No, that's not right...
I'm the one being treated to a meal...
You can't use the term 'Hongmen Banquet' for this...
But Miss Kiana didn't finish me off back then...
So now...
it should be fine, right?
Glancing nonchalantly in Kiana's direction, Childe couldn't help but reassure himself.
If he could choose again, he absolutely would not have followed her this morning.
After all, as the saying goes, tailing someone is dangerous and must be done with caution.
But it couldn't be helped; he truly had no idea Miss Kiana would be that powerful.
Although he had a feeling she was formidable from their very first meeting, he had still underestimated her strength.
How could I have ever imagined this level of power...
As his thoughts spun, Childe couldn't help but complain to himself.
This Childe...
Why does he seem so afraid of Kiana today...
Could it be...
he accidentally saw something he shouldn't have?
Just like when I discovered Venti's identity in Mondstadt?
Watching silently from the side, and adding her own past experience to the mix, Lumine couldn't help but come to this conclusion.
Lumine knew that Kiana's identity was by no means simple.
But Kiana...
could she really be that unknown god?
At this, Lumine was reminded of what happened before.
Although Kiana had directly denied it when she chose to confront her yesterday, Lumine still wasn't entirely convinced; she just didn't have any proof.
So upon seeing Childe's obviously strange behavior just now, she arrived at that same guess.
That's right...
I can ask him!
It's just...
I don't know if he'll be willing to tell me...
The thought suddenly striking her, Lumine immediately decided to find an opportunity to ask Childe later.
Although she felt Childe wouldn't necessarily tell her, she still decided to give it a try.
"Enough talk, enough talk, let's eat."
Just as Lumine was thinking about seeking out Childe for answers, Kaito spoke up.
The dishes were nearly all on the table by now, so it was indeed time to start eating.
Kaito...
Subconsciously looking at Kaito, Lumine was reminded of yesterday.
Although she had told Kiana yesterday that she would go talk to Kaito later, she didn't have a specific time in mind.
In other words, she hadn't made up her mind yet.
In any case, talking to Kiana about something like that and talking to Kaito about it were two very different things.
If I keep putting it off...
I feel like Kiana will tell Kaito herself...
Her gaze shifting to Kiana, Lumine felt that this was bound to happen.
So, either she told Kaito herself, or Kiana would tell him.
Sigh...
This feels...
so awkward...
Knowing she had no way out, Lumine's face couldn't help but grow hot. She was even starting to regret yesterday's events.
But there was nothing to be done; she couldn't change what had already happened.
Hm?
Suddenly sensing someone's eyes on her, Lumine subconsciously looked up, her gaze meeting Kiana's perfectly.
Kiana...
Does she...
know what I'm thinking?
Seeing Kiana's knowing expression, Lumine grew even more embarrassed.
"What's wrong, Lumine?"
At that moment, Paimon, who was beside her, suddenly spoke up.
She had been thinking Childe was acting weird, but after glancing at Lumine, she discovered that Lumine was being weird too, which in turn made her feel weird.
In short, everyone seemed a little strange today.
No, that's not right...
Kaito is still perfectly normal...
And Venti is too!
"Huh? I... I'm fine. Let's eat, let's eat."
Suddenly hearing Paimon talking about her, and seeing everyone look over, a flustered Lumine quickly copied Kaito, suggesting they eat to divert everyone's attention.
"Lumine and Childe are both so weird today."
It seemed Paimon's attention hadn't been diverted. She looked at Childe, then at Lumine, and said as much.
This Paimon...
How come she isn't distracted by the food today?
Doesn't she usually forget everything else the moment she sees food?
At this point, Lumine, whose fists were clenched, couldn't help but think this.
All the dishes were on the table now, yet Paimon was still focused on her. This was truly a rare sight.
"Are you really okay, Lumine?"
At that moment, Kaito's concerned gaze shifted to her.
"I'm fine, Kaito."
Shaking her head like a rattle drum, Lumine insisted once again that she was fine.
"Then let's... eat."
At this moment, Childe, who wanted to end the meal quickly so he could slip away, also chimed in.
Although his initial thought was to stick close to Kaito, on second thought, he realized that wasn't a sustainable solution.
After all, he wasn't Kaito's girlfriend; he couldn't shadow him forever. So he later concluded it would be better to stay far away from Miss Kiana, or at least not appear before her.
"Time to eat, time to eat!" At this point, Paimon suddenly returned to her normal self for some reason, immediately grabbing her chopsticks and digging in.
This little one...
Why wasn't she like this a moment ago?
Silently watching Paimon, who had started to gobble down the food, Lumine was speechless.
Whatever...
Time to eat...
Deciding not to dwell on it anymore, Lumine also picked up her bowl and began to eat.
But just then, the sound of footsteps came from the doorway.
Since they were in a private room, the doorway naturally referred to the door of said room.
Someone's here?
The waitstaff?
Holding her chopsticks, Lumine subconsciously glanced towards the door, thinking this to herself.
She figured it might be a server bringing the rest of their dishes.
Creeeak—
As Lumine watched, the door to the private room was pushed open.
Huh?
Isn't that...
the Liyue Qixing?
Looking at the people who walked in, Lumine was a bit surprised; she hadn't expected those two from the Qixing to show up again.
Did Kaito invite them?
After a brief moment of surprise, Lumine guessed that Kaito had invited them.
"Pardon the intrusion, everyone. I was wondering... is there still room for us?"
While Lumine was still guessing, Ningguang, who had walked in, was very direct, asking straight away if there was room for them.
In fact, there were seats, and it was obvious at a glance, but Ningguang asked anyway.
After all, they had come uninvited, so they needed to be polite.
Of course, they also had no choice but to be polite.
"Of course, please sit."
At this, Kaito stood up and walked over to Ningguang.
___
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