanged a sheepish look, feeling the weight of the unexpected situation. Tartaglia assured the receptionist that it was a misunderstanding and that no one escapes the money they owe the Northland bank. 

He looked back at his friends but the girls exchanged glances, then looked back at Childe. Paimon fumbled through her explanation, speaking in broken sentences about how they were there to relax, while Lumine simply laughed at the awkward situation. Recognizing their discomfort in sharing their reasons for visiting Liyue, Childe graciously offered to take them out for dinner. Lumine initially declined the offer but, after Childe's and Paimon's insistence, she eventually agreed.

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The wooden decor of the restaurant was bathed in the warm glow of gorgeous paper lanterns, floating delicately from the ceiling. The awnings were intricately carved with various Geo and Rex Lapis motifs, adding to the enchanting atmosphere. Paimon and Lumine gazed around in awe before turning to Childe with wide eyes. He simply laughed and remarked that a Harbinger has his own way. Leaning on the table with his chin resting on his hand, he looked at Lumine and said, "I know plenty of good places to relax, Astrid."

Lumine looked a bit puzzled. Childe continued, offering to take them on a tour around Liyue as a gesture of thanks for their help in Fontaine.

Paimon, eyeing him with suspicion, questioned his gesture, with Lumine joining in. Childe grew slightly flustered and raised his hands defensively, explaining that he merely wanted to treat them as a token of gratitude. Paimon and Lumine laughed heartily, clutching their stomachs as they found Childe's nervousness and the other customers' curious stares amusing.

With their hearts and stomachs full, the group left the restaurant. Paimon excitedly fluttered around Lumine and Childe, expressing her delight with the meal. She thanked Childe profusely, but Lumine interjected, "Paimon, I think you're forgetting who actually paid for the dinner." Paimon looked at Lumine and nodded in understanding. "Dearest traveler, I think you're forgetting that you paid with my money," she countered. Lumine's face flushed with embarrassment as she realized she had completely forgotten about it. She looked down at her fidgeting fingers, apologizing to Childe.

With a confused yet amused expression, Childe placed his hands on her shoulders, reassuring her that it was just a joke. He insisted that he wanted her to keep the money as compensation for taking care of his brother. "That's exactly what Paimon kept telling her this whole time!" Paimon huffed, crossing her arms.

Lumine's smile returned, and Childe looked relieved. "Great! Let's meet back here tomorrow morning at 10," he said, before taking his leave.

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Lumine lay on the bed, her gaze fixed on the ceiling as the room plunged into darkness. The soft, rhythmic sounds of Paimon's gentle breathing filled the quiet space, a comforting lullaby that matched the tranquility of the night. Lumine turned her head to look at the tiny fairy, peacefully asleep beside her. Reaching out, she held Paimon's small hand in her own, her fingers lightly rubbing the soft palm. A tender smile spread across her face as she thought about how much Paimon meant to her.

The day had been a whirlwind of new experiences: they had savored exquisite dishes from Liyue's renowned chefs and dined at an extraordinary restaurant, all thanks to Tartaglia's generosity. Yet, despite the day's bright moments, her thoughts wandered back to the photograph she had kept close. With a gentle sigh, she retrieved the picture from her bag and held it beneath the dim lamplight. Her brother's image, alongside her own, captured a moment fraught with unspoken emotions. Tears welled in her eyes, but a wistful smile tugged at her lips as she embraced the photograph. Even though she had no memory of that day and the reasons behind their somber expressions remained a mystery, the picture was a precious token of their time together.

Carefully placing the photograph back in her bag, Lumine's mind turned to the plans Childe had hinted at for the following day. She speculated about the activities that might be in store, knowing that at least one would likely involve combat. As she pondered what else might be on the agenda, her eyelids grew heavier. The day's exhaustion and the soothing quiet of the room lulled her into a peaceful slumber, her breathing gradually slowing until she finally drifted off into a restful sleep.

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End of part 2