A few minutes later, after Yichen had once again fully recovered and—under Eula's murderous glare-assisted supervision—stuttered his way through an explanation of the entire incident involving
"a rib healing crooked and requiring physical realignment (???)"—
The onlookers all wore expressions of deep satisfaction.
The kind of satisfaction that said:
"The process was insane, but the ending was worth it."
Like they had just witnessed Mondstadt's Drama of the Year and left the theater emotionally fulfilled.
Jean massaged her throbbing temples, wearing the exhausted expression of someone who had truly felt the weight of "Mondstadt is hard", and began directing the still-reluctant knights to disperse.
Kaeya hugged his little notebook—now filled with "valuable historical records"—grinning like a fox who had successfully stolen a chicken. Before leaving with the others, he shot Yichen a look that clearly said:
"Big brother, I believe in you."
Lisa yawned gracefully, her gaze flicking between Yichen and Eula.
"Young people's friendship really is full of vitality~"
With that ambiguous remark, she drifted away.
Diluc remained silent as ever, gave a slight nod as farewell, and disappeared into the night.
Amber kept looking back, glancing between Eula and Yichen with an expression that screamed:
"Your relationship is way too complicated, I don't understand it, but I'm deeply shaken."
Eventually, Jean dragged her away.
The noise faded.
Cool moonlight once again bathed the street.
Only Yichen, Eula, and—
A bard who had somehow already taken a seat at the other end of the bench, legs swinging leisurely, casually playing background music.
Venti.
Eula crossed her arms, shot Venti a cold look, then glared at Yichen—who was still subconsciously touching his ribs—and snorted.
She said nothing.
The atmosphere turned awkward.
Yichen scratched his head, looked at the greatest spectator of tonight's chaos, and decided to break the silence.
"Hey, Venti."
"You've finished watching the show, eaten all the melon… why aren't you leaving?"
"Oh my~ don't be so cold, Yichen~"
Venti smiled like a satisfied cat as he packed up his things.
"After watching such excitement, someone has to clean up the aftermath, right~?"
As he spoke, he rummaged in his pocket like a magician—then casually tossed something toward Yichen.
"Here. You dropped this."
Yichen instinctively caught it.
It was cool to the touch, carrying a strange sensation—as if a gentle breeze were flowing within it.
He lowered his head.
In his palm lay a Vision.
Its casing was forged of aged metal, engraved with Mondstadt's wings and birds.
The gem embedded within was pure, flawless—
Anemo green, as clear as the open sky.
"…This is—"
Eula's eyes widened instantly as her gaze snapped between Venti and Yichen.
"…A Vision? A Wind Vision?"
Her eyes finally settled on Yichen, filled with complicated emotions.
"Hmph… looks like that useless Barbatos fellow occasionally has decent taste after all."
She turned her head slightly away, though the faintest curve appeared at the corner of her lips—one she didn't even notice herself.
Yichen flipped the Vision over and over in his hand.
He wasn't excited.
He wasn't overjoyed.
He was filled with two massive, nearly physical—
Question marks.
"A Vision?"
He looked up at Eula, then at Venti, then back at the gem.
"This… is for me?"
He pointed at his own nose, face full of disbelief.
"Me? What kind of intense desire or obsession do I have that deserves a Vision?"
"Did Barbatos drink too much apple cider… or mix me up with someone else?"
"And this thing… are you sure it actually fell out of me?"
"Relax, relax~"
Venti hopped down lightly from the bench and walked over.
"When you were rolling around on the ground screaming in pain, I personally watched it go plop-plop out of your clothes~"
"Authentic. Guaranteed."
He leaned closer, apple wine scent faint in the air, and lowered his voice conspiratorially.
"Maybe Barbatos was moved by your… hmm… unwavering dedication to the pursuit of freedom via slacking off?"
"Or maybe—"
Venti blinked, glancing meaningfully at Eula, who stood nearby with crossed arms and a frosty expression.
"He figured you'd need a bit more wind to run away in the future."
Straightening up, Venti stretched lazily.
"Delivery complete! Tonight's performance was amazing—totally worth the ticket price!"
"Thanks, Yichen! Thanks, Captain Eula! If there's another show like this, remember to invite me~ Bye-bye!"
A refreshing night breeze rose out of nowhere, carrying drifting dandelion fluff.
When the wind settled—
The bench's other end was empty.
Only a faint, cheerful hum lingered, as if the wind itself were laughing.
Yichen: "..."
He stood there, still holding the Anemo Vision, frozen like he'd been hit with a paralysis spell.
The night breeze ruffled his hair.
Moonlight reflected off his blank expression—and the softly glowing gem.
Staring at the treasure countless people dreamed of, symbol of the Anemo Archon's acknowledgment—
Yichen's mind repeated a single thought on loop:
Barbatos…
Eula watched his dazed expression, glanced again at the pure green Vision, then let out a long, helpless sigh.
"If there's nothing else, I'm heading back."
She said it—
But didn't move.
"Where are you going next?" she asked. "Back to the tavern?"
Yichen stretched and shook his head.
"It's late. I should head back too… but I'll walk you home first. I'm a gentleman, after all."
"Hmph. Then I'll reluctantly accept."
"This grudge—I'm recording it."