Archive of Our Own

A bright light suddenly shines. Horns of cars and squelching of tires sound.

His body flaring up in heat all over in the ground.

Then the voices of the people....and the scent of iron wafting around.

A cat's meow resound.

That was the last memory Chongyun. What now sounds in his ears is the bell ringing. For his eyes, a chalkboard is in front and daylight from windows light the room. A school desk in front of him and a chair to match it in his behind. He was standing in the middle of the two chairs.

He looked at the front but there was no one there but two rows of school desks. So he looked back...

Azulean blue greets his eyes, along with a pair of yellow amber eyes. A humble smile to match.

"Who are you?" he muttered.

The boy who was leaning his one arm to his cheek with the desk as a base laughed and got up from his desk. The posture he had before made it look as if he were watching Chongyun sleep in his desk awhile but that doesn't make sense.

With a glint of mischeviousness in his eyes. The unknown boy said in a teasing manner ", it's rude to ask a name without giving your own you know." Smiling without teeth once said.

He found himself blush a deep red and in embarrassment and stuttered "a-ah I'm sorry. My name is Chongyun, I'm an exorcist." The boy in front of him snickered and then raised a brow.

He took a thinking stance with his first covering his mouth. Eyes furrowed as he came to a conclusion. "An exorcist huh..... then I supposed you know where you are."

"H-huh? Well..." flustered he looked around. "A classroom?"

"Well perceived... but that's not what I meant." he replied. The boy then loosened his shoulders by circling his arms.

'I was wrong? Come to think of it why am I in a classroom? It's still the weekends, and this isn't my homeroom.' he scanned the room some more. 'Not my school either based on the pai--"

Cutting his thoughts were the words of the amber eyed boy, "well can't be helped them. I'll show you around t'ill you get where you are. My name is Xingqiu, and I'll be your guide for the time you and I are here."

He held out his hand, and with the genuity of the words and the smile he flashed Chongyun found himself shaking it.

"Well then let's go." The hand then grabbed his and Xingqiu took him out of the classroom by force.

'He's so strong!?! And quick footed too." Chongyun thought in surprise with a gasp. A snort followed when he did.

'Ah.....my face is red again. This one sure does no good for my heart condition.'

1st hour

His eyelids blinked multiple times as he observed the stick thrown at him. He didn't understand what was thrown at him but at the same time he did. It was a shinai.

"Hold it in front of you. Be in fighting stance." Xingqiu said teachingly with a smirk. 'He was acting as if he were a teacher', Chongyun thought annoyed.

Chongyun's eyes flickered to him trying to find something to teach him in turn. The boy wore the same outfit as him. The uniform was worn properly and his stance was perfect. The stance made him looked professionally skilled. He held it to the point of being comparable to a 7 Dan at the start of the matches that Chongyun watches in tv and in the competitions of his most skilled upperclassman in the dojo. And the fit, meanwhile, made his shoulders look big and made the strong muscles of his arms be obvious.

'No wonder he was able to grip my hand so tightly earlier. His arms, and himself in general looks strong and big. He was so small earlier in the school uniform... but the kendo uniform along with his skill makes him look larger, although there is a chance his skill might lie on proper form without strength. But still though.... he's like those buff swordsmen you would admire and have a crush with...' Chongyun shook his head on the thought. 'What was he thinking? Having thoughts like a school boy in love on a complete stranger.' He focused in the environment around him and found out that while he was thinking the boy in front of him was teasing on him not knowing how to be on form.

As he was clearing his head and trying to find a comeback for the teasing. Chongyun then found himself frowning as he held the heavy bamboo object in front of himself.

He suddenly remembered not understanding why he was holding a kunai right now to begin with. "So.... Xingqiu, what exactly are we doing here? And exactly are doing right now?", Chongyun asked in a polite smile under the mask. His lips twitching and his eyelids shutted tight. He was grateful the gear hid these things because as much as how eccentric the man in front of him was now, he doesn't want to be rude to the person who seems to know everything and offered to be his guide.

The young man smiled. A thing Chongyun found to be a frequent thing when it comes to Xingiqu. "Did you know, Chongyun, that curiosity is one of the most permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect?"

Chongyun tilted his head and relaxed his hold on the kunai. "So....what do you mean exactly? You're not answering my question. And who is saying that exactly?"

Xingqiu raised a brow and stated as if were obvious "aiya..it was Samuel Johnson who said it didn't you know? He was known as one of the greatest figures in the eighteenth century."

"I didn't know. Studying him wasn't part of the curriculum in my books. Now my answers to the other questions please."

He chuckled and then said " Well, what I mean is that you are smart for asking questions. Those are good here, where questions are the key to properly preparing for passing through. Anyways, we're in a dojo obviously. We're going to have a kendo match."

"And why exactly are we having a kendo match?"

" To clear one's head. Like I said questions are good here, and you'll probably have lots of questions due to it being so. Having a clear head would allow you to digest the information for the answers once you do."

Though Chongyun was confused, and hadn't digested what Xingqiu said yet. He bowed using his knee which meant the start of the match and Chongyun, by habit, ended up doing the same. His instincts rose and once they both rose, they flew to attack each other's weak spots. Only to find that they were equally matched. Chongyun was strong and flexible while Xingqiu was fast. They had a dance where their kunai were holding each other off. Xingqiu tries to be fast and move to strike his head at last, but Chongyun moves his hand flexibly in weird positions to ward it off just in time when he nearly succeeds. The boy then uses his strength to push the Azulean head back to their earlier positions for foothold.

"You're fast." he smiled and commented under his exhausted breath .

"And you're strong and flexible," remarked the other.

They continue like this for a while. Xingqiu moving back all of a sudden once he finds his agility, and tries to strike fast while the other boy is caught off guard. Chongyun moving back to defend himself when he realizes. Straining his hand in to move in an awkward position as it is the only way to block the hit. The hand manages to do so even it was last moment. Once the two swords are neck to neck, Chongyun uses his strength to recover the foothold he lost. Once he tries to gain more foothold that he once had though, Xingqiu strikes. The cycle then goes on and on.

Somehow this is familiar to Chongyun though. He doesn't know why.

While he was thinking this. He ended up being striked in the head.

" I won!" Xingqiu shouted.

"Yes you did....." Chongyun muttered in defeat once he realized this. Drooping in a sad sitting embracing position once he did.

Xingqiu then crouched and placed a hand on his back to soothe him. "Aww, don't be so down Chongyun. We didn't do this to win remember? We're here to clear your head! So did it work?"

"Well...yeah I guess it did. I now realize that I woke up in a high school that I don't know, dressed in its uniform, when I was having a normal day earlier. I have lots of questions to why I'm here but I know that I'm supposed to be ,and I don't know why. I also know that you know why and that's why I should have you as my guide." Panick, question, and calmness rose to Chongyun while saying this. Mixing together, slowly but surely.

"Nice. That's good." He said while flashing a bright comforting smile with teeth. Now running his hand up and down Chongyun's back.

"Don't worry you'll understand everything soon. Why you're here, what we're supposed to do while here. What's going to happen once we're done and why you trust me for no reason. I'm going to show and tell you...with the others too."

"Others?"

"Yes. Now...." He said while standing up. Reaching his hand to him when he finally did. Offering a hand to stand up. "Get up so we can meet them."

2nd hour

They were now in an auditorium. Xingqiu was holding his hand, less tightly than he did before. Chongyun was now the one who did. Xingqiu leaded him there.

It felt natural. He was still holding hands now. Even more tightly than when they were heading in the auditorium.

Xingqiu flashed a comforting smile. Rubbing circles in Chongyun's hand. Knowing he was still confused and probably scared in result. It cranked up now he had three girls in front of him.

One had bluish-black bob hair and had braids tied to look like bear ears. Her eyes were brown and fiery. She was wearing the typical school blue sailor uniform and skirt with a red bow. The cardigan she was wearing was orange instead of yellow, blue, or black though. She was hugging a stuffed toy that looked like a panda.

Another had a gakuran cap that was meant for boys slightly modified. It had a red plum blossom batch attached to it and a batch insignia of the local funeral parlor? Her hair was tied in pigtails and her eyes were blood moon red and reflected of flowers. She also wore the typical sailor uniform but with a gakuran jacket and british geka.

The last girl had her hair in high pigtails with spiked hair ties. She had brown orange eyes and wore the sailor uniform with a black cardigan.

Xingqiu coughed to stop everyone from staring at each other and to start the atmosphere for introductions.

"So everyone this is Chongyun. He was an exorcist."

He then looked at Chongyun and then looked at the girl with the stuffed toy. He held out an arm with his palm open to the girl as if to behold her.

"Chongyun, this is Xiangling. She's a girl who makes magic in the kitchen. She's our age. When her face is lit up a lot it means she has a great new dish she created. You should taste the dish for me when she does it's guaranteed to be delicious!"

"Hello Chongyun, nice to meet you. My name is Xiangling, I'm a chef from Wanmin Restaurant! It's a family business. My favorite place is the chicken... I mean, the kitchen! Ugh, I practiced so hard, but I still get nervous when introducing myself... Hee hee." The girl had bright eyes when introducing herself, and then turned her head to the side rubbing the back of her head. Her cheeks were flushed from embarrassment in her mistake.

Chongyun held his hand to his chest and smiled humbly. "Hi Xiangling, as you heard my name is Chongyun. My family has practiced the art of exorcism in Liyue for many generations." The two did a low bow at each other.

Xingqiu clapped and smiled with his eyes and lips closed. "Alright that's enough. Now....." His eyes and arms went to the direction of the girl with spike hairbands. "This is Xinyan, the girl who rocks the Liyue Harbor Highschool.....literally."

" Xinyan's the name, an' rock 'n' roll's the game — and I'm the only one who plays it in Liyue Harbor Highschool." Xinyan said while playing a rock and roll rift. Chongyun started moving around to the beat, and felt excited enough to have blood rush to his face. He felt himself blushing hard when he realized what he had done.

Xingqiu and the girl in the gakuran giggled. Xiangling had a meek smile in her lips.

"Aww, don't ya be embarassed over having the beat take ya. Everyone gets like dat in gud music ya see." Xinyan said with a placating smile.

"That's right Chongyun, don't feel embarassed." Xingqiu said in a caring voice while hiding an obviously amused smile under his palm.

Chongyun squinted. Sighing to himself. "Yes.... I won't."

Suddenly the girl in the gakuran jumped and went closer to Chongyun. She leaned her head and had her hand to her chest. Faces almost touching but enough to see the excited glee on her face.

"Hi! Hi! Hi! It's my turn at last. The name's Hu Tao. Hu for Who put me in this coffin, and Tao for can't get out." She said the last part while having her hands in ghost stance shaking it left to right.

Chongyun took a step back, flustered from the way their so close. A stomp was heard from the middle of them. A hand two push the two farther apart. Xingqiu having his eyebrows furrowed.

"Hey! Hey! You guys are too close! Having fun without me?~~~", he said trying to be playful but failed in the first part. His voice came out frustrated and the fact his brows were furrowed gave it away. Even though he tried to hide it by closing his eyes and curling his lips.

Hu Tao stifled a laugh. "Oh~ is that so?~~~" She had a smug smile while saying, obviously teasing Xingqiu. The other were oblivious but the two know what's up.

"It is~", he said playfully. Smiling a fake agreeing smile back. "Anyways, this is Hu Tao. I'm pretty sure you can tell what's her personality from that GrATefUl introduction. She's the 777th funeral parlor director. She has been since she was 12 due to circumstances." The grateful part was obviously sarcastic to the two but the others think it was just him being playful. The girl's smile became even more smug to what he said, much to Xingqiu's annoyance.

Oblivious to it Chongyun said with his innocent self, " You guys seem to get along well." He said with a smile as he looks at the two.

"Mhm, we are. So you're an exorcist huh?" she asked in a questioning gaze. Hand on her chin, slightly crouched. Looking at him apprasingly slightly.

"Yep. That's me. I have to admit though, I never saw a ghost. I have positive yang energy abundance you see..." Rubbing the back of his head with an arm while saying. " I had thoroughly studied the textbook of it though." The frost haired boy said meekly.

"Hmm..... I can see that. Yang abundance though, doesn't that mean you just chase the spirits away only sometimes exorcising it?" she asked with what seemed to be slight lilt.

"Haha...yes unfortunately." His arm was still on his head and he was nodding.

"As expected of exorcists. You really should just leave the work to the undertakers if you guys continue to be like tha-"

"Excuse me!?!" The blood rushed to Chongyun's face rapidly. He took a step forward

"Now, now." Xingqiu and Xiangling said grabbing the two. They pulled them to be far apart from one another. Waving the fans to one another.

" Hu Tao don't cha think we should start explainin'?" Xinyan said to further break the atmosphere.

"Right. Right~ Well, humb-" The three others shot a look. Xiangling gripped Hu Tao tighter having not dropped it yet"I mean dearest exorcist. Have you ever heard of Hiraeth? That's where we are if that explains things."

The heat settled away immediately from his face. "You mean?", he asked in disbelief.

"Yes....that's where we all are right now." she said in a caring and pity fulled voiced. Xiangling dropped her grip from Hu Tao. Looking at Chongyun with the same look along with Xinyan who has a chair now for him to seat. The two moved closer. Chongyun sitted, almost collapsing to it but did not due his guide, as he tried to process it. Xingqiu was rubbing his back and half-embracing him a while ago. He supported him when Hu Tao mentioned Hiraeth and it's connection.

Chongyun looked at his lap. Head aching and heart racing. His arms placed on his forhead. His bangs half covering his shocked eyes. His face was flushed red and sweat was forming then dropping all over.

The hugs he received from the three helping. Especially Xingqiu who's cool hand that was running his hand up and down on his back. His hand gripped his one hand tightly that was down now as he cooled down. Hu Tao was crouched and singing a tune from Mondstadt.

He let down his one arm. Held it up as stop. When they did, he held Xingqiu's hand with both his hands. Smiled appreciatively at Hu Tao then the others.

"So..... Hiraeth. The place where the dead spend to get to live out of some regrets. The souls here usually get twelve hours to spend right? Though there are cases where there are less and more time." He asked, directing his gaze to Hu Tao. Eyesbrows slightly furrowed....

"Yes it is Chongyun. Xingqiu, Xiangling, and Xinyan had been here for months to hears. Xingqiu has been for three years. Xiangling one. Xinyan 4 months." She said voice clear but almost a whisper in it's care. Like a mother who is concerned about their child and telling them something while holding them.

" I see....." he said in a voice that said he understood but gave up. " Can I.... get some time alone?" Grip not letting go of Xingqiu.

The girls looked at one another. Nodding at one another once they understood. They looked at Chongyun who was staring at them in waiting.

"We'll give you your space" Xiangling said in the same voice as Hu Tao's earlier one. She held Hu Tao's hand and left. Xinyan nodded at Chongyun and followed.

Third hour

"I'm alright now...." he said to Xingqiu who was drawing circles on top of his hand.

Xingqiu smiled sweetly and stopped drawing circles. He instead gripped Chongyun's hand and kissed it while kneeling in an engangement pose.

"That's good."

Chongyun flushed.

"Wha-what....what was that for?"

Xingqiu let go of his hand and stoof up. He turned his back but his face was still staring back at Chongyun's with his eyes. He closed one eyes and raised a hand to wave. "Who knows?" he asked as if wondering.

The red reached his ears. "Who knows!?!"

"Yes yes. Well... dearest Chongyun now that you're alright shouldn't we head to the others. They're waiting outside the auditorium you know, in the corridors." Xingqiu's arms crossed and nodding while saying.

"Eh!?!" Chongyun stood.

"Mhm. They're worried let's go!" he then grasped and held his hands on his and ran to the door.

The purple-black haired girl with the most stunning red eyes and eyeliner. Chongyun heard Xinyan saying before.

Bang. The door opened dramatically. The figures outside stood. Behind the confident Xingqiu was Chongyun's face in shock.

"He's done now guys!", he said excited.

"Really!?!" Xiangling said. The girls' faces stared at Chongyun and then approaced him to check. Xiangling grabbing Chongyun's face to get a closer one. Moving his face side to side. Hu Tao then patted his back while wearing a proud face. Xinyan started to play another riff in joy.

Chongyun caught in the riff but this time not embarassed but enjoying himself.

"Well. Aren't cha changed. Dats good. We only have limited time after all. Better do some fun to leave no regrets. If ya want to hear my music ya have to wait for da concert. Ya hear me?" Xinyan beamed a proud smile now herself.

" A concert? Can I attend?" Chongyun said with a gasp at start.

"Yup of course! Starts at twelve or in two hours if time changes."

"Time changes?", bewildered Chongyun asked.

"Ya getcha as long as one person wills it. It won't if da majority suddenly don't want it tho."

"So Chongyun has how much time left again?", Xiangling asked.

Hu Tao held Xiangling's hand tighter as if to catch attention. "Nine hours, not counting this one dear." Hu Tao pecked her cheeks when done saying. Xiangling blushed and had her free hand hold her cheek while nodding.

"So you two are?" Chongyun asked glancing at one then the other.

"We're dating.", Hu Tao answered with a cheeky grin. Xiangling was then flushed.

"Which is why I was third wheeling t'ill da both of ya came out.", Xinyan said while strumming a sad beat out of her chords.

Xingqiu giggled and apologized. Chongyun held his hands in front of forehead and bowed.

"I'm sorry.", he said flustered.

Xinyan waved her one hand down. "I'm just fooling ya. Ya needed time, da matter was serious."

"But still..." This time Xingqiu shutted him down. Holding a finger like to be quiet and touching Chongyun's lips. 'Soft....' Xingqiu thought while smiling both at his thought and at the boy in front of him.

Chongyun blushed.

" Well now, now. Aren't time-limited here? As much as you guys all know and hate mentioning. Let's have fun while the heavens still look favorably at us."

Xingqiu internally sighed. 'If you know, why say?' He pursed his lips.

Xiangling looked at her girlfriend sternfully. Hu Tao looked back and shrugged. Xinyan squinted looking at her with 'why did'cha say it den' eyes.

Chongyun smiled a helpless smile. "Well won't we go then?"

"What do you want to do, humble exorcist?"

Chongyun ignored the humble part. He thought for a while, pausing lips pursed, and as if it is a question "sports?"

"Let's go then!", Hu Tao raised her one arm fully while saying.

"Sports?" Xiangling looked at Chongyun while walking alongside Hu Tao, arms hooked.

Hu Tao instead answered looking at her. " His Yang abundance make him do crazy things when his body temperature rises. This means him letting loose when doing exciting and tiring things like sports or things like eating your delicious food."

Chongyun smiled.

"I see...." she put down her one hand that was near her mouth and faced forward.
_________
Chongyun looked left and right. And then stared what was in front of him. Meanwhile, Xingqiu was looking at him. 'He's like a lost puppy, how cute.'

The green court with two squares and large a rectangle divided by a net. Four rackets and a circled web with a ball on top. There's no other way of putting it together. And no other way of denying what he saw.

He felt his heart thumping. His stomach jumping up and down in joy. A smile making it's way to his face.

"No way! A badminton court?", he said feeling jumpy more than ever.

"Yup, it seems so.", Xingqiu replied while Hu Tao was already doing stretches, and Xiangling giggling with adoring eyes looking at her. Xinyan was nodding as if to confirm.

Chongyun had a huge smile on his face, his arms clenched and held in front of him. His eyes twinkling. Xingqiu could see flowers in front of his face as if to accentuate how the boy was feeling.

A spark of curiosity hit Xingqiu. "Do you like badminton?".

"Yes!! My parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins used to play it all the time but I couldn't play in the past due to me fainting after when the momentum is gone. " He said while shaking his bent arms up and down.

"Hehhh. No wonder this court appeared."

"What do you mean?". Chongyun calmed, put his arm down, and looked at him in curiosity.

"You see the stuff that appear in this school are things we want to see most. If we want to play sports, the sport equipment and place of the sport we want to play would appear. Meanwhile, if we per chance didn't like being in a principal's room" Xinyan snorted but then covered it immediately."...or the like it would never appear. We would never stumble into it by chance or even if someone else you are going it wants to go it would only appear for them. It would be a principal's room for them and for you it might be something else when you enter the door. The corridor if you head back would be the same though."

"Oh....so that's how it works."

"Mhm."

"By the ways, Xingqiu...."

"Hmm?"

"Do you, by chance, don't like the principal's room?" Chongyun tilted his head, crossing his one arm and putting his other to have his palm support his face. Puppy eyes appeared. He tried not to smile to appear innocent and somewhat succeeded as a lilt was definitely heard in what he asked.

"Huh!?!" The topaz eyed boy looked at him. He heard the lilt but those puppy eyes.... A tense smile and small blush was found in him.

"Hmmm?"

'Ugh.. I can't. I know he's getting his revenge but those eyes that tell him to give up.'

"Yes... I do."

A clear chuckle came out. Xinyan who was watching laughed with him. Xiangling and Hu Tao whose eyes were only on each other awhile ago looked at them startled and curious.

Xingqiu found himself fluster further. The red on his cheeks a deep cherry red.

"Stop it..... it's not because of the reasons you think."

The popsicle haired boy stared at him.

"Ohhh? So it wasn't because little Xingqiu thought the principal scary?" He said still with puppy eyes, but now with the somewhat innocent look gone with the raised eyebrows and hidden smirk below his palm.

"No! It's uh... personal and serious okay!?! You got that?" he said trying to make it serious but his flustered self it was impossible.

"Mhm."

"Ugh! Whatever you'll regret it once I tell you tje story later. I'm going to stretch.", Xingqiu said while stomping off. Hu Tao rolling in the ground while Xiangling was telling her that she's getting her clothes dirty. Xinyan strumming a failed mission tune. Chongyun looked at him happily in his victory and reason to talk with Xingqiu later.

The group stretched while the pair of lovers were practicing already.

"M'kay I'm going to be the umpire or somethin' this game" Xinyan announced when she saw that the boys were done.

"Let's play only one set. Then another with different teams." Xiangling said.

"Yup yup! I'm teaming with LingLing!"

Xiangling smiled. "May the best couple win!", she said and turned to head to their side of court with Hu Tao as if it were final.

"Wait! Wait, what do you mean?" he asked flustered. Hand reaching out to Xiangling.

A hand bonked Chongyun's head. "It means it's time to go play against them dummy. Now, dear Chongyun let's go!" he shouted as if going to war.

'Dear? Couple?!?' he thought while breathing heavy in and out. 'He didn't deny it!?!'

Suddenly Chongyun found himself at place with the racket on hand. "Mmmm. So dear Chongyun, I suppose you know the game rules already no? Also you know that we must go out right now and have fun since this is probably the last time we'll get to play like this."

"Huh!?! Oh yes."

"Good." Xingqiu grinned. And Chongyun's heart pounded heart.

"Tails!" Hu Tao shouted as Xinyan tossed a coin.

"It landed on tails!" Xinyan shouted and tossed the shuttlecock to Hu Tao.

"Get ready, and prepared to shuttle away in shame once we're done!" Hu Tao shouted.

"You wish!" Xingqiu shouted back.

Chongyun watched as Hu Tao was about to hit. He extended his hand slightly and hit back the shuttlecock. Not really knowing what he's doing as thousands of thoughts run on his head.

But as it was on the other court and almost got Hu Tao to miss it. 'Right. I have to play as if it were my last. I'm.... I'm playing. With friends. And....and. And with Xingqiu! Badminton... my wished for sport."

The adreline and exictement filled him.

He didn't realize it but he was hitting the shuttlecock left and right in the back with Xingqou covering the front. The other flashing each other smiles when one successfully hit back in passing and high five when they hit. Fistpumps sometimes here and there with the other smiling at the other.

It was close...both Hu Tao and Xiangling were pumped. Teeth clenched and smug smiles came from them. Laughing and teasing with the other to the two other lovebirds. They weren't allowing the newfound ¿couple? to beat them. Xingqiu wasn't allowing themselves to lose either as he wants Chongyun to play this sport that he plays without caring what comes after later to be an unforgettable one with a win to boast. Chongyun was making sure to do what Xingqiu said on start of the game to be true.

The points reached to 29 as the two sides weren't relenting.

Chongyun was breathing heavily and his body was red all over due to the intense game and his condition. His body had these signs all over that he was tired and about to faint but he felt energized and raring to go. He felt alive like never before although he's supposed to be dead. He had sharp and determined eyes, and a confident smile to his opponents. It was a look as if saying that he will win.

"Let do this!", Xingqiu said. He, himself had a huge smile in his face, eyes squinted. Obviously enjoying the game.

'And this...this is amazing! Heavenly almost...' Chongyun thought as he saw Xingqiu. He had his eyes squinted and a huge smile, "Yeah!".

Xiangling hitted the shuttlecock. It seemed like she was going for a soft hit for Xingqiu. But she adjusted her grip while aiming for the shuttlecock for a hard hit. Chongyun ran, like he never did before to the place she was aiming for. His feet was light, and legs fast. He jumped, body flying. Aimed and hit back. With the ball landing on Hu Tao's area without her realizing.

'We won....we won!' He turned to Xingqiu. "We won Xingqiu!" He jumped towards Xingqiu. Xingqiu hugged him by his legs and suspended him up in the air. The two looking at one another. Chongyun placed his hands on the boy who made him felt so alive and presses their forwards together. Eyes closed. Etching the moment to their mind while smiling breathlessly. And then Chongyun fainted. The azulean haired boy laughed and adjusted Chongyun in a princess carry.

"Ah... it looks like we have to wait for awhile for the second set." he said while laughing.

Xiangling and Xinyan nodded. Hu Tao has her arms crossed and huffed an alright. Still bitter from the lost. Xiangling side hugged Hu Tao and the group prepared to rest with Xingqiu laying Chongyun on his lap and the bench.

(45 minutes later...)

Xingqiu was glaring. As in hard with a diffucult to tell look in his eyes.

Chongyun was playing right now with Xiangling. They were playing well. That is until Xingqiu started glaring.

How this happened well....

Chongyun woke up. His eyes still blurry from the nap. A soft pillow under his head and another one on his side. Atleast he thought...so he rolled to hug it. When someone suddenly chuckled.

"Ahaha. Not afraid to hug me in public now eh?" Xingqiu said with a smug smile. His hands combing the hair near Chongyun's hair.

"Eh!?!". Chongyun's eyes widened and he blinked, multiple times. He saw the pillow to his side was a pattern that he saw before... on Xingqiu's clothes to be exact. He rolled back to his former position and got up. He felt like fainting again as his body heat rised up.

"Oh! Don't get up so fast. You'll strain your tired body and have your condition act up." Xingqiu said his arm now raised up and his head turned to look at Chongyun. He was about to faint again when Xingqiu caught him in his arms. ' His hands felt cool...Wait!'

"Stop! Don't move. You're body would end up stirred otherhand!" Xingqiu said with a commanding tone and arms gripped strongly.

Chongyun couldn't resist so he did what was said. Xingqiu now held a bottle to his face, while one of his arms was still embracing him. Chongyun took it also to help Xingqiu be more comfortable. His body temperature went back to normal despite the somewhat chaotic thoughts.

"I'm alright now...." Chongyun muttered.

Xingqiu placed Chongyun on a more straight position and let go of his embrace. He placed the water bottle behind him.

He sighed then smiled. "That's good."

Chongyun nodded.

"So do you think you can play that second set?"

"Yeah of course! Thanks to you. Thanks also to you with the others for waiting."

Xingqiu smiled and then stood and waved an arm towards the others in the other bench. "He's good now!"

"That's good. Now who wansta replace me?" Xinyan asked.

"Me!" Xingqiu said.

The three looked at Xingqiu seriously.

"Are you sure? After all...." Xiangling asked.

"After all this is a place where we should do what we want! I want to watch" He then mouthed Chongyun.".....I was never fond of sports as much as martial arts. So let me." Xingqiu said happily waving a hand to fan their worries away.

"Alright then. I gotcha." Xinyan replied.

Xingqiu looked at Chongyun. He seemed to be in a late trance of the moment they had earlier and not realized.

Chongyun seemed to notice the stare and smiled. "Okay... so from what I heard while thinking Xingqiu's the new umpire. Would we form new teams? Or is Xinyan going to be my partner?"

"Sure that sounds fun! Let's change team compositions." Xiangling said. Hu Tao stared and tugged the girl's arm as if she were betrayed. Xiangling winked. And the girl let go and pouted. The bear girl then laughed.

"Let's go then." Xinyan said.

Then that's how they ended the way they were. Chongyun then missed again another hit to him. Xingqiu finally stopped glaring and whisteled. They lost....

Chongyun was about to look at Xiangling and apologize, but the girl already was behind him and patted his back.

"It's alright. I know it was hard with Xingqiu being like that." , Xiangling said.

"Oh...so you realized." he muttered with a shocked look.

"Well it's hard not to. With him creating a huge mass of negative aura around him, and with Hu Tao glancing thank you looks at him and turning at me with a smug smile. Though you may not saw the last part."

"Oh....haha."

"Ugh...lovers am I right?" she said with a sigh.

"Yep. You're right." he replied.

"So you guys are a thing!" she said with a gasp. She clasped her hands together in front of her and stared at him with fire in her eyes.

Chongyun blinked. Realizing what he said.

"Wait! We....are-"

Xingqiu cutted in. "An item!!! So no more playing badminton without me as his partner." Xingqiu smiled and then grabbed Chongyun's hand dragging him.

The popsicle boy stared at him. Confused but blushing.

"What happened?", asked Xinyan.

Xiangling shrugged.

"Lets follow them!", Hu Tao said while running after the two. The two friends looked at each other and nodded. They chased after the three.

Fourth Hour

Xingqiu was dragging him and holding his arm but not tightly.

The boy had wavering eyes, and a red tint spread on his cheeks. His mouth slightly agape, and muttering what seems to be curses. Not directed at Xiangling or anyone, no. But himself.

Chongyun finds himself blinking fast from what he observed. A rush of thoughts flood his head. From the way Xingqiu was friendly at him at the beginning to the way he suddenly cutted in on what their relationship was, when he... well what Chongyun thought he was about to say. Friends.

The realization didn't fluster him, no. It only made him shock. The diziness from his condition worsening. Thoughts flurry around hid head.

One of which was:

Does Xingqiu like him?

In processing his thoughts, he could only say to the boy "Xingqiu...you." In an obviously shocked tone. His eyes widened, and him helplessly letting the boy pull him. In Archons knows where. For he had forgotten everything but the boy.

Xingqiu, in turn, gave no reply or comment. Knowing what this would lead to, not knowing what he was afraid of. His feelings, a rejection, or the fact that this would end. For they were living but dead, without being alive.

When they suddenly stop. The amber eyed boy forced the boy to wear an orange lifeguard. A stand-out from Chongyun's outfit which was blue. He then pushed to boy to the pool, frowning but blushing as he did.

Thankfully the others soon arrived. Hu Tao diving to the pool catching all attention. Even the ice boy's blue orbs which was staring him in shock a while ago. Not sure which of the two, maybe the fact he likes him or the fact that he pushed him in the pool. Or both.

Hu Tao splashed on Chongyun. The boy splashed a wave back. Momentum and excitent still in him. Freedom coursing to his veins which made him possibly lively even if his yang calmed down.

Laughter filled the pool as Xiangling was splashing on Hu Tao. Xinyan splashing them all with waving her arms up and down with no particular pattern. Xingqiu splashing everyone in a huge wave from diving while on a fetal position on the diving pad.

Chongyun laughed. The boy Xingqiu suddenly grabbed his wrist while they were floating on water. Drawing his mouth near his ear. Whisphering in a quiet, wet, and passionate voice coming from his lips. " I liked you for a long time Chongyun, care to share this happiness by liking me back?"

The ice boy flushed. 'Just when I was about to cool down too...well, whatever'. No need to care about his condition, he only had a few hours left.

He pulled his arm which Xingqiu was holding back. And peck a fleeting kiss on his cheeks. The boy flushed, both expecting and not expecting it. Chongyun then got out of the pool, and asked the others to go a on a diving competition. The one who makes the biggest splash becomes the winner, and the one who makes the smallest needs to do what the winners wants, within reason of course.

Expectingly, without Xingqiu being on a functioning mood. He lost. As he felt like so.

As for the winner... it was Chongyun. Much to his surprise. He did weigh heavier than the girls, being taller and all. Though he didn't think of that.

Xingqiu and Chongyun feel anxious on what the winner will ask. Not wanting to be asked why hesitated telling for Xingqiu. The other from the gnaw which was clawing his stomach on how long for awhile means. Chongyun ran out of time though, and it was time for the concert. He can decide and maybe use it later.

Fifth Hour
The venue was lively. More than Chongyun thought. He thought it was going to be just then five, but people of all ages almost wearing the same as Hu Tao came, and great exorcists that Chongyun knows. Along with many others, more similar to their age, and more like their situation. A girl with a purple bonnet and Qi lolita, and another who had a purple nursing hat and pink eyes standing out to Chongyun. A nostalgia hits Chongyun without knowing why.

"Hey ya. Thanks for comin' to my show. Are you guys ready!?!" Xinyan said.

The crowds cheered.

"I'm saying are you guys ready!?!"

The crowd cheers louder.

Xinyan smiled. "Alrighty then. I hear ya. One, two, three."

A riff plays. More passionate and lively than the ones she played for his friend group awhile ago. The crowds were dancing, chanting, and singing along. Chongyun's heart dances along. His breath puffing out, his hand on his chest clenched and the other swaying, his cheeks flushed, and his eyes with dancing excitement."

Xingqiu grabs him, pulling the boy closer to him. Making him look him in the eye.

A glimmer of expectation glimmered from his eye. His lips curled into a smile. "So shall we dance?"

Before Chongyun knew it. His heart leapt and made the rest of his body dance. As expected from the other control center of the body, the heart.

Sixth Hour
A rumble came out of Chongyun's stomach along with Xinyan's, earning Xiangling's laugh. The concert was over and they're just deciding where to go next.

"Alright, alright. That concert was so passionate and lively that the singer and guitarist, and fans must had exhausted themself from truly enjoying it. Let's head to the cafeteria shall we? I'll prepare food while I'm there to give equally lively from the concert and all. No boring cafeteria food here~", Xiangling said her hands raised up, showing her palms with an excited look. Her eyes sparkling and her tongue out with playfulness.

" Ooh~ I get to taste the chef's cooking now!", Chongyun said with him leaning, hands fisted up, and eyes shining. The typical Chongyun look but this time with drool coming out from his mouth.

The group laughs. Agreeing with the reaction and patting their stomach.

"Aw come on. I said it was just a hobby earlier." Xiangling said waving a hand, cheeks blushing.

"It isn't! Your dishes are simply ravishing!~!",Hu Tao exclaimed. Earning a deeper blush.

Xiangling avoiding the topic, ended up asking "so any requests?".

"Yin-yang pot," Chongyun said readily.

Xiangling smiled, "so you two are sharing?"

" Huh?"

" You and Xingqiu. You guys are a thing, and that dish is for couples."

"Oh", Chongyun said with his lips being bitten. Unable to hold it and his blush, he ended up smiling, and proudly saying " yeah, yeah we're a thing. Despite that though, this meal is just for me Xiangling. I want to eat hot and spicy pot, but just to be cautious I need a cool one for my condition. I might end up testing it too much and end up like last time."

This time, after the confession, Xingqiu was the one blushing a lot and being shy.

"Oh! Oh, so now you say it!?! It's official for sure now then. Let's make that hot pot, and a bunch of other spicy stuff I came up with for a feast. Let's celebrate!" Xiangling said excitedly and grabbed Hu Tao to have her as an assistant to make things faster.

"Eh!?", Chongyun and Xingqiu remarked. The two look at each other then Xinyan. Looks like it's their time to run for the couple.

"Xinyan let's run after them!", Xingqiu said running hands held together side by side with Chongyun.

" I'm already on it!"

__________Seventh Hour

When they opened the door, the light was bright. Blinding Chongyun for but a moment.

The cafeteria was filled with laughter and chatter. The scent of fresh food wafting.

It made the excited and shy boy calm down. Seeing all these people made him happy. He could forget every worry, the ones in the front and the back of his head.

Questions like now that they're together and they only have a few hours what now? If what he was feeling was truly love or mere admeration.

Hu Tao was happily hopping around in front of him. Xinyan had gotten headphones from somewhere and was bopping her head and shaking it. Xingqiu was happily staring at the cafeteria.

Feeling his stare, he looked at him and gave a smile. He smiled back almost immediately. Butterflies and warmth filling his stomach.

They sat at a table near the end of the caferia, close to a pillar, and near the counters serving food. He felt his stomach grumbling at the smells of delicious food. Which earn a bunch more of rumbling from others, then ending with all of them in laughter.

'Looks like I'm not the only hungry one.'

It wasn't long before Xiangling came running with server platters filled with food. How she can run with that much weight without the platter falling, Chongyun doesn't know. He just assumes it's because she is a chef as well as a waitor.

Radish and fish stew was served in front of him. It looked simply invigorating to eat. Smoke was coming out, making it being freshly made being obvious. The smell of sweetness and juicyness wafted on his nose.

The others seemed to have been served delicious food too. Xingqiu was served bamboo shoot soup. The stew looking like the milky way. Hu Tao was served crytal shrimp that was glistering all the way to his end. Xinyan was served black perch stew. It's spicyness evident from the chilis that he can smell. Xiangling had jueyen chili chicken, the goldness of the dish shone through

They all seem to be the personal favorites and preference of the consumers. Hu Tao and Xiangling were drooling, and the other two's eyes sparkled. Their friendship evident in this knowledge. Though... how does Xiangling know his?

" Hey Xiangling?"

"Hmm what is it?"

"How do you know my favorite food?"

She bit her lower lip. Shook a bit. If one weren't too curious they wouldn't have noticed but Chongyun did. And his head hurt, voices telling him he should know this.

Xiangling smiled and said " because these were willed in by your will of course. Well the ingredients to say the least, I just guessed the dish. I hope it's to your liking, Inazuman meals aren't my specialty but I did dabble in them a bit. It's cooking after all." She had a hand on her heart on the second sentence, and laughed at the last sentence with joy derived from what could only be passion.

But it isn't the whole truth. A voice whispered to Chongyun. His head hurting more, and he could only have a hand on his forehead grabbing a bit and relaxing.

"Chongyun?", the girl asked with a worried tone.

From what he saw, she and Hu Tao exchanged glances. Xinyan pursed her lips. Hu Tao then looked at Xingqiu with a pleading and encouraging gaze.

Xingqiu dropped the spoon he held. Making his plate clatter.

He stared blankly a bit. He closed his eyes and breathed in and out.

"Chongyun, I only have an hour left after this." He said while looking at his lover's eyes. Rubbing circles on his back. He then pressed acupuncture areas on it. Leaving Chongyun feel better, and worse at the same time.

He then grabbed a spoon from his plate. Grabbing a spoonful of the stew and offering it to his mouth. His eyes bored to Chongyun with a pleading gaze. Asking them to continue this hour atleast just like this.

They ate silently. Hu Tao, Xinyan and Xiangling exchanged whispers.

Both of their plates went empty. He had his fill, and he doesn't hunger anymore. A chaos of butterflies and a searing emptiness was what only filled Chongyun at the moment though. His body numb to everything aside from them two.

Xingqiu smiled at him. Grabbing his hand, and they headed outside the cafeteria. Walking past many hallways. Whether Xingqiu waved goodbye to their friends he doesn't know.

Only he knows that there's more to Hiraeth, and they're coming back now.

"Hey, you.", a loud voice called to him.

The boy looked up to meet a pair of icy eyes. The boy's eyes seem to focus on his notebook and pen. A sweat of nervousness dropped from his back. Don't tell me I'm going to be bullied. I tried my best to be unremarkable. Was I still noticed? I can't keep doing this if I will.

"You, can you not hear me?", the boy asked with a loud voice. It, and the heat makes him dizzy like a fly buzzing in his ear. Tiredness spreading to Xingqiu's body. Nonetheless he must answer, for he may be wrong. It isn't the time to resort to self defence yet.

"Yes, I can hear you." His eyes laid at the ice eyed boy in front of him. Appraising if he can win a fight if they got into one.

The boy looked strong. He may be short like him but his muscles were definitely obvious if you look close enough and long enough. They were well-hidden behind his white jacket with blue accents. Not to mention his palms were callused, as if he was used to wielding weapons. Xingqiu felt amazed.

"Good.", the boy infront of him smiled. Contrary to his icy eyes, it was filled with warmth. His heart skipped a bit.

He remembers this boy now. It was the one seated behind him.

'I see.... this is another chance.' he thought. 'Another chance to wiggle to his heart, and become friends. Maybe something more.'

A cheeky smile met Chongyun's.

" So what do you want?" the boy asked. He looked more confident more, and Chongyun doesn't know where that cheeky smile came from. His heart skipped a bit, and a blush crept to his cheeks. He rubbed his back embarassed.

"Well...actually"

"Hmmm?"

"Would you like to hang out with me."

"Aaaaa...and my friends of course."

"Why so embarassed?", he asked with a lilt of mischievousness in his voice.

"It because you!", he didn't know why but he ended up shouting. Which was quickly stopped with the boy infront of him's one brow raised.

"So why me? And all of a sudden? It's in the ending of the school year too."

"Well...I. No! Me and my friends had been watching you for awhile. You seemed cool, you read and write a lot. Later we discovered you were a writer. Which is cool, you know what you like and later while we were checking the essays. Yours found mine. The essay piece was well written. L-like a writer in fact!"

"Hmmm... but if you, no your friends", he highlighted, "were watching me then didn't you realized you had lots of chances. I had no one but myself around me almost all the time. And the sometimes were with a teacher. I obviously have no friends. So why now?"

'He watches me!". Xingqiu's heart jumped in glee.

"Erm.... I was embarassed. I'm a bit shy and socially awkward you see. My friends, which were the extroverted ones said I should be the one making friends with you since your infront of me. You looked like you didn't want anyone noticing you....I only mustered my courage now because the sunlight hit you and your face-"

"Hmmm?"

'You looked like an angel that particular moment. And my feet just moved to take a closer look to observe and- no don't head there. Worsh--- no! No!'

Chongyun blushed. "W-well my feet just carried me here. I finally gathered courage over the beautiful sunny day mood today."

"Hmmmmm. Is that so?"

The flashback then ends there.

"I knew you. You sat infront of me."

The azulean boy didn't look back. He just kept walking. His hand tightened on his though.

"You did, and I did."

The moment carried itself in silence. Wistfulness and nostalgia filled Chongyun.

'Now....the moonlight hits you instead of sunlight. Even now, you look like an angel. One worthy of worship.'

He tries to grasp both the forgotten memories and this moment. Focusing on both intensely.

The steps of their feet click and clack on the hallway's floors. Then the stairs. They the open an iron door, and it creaked loudly.

_______Eight hour

They arrived at the rooftop. The blues of their hairs and souls were hit by the three moons.

Stopping on their steps. Breathing in and out for air from their tiredness of walking. The breathlesness of their hands held together, and the memories fond yet forgotten being remembered.

"This is my last hour...." Xingqiu stated, trying to believe what he just said.

"It is....." Chongyun muttered.

"And you have four hours left....", he stated. He sighed while messing his bangs and hair. His eyes closed harshly and a frown was found on his face.

"What do you want to do?", he asked looking at Chongyun.

Chongyun looked back. "What do YOU want to do?"

The azulean boy laughed. "Right....right. This is my last hour, not yours."

"....but you do know that I've been here for a while right?"

"No. We never talked about it. I only assumed you've been here a day earlier or a few hours more at most."

"Then my friendship with the rest?"

"I thought it was like mine. Made quickly. Or maybe that you knew the from before. It seemed like so."

"You....you really don't remember do you?", he asked.

"No....I do. Some of them."

" You mean one of them. Based on what you said while heading here."

He was only met by silence. And an apologetic look.

"You know them too you know. Before you moved, they were exchange students on our school. They were your friends more than mine during that time.", he said in a serious tone.

"Really?", he asked flabbergasted at the thought.

"Yes...you guys were close friends. "

Silence again...... Chongyun tried to remember but Xingqiu quickly let go of their still holding hands. He climbed the roof of the entrance to the rooftop. Sitting there. He patted beside him.

Chongyun quickly came. Xingqiu then layed down. Pointed his hand to the direction of the stars.

"The sky here is beautiful isn't it?"

"It is."

"We knew each other."

"To what extent?"

"Just as classmates."

"Then why....?". Chongyun asked in confusion. You feel like hiraeth to me though.

A memory dazzingly flashed. It was spring, the peach blossoms petals were dancing in the air. Their school started early, that's why he can see this miracle in a school day.

The school ceremony just ended. He was seated by the window, assigned at the second row to the end in class.

"Hey."

A soft, elegant boy suddenly sung in his ears. He thought it was just his imagination or brought by the wind. Classes had ended after all, there won't be students staying here. He was waiting for his friends whose classes haven't ended. Better be in a place they can find rather than moving constantly from place to place.

"Hey." The wind sung again. Chongyun closed his eyes embracing the soft afternoon light of the sun, and cool breeze.

A thud and couple knocks hit his desk.

"Dearest classmate, can you not hear me?", the amber eyed boy asked. Now waving a hand infront of Chongyun, testing for reactions.

"Huh-oh uh yes.", he said while bowing apologetically.

"Good. I was wondering if you were ignoring me, or something. It's clear that you were just consumed by your thoughts."

The boy then proceeded to look out at the window. His amber eyes perfectly reflected the view outside.

"It's beautiful isn't it?"

"It is.", Chongyun said. Looking at the boy infront of him, one that looked like someone from a painting. "I could stare at it for eternity."

"Really? I'm one to only be able to enraptured by it for awhile.", he said while laughing. He then turned to look at the other boy, "I guess you li-".

He then noticed him staring at himself. A blush crept to his cheeks. Blending the boy furthermore with the blossoms. '...ke views like these.'

He coughed. "Well I guess you like plum blossoms."

".....I suppose." The boy blinked twice when he just realized what that blush meant, and what he did.

The boy coughed again. "My name is Xingqiu, Xingqiu Feiyun. Nice to meet you." He said while holding a hand out.

"Fangxiangshi, Fangxiangshi Chongyun. Nice to meet you too.", he said while shaking the boy's hand.

A smile crept on both their faces. The wind blowed their hair. The azulean boy looked more enchanting.

"Chongyunnnnnn!", a loud girlish voice yelled.

"Well it looks like your friends are here. Let's get along from now on. See you tomorrow.", he said while opening the door outside and winking at him.

"Your friend is at the classroom.", Chongyun heard him say.

"Oh thank you.", the loud voice said.

When the boy was out of sight. The girl slammed the door open. She slammed his desk with her hands. Curious eyes meeting his, as the own plum blossoms were dancing in hers.

"Who was that!?!", she asked excited.

The memory ends. Leaving Chongyun with more questions than ever

"We introduced ourselves over plum blossoms."

"We did."

"But then...what happens next? Why did I have to approach you another time? And what happened after I did?"

"Your friends came at every moment we could have talked. You were busy with them, so we couldn't pick up on what we had. We tried again for a week but then you had to transfer..... I-", the boy bit his lips. "I wrote letters and sent messages but I guess you were too busy adjusting there to reply. I heard news from Xinyan when her exchange student period ended. You were adjusting well she said, but you needed more time. But.... I got into an accident and I guess you never heard. Since all the exchange student period ended, and my father buried the news......"

"We didn't have enough time.", Chongyun said dumbfounded.

"Yeah.....and I guess even now.", he said his eyes boring into his. He was now pillowing his head with his arm, lying on his side, and knees slightly bent. Chongyun mimicked. They now look like yin and yang, with the way their both positioned. Chongyun as yang, and Xingqiu as ying.

".....the moon is beautfiul isn't it?"

"I would die for you."

His eyes went soft. The softness in his eyes bordered on fond, a hint of something warmer flickering beneath. Whether it was temptation or something else he didn't know. All he knows is that his lips connected to his. The softness took his breath as the amber eyed boy's arms wrap his head in warm embrace. Their legs tangled.

Their hearts opened, and they learned Chongyun's love was bigger. When they were out of breath they gasped, and laugh at themselves. Kiss and embrace one another once more. Until their foreheads found eachother and they laugh once more.

'Ah....so this love. To be in one another's embrace would be enough. They may have limited time but the peach blossoms in their memories said otherwise.'

"We have time now don't we?"

"We do."

"What would you like to talk about?"

"Hmm......how about things about your life?"

"Which part?"

"Um...family, hobbies, likes and dislikes, and problems?"

"Problems?"

"I can take it. I'll comfort you. Just because we're here and free doesn't mean we still don't feel anything about the past."

"Okay. Family is my main source of problems."

He stood up quickly and looked at the sky. Chongyun was startled but soon followed suit.

"I'm a child of the chairman of Feiyun. The second one. I don't want to be anything more than your typical worker but all the work goes to me. The one for the heir."

"But why?"

"My brother.....he's a bit of a simpleton and that's why he can't navigate the company well. The office politics, the sealing of business partnerships, and all of those things. I do them all, and I don't care if I don't get credit but I'm being forced into that work. That or I'll be disowned and dishonored. I won't be able to find a proper job somewhere else, and not to mention it's not like I don't want to help. It's just tiring that's all..... to work all day and never get to play. I have to be formal all the time, and everything gets nitpicked. One of the reasons why I don't have friends outside of our friend group."

"You don't?", Chongyun asked concerned.

"Yep since they're supposed to be the right kind of people for upper society. Or else scandals might happen, they'll not be used to being followed all the time, and that kind of stuff. Thinking about it..... I guess I was lucky that you guys were exchange students, and that you transferred away. Or else you'll have to deal with that and you'll aban-"

"I won't! Stuff like that I don't care. You're my friend always and that sort of stuff you can't control anyway."

"I see that now....", he said while looking at the moon remininscingly. "And I hate the fact that I didn't try to be friends and connect with you more. We could have made so many memories. My father's scolding after it and whatever else he can think of to interfere with 'us'."

"Yeah.... I'm curious by the way."

"Hmmm? On what?"

"Why you hate the principal's office."

"Ah... I did tell you I'll tell you. Well..hm. It's because of my family again. He complains to the teachers about certain questions I got wrong or are too cryptic. I get called when I do for them to apologize with a slightly annoyed look. Then they change the questions, and get the wrongs to be right and the rights to be wrong. If I'm not first by then I'll probably be by then. Then the former firsts and whoever else affected have this blaming eyes.", he said while waving a hand. Trying to make the situation look less serious.

"That's horrible!", Chongyun said flabbergasted. 'How can he just wave off this situation?'

"Yeah, and to make matters worse I also get called to the principal's office often for other reasons. If I saw anything wrong with the test questions, wrong with how the teachers treat me, warnings for my current behaviour according to whatever father told them, etc. Paim in the A.S.S"

"Woah you went informal."

"Yeah. Yeah, I guess I'm enjoying this. Lifts off things in my chest. I can also be my truest self around you, with you being you and this moment." He spread his arms twirling around. His eyes on Chongyun and the sky switching.

And Chongyun can do nothing but be happy. Happy for him. 'No wonder they said that true relationships are more about making the other feel better. It's based on selflesness and honesty. You feel happy when they do.'

"One more complaint. I hate the fact that I couldn't travel freely and be heroic!", he shouted like a complaining annoyed child.

Chongyun giggled. Both at the tone and the fact that he dreams of heroism. "He-ha ha. Heroic?"

"Yeah don't make fun of me. I wanted to beat some guys up or scare them whenever they did something wrong. I usually have to call others to do so instead of me. Earnt a lot of complains, especially when I do so in the middle of the night."

"The middle of the night?", Chongyun asked unbelievingly.

"Yep. I was forced to do some other things like work, and of course obliged to do things like homework in the afternoon. So I have to train my martial arts, write, and go on walks for fresh air in late evening t'ill like three."

"Do you even sleep?"

"Of course I do! I sleep at three, and get up at five or six."

Chongyun found his mouth leave open, and his eyes a judging stare.

"Two to three hours? No wonder you were so unresponsive when I called you on our second proper conversation."

"It's called doing what I love, and living a little when I can. Surely you stay up late too?"

"Only by an hour or two unless if I'm traveling to other countries."

"See you did, I only have one hour and more than you. You traveled?"

"That's different. And yeah with a boy who I found out to be named Aether later."

"You didn't know his name?"

"He used a fake name."

"Suspicious.", he said jokingly in a husky whisper with a tone of a child.

"But seriously, no wonder you died young."

"No wonder also if you're hanging with shady guys like 'Aether'." He said while doing air quotes, and they end up laughing for a while.

"So how about you. Anything you want off your chest?"

"Well you know about my constitution. And I guess I hated the fact I was so strict with myself. If I knew I was going to die young, I should have used that time having fun with you and the rest instead. And, and hmm... I should have hanged with Aunty Shenhe."

"Aunty Shenhe? You have an aunt?"

"No. She's more of a far-off branch clan that has its ancestor older than the main one who ended up inheriting. Passed off the crown."

"Is your aunt hot?" He said with serious eyes and a joking tone.

"What?", Chongyun asked flabbergasted.

"Is she hot?" Xingqiu said with a more serious tone.

"Well yes I suppose so." He said unsure.

Xingqij suddenly formed a circle using his hand around his mouth. "Chongyun finds his aunt to be hot!"

"Hey!"

"Well don't you?" He asked teasingly with an eyebrow up. Chongyun felt annoyed and jealous. He wanted to raise a brow like him. But never knew how to do so, and with the same charm.

"I didn't mean it that way. You know what...."

"Xingqiu is the hottest thing there is! And I find my auntie Shenhe is hot cause she looks like me, that's all!"

It's now Xingqiu's turn to be teased, and blush. Chongyun may not have noticed it but he was now the one raising an eyebrow, and in a charming way too. More than Xingqiu's. 'Perhaps it's because he's rarely like this. It takes you by surprise and adds more charm.', Xingqiu thought while cursing himself for thinking so. He should be the one teasing not the one being teased. It.... it felt better that way, the tiny childish part of himself screaming at him.

Chongyun offered a palm. Asking for a dance.

"Sway with me?". A redder tint found Xingqiu's cheeks. Elegantly complimenting his face with the halo of the moon.

He nodded. Offered and let Chongyun take the lead. His bigger part of himself, the ID, that was curious and had butterflies dancing already in his stomach punched his childish ego.

And they danced t'ill they were tired. Reluctantly collapsing on the floor with sweat tightly clinging to them along the lingering warmth of their formerly hugging bodies. Huffs and small smiles. 'Who thought heaven had ends to it? For our dance, our heaven, had an end.'

They reached each other's hands. Knowing time was nearly out. Feeling the warmth with their perfectly fit hands. Looking up to the constellations which hung up the sky. Nubis Caesor and Fabulae Textile, side to side, shining on them along with the bright moon.

"The moon is beautiful isn't it?", Xingqiu asked.

Chongyun then reached for Xingqiu's face. Caressed his face, and turned it to his. Kisses him with nothing but warmth the boy didn't knew he had. His heart was frozen with diligence in the past after all.

The sweetness ended. Half lidded eyes meeting one another. Chongyun whispered in the most smallest yet passionate voices, "I would die for you."

And the boys both shared a sad and happy smile. 'If only we had more time', they both thought.

Xingqiu then started fading in glass particles. Chongyun continued to hold his hand and face. Xingqiu closed his eyes and held with his free hand the hand that held his face.

Chongyun watched as he faded that way. Saying nothing. Just basking in the shared warmth. T'ill there was nothing to be held in both his hands. And no Xingqiu to be seen.

_________9th hour

Chongyun felt himself tearing up, and felt his stomach be void. The other half of his soul was gone, and he had so much time left. For no reason at all.

He cried, shouted, and his first hit the floor multiples times. Regretting the time they had in middle school that wasn't made the most of.

He then remembered.

Them walking home together, hands held together. They did so as 'friends' but the spark was there.

Buying milktea at the boba shop. Picking up one another and shouting at each other's window outside that they should wake up. Riding a bike, where one was on the other end right behind. Holding the other with an arm their waist for 'safety'. Speaking conversations and mutterances with one another, as the wind told them to ride on and on.

The study groups where it was sometimes only them. Himself dropping a pen, and both reaching at it. Their hands meeting and being both startled at the respective warmth. Eyes meeting to confirm. Shyness and the urge to tease with them both. But also, the hidden urge to kiss each other one another there. Hiding themselves with a book.

Whispers with the other. Pointing out the silly things their friends did, and making fun of them.

Perhaps they had time... but at the same time didn't.

_______10th hour
When the rest were sure that Chongyun was done they entered the rooftop. Startling Chongyun, who was still wiping his tears. Him looking at them embarassed and turned away.

"Chongyun want to remininsce? We go away at the same time as you. Want to make the most of it?"

"How?", the boy asked.

"Talking, and the graduation we never got together."

They went back to what looked like their old classroom. Chongyun getting pats on his back by both Xiangling and Xinyan. Xiangling offering him some tissues, and Xinyan offering the peace of gentle music. Hu Tao happily skipping in front, glancing back concerned but quickly disguising as happy. She was leading the group, and offered nostalgic singing in match to Xinyan's hums. It brought memories.

They arranged one another's chairs and desks into a box shape. Facing one another. With the area of Xingqiu's and Chongyun's in mind.

"So what y'all want to talk about?", Xinyan asked.

"About the graduation please.", Chongyun pleaded with confused eyes.

"Well as you all know, we're all in our second year of third in middle school. We're all pretty diligent at our studies aren't we?", she asked in a lively voice asking for concurrent agreement. Xiangling staring at her with a 'no' look, obviously thinking about Hu Tao's study habits.

Hu Tao ignored the look. And Xinyan and him just nodded. "But we never got our third year and graduation. We worked so hard, so I thought we should get one of them in the least. A graduation makes sense since we'll be on our own paths after the time limit of 2 more hours."

"That makes sense. It would be a good way to wrap up.", Chongyun said.

"We would be like we were once before. It sounds fun!", Xiangling remarked.

"Like before, in the stairs, I agree." Xinyan said with a small smile.

"Great! So Xiangling would prepare snacks, Xinyan you'll manage the audio system in the auditorium room to play our alma mater graduation song. Me and Chongyun would arrange the seats, and everything else."

The group nodded at the suggestion. A divide in preparation according to what they do best.

"Oooh~ before that I want to talk though."

"Me too", Chongyun said.

"Let's talk about the time we formed a band in the past.", Xinyan said.

"Yeah! Yeah! Do you remember that time when similar to what we're about to do in the school foundation day, Xingqiu was sneaking off some snacks prepared to sell. Chongyun told him to not, and they got into a funny squabble.", Xiangling said.

"Then! Then! Xinyan turned up the audio system too loudly when she tested.", Hu Tao hyped continued.

"Then he spilled his punch on me and the floor. He slipped and ended up on top of me...", Chongyun embarassed continued.

"I then teased the da both of ya. Saying lovebirds save that for later."

They all boomed to laughter, and Chongyun laughed alongs once he finished rubbing his neck in embarassment.

"Hu Tao then got bored and threw some punch on me, and we all ended up on a food fight.", Xiangling said in an accusing and amused tone.

"We then had to delay the concert after. And our club funds just drained instead of growing.", Xinyan said.

They all laughed again at their ridiculousness. They continued liked that t'ill Xingqiu was brought up again.

"Oooooh~ Wait Chongyun wanna know when Xingqiu started to fall for you hard?", Hu Tao asked.

"What?", he asked not expecting that to come up.

"Well if you wanna know he told us about it. When we were hanginf out in a sleepover, he told us when you were off to the restroom.", Xinyan said.

"He even was worried that you'll hear cause you might not be in the restroom for some reason. But he was excited to tell", Xiangling remarked.

"Oh.", Chongyun said realizing. Curious, he asked excitingly. "Yeah sure tell me, I'm curious." Excited cat ears appearing on his head. Hu Tao laughed at what she imagined.

"Right. He fell for you hard when you guys were at the convenience store. You offered him a popsicle stick."

"A stick?"

"Yeah I was curious about it too. Like a stick? Not a popsicle? Are you sure about your wording or are you crazy. But then he said that you offered him a popsicle stick that had the promotary lucky reward of daily icecream. He himself, was outraged, t'ill he read the words in the popsicle stick.", Hu Tao said.

"Come to think of it why didn't you keep it yourself? Wouldn't you use that more.", Xiangling asked.

"Well.... I go to the convenience store everyday for icecream as you know. My fridge at home is too small to stockpile them. I thought that if he had a reason to go everyday there, we would see each other everyday there.", Chongyun answered.

"Woooooo! No wonder he implied something that we didn't understand, but that scenario never entered my mind. You guys too right?", Hu Tao practically whinnied.

"Yep that's a we.", said Xiangling.

"Never knew ya were a sly boy Chongyun.", said Xinyan.

"Yeah!", the other two shouted.

He blushed. He tried to change the topic t'ill something crossed his mind.

"Harder though? When did he fall in love?"

"First sight!", they all remarked.

"Woah, as in the first day of class?", Chongyun asked.

"Yeah, he told us. The blossoms and everything."

"So it's love in first sight for both of ya!", Xinyan remarked.

His blush went darker. He also came to the realization that there really were no more memories aside from what suddenly flashed to him in the past hour. He felt relieved that he was only that much of an idiot, and didn't forget Xingqiu any more.

"I'm curious when did you guys fell in love?", Chongyun asked.

"Come to think of it.... we never talked about this before no?", Xiangling asked.

"No... we only gushed about our crushes in sleepovers and talked about them. But never what started that."

"Uwoah.", remarked Hu Tao. She then looked at Xiangling seriously. "Time to declare my love for you the dear again." Picking up Xiangling's hand when she said and kissed it.

"Oh you.", Xiangling playfully punched her. Which earnt a laugh at the two who looked at the couple.

"Well, *cough* time to talk about when I fell in love with the clumsy and kind girl Xiangling. As you know we two met before school. You clumsily bumped to my grandfather who had a box of food with your little box of food. You apologized and quickly picked up your and his both. Then kindly gave me a fruit of your own when you saw how I stared hard at it and my grandfather said no we can't buy it."

"Woah you fell in love with me at that?"

"Yes my dear. From that point on I knew you were my fated one."

'But I only hope that I'm not the only one. Not after this.' Xiangling quickly thought to herself.

"So how about you?"

"During the hardest time of my life. When my mother left this world. You comforted me."

"Oh? So not the time when you gave me the fruit?"

"Why you thought I fell at the same time. No, it takes more than that for me unfortunately. But I did find you cute.... Those little red orbs staring at your grandfather's cutely."

"Oh...". A rare tint of pink found Hu Tao's cheeks.

"How romantic~ and reliable~", Xinyan remarked.

"Oof. Come on. How about Xinyan? You and Yunjin, when?"

"When she sung alone at the bench in school. Light music club just ended but I wanted to practice more so I headed at a quiet unvisited space. There were blossoms falling down. I saw and listened to her. She looked like a scene in a movie. She had this little smile on her when she saw me. She then asked if I could play a tune for her and maybe sing with her", Xinyan said hands cutely clawing at her bangs trying to elongate it to cover her face.

"Woahhh. So when did she?"

"I don't know. But as you know we met at the first day ceremony. I gave her a tie, and that prompted a happy acquaintance."

The stories continued pouring on. This time in love and admirance of their lovers.

_______11th to 12th hour
Hu Tao and him were now sweeping the floors, and soon enough they were setting up the chairs and podium. Xinyan was still testing the audio system, and was choosing songs in addition while doing so. Songs with merely tunes like Lover's Oath, and Guizhong's lullaby to songs with singing like Starfell and Moon Halo.

Chongyun can't help but sing along with Hu Tao.

" My heart was getting colder by the day, but still nonetheless I met you."

" An unloved flower; a sealed dream."

Then finally their two graduation songs popped up. Nightglow and Find It Difficult To Tear Apart.

"For a chance, at least to live in your way! Love of you is my most cherished thing. So stay alive, bravely!"

"Side by side and depend on each other to stay in the heart. Accompany me all the way to the horizon.

They finished setting up when Jade Parcels along with many other food wafted their noses. Xinyan was also now heading towards them, seemingly done with testing and curating their graduation playlist.

"Xiangling my love! Did you bring crystal shrimp?"

"Yep! I knew you wanted some.", Xiangling said while handing a plate over.

"Yayyyyy!". Hu Tao then proceeded to jump up and down in joy.

"Didn't you already eat that in lunch this day?", Chongyun asked, confused. Tilting his head.

"Good food can never be dull even after eating it multiple times a day, everyday.", she exclaimed loudly.

"Not to mention, it's Hu Tao.", added Xiangling and Xinyan coyly. The three laughed. Hu Tao pouted, waved her dish around, and continued eating. Prompting hungry reactions from everyone else.

"Food~", Xiangling grouched.

"Since we're all here any songs you want to play before trashing this place?", Xinyan asked.

"Ten Hilichurl song!", Hu Tao said.

"Aside from that.", Xinyan replied. She looked at Chongyun, and Xiangling.

"No recommendations from me.", Xiangling said. Raising her two hands, and shrugging.

"Tiny light, by Akari Kito and Fabulae Nubis maybe.", said Chongyun. Remembering the times Xingqiu and him sung Tiny Light together in the karaoke and composing Fabulae Nubis.

"Ten Hilichurl song!", Hu Tao exclaimed loudly while she shook Xinyan.

"Alright, fine. Ten hilichurl song and Tiny Light will be added.", said Xinyan, apprehensive of the first recommendation.

"Wohoo. I knew you were the best Xinyan. Now let's dance like crazy, or eat. Whichever you prefer to do first. As for me..... I'm doing both!", Hu Tao said. She proceeded to take a bite of her crystal shrimp, and then went to the empty space in the auditorium and danced. Xiangling hurried after her, and Hu Tao offered her a bite she happily accepted. They danced together.

Xinyan ate at the snack area along with Chongyun.

"So Tiny Light and Fabulae Textile eh? Why the choice."

"Mm, well Tiny Light was a song we often sang in the karaoke."

"Oh why?"

Glasses that reflected the past danced in front of Chongyun's ice, and he tells of the reflection in it.

It was a warm sunny day, and him and Xingqiu just walked to the karaoke booth hand in hand. The corridor to their rented room was a bit tight. That one of them had to follow the other, and it was him who did. Xingqiu's hands tightened as if he would let go for such a simple reason. He won't, he would follow Xingqiu hands held together. His hands were warm.

They arrived at the front of their booth. Xingqiu opened the door, and went to immediately get the book for the karaoke songs and the menu. He handed the menu to Chongyun, and their other two hands met causing the ice boy to unusually have shivers. The soft cushion met them as they say side to side.

Soft knocks were made infront of their door, and he simply asked them to go in.

"Would you like to order now sir?"

"Yes please, I would like one of your ice pops, and ice candy. Mint for the ice pop and grapes for the candy."

"Anything else sir?"

He turned to look at Xingqiu. The boy slowly lifted his head up from the book with a laxy smile. Hazel orbs gleaming interestedly at him and then the menu.

He let go of his hand which caused Chongyun to breathe sharpl but then the other boy scooched to his side closer. He peeked at the menu with their faces close enough that their breath entwined. As if they were dueting already.

He then looked at him in the eyes, closer this time, again. Amusement was in his eyes.

He turned to the female waiter. "I'd like what he has, but the ice candy would be blueberry. Pop's tea, small sized. And..... sugar toast!"

"Dear sir, the sugar toast is giga sized."

"Sounds fine~ I'm not the only one who's going to eat it after all." Xingqiu turned to him, only to be met by pouting eyes which earned him a chuckle.

"Alright. Two mint popsicles, blueberry and grape ice candy, small sized pop's tea, and sugar toast."

"Correct. That would be all, thank you.", he said with a seated bow. The girl blushed but then turned to me, shook her head, quickly bowed, and rushed off.

It was clear she was jealous. Funnily enough because they were just friends. Though there were sparks of something more. Is this what they say friends first, and lovers second? Mixed signals sent electricity to both of them although neither liked elcectricity before. They do now if it meant them being together but not really.

They turned to face each other more. Xingqiu swung the other boy's arm. They laughed st what they saw at eac other's idea.

They positioned themselves for proper throwing. Chongyun lost the two first rounds. Earning eyebrow wiggles from his dear 'friend'.

"What song do you want to sing?"

The boy was pulling song names from his memory of the night before. He wanted to show off his music taste without it being to unwelcomed from him out of it all. He was left blank t'ill the memory of an anime they watched surfaced.

"Tiny light then."

"Tiny light? The one from the supernatural romance one?"

"Yes."

The boy clapped as if they discovered something amazing. "I was thinking of it too." His face getting closer to Chongyun's, his long lashes being seen.

Putting the mic in between them while turning the karaoke machine on. He started singing, and Chongyun soon did too. Their eyes met and focused on each other as they already know the lyrics. They parted and danced around a bit. Chongyun stopped at some point when their ice candy and others arrived. He continued singing though. He and Xingqiu tried singing Heart Attack with all its high notes as their finished. Their voice was raw though from all the singing, and they just ended up squeeking and laughing instead. Xingqiu squeeking on purpose all the way home.

The parted lips when feeding the other the sugsr toast. The focus on it when their singing also. The new chubby cheeks of Xingqiu from abandoning manners and stuffing the toast inside his mouth. Pictures they took of the incident and Xingqiu jumping up and down to reach it from the popsicle boy's raised arm.

The funny song choice of Xingqiu which was filled with emo bands, and cursed songs. That made him choosing songs easier. Perhaps Xingqu knew where his conflict came when it came his turn to sing.

Then the composing. How they formed a band, and it was just them two. They were sitted on the floor in front of the notebook lockers. Sunlight hitting their faces , and the wind caressing it in opposite. They had their heads leaned together, and shared an earbud. Music mixed with their loud beating hearts which was opposite movement from their relaxed bodies.

"I see ya. How wonderful."

"Want to dance Xinyan?"

"Sure."

They kept appropriate distance while dancing together. It was a passionate dance which ran with the overbundant yang energy.

When they all ate it was finally time. Though mysteriously there was another chair. They all had one already but why?

"Who ...", he muttered.

"Xingqiu, he's still with us after all. Don't you want to graduate together?", asked Hu Tao, who leant forward with her body looking at his face as they stood side to side.

"I do!"

A smile crept on Hu Tao's face, and she then nodded in approval.

"Well then, I suppose I'll go first.", she said. The twin tailed girl stepped up on the podium.

She coughed once and twice. Scanned their faces and smiled while talking. "Hu Tao, she is. Here is your diploma lovely girl." She waved the diploma she made for herself with him awhile ago.

"As you all now this is my graduation. I would have another one later as I won't be joining, but to me this is my real middle school graduation. As it is with friends, and all our glory. I was happy, you guys made me happy, we hanged out so much. They were all real, and made days so bright for me. This will all shine like gold in memories like what teacher Zhongli said during our school entrance ceremony. We would reflect with it in hope and memory. I'll bring your guys memory with me as the one who will continue living in this life we all met. Thank you for everything!", she said while bowing. Tears coming out of her eyes.

"Xiangling your dipploma is next! Come up!", she said while gasping in continuous tears. Her girlfriend was already on stage and near the podium before she said though. Knowing it would be likely the plum blossom eyed girl would cry. She approached her and wiped the tears, kissing the forehead, and then she pulled Hu Tao in a tight hug. The girls hugged back. When Hu Tao stopped crying and smiled with strength like the lesson she was taugh in her sucession training did they let go.

Xiangling smiled to her. Then scanned theor faces and Xingqiu's chair.

"Hello, nice to meet you! My name is Xiangling, I'm a chef from Liyue! My favorite place is the kitchen not chicken. I got it right this time." They laughed at the comment. She pursed her lips and continued, "I love hanging out with you guyf too, it made school, school. I love Hu Tao, my one and only love in my life. I love the fact that me and Xinyan have the same food tastes. I love that Xingqiu who always made me have a taste tester through Chongyun. I love that Chongyun though aghast at what I fed him, gave honest feedback. More of all, I love you guys! And I love Hu Tao! See you again till our final journey in the ground. Thank you!". She then bowed....it was slow but ashes out and the smell of food folled the room. Hu Tao was there, still had her smile but it no longer reached her eyes completely as it had loneliness now. Crumbled a bit, she continued though. In wobbly steps to reach the podium's mike though, and a small frown.

"Xinyan. Come on up! It's your time to shinw graduate."

Xinyan came, reached the podium with her guitar. Grabbed the diploma and raised it.

"Xinyan here. I came to graduate. I thank you all, and since I can't express well in words so I'll play a tune instead."

She started strumming her guitar. It was a solemn yet happy tune. The automatic camera snapped a shot of her playing.

Bang! Chongyun jumped from his seat. The door of the auditorium opened. There came a girl wearing a qi lolita dress with chinese opera vibes. She ran to Xinyan. Muttering a sorry that she was late.

Xinyan was shocked, but hugged her.

"Welcome home."

"I'm home."

She turned to the mic.

"Yun Jin of the Han opera troupe. I was searching for Xinyan all this time, and when my time was running out did I stumble to this place. Heard her voice. Like her I'm graduating. Fated to be, we will be together!", she said in a singsong honeyed happy voice. She clung to Xinyan neck, and they both slowly disappeared in a flurry of sounds. Hu Tao was shocked but clapped at the finale.

Hu Tao turned to the mic. Chongyun and her eyes met. He walked to her as she said " Chongyun and Xingqiu. Drummer and pianist of the Péngyǒu band! Come up graduates."

"We were all right to be friends but had no proper time left. But fate has crossed the stars for us to meet again. Xingqiu would probably say its star-crossed my liege to throw us all of, but I say nothing else ever felt right. We were the best of friends, and I thank for that. We made so many good memories." He turned to Hu Tao, "Thank you." He turned back and said in loudest, and proudest voice ever "thank you all. We were the best of friends. May we meet again!"

He felt himself being lighter and lighter. Hu Tao stood and watched her hands clasped together. "In peace may you leave this shore, in love may you find the next, safe passage on your travels, until your final journey to the ground, may we meet again." She then found herself collapsing on the sage. Tears running from her eyes. She said goodbye with a smile like what was taught to her. She hoped that her friends got safely to wherever they meant to head by the heaven's writing.