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The Grand Bazaar was bustling as always. Merchants selling their product, children running about the streets, screaming and jumping, with women dancing and laughing together.
It was all very lively, and The Wanderer had grown used to the vibrancy, albeit feeling disconnected from it.
After all, he had worked here for some time. Back when he'd forgotten his memories of his past life, of everything he'd...
"Koniro? Are you listening? Hey, Koniro?"
He quickly blinked, his gaze reverting back to the individual next to him. Their expression was one of confusion, waving a gentle hand to try and get the puppets attention.
"I spaced out for a bit. Sorry about that." He said quickly, sighing before resuming his walk.
They looked at him oddly before shrugging, seemingly accepting his response as the two strolled past the giant doors, the sunset casting a soft glow around Sumeru City.
"That's okay. I'm just happy you agreed to come with me. I really enjoy your company, after all..."
Their words were said with a hint of sweetness, as if they were trying to tease him, albeit nervously.
His cheeks heated up and he quickly averted his gaze, recalling the last few months.
Koniro had never imagined himself as really having...friends. They weren't something he felt he needed, especially since his track record for keeping them wasn't exactly the best...
So, imagine his surprise when during one of the cooking classes Nahida persistently insisted he partake in (in an attempt to get hin to socialize more, his cooking was surprisingly enjoyable already), there you are. So vibrant, so full of life, smiling at him as you point to the stool next to his own.
"Is this seat taken?"
During the coming days, he had found this new presence...a tad bothersome, but not entirely unwanted. You messed up your recipes, a lot, actually- but the look of pride on your face whenever you pulled your disastrous-looking creation out of the oven always made him feel something he couldn't describe, and he couldn't stop the second-hand happiness bringing a smile to him, too.
After this cycle repeated a few times, he was met with a grinning face and a plate of...well, he wasn't sure WHAT you were holding, but it sort of resembled the recipe for honey pudding you were all given that day.
"Hey...I noticed your dishes always seem to come out flawlessly, but I never see you eat them. As far as I've noticed, most of the time you give the food away..." You pointed, eyeing the food on his plate.
Expecting to be met with the usual prying, invasive questions, he rolled his eyes.
"Listen, I don't-"
"If you're not gonna eat it, mind if I take it back home with me? Your cooking looks to die for, and I can always appreciate leftovers!"
He looked you up and down, more confused then he'd like to admit. If you wanted the food, why not just ask for it? You didn't have to suck up to him.
"Sure. Doesn't make a difference to me." He began cleaning up his station, preparing to depart for the night.
"I was planning on grabbing some groceries after this. Trying to practice cooking at home, and all. Since you seem to really know your way around the kitchen, mind coming with me..?"
He immediately stopped what he was doing and raised an eyebrow, glancing over at the swaying form in front of him.
They had a small smile on their face, fiddling with the strap of their bag. There was no sign of a smug sort of trickery, and the request was innocent enough.
Still, he hesitated.
"And what if I say no..?"
They frowned, tilting their head and shrugging.
"Well, then...I'd be disappointed. I really was hoping we could become friends."
Koniro was silenced, just staring in disbelief. What reason did they have for this? Maybe they needed his cooking skills? But for what? How would having his leftovers benefit them in the long run? This didn't make any sense, he-
"I'll just take that as a no, then..." You mumbled awkwardly, grabbing your bag and heading towards the door. "See you next t-"
"Wait!"
You turned around, raising an eyebrow.
"Hm?"
"I'm coming with you."
...Bewildered, they smiled anyway, holding the door open.
"Well then, let's get a move on."
After that, the two had been...weirdly inseparable.
Koniro didn't understand.
Nothing they did was beneficial. They'd buy fruit, fish together, and various other errands. Sometimes, they didn't even do anything productive. They'd simply drink tea, or sit by the docks, with his new "friend" rambling about some light novel or gossip, anything and everything.
Eventually, he began taking part in the discussions too. Koniro noticed that they seemed to perk up when he spoke, grinning at him and even poking fun at what he said, making him scoff and roll his eyes.
...He liked that.
Your conversations with him had gotten more and more involved, with him finally starting to give his opinions and responses unprompted. The two of you argued, but never seriously. It'd always end the same way, with you rolling your eyes and scoffing, trying to hide a smile, while he stuck out his tongue.
Childish, indeed.
It made him feel warm.
That brought you back to today, the two of you walking into the dusk-lit city. You found a nearby bench tucked under a tree, feeling a bit more separated from the rest of the world. You sat down with a small, happy huff, patting the seat next to you.
"Come, sit." You demanded playfully.
"Not if you talk to me like a dog. How about you ask me again?" Koniro sneered impishly, crossing his arms and smirking.
You scoffed, crossing your arms right back at him.
"Oh, Great Lord Koniro, won't you please accompany me on this bench? I don't know what I'd possibly do with myself if you didn't!"
"I suppose I could..." He breathed out, elegantly sitting himself next to you on the bench.
You giggled, staring into his indigo eyes.
Koniro stared right back into yours, his lips naturally forming a smile.
He really enjoyed these evenings. With them, he felt....not quite carefree, but, something akin to it. Almost as if he could forget his past, if only for a little.
"Sooooo, pretty boy, you got any plans for tonight?" They asked him, tilting their head with a grin.
"Pretty boy...?" He questioned, furrowing his eyebrows.
They let out a snort, leaning back in the seat.
"Well, yeah. Got a problem with it?"
"You are so asinine..."
They giggled at his words, and Koniro could feel his chest tightening at the sound.
They finally turned to him, expression so soft that he thought he might melt then and there.
"Hey..."
Just their tone made him grip at the hem of his shorts, looking at them through the corner of his eyes.
"I was wondering...we've been spending all this time together. I've really, really enjoyed myself. I love having you around. So I was thinking..."
...
Koniro had long stopped paying attention. Their words bounced around in his head.
'We've been spending all this time together.'
'I've really enjoyed myself.'
'I love having you around.'
He'd never heard these words before. So sincere, so genuine sounding...
....
But he was no fool.
He shut his eyes, the bench quietly creaking as his legs shook.
He felt so blind.
They wanted him around? Really? Him of all people?
He didn't know how he hadn't realized it before. Maybe it was because you hadn't indicated wanting anything before. But it all made sense now.
Why else would someone like you hang around him? He had always been nothing but trouble. Everyone else in the cooking classes had seemed to pick up on it, even without knowing a thing of his past. Everyone steered clear of him, and he could practically hear the muttering about how creepy he was, how he was always alone, and 'probably for good reason, too'. He didn't need to hear anyone actually say it, he knew they were all at least thinking it.
He should've seen the signs before. There was no way you weren't just buttering him up.
You had waited weeks until now, so by time you asked him, he was already...
His eyes burned. The creaking of the bench was getting louder, and he felt like his ears were going to pop.
"...niro."
"What?!" He snapped, head quickly turning to glare daggers at them.
Their look of concern quickly shifted into uncertainty, a frown painting their normally lovely features.
"Koniro, are you okay? I've been calling you for the past minute or so. You could've just said no, you know? I'm starting to get worried..."
He glared a moment more before taking a deep breath. He sat up straight, looking up at the birds in the sky, flying away from the city.
He will not be played for a fool.
"Ha...it's funny..."
His tone immediately made them tense up. It was full of venom, almost mocking.
"What is...?" They asked, voice soft with worry. Koniro felt a twinge of...well, whatever.
"Listen...No more games, okay? Just tell me what it is you really want from me, and no more lies about cooking or shopping or any of that ridiculousness. It'll save both of us time, y'know? So just spit it out already."
At first, when he heard no reply, he just assumed you were stunned by him eventually catching on.
How laughable.
Smirking, he turned to them with harsh eyes.
"You can hardly be surprised. Now, why don't you pick your jaw up off the floor and tell me what you really want? I'd really like if you could get to the point, I don't particularly care for all this 'emotional' nonsense you're presenting to me. Quit it and tell me. Now."
His face immediately fell when he saw fat tears dripping down your cheeks. A look of utter heartbreak had overtaken you, your nose scrunched up and your lip shaking.
"Koniro, I..." Your voice trembled, seeping with hurt. "I just wanted to be vulernable with you, we..."
You're interrupted by a low growl.
Koniro, glowering at you, quickly stands up. You're speechless as he clenches his fists, looking at you as if you were nothing more than a pile of trash.
"Tch....You're a monster."
With that, he grabbed the brim of his hat and pulled it over his face, walking away.
Funnily enough...his hands were still shaking.
....
Koniro very quickly fled the scene, mind racing. His feet led him to one of the many forests of Sumeru, but he didn't mind. In fact, he'd prefer to be away from any type of human right now.
What a fool he was.
It was like he was a kid again, trembling and alone.
Except this time, he'd learned his lesson.
He stopped walking once he'd wandered into a clearing, putting his hands on his hips to recollect his thoughts...
He couldn't believe he'd forgotten.
This world was nothing but give and take, and he's known that for quite some time.
He scowled and tightened his grip on himself, emitting another low growl.
What an imbecile he was...
And there you were. Trying to act oh so innocent.
'I know what you are', he told himself.
'You're just toying with me. Giving me all this affection. All this faux-love... Eventually you'll want something in return, I know you will...'
You...
He pictured you, sweet and giggling, teasing him without a care in the world.
And you thought he wouldn't notice?
...Although...
Even if you had been just manipulating him...
The affection was pleasant.
Very pleasant.
...And it was only natural you'd want something in return. That's what all human relationships are based on, after all.
It's just how the world works.
You wanted to play him for a fool? That was fine by him.
He smirked to himself, letting his hands fall to his side.
You'd get your fool. And he'd get you, your affection.
In fact, he liked the idea...
It was time to head back.
You sat on the docks of Sumeru City, watching the boats sail out.
What happened with Koniro was...confusing, to say the least. And somewhat hurtful.
You just...didn't understand.
You continue staring out, eyes shifting to the clouds. Right as you were about to begin identifying shapes with them, you heard a familiar voice.
"Hey, there. I'm sorry for running off like that earlier, I guess you could say I just needed a minute to think..."
They hurriedly stood up, surprised and very happy to see their favorite puppet. They took a few steps forward, rubbing their arm.
"Hi, Koniro...about earlier, I-"
"Don't worry yourself about it." He interrupted, smiling softly. "That was a mistake on my part. I understand this now, I promise..."
They returned the soft smile, a heavy weight lifting from their shoulders.
Thank the archons...
"I'm really glad we're on the same page, Koniro..." They returned the sweet smile, clasping their fingers together.
Koniro let out a breath, staring straight into their eyes.
"I am, too. Since...well, we'll just say I believe what you said earlier. What do you say about getting dinner with me tomorrow? My treat."
Their eyes widened in surprise, but it quickly turned into a giddy grin.
"In that case, I'd say pick me up at sunset!"
They quickly ran up to him, placing a quick peck on his porcelain skin before running off, waving at him happily as they disappeared into the city streets.
Koniro watched you run off with warm, flushed cheeks, hands gently caressing where your lips touched him.
You were excellent at this little game of yours...
He couldn't wait to see what the future had in store.