The Idol in Teyvat High?!

'Worst Soap Opera Ever'

Venti was absent from his usual spot at lunch, which was odd. Xiao hadn't seen him all morning either. He could have just ignored it, but something gnawed at Xiao's curiosity. As he wandered near the back of the school grounds, he saw a familiar figure under a large tree—the one Venti always admired.

Venti was punching the trunk, his breath coming in shallow bursts. His usually cheerful face was twisted with something darker—something desperate. A low laugh escaped Venti's lips, muffled by the tension in his throat, and he leaned against the tree, letting out another bitter chuckle.

Xiao watched for a moment, unsure if he should step in or leave Venti alone. But his feet moved before his brain could decide, and he approached slowly.

"Venti," Xiao called out, his voice careful but firm.

Venti stopped mid-punch and looked over his shoulder, his wild grin softening. "Xiao! What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Xiao replied, crossing his arms. "Skipping school to beat up a tree?"

Venti let out another chuckle, but this time it was less forced. "Sometimes the tree deserves it, y'know? Gotta let some steam out before I go totally crazy."

Xiao stood there, quiet for a second, then let out a small sigh. "You're not the only one who needs to blow off some steam."

Without another word, Xiao walked up to the tree and landed a punch of his own on the bark. It wasn't much, just a tap, but Venti's eyes widened with surprise. Then a laugh broke out of him—genuine this time.

"Are you trying to fight the tree too?" Venti teased.

Xiao gave a half-smile, his eyes narrowing slightly in mock irritation. "Maybe. Trees are the silent type. They don't talk back."

Venti burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. "You've got a point there! Silent but stubborn."

The two of them spent the next few minutes in playful jabs at the tree. Venti swung his fists with a mix of frustration and freedom, while Xiao joined in, occasionally throwing a punch or two. It wasn't about fighting anymore—it was about letting go. The shared silence between their breaths was comforting, and for once, Xiao didn't feel the weight of expectations or awkwardness.

When they finally stopped, both of them leaned against the tree, panting but relaxed. The tension that had hung in the air seemed to disappear with their laughter.

Then, the silence crept back in, heavier this time. Xiao looked at Venti, who was grinning up at the sky. The moment felt natural, but Xiao's thoughts were tangled.

"Hey," Xiao began, a little unsure. "Why are you always so cheerful?"

Venti blinked, then tilted his head at him. "Me? Oh, I dunno. It's easier than being sad, I guess."

Xiao stayed quiet, his mind swirling with questions. He wasn't sure how to say what was on his mind, so he hesitated, staring at his feet.

"Xiao?" Venti asked, nudging him with a playful shoulder bump. "Why so silent all of a sudden?"

Xiao exhaled softly and then asked, "Do you think... we could be.... friends..?"

Venti blinked, clearly surprised, before his eyes softened with a warm smile. "I thought we already were."

Xiao's mouth twitched upward, but he still wasn't sure how to respond. The awkwardness settled in again, heavier than before, like neither of them knew where to go from here.

But Venti, ever the one to break silence, grinned wide and stuck out his hand. "Well, at least now I've got another friend—a best friend, maybe?"

Xiao looked at Venti's outstretched hand and felt a small, genuine smile creep onto his face. He slowly raised his hand, letting their fingers intertwine in a firm but gentle shake. "Yeah," he murmured. "Yeah, we are."