Work Text:
The subway was unusually empty.
Within this car he was in, there was only him and five or six more people, all sitting with a big gap between them, either using their phones or asleep. The day had dipped into the evening of the first Friday of the month. Usually, if not most likely, people were filling the subway to go out to the bars or café.
Not him, though.
Childe was on his way to his first class of the new term.
And out of all the time available, it just had to be started on Friday night.
Just my luck…
Most of his friends were not attending the class, either because they did not take it as it was a supplementary class, or because they had yet to return from their vacation. Take Thoma for example–he took the chance to visit his homeland in Mondstadt. Kaveh went on an ‘inspiration pilgrimage’ around the desert of Sumeru, not that he was studying the same subject, but yeah, the sight of ancient construct might be able to help the aspiring architect to get himself back on track. Kaeya still lazed around in his (family) villa in the countryside of Mondstadt and would return together with Thoma on the weekend.
Sometimes Childe envied them. Not that he had no money or time to return to Snezhnaya, but he thought it would be better for him to use the time applying as an intern at some good company. The three months of no class were filled with him interning at one of the biggest multinational companies in the technology industry.
To say it was a good opportunity was not wrong, but sometimes he felt like he was a permanent employee running on minimum wage during his time there. He did not even get the chance to take a break and had to handle a project out of his capacity as an intern.
But well, thanks to that, his future career was secured.
One other thing he regretted was the fact that he was unable to date anyone. Dating app was not his thing; he preferred to go somewhere, meet someone new, and talk. But how could he meet someone new when all his three months were wasted in public transport and office that was practically filled with 80% male? Not that gender mattered to him, but it was hard to find someone cute who would not talk about work during his break and gave him unsolicited life advice like they had lived 50 years earlier than him just because he was still a student.
At least the farewell party was nice.
He could only sigh at the memory of the party thrown by the head of the team, celebrating his last day as an intern and welcoming him as a new colleague albeit one year too early.
One year. If he wanted to be in a relationship with someone before work assaulted him, then he might as well start to look for the cute person right away.
And it just happened to be one here, a girl with short blonde hair sitting on the edge of the seat across him. He could be wrong, but she looked cute at first glance.
Trying would not hurt, right?
Childe pulled out his phone from the pocket of his jacket, running some settings before smiling to himself. Did he just airdropped a meme to her? Yes, he did.
The girl glanced around, most probably wondering who sent her such a thing before returning to her phone. His expectation was low, but to his surprise, she accepted it.
Childe was right.
She’s really cute.
Her smile and little chuckles prompted him to drop more memes and funny cat videos in the hope of seeing another one of those. What he did not expect was that she dropped him an image with a writing on it saying, “You’re funny.”
Childe snickered behind his mask, then sent her a reply, “Thanks, I’m Childe.”
He was about to send another picture when the subway made a smooth brake. The blonde girl rose from her seat with her tote bag on her shoulders, ready to get off the train when their eyes met. Her expression did not change, or at least she did not give away anything with her pink lips no longer curved a smile. Childe followed her.
The platform was a lot busier than the subway itself, and before he lost her, Childe approached her.
“Hi, I’m Childe,” he introduced himself smoothly, pulling down his mask, “the one airdropping those memes. Are you free now?”
The girl blinked, surprised, but offered him a small smile. “I’ve got an evening class, sorry.”
Then she started walking to the tap-out location. After seeing her up close, Childe thought that she must be somewhere around his age, younger maybe, but that baby face of hers could fool. Not giving up, Childe walked with her but kept the appropriate distance.
“Oh? Actually me, too.”
She glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. “What a coincidence.”
“You don’t believe me,” he laughed. “Well, I was kind of planning to ditch my class. It’s a boring one. The lecturer is on maternity leave so it’ll be a good time to skip.”
“Is there no temporary lecturer?”
“There is, though I bet it won’t get any less boring with a change of lecturer.”
The girl nodded as they tapped out of the station. Childe fumbled with his wallet and reminded himself to change his payment method to the one connected to his phone later. To his surprise, she was waiting for him instead of simply walking away since she did not accept his offer. Only when he reached her side then she start walking again.
“An evening class on Friday night is annoying, I guess,” she said as they exited the station. The sun had completely disappeared, leaving the night dark with scattered stars and yellow street lights illuminating the street. From her side, Childe thought that her side profile was pretty. “Studying instead of partying with friends, getting assignments and all.”
Blue eyes lit up. “Right? So? Still up for the offer?”
“Nope, sorry.”
“Okay,” Childe nodded, shoving a hand into the pocket. “I guess I’ll just go attend my class, then.”
She threw him a smile. “Good. Which school?”
“Teyvat University. You?”
“What a coincidence.”
Childe laughed. “They said the third time’s the charm. Which faculty?”
The girl looked at him carefully before answering. “Economy.”
“What a coincidence,” he said after a beat.
This time, she laughed. “Anyway, you go first, Childe. I have to go get something first on the way.”
“I can wait.”
“It’s fine. It might take some time.”
Childe shrugged. “See you in class, then.”
They parted ways, and it just struck him that he forgot to ask her name after he arrived in his class. The room was packed, given how it was almost time for the class to start, save for some seats in the two front rows. Blue eyes scanned the seats and found none of his friends were attending the class, as he had expected. He took his seat on the second row reluctantly, telling himself not to sleep as the lecturer would be able to spot him easily.
Ten minutes passed with him glancing at the door each time it was opened and sighing when none of the people coming in was the girl he met a while ago.
Maybe she lied to get rid of him.
A heavy sigh escaped his lips and Childe thought how stupid he was for believing her then slumped to the table. This class would be a lot more boring now that he had nothing to expect.
“Hi, evening, everyone. Sorry, I’m late.”
Someone greeted loudly for the class, silencing the room effectively, though there were low murmurs here and there. It must be the new lecturer.
Childe sighed again before pushing himself up to sit properly, only to gape as his eyes found the girl that he met earlier standing behind a desk with a laptop open and a paper cup in hand. She set it down next to her laptop before continuing.
“Professor Ningguang is on maternity leave, and I’m tasked to fill her in for the next four months of this new term,” she said as her bright eyes scanned the whole room before stopping on him. The girl smiled.
“My name is Lumine Viatrix. It’s nice to meet you.”