Chapter Text
Chapter 3: Friend
Looking up and feeling the cold breeze brush through your face, Kazuha is standing outside while waiting for Zhongli and Lumine to finish preparing dinner. He was invited here to eat with them, since the older sibling wasn’t home.
On the way here, Zhongli told Kazuha that Beidou was a good friend of his and Ningguang’s. That’s why he knows him. They had a small talk, while Lumine was sleeping at the back.
“You know,” Zhongli started. “My daughter… has, uh… shyness towards other people…” Kazuha looked at him. Zhongli sighed. “Isn’t it hard, sir?”
Zhongli smiled, “It’s hard, I can’t get her out of the house sometimes...” Zhongli chuckled at the thought. “She only played with Aether, ever since she got home.”
“She didn’t like me though,” Zhongli looked at Kazuha, “It took months, before she started talking to me fully. All I received from her was cold treatment. She won’t eat her food, won’t take a bath or even brush her teeth.” Zhongli paused. “But as day pass by, I can see that she’s trying her best to communicate with me and Aether. One night, I saw her sleeping beside me.”
Kazuha saw a Zhongli smiled, “I never thought that one day, she’ll become my daughter. And now, I’m scared that she’ll hate me for doing this, for making her go to school and make friends. She only has me and Aether.”
He was about to speak when Zhongli stopped the car, “we’re here.”
He sighed; he doesn’t understand. So Lumine isn’t his own? She’s adopted? His thinking was interrupted with a soft hand tugging the hem of his uniform. He looked at the one who’s tugging his uniform, and saw Lumine with a flushed face and heavy breathing. She opened her mouth to say something, but instead she closed it again and pointed at where Mr. Zhongli is standing.
He didn’t say anything and just nod at her. She then walked fast and seated next to Mr. Zhongli. Zhongli motioned Kazuha to seat in front of him, he handed Kazuha the food so he can get some. The atmosphere was so quiet yet you feel at ease just seeing what’s in front of you. Kazuha smiled when he saw Mr Zhongli putting food on Lumine’s plate. The girl pouted and asked her dad to add more of those fried radish, Zhongli chuckled. Maybe it’s her favorite?
He got himself some dry-braised salted fish, since fish is his favorite food. He quietly ate his food and looked at what’s in front of him. Lumine munching on her fried radish balls, he found himself staring at her, Zhongli cleared his throat that made Kazuha look at him, he saw the old man smiling at him. He felt his cheeks turned hot, he got embarrassed for staring at his daughter.
“As I was saying,” Zhongli started. “Since the both of you studies in the same high school, why not be friends?” Lumine dropped her fried radish ball and looked at her father. She gave him a blank stare and not giving him any answer, she just sat there and stared at him.
Zhongli rolled his eyes and chuckled, “Oh don’t give me that look, we already talked about it right?” Lumine pouted at him. Zhongli touched her hair and smiled, then he looked at Kazuha.
Kazuha understood Zhongli’s look at him. He cleared his throat and started introducing himself, “I’m Kaedehara Kazuha, and I ah… I’m sorry about what happened earlier at the field.” He then gives a small smile to Lumine.
Lumine blinked and she tugged the sleeves of her father’s polo. Zhongli smiled, “Go this is your first step,” Lumine nod at him.
She took a deep breath and composed herself, “I-I’m Lumine!” she said fast, “n-nice t-to me-et y-you!” her face felt hot because of the fear and embarrassment that she’s feeling right now.
Kazuha extend his arm to let Lumine know that he wants to shake hands, “Nice to meet you too, Lumine.” Lumine shook his hands and let it go fast then she looked at Zhongli with sparkling eyes, like it’s telling him that, ‘Papa! I did it, did you see?’ Zhongli laughed and ruffled her hair.
“Good job!” Lumine chuckled at her father’s reply. She then looked at Kazuha and smiled at him.
“Thank you, sir, for having me today.” Kazuha bowed.
Zhongli touched his head and smiled, “Thank you too, for being a friend to my daughter.”
“No problem, sir.”
“Lumine! Wake up!”
Just as she heard the yell of her father, she got up and with closed eyes, she walked out of her room. Zhongli arched her brow and chuckled at his daughter’s appearance, she still has her bed hair, and her cute pajamas. Zhongli stretch his arms open wide and waited ‘til Lumine to open her eyes and do her morning routine.
When she opened her eyes and saw her father’s get up, she smiled and embraced him. “Good morning, Papa!” she said and sniffed on Zhongli’s scent. “Papa, you smell good today!” she complimented. Zhongli frowned and pouted at his daughter, he let her go and crossed his arms.
“I only smell good today?” he said with a sad voice. Lumine hugged him again, “Noo, Papa smells good every day! That’s why I love Papa so much!” He chuckled and kissed her on top of her head, “Papa loves you too,”
After being lovey dovey with her Papa, she wore her school uniform and got her bag. She sighed when she remembered she didn’t get Sucrose’s number. She thought of asking her later at school. She went out of her room, hair still wet and not yet brushed, she went to where Zhongli is seating.
“Papa,” she called, he closed his book and looked at her. He scratched his head when he saw his daughter’s look, “Come here, let me brush your hair.”
Lumine sat on the floor and let her Papa brush her medium length hair. “Papa, do you think I should grow my hair?” she asked while touching her golden locks. Zhongli put on her hairpin and used his fingers to trace her golden hair.
“If you want to,” he replied. Lumine got up and kissed Zhongli on his cheeks.
“I’ll do good today; I promise I won’t cause any trouble for you. Bye, Papa!” she said then hurriedly went out.
Zhongli was about to tell her that someone will be going to school with her, but she was fast. Zhongli thought that maybe the hits yesterday made her think? He shook his head and read his book again, so he won’t overthink. Zhongli smiled, when he thought what expression Lumine will make when she gets out of the house, just to see someone waiting for her.
Lumine locked the door of their house and before she could start walking, someone surprised her. Her golden orbs went wide and her hand flew to her chest, when she saw a light blonde with a hint of red on his hair standing in front of their home.
“Good morning,” Kazuha greeted.
Lumine opened her mouth to greet him, but no word came out, instead her hands began to shake and her heart was beating so loudly like it would burst out of her any minute. Kazuha stared at her and smiled, he turned his back at her then started walking. She was shocked but instead of being a statue, she followed him.
He never thought about going to that house again just to go with her at school, if Mr. Zhongli hadn’t told him to fetch Lumine, he wouldn’t go, but who would reject a father’s request right? So, instead of going alone, it’s fine having another one joins him.
Arriving at the train station, both quietly waiting for the train to come, he looked at her if she’s still breathing beside him. And his brow arched at what he saw, Lumine playing with her fingers, like she’s concentrating on something, and mumbling on her breath. He stopped himself for laughing and when he went back to looking at her, he saw that she’s staring at him closely.
Her face is so close that she’s not even blinking! Kazuha frozed on his spot and felt that his heart began to beat rapidly. He swallowed hard then started to speak, “Uh, what are you doing?” he asked.
Lumine’s face began to red, even her neck! He then looked at her eyes and saw that it began to water. He panicked when Lumine started to turn blue, and yet Lumine was still staring at him, so, he holds her shoulders and started to call her.
“Lumine!” she came back to her senses when she heard her name. She let out a big exhale and felt her legs became weak. Kazuha held her tight and looked for a free seat, when he saw a seat, he helps Lumine walk to the bench.
He let Lumine have a fresh air and he got fresh water from his bag and handed it to her. “Drink,” he ordered. Lumine bowed her head and started drinking the water, her breathings became a bit fast, since she suppressed her breath for about 5mins.
“Why did you do that?” she then raised her eyes to him, “I’m sorry…” she paused and clenched her arms on her lap, “I just want... to be able to look at you… without being nervous or freaking out...”
Kazuha sighed and walked so he would stand in front of her, he squatted and made her look at him, he smiled, “It’s fine, just don’t do it again. We’re friends, aren’t we?” he said.
Lumine started crying and said sorry countless of times, Kazuha chuckled and looked at her, “It’s okay, don’t cry. C’mon, we’ll be late.” He held her hand and dragged her inside the train. She was standing next to him, hands on the pole beside her to balance herself, while he’s in front of her in case the train get crowded, she won’t get scared of people.
Arriving at school, some students we’re looking at them and started to gossip. She bowed her head so people won’t know her face. Reaching her room floor, Kazuha leaned his arms at the door and watched her get to her seat. He arched his brow and when he made sure she’s seated, he waited for her to make eye contact to him so he can wave goodbye. But being Lumine, she just bowed her head and never looked up, she’s so nervous that she wants to throw up, Sucrose isn’t here yet so she doesn’t have anyone to talk to.
Instead of waiting for her to make eye contact, he went inside the room and went to her. He bumps his fist gently on her hear that made her shot up her vision, she was so light headed that she forgot that she’s supposed to freak out whenever he’s close.
“Let’s meet at lunch then,” he casually says then leaves, she was still in daze that she suddenly touched her head and focused on the person walking out of the room.
Lumine felt uneasy, because Sucrose is not in class. She’s been stared at by her classmates, first period finished like a blur, a brunette came to her and smiled. Lumine didn’t mind her, she’ll just ask something that won’t make sense anyway.
The brunette clicked her tongue and set her head to the side. “You know... Kaedehara?” Lumine, hearing that name, she glanced at the brunette and gave her an innocent look. Waiting for Lumine to answer the brunette lifted her brow and pouted her lips.
She sighed. “What a shame, I always wanted to know if he’s friends with that guy,” the brunette walked out of the blonde’s sight.
“I’m sorry Lumine!” with a guilty expression, Lumine showed a small smile at her and gave her an apple. Sucrose pouted and fixed her glasses, she munched on the apple Lumine gave her. Lumine has been giving her the silent treatment, even though she’s always silent.
She went to school late and now its lunch time so they met up at a nearby bench at the school entrance, but Lumine hasn’t start eating yet but her food is now placed at her lap.
“Why aren’t you eating yet?” she didn’t get a respond.
Holding her lunch box, Lumine sits firmly while waiting for someone to come, since he said he’ll meet her at lunch, but 5 minutes has passed, and yet no light-haired boy showed up. She thought of not waiting for him, maybe he said that out of pity of her? Or did she had her hopes up that they’ll eat lunch together?
She opened her lunch box and offered Sucrose a fried radish, the green-haired girl refuses since she knows it’s Lumine’s favorite. But when she was about to have a bite, a shadow towered over in front of her, she lifted her head and saw a panting Kazuha. Sucrose’s eyes widen at the sudden appearance of the boy.
“I’m sorry, I was late.” He said while catching his breath. She just frowned and moved a bit to give him a space at the bench that they’re seating.
He noticed the gesture and sat beside her. Lumine noticed that he has a plastic bag on his hand, he saw at what she was looking at and showed it to her. “Oh, I bought this before going here,” he gave her a popsicle and also Sucrose. “I even bought hash brown and some bread, since I didn’t make lunch.”
Lumine looked at her food and offered it to him, “Eat.” He looked at her food and saw that it was filled with fried radish, he smiled and rejected her. “No, it’s yours so eat it.” But instead, she still offered her food at him, he let out a chuckle, “Alright, alright, I’ll eat.”
Sucrose excused herself because she felt out of place, and since Lumine looks comfortable, she smiled and went to the vending machine to get some drink.
Sitting alone with a guy, she felt her heart pound so hard that it’s making her head hurt, she felt her hand become cold. She’s now eating the popsicle that he gave, the popsicle making her cool herself, since she’s sitting with someone, her face feels hot.
Silence filled the atmosphere, she’s nervous that she doesn’t know how to start a conversation. She lifted her head and was about to talk when he started talking. “Ah, I have practice later, should you wait for me at the field or you’ll go home ahead of me?”
Lumine felt her throat run dry, she opened her mouth to speak but no words came out, instead she bowed and clenched her fist until it became white colored at her lap. He noticed it and sighed. “It’s fine if you will go home ahead of me; I can walk you to the station before I go to practice.”
Lumine immediately shook her head and pursed her lips, “I-I’ll wa-it f-for you.”