"Burp~ Master Diluc's meals are all so delicious. I wonder if I'll get to eat such good food again next time."
At Windrise, an overstuffed Paimon rubbed her stomach as she floated. If Lumine hadn't insisted on leaving, Paimon would have wished to stay at Dawn Winery for a few more days.
"No matter how many times I look at it, this starry sky is always so enchanting. Lumine, which star up there do you think represents you?"
Lumine looked up at the stars. Beneath the deep cosmos, all things seemed so small, and it plunged her into thought. She didn't know why she had refused Diluc's hospitality, nor why seeing Su Bai shake Diluc's hand had made her feel so upset.
"Since you don't want to say it, I'll say it for you."
"You think there isn't a single star in that sky that represents you."
Su Bai's words made Lumine stop in her tracks. She didn't understand why he would say that, or what he was trying to convey.
"You once told me you are a traveler from another world, one who has crossed countless realms. Having journeyed through so many worlds, you've experienced too many farewells."
"You will eventually leave this world after finding your brother. You don't want to see friends' tears again, so you don't want to get too close to anyone."
"That's also the reason you deliberately kept your distance from Diluc today, isn't it?"
Su Bai's words were like a hammer, shattering the shell protecting Lumine's heart to pieces, instantly exposing her vulnerable core before him.
Lumine stared blankly at Su Bai. She couldn't believe that after only a few days together, Su Bai could see through her so clearly. He understood things she herself hadn't even fully grasped.
"Actually, Lumine, you don't have to be like this. As your friend, even if you one day truly leave this world for the next, sadness might be inevitable, but I would still offer you my blessings."
Su Bai looked up at the sky, his eyes showing no confusion, only filled with yearning and anticipation for the stars. He pointed to a spot in the heavens.
"Even if you go to another world, the starry sky will be the channel through which we convey our thoughts. See that fox shape formed by six stars? Whenever you see stars like that in another world, you'll be able to think of me."
Following Su Bai's pointing finger, Lumine really did see a fox pattern formed by six stars. Su Bai patted her shoulder.
"So you see, when you meet good people, you should get to know them. Just let things take their natural course. Don't deliberately avoid them."
"Lumine, we'll never be apart, right? Even though your cooking isn't great, you're restless when you sleep, and you're not that strong, Paimon will always be by your side."
Paimon's words utterly destroyed the atmosphere. Having her flaws laid bare, Lumine took a deep breath. Not caring that Su Bai was right there, she grabbed her sword and chased after Paimon, intent on cooking her.
"Paimon, you stop right there!"
"Huh? But I was only telling the truth! And I didn't even mention how you leave your clothes and socks lying around everywhere!"
"Aaaah, Paimon! I'm going to cook you!"
Watching the two bickering and chasing each other, Su Bai smiled knowingly.
It seems his words had some effect. Lumine's inner turmoil should have eased considerably.
---
Morning, Mondstadt City
Sunlight streamed through the window glass onto the bed. Su Bai, lying on the bed, swished his tail and rubbed his sleepy eyes, awakened by the warm rays.
Lumine's already gone out? Good. I must never, ever listen to her sing again. Other singers charge money; her singing costs lives.
Su Bai rubbed his throbbing head. Last night before bed, Lumine, in high spirits, had been struck by the whim to sing a song from another world for him and Paimon, claiming it would aid sleep.
The result of that one vocal burst nearly sent Su Bai and Paimon to an early grave.
That one outburst also made Su Bai truly understand the ancient Liyue verse, 'Over a thousand mountains, birds vanish in flight; On ten thousand paths, human traces are blight.'
If he hadn't seen Paimon also covering her ears, Su Bai would have thought he just lacked appreciation. Afterward, according to Lumine, she learned to sing in another world from a strange fellow named Karthus, who had praised her for having a real talent for singing.
"What a beautiful day."
Passing through the streets to the commercial district, the aromas of various foods assailed his senses, putting Su Bai in a wonderful mood. However, his indecisiveness also brought on breakfast anxiety.
"With so many delicious things, what should I eat this morning?"
"You... you bard! How dare you sneeze on me?! And get snot on the glass! You're going to pay for this!"
An arrow made of Cryo energy shot past Su Bai's hair and embedded itself in the wall, startling him mid-stretch and making the fur on his tail stand on end. For heaven's sake, even in Mondstadt there are ruffians trying to do him in?
"Su Bai, save me!"
Sigh. A beautiful day ends the moment you run into Venti.
Su Bai sighed. The scent of frog's blood on Venti instantly evaporated his good mood. He couldn't fathom why wine made with frog legs was considered so tasty.
Spotting Su Bai, Venti's eyes lit up, and he promptly hid behind him. Diona, hot on Venti's heels, couldn't stop in time and crashed right into Su Bai's arms.
"Big fox, move aside! This guy almost got snot on me! I'm going to knock that bard's head right off his shoulders!"
After sniffing Su Bai's unique scent, Diona clamored for him to get out of the way. Venti seized the chance to make his escape, leaving behind a parting remark.
"Little one, it really wasn't my fault! I'm allergic to little kittens!"
"And, Su Bai, I'll leave the tab to you. Thanks a lot~"
"You scoundrel! You're setting me up again!"
Seeing Venti turn tail and run, an indignant Su Bai snatched the bow from Diona's hands and fired three arrows at Venti's retreating back. Perhaps each arrow had its own ideas, as not a single one hit its mark.
"Scoundrel, you remember this! I'm putting this debt on Dvalin's head. If I can't catch you, I can certainly catch Dvalin."
"Exactly! Next time he comes to the Cat's Tail, I'll definitely mix him a drink with Jueyun Chilis. Spice him to death!"
Diona waved her fist beside him. She held no fondness for this bard, who sneezed on her and loved to drink. The big fox was much better—he didn't drink and didn't bully her.
"Ah, let's not talk about that. How have you been lately, Diona?"
"Same as always. Oh, right, big fox. My dad said he wants you to come to Springvale tomorrow. He wants to treat you to a meal to thank you for saving me."
"If... if you don't have time, you... you don't have to go."
Diona's cat ears twitched atop her head. Being tsundere by nature, this was the first time Diona had ever invited someone to her home, and she stumbled over her words nervously.
"Mr. Su Bai, I've finally found you."
An unfamiliar voice interrupted Diona and Su Bai's conversation. A lavishly dressed man was bowing to Su Bai. Su Bai raised an eyebrow; he didn't recognize this person.
"Mr. Su Bai, my master extends a most sincere invitation for you to join the Lawrence clan for lunch. I wonder if you would honor us with your presence."
"Lawrence? I'll have to pass. I'd rather not have too much to do with your lot."
His relationship with Eula might be fine, but Su Bai had no desire to get entangled with the Lawrence clan. He could see clearly that there weren't many sensible people among them.
"I would advise Mr. Su Bai not to refuse so hastily. After all, your good friend, Miss Eula, misses you dearly as well."
"Are you threatening me?"
"No, I am merely stating a fact."
Su Bai's fox-like eyes narrowed slightly. Fine. Very good. Using Eula to threaten me, are you? Let's see what game you're really playing.
"I can come. But I'm bringing a friend."
"A friend? That... that might be..."
"Don't worry. He's just a harmless bard with no threat whatsoever."
"Your Lawrence clan, being nobles, must have plenty of fine wine, right? I just want to take my friend to broaden his horizons."