8. Under the Cherry Blossoms

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"Woah, you two really do look great together." Chiori complimented.

Keaya smiled, although it was not directed at him.

"Thank you...?" Cale said back, a bit unsure.

Diluc blushed.

"Let's go take a photoshoot." Chiori told them as she picked up the camera on the table. "Follow me, I know a good place for them."

They followed her without questions.

They were lead to a peaceful grass field, filled with a variety of flowers. In the middle lay a large pink cherry blossom, it's petals which sprinkled the sky.

"Woah!" Paimon and Traveler gasped in awe.

"Paimon's never been here before! And Paimon thought she explored all of Teyvet already!... Well, except for Snezhnaya."

"This place lies in between Liyue and Sumeru." Chiori spoke. "It's a special place I discovered while traveling for inspiration. When I saw Cale, I thought for sure this place for made for him."

"Yeah, it really does look like that!" Paimon agreed.

"Actually, I also heard of a similar place to this described in a fairy tale. I had never thought it was real until I came here, it was just too surreal." Chiori paused. "The fairy tale also mentioned a human's whose's beauty was undefeated, where even the gods could not compare but worship."

"Are you talking about that fairy tale?" Paimon asked, curious.

Chiori nodded, "yes, the tale of the red-haired hero. Now that I'm thinking about it..." Chiori turned to Cale.

Everyone turned to him.

'What?...'

"You look a lot like the person from that tale, Cale." Chiori spoke. "Even the descriptions are similar: fresh rose, flowy hair paired with sharp yet delicate brown-red pupils, small and thin nose, natural pink lips, and beautiful pale skin that could be hurt from even the slightest touch."

'Isn't that too over exaggerating?!'

"Wow, Chiori, did you remember that line or something? Paimon would've forgotten, even Paimon didn't know until you said so."

Chiori blushed, a bit embarrassed, yet she kept her composure. "It's nothing."

"Cale really does seem like the person being described in that fairy tale though." Keaya added like a flirt.

"That can't be true though. It was written hundreds of years ago." Traveler countered him.

"I guess so." Keaya shrugged.

"Alright, then, let's continue before the sun sets. I must get the perfect photo under the sunlight." Chiori rushed her crew.

"Alright."

'Let's get this over with quickly.' Cale already wanted to go to bed.

Cale and Diluc walked under the large cherry blossom.

"Hold hands, please." Chiori shouted as she set up her gear.

"May I?" Diluc asked Cale for permission, holding his hands out.

Cale nodded. He had no choice anyways. Cale gently placed his hands over Diluc's.

"Don't be so stiff, relax." Chiori instructed. She looked through the lens, waiting for the perfect moment. "Just act like how normal couples do."

Diluc blushed, thinking of being in an intimate relationship with Cale.

Cale flashed his scammer smile, softening his gaze.

Diluc's eyes widened.

Click!

"Nice." Chiori said in a low voice.

"..."

The others on the sideline watched in surprise, mouth hanging open.

'Cale looked so beautiful in that moment. You're so lucky, brother.' Keaya began to grow jealous.

"Keep going!" Chiori told them. "I need a few more photos to finish."

Cale sighed.

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⏰ Last updated: 3 days ago ⏰

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