A Light To Call Home ☆Genshin Impact☆

Monoceros Caeli III

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3rd POV

"You know, I don't quite understand the rivalry or distaste between you and Akemi," Aether said, his brow furrowed in thought as he watched Childe's reaction.

He couldn't shake the memory of their first meeting. during the Rite of Decension and Akemi's uncharacteristic hostility toward Childe. Calm and cheery on that day, Akemi had been almost confrontational that day, interrupting Childe at every turn, her voice sharp and cutting. She'd pushed him aside with a dismissive shove and even stomped on his foot in a fit of frustration, her expression twisting with something far more intense than simple irritation.

It wasn't the kind of anger that came out of nowhere. Aether knew there had to be something deeper, something unspoken between them that triggered Akemi's temper.

"Haha... I'd rather not talk about it," Childe said, his tone light, but his eyes betraying a trace of annoyance mixed with something more difficult to decipher. He turned his gaze away, the briefest flicker of discomfort crossing his features.

Aether let out a soft sigh, sensing he wouldn't get a straightforward answer. "Well then, what will you talk about?" he asked, trying a different approach. "You didn't just send Akemi away because you disliked her that much, right? There has to be more to it."

Childe's chuckle was low, almost hollow. "Hate her? No, it's not that simple," he replied, a serious note creeping into his voice. "I mean, I could've used that as an excuse, but today wasn't about that. I did promise you some interesting information, didn't I?"

"Wow, so petty..." Paimon muttered, her usual cheerfulness dimmed by the weight of the conversation.

Childe hummed softly, his expression growing more serious as he let his mind drift back to that moment. "This happened while planning the Rite of Parting..."

_-_-_

The memory took him to the narrow, winding streets of Liyue. Akemi had led Childe into a secluded alleyway on their way to Bubu Pharmacy, her steps determined and her face set with a seriousness that made it clear she wasn't just looking for idle conversation. At the time, she had too many questions and not enough answers, and she was done with half-truths.

When they were finally alone, she turned to face him, her eyes sharp and focused. "Alright, Childe, I'm done dancing around this," she said, her voice steady but with a simmering tension underneath. "I need to know why I'm banned from Snezhnaya. What did I do to make them hate me so much?"

Childe raised an eyebrow, his expression softening slightly before shifting back to his usual casual demeanour. "Akemi, it's not that simple," he said, giving her a measured look. "What you're asking for is... well, it's classified. Not something I'm allowed to share."

"Classified?" she repeated, narrowing her eyes at him. "I've never even been to Snezhnaya, and somehow I'm already blacklisted? You're telling me nobody can explain that to me? Not even you? A Harbinger!?"

Childe let out a slow sigh, almost as if he was trying to keep his patience in check. "It's not that I don't want to tell you, Akemi," he said, shaking his head. "It's that I literally can't. It's more complicated than you think."

Akemi's jaw tightened, her serious expression beginning to crack as frustration seeped in. "How complicated can it be?!" she snapped, her voice rising. "You know something, Childe, and you're just holding it over my head! Why won't you just be honest with me for once?"

His lips pressed into a thin line, but he still held that calm composure. "Akemi, yelling at me isn't going to change anything. Some things are bigger than just you. I'm doing what's best."