That day—
By Earth's calendar, it was Saturday. A proper day off.
Cael had already agreed with Yun Jin to practice opera together today, so he got up early in the morning.
...
"Mm… Cael?"
Hu Tao was woken by the noise outside. Wearing a thin set of pajamas, she shuffled out groggily and saw Cael already washed and dressed.
"Why are you up so early? Isn't today your day off?" she asked sleepily.
"Hu Tao," Cael corrected himself halfway.
"There's something I didn't tell you yesterday. I managed to get an opportunity to perform onstage with Yun Jin. I'm going to practice today."
Hu Tao's drowsiness vanished instantly.
"You can sing opera?!"
"Are you kidding me?!"
Cael just smiled.
"I never said I couldn't. What—want to come watch?"
He extended the invitation naturally.
He figured it wouldn't be a problem to bring along someone he knew well.
Hu Tao nodded like a woodpecker.
"Yes! Yes! Yes!"
"Finally something fun! I've always been curious how Yun Jin practices normally."
At that moment, Zhongli also came out, having overheard the conversation.
"Oh?" he said mildly.
"You plan to sing opera with Miss Yun? That is surprising."
Mentioning Yun Jin put a look of quiet satisfaction on Zhongli's face.
Her skill was genuine.
And opera itself—
Cael had been promoting it since five thousand years ago.
Or rather, Agarest had.
In a sense, Cael was one of Yun Jin's many "founding ancestors." He had once joked that anyone who sang opera well was practically his descendant.
Now—
The founder performing alongside his successor.
That alone was enough to pique Zhongli's interest.
Seeing Zhongli up so early surprised Hu Tao as well.
"Zhongli, do you want to come too?" she asked.
After all, more people meant more fun.
Though Zhongli himself was the opposite of lively.
Zhongli shook his head gently.
"No, Director. Watching a performance is best enjoyed when the story and singing are polished. I'll wait for the finished show—it will be all the more stunning."
"Tch… fine, whatever," Hu Tao waved him off.
"If you're not going, then Cael and I will."
She dashed back into her room to change.
"We'll grab breakfast at Wanmin Restaurant first," Cael said as he watched her leave.
Zhongli nodded and prepared to depart as well.
"In that case, I'll take my leave."
"Wait—hold on," Cael suddenly remembered something and called out.
"Hm?" Zhongli stopped. "What is it, my young friend?"
Cael pulled out a pouch of Mora and handed it to him.
"I can tell you didn't bring any money. Here—one million Mora. Spend carefully today. Stop putting everything on Wangsheng's tab and increasing Hu Tao's burden."
Zhongli accepted the Mora.
For once, his stone-like expression cracked.
He slowly raised a thumb.
"Given my status—"
"—I fully approve of you and the Director."
Cael: "???"
Zhongli (internally): Sorry, Ganyu… he paid too much.
...
A short while later, Hu Tao finally came out.
This time, she wasn't wearing her usual Wangsheng Funeral Parlor uniform, but casual everyday clothes.
In truth, Genshin characters do change outfits in daily life—
They just wear their iconic ones while working.
If every outfit change were added into the game, Cael genuinely worried about the mental health of the developers.
He looked at Hu Tao, now carrying a completely different charm, and smiled.
"You're really cute, Hu Tao."
And it wasn't an exaggeration.
Without her funeral hat, her twin ponytails were fully visible. Combined with her faint blush from embarrassment, the impact was devastating.
"W—! Hmph… f-fine! At least you've got taste!" Hu Tao huffed, though her heart felt oddly sweet.
"Oh, and—you have to wear this too."
She shoved another set of clothes into Cael's arms.
"Huh? There's one for me too?" he said in surprise—and delight.
Accepting it happily, he grinned.
"A gift from Hu Tao? I'm blessed~"
Hu Tao's face instantly turned red.
"S-Stop talking nonsense!"
She shoved him straight into his room.
"Hurry up and change!"
"O-Okay."
...
...
Once again, Cael was caught off guard.
His outfit matched Hu Tao's almost perfectly.
In other words—
They were wearing couple outfits.
"Hu Tao," he said with a grin as they stepped outside,
"back where I'm from, we call this 'couple clothing.'"
Hu Tao's face flushed, but she held her ground.
"Hmph! So what?"
"You don't want to wear couple outfits with me?"
"No, no," Cael laughed.
"I'm honored. Truly."
"Tch. At least you know your place."
...
...
Once they reached the bustling streets, people immediately started greeting Cael warmly.
"Hey, isn't that Cael?"
"Morning, Cael! How've you been?"
"Oh my, Cael! Here—take some candy! Come chat with my old man sometime!"
"Good morning, Big Brother Cael! The sister next to you is really pretty!"
...
...
Hu Tao was stunned.
They hadn't walked far at all, yet so many people greeted him.
Thinking about how people usually reacted to her, she suddenly felt a bit sour.
So she deliberately drawled,
"Goooood morning~ Xiao~ Jiiiaaang~"
"Stop," Cael broke into a cold sweat.
"Hu Tao, please. I can't handle that."
She puffed out her cheeks.
"How did you even become this popular?"
They never treated me this nicely.
If they did, would my coffins still not sell?
Cael laughed.
"If you changed your sales tactics a bit, maybe you'd be just as popular."
"Then you're teaching me next time!"
"Next time, for sure."
"…Why does that sound suspicious?"
...
...
They arrived at Wanmin Restaurant.
Chef Chef Mao greeted them with a smile.
"You two are early. Xiangling's not even awake yet."
Cael smiled back.
"I've got plans today, so I had to get up early."
Hu Tao lifted her chin proudly.
"Hmph! Cael is going to perform opera with Yun Jin today!"
She said it with unmistakable pride, even puffing out her completely flat chest.
Cael stared at her, speechless.
It's not even you performing—why are you so proud?!
Chef Mao looked pleasantly surprised.
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Cael, you're impressive. I'll definitely come support you when the time comes."
"Then thank you, Chef Mao."
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