Chapter Text
It was already late in the year when the new school year started. Some were excited about it, feeling a certain hunger for the knowledge they could attain there. Others whined and almost wished for the holidays to return and never end again. Both amongst students and teachers, there were mixed feelings in regards to picking up their routines again.
Zhongli was no different. For the History professor, returning to his usual schedule was pleasant. He had already been teaching for several years in the same high school, the same subject, but never failed to be fascinated each time about the topics that he taught his students - from the war that occurred ages ago, to the actual ever-changing times, even getting into discussions in class about the influence some events had had in their lives.
"Heeey Mr. Zhongli!"
A voice shouted from behind him. It was none other than Lumine's faithful companion and friend: Paimon. They were approaching him, just having arrived at the facility. These two girls were always together, and even shared the same classes. Zhongli had found himself growing fond of them, seeing Lumine and Paimon as if they were almost part of his family by now. He returned the greeting politely.
"Miss Lumine, Miss Paimon, I am glad to see that you are both well and returning to your studies"
"Well, it's because we HAVE to, I'd wish holidays were a little longer!" the smaller one whined "I already had SO much to study last year, this year is going to be even worse!"
"Come on, Paimon, don't be exaggerated" Lumine retorted, a small laugh escaping her lips. This conversation was not unusual for neither of them. The two girls were already in their third year, and the three of them had shared almost the same conversation last time they returned back to classes.
"Well I think it's just not fair, we get so little leisure time and I'm always worrying about what classes to sign up for and everything. It gets tiring! I still don't even know my schedule"
"We have the same schedule, we got the same classes, remember?" Replied Lumine
While chit-chatting, the three of them walked into the main building. Sooner than later and after a short 'see you later' they parted their ways. The girls went straight to class 3-A while Zhongli started the day by paying a quick visit to his department. After getting the material needed for the introductory class - just a pen drive with a short power point and some maps - the man made his way towards the first of the classes he had to speak to that day: Class 3-B.
Some of the students already met him from previous subjects: History of Teyvat was a starting point for most of the students there, and some of them took up History of Liyue or History of Mondstadt in later years. He recognized several faces already: Aether, Lumine's brother, was an excellent student who became quite popular due to his grades. The two siblings had always been separated by what seemed fate itself from sharing the same classes. He was sitting next to one of his friends, Xiangling, a quite hyperactive girl who seemed to have taken this class purely to spend time with her friends instead of actually working.
The introductory class was, in the professor's opinion, the most boring they would have in the lesson. It was always so tedious as he was not able to talk profoundly about the events they were going to study during the term, but could only mention them slightly and then start talking about the ways the students would be graded: the projects, the homework, the exams. All of those matters that just seemed unimportant to him. Zhongli just wished his students would find as much passion in the History of the world as he did.
That had been his first class. After that it was 1-A turn, an even more introductory class as they were first-years and probably the first time signing up for the subject of History of Teyvat unless they didn't pass last year - which was a rare occurrence. Later on, it was time to return to the students from third year: class 3-A with History of Liyue once again.
Upon arrival, he realised that the previous professor had not stopped talking yet. He was hogging up his students and didn't seem to have taken notice of the time. It was just a minor inconvenience, but Zhongli could not help but to stare from outside the door at this man.
Who was he?
The History teacher prided himself in something - He knew every person in the staff. From Venti, the laid-back Music teacher who almost looked like a student himself and who had actually been one of his old classmates during high school and university, to the strict Ningguang who never seemed to miss an important date in the calendar. He knew of Beidou, one of the Physical Exercise teachers and of the rumoured affair she had with Ningguang, and he knew of Ganyu, the secretary who often fell asleep when she was alone.
He knew everybody - except for him.
This man was standing up in front of the teacher's desk, his hands resting on it. He was talking with a slight smile at the students about what seemed to be his experience during high school. He had green hair partly stylised in a bun, while most of it was just below in an elegant braid. His yellow eyes were hidden behind a pair of neat glasses with some small, dangling blue decorations. He looked quite lean, although his frame was hidden behind a loose button-up shirt with a cardigan resting on top.
Zhongli was sure he had not seen this man in his life, was he a new teacher? It had to be it, right? It was just then that his golden eyes caught a glimpse of that yellow and the stranger finally seemed to realise what was going on.
"Oh my, I'm sorry, I had not noticed time was up. Thank you so much for pointing it out, Miss Paimon"
His voice was soft and delicate, a bit airy even. Zhongli looked at Paimon and she waved back. The class was then dismissed, and the stranger approached Zhongli
"Pardon me, Mister Zhongli. I am known for losing my sense of time when I start talking. I believe we have not talked before, have we?" He asked.
Why did this man even know his name to start with?
"You needn't apologise. I understand that sometimes it's easy to lose track of time" Zhongli reasurred him "May I ask what your name is?"
"He's professor Baizhu!" Once again, Paimon barged in the conversation, only to get distracted shortly after by her friends.
"Yes, that is true" Baizhu laughed slightly "I am Baizhu, the Biology teacher. It's nice to meet you in person"
Zhongli's brain connected several pieces of information. He knew this man from before, they had just not talked up until that point. Baizhu had been a teacher for two years already - but their time schedules never allowed them to talk and he had only, if barely, seen him when they had to evaluate the students' grades and progress. He felt slightly embarrassed, how could he had not noticed before?
"It is my most pleasure to meet you, Mister Baizhu" He finally spoke "I am professor Zhongli, I teach the numerous History subjects we have. I apologise if I seemed a bit puzzled before, I could not remember your name" He decided to admit.
"Do not worry, I understand. We have never talked directly, yes? I am of poor health and take several days off due to sickness, so it is only natural that we have not usually met during the school year."
Baizhu had no problem admitting it. He was sure that, even if he had not said it, the students would later on help Zhongli fill in the blanks of why they had not met before. It was not usual for two teachers who almost always taught the same students to have never interacted outside of formal meetings, after all.
Baizhu then thanked Zhongli for his patience and left the room all to his workmate. He did not want to take up much of the time he had left. Sure, these days were merely introductions to the subjects, but he already knew many teachers ran on tight schedules to explain everything the students had to fullfill during the school year. A brief 'good bye' later, Zhongli was left by himself with the teenagers.
The usual happened them - bored faces made by bored people who had yet again to sit and learn how they would be graded, the same as each year, except that the teacher seemed to be a bit distracted due to the previous interaction with his workmate. His explanation was a bit rushed due to having lost some time after the conversation with the other teacher, but he still was able to explain the most important things that the students would have to bear in mind. The ring of the bell was what dismissed the class finally, and he let out a short sigh at the sound.
"Hey, Mister Zhongli, are you alright?"
Of course, the attentive Lumine was always there to ask if he seemed a bit weirder than usual.
"Yes, worry not, Miss Lumine. I was just a bit surprised before. I was not able to recognise Baizhu at first sight"
"Really? That's...quite unusual" even she seemed surprised "Well, it is true that he is absent for quite some time each year. Maybe your schedules are different, that's all."
"I suppose you're right. It just worried me for a bit. Thank you"
That was the end of the day. After gathering his stuff, he walked out of the door and drove back home. That had been a weird encounter, but he felt relieved. Baizhu seemed like a nice man, and part of Zhongli wanted to maybe meet him again sometime soon to talk about the students and the classes, maybe even getting to know him a bit better was a good idea.
After all, Zhongli liked History, and the history of the people that surrounded him and with whom he worked is what he found most interesting of all.