A day had passed since the final battle between Raiden and Keqing. The guests and contestants were expected to depart from Fontaine in the evening after a special dinner.
Kitayuu spent most of the day with Bennet and some other classmates exploring Fontaine and enjoying some recreational activities.
At the celebratory feast, every contestant along with special guests such as academy teachers and Archons.
Despite winning the entire tournament, Keqing remained nonchalant and ate her food quietly as people came from each table to either congratulate or ask questions.
Kitayuu sat at the opposite end of the round table with Bennet, Barbara, Noelle and Hu Tao close by.
Bennet; "Ahem. So Hu Tao, have you maybe reconsidered?"
Hu Tao paused with a piece of potato close to her open mouth and looked at Bennet, "I have no idea what you're talking about"
"Oh come on! Stop playing dumb and just tell me already!"
Hu Tao lowered her fork and shifted her body to face Bennet, "What now? You want me to feed you?"
Bennet grunted as his frustration started to show the more he got teased.
Hu Tao tilted her head and lifted the fork with the potato in front of Bennet's lips. However, he refused to fall for her trick.
"Aww, you don't wan-"
"Hah!"
Bennet snatched the fork and ate the potato, "Gotcha!"
Barbara groaned as she watched the scene, "Do you not have table manners jeez."
"I'm pretty sure he's too busy drooling over her to care," Kitayuu said smugly
"Hey I was not!"
Everyone at the table laughed except for Bennet who was as red as a tomato.
Before long, everyone went to bed as the night passed.
Kitayuu woke up to the sound of knocking on his door. Diluc was waiting for him outside whilst other students were already preparing to return from where they came from.
"Sleep well?"
Kitayuu stretched and yawned, "No offence, but the beds here are so much more comfortable than the academy."
Diluc chuckled and gave Kitayuu a pat on his shoulder, "I can't disagree with you on that. By the way, you did well in this tournament. I'm proud of you."
Kitayuu's face beamed with pride, "Well, I'm prepared to achieve even greater heights."
Dilute smiled before turning around to wake other students up, "I'm glad to hear that. Anyways, make sure you're ready to leave this afternoon."
On the way to the boat, Kitayuu spotted Axel, and the two of them locked eyes for a moment before Axel looked down quickly and walked away.
Kitayuu felt a punch on his shoulder as Bennet came from behind, "There you are! Why didn't you tell me where you went off to."
"That's a bit creepy. Are you going to follow me to the bathroom one day?
Raiden threw his luggage with the rest and began ascending to the deck to avoid going through the crowd. On his way up, he caught his mother staring. However, he was unable to tell what she was thinking.
It was unusual, she was neither angry nor disappointed. Instead, there was a hint of sadness.
Raider didn't think about it much, and boarded the ship without saying goodbye to her.
