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The shop was nestled in an alley off a busy street. The cobbled stone road crumbled the deeper one went, the light disappearing from above as the buildings closed in around. It went by unnoticed by many, the black awning over the window casting shadows over the flowerbed, darkening the cream petals. Some mused that the store only appeared to those in search of it—even if it was unknowingly.
Xiao crumpled the paper in his palm, balling his hand into a fist, his lips pulled into a thin frown. He’d been down this alley many times before yet never had seen this shop. He wanted to believe Hu Tao was playing a prank when she wrote the address down for him. The girl was his partner, yet Xiao barely gave her the time of day to prove herself worthy. He preferred to work alone.
If he wasn’t at his wit's end he wouldn’t be standing outside the door, his finger hovering over the golden knob. Chasing a legend for a lead made his cheeks warm with embarrassment. Surely, the other detectives at the precinct would laugh when the news eventually graced their ears.
But there’d been too many victims and his reputation as one of the top detectives was on the line. He took a deep breath before twisting the knob and entering the shop.
Oddities and curiosities were what the shop claimed to sell. A bell chimed as Xiao stepped inside, greeted by a musty smell of a long-forgotten past. The shelves were scattered with trinkets ranging from small jars filled with different herbs and leaves to large statues of humanoid creatures to rocks of varying sizes and colours. The low glow of candles allowed shadows to follow Xiao as he made his way to the counter.
A man stood with his back facing Xiao. His dark hair was cut short except for two longer pieces around his face that were dyed blue and braided. He was humming to himself, lost in his own world as he organized small vials filled with a glowing blue liquid on the shelves in front of him.
Xiao cleared his throat.
The man turned, his bright green eyes meeting Xiao’s. The heat rushing to his face was immediate, forcing Xiao to look away. Why was the most beautiful person he’d ever laid eyes on working in a shop like this?
Rosy, round cheeks. Plush, soft lips, and long dark lashes. It was as if he'd been sculpted by the gods. A painter would fall in love with an instant, declaring him their eternal muse. Even the brush strokes of the greatest artist alive could never capture all of this man’s beauty.
“Hello, is there something I can help you with?” the man asked Xiao. He tilted his head curiously as he looked Xiao up and down. “You’re not here for our physical items are you.”
Xiao sucked in a breath, composing himself before he pulled out a small notebook from his jacket pocket. “Correct. I heard this shop also deals with…regrets.”
The man smiled. “We sure do! Is there a regret you’d like to sell?”
When Hu Tao first told him about a shop where a person could sell their regrets and memories, Xiao laughed in her face. It sounded like magic. Magic didn’t exist. Xiao believed in cold hard facts. It’s how he solved cases. The truth would reveal itself. Magic never had any evidence pointing to its existence.
His stomach twisted. He had a feeling that was about to change.
“I was wondering about someone else’s,” Xiao began, still somewhat surprised by how nonchalant the merchant was. He truly was expecting a prank. Was Hu Tao hiding in the back? “I’m leading the investigation on the Windborne Murders. I was hoping you had some information that could help.”
This case had shaken Xiao to the core. More than six deaths. No suspects. The perpetrator simply vanishes into the night after the victim was killed. All victims were female, young barely into adulthood. That was their only commonality. Their social status ranged from rich to poor. Hair colour, eye colour, and body shape are all different. There’d been nothing to work with. At least, until this most recent victim.
There’d been anger in the kill. This one had meaning compared to the others. It was personal. A mistake.
“Information, eh? That’ll cost you.”
“I understand,” Xiao replied, reaching into his pocket to pull out a pouch of mora.
A hand reached out pushing down on the pouch. The man was shaking his head as his smile grew. He was now leaning over the counter, his face too close for Xiao’s comfort. He smelt like cinnamon and apples.
“Not that kind of payment,” the man said. His hand reached up, tucking a loose strand of Xiao’s hair behind his ear. Xiao felt his face flush once again. “Maybe something else…”
“My body,” Xiao said immediately. The request was odd, but he was willing to do whatever it took to get this information.
“No.”
“No?”
The man leaned back, sitting on the counter. “I have a business where I collect people’s deepest, darkest regrets. If I went around telling anyone who came by what I know I’d risk my good standing reputation! I need something of equal value if I’m going to play this game.”
“I have my badge with me to prove my identity.”
The man waved his hand in a lazy dismissal. “No need, Mr. Detective Xiao. Your handsome face graces the front of the paper at least once a month with whichever case you have just solved.”
Handsome? Xiao had heard that term used about him before yet he’d always let the words dance through his ears, never believing them. This time, his stomach fluttered, his skin tingling with warmth. It was similar to the feeling whenever his superior, Zhongli, praised him for a good job.
“What I want from you is really quite simple.”
“It is?”
“I want your deepest regret.”
Xiao’s eyes widened in shock. His deepest regret? That’s all it took? His eyebrows furrowed as he contemplated. He was still missing too much information to come to a conclusion. “Before I agree to anything I have questions.”
“Ask away!”
The most important question first. “What name may I address you as?”
“Ooh? Are you interested?”
“I would like to be able to address you. You are familiar with my name, it’s only right if I know yours in return.”
The man laughed, his voice light and melodious. “You’re so proper! You can call me Venti.”
“Alright, Venti.” The name rolled off his tongue effortlessly as they had always been acquainted. “I would like to guarantee you have information before we make a deal.”
Venti hummed for a moment. “You’re looking for something specific, aren’t you? A man of science like yourself wouldn’t be here otherwise. Lots of people come here to rid themselves of their regrets. I’m going to need something to work with.”
Xiao didn’t respond. He wasn’t willing to give confidential information over to someone who believed in magic. He would disclose the bare minimum. “The most recent victim I believe was different from the others. She wasn’t meant to die.”
He remembered the body. Pulling back on the cloth that had been placed over her to give her some privacy even in death, the sight Xiao laid his eyes on was stomach churning. The signature wind symbol was on the victim’s chest tying her to the others yet that was where the similarities ended. Her death had been horrific. The method used was personal. Bruises from strong hands and blood, were all Xiao could remember.
The scene itself was a mess. There’d been a fight, the victim fought back. Unfortunately, the outcome was not what she desired. The other crime scenes were spotless. No signs of entry into the homes, and not a single item was out of place. Something had gone horribly wrong for the killer.
What pushed Xiao towards regret instead of anger was the single rose placed in the victim’s hair. It had been placed intentionally, the vase from which the bouquet was held smashed on the floor.
“Give me a moment,” Venti said, hopping off the counter. He turned his back, fingers dancing over the vials until he grabbed one with a slight red hue and pulled it off the shelf. Uncapping the lid he took a quick sniff.
“Found you,” he whispered.
Venti turned around with a wide smile. “The victim’s name was Lumine.”
Xiao gasped. News of the latest murder had been stalled to give them more time to investigate before the public would start asking questions. Lumine’s name was barely uttered even at the precinct.
“Lucky guess,” Xiao mumbled. It could have been a coincidence.
“She died in the drawing room of her home.”
Xiao ground his teeth. One more. Three correct answers and it wouldn’t be a coincidence.
Venti understood his stare. “Blonde hair, gold eyes, short, loved to travel.”
Damn, it. How did he know? Were there really regrets in those vials? Could he see the memories that they contained?
“Seems like we have a winner!” Venti said cheerfully. He wiggled the vial in front of Xiao teasingly. “One regret that might just help you solve the case in exchange for your biggest regret.”
He still had questions. Something like this shouldn’t be possible. Xiao bit his bottom lip, worrying it between his teeth. What even was his biggest regret? The feeling of cold hands gripping him, his face wet with tears, flashed across his eyes. Was it okay to part with something so deeply ingrained in his soul?
“It doesn’t hurt, if that’s what you’re wondering,” Venti added quickly. “In fact, parting with your regrets usually makes you feel lighter, less burdened by your actions!”
“Aren’t regrets part of what makes us who we are?” Xiao mused.
Venti shrugged. “Sure, but many people are bogged down by their past. Why should they suffer just so they can claim to be authentic? Even without their guilt harbouring in their soul, they are still themselves. Maybe even more so than before now that they don’t have all that negativity weighing them down!”
Could that be true? No. He was being swept up in the fantasy of it all. He had to remain practical. If this was to get the information he needed he would continue to play along. Clearly, Venti had some knowledge about the case and Xiao was desperate for it.
“You can have it,” he said, clenching his fist. If it meant saving people, he would give it up.
Venti’s eyes lit up, his smile bringing out a pair of dimples. He clapped his hands together. “Wonderful! It’s a deal!”
Before Xiao had time to react, Venti was leaning across the counter, pulling Xiao towards him as their lips met. Xiao flinched, surprised by the kiss. Venti grinned against his lips, bringing a hand up to cover Xiao’s eyes.
“Relax, it’ll be okay.”
The scent of cinnamon and apples whirled around Xiao. His shoulders relaxed as he leaned into the kiss. For a moment his thoughts filled with Venti. The soft strands of hair slid between his fingertips to the small gasps that escaped his mouth.
But it was gone much too quickly. The hand over his eyes disappeared as Venti’s lips broke away from his, leaving Xiao desperate for more. His need would be postponed as his eyes snapped open at the sound of a door creaking open.
The shop had vanished. In its place were brick walls and high windows allowing moonlight to stream in. Workbenches lined the floor, and equipment was scattered around. They somehow moved from the shop to a warehouse.
Xiao’s body instantly froze. This specific warehouse had been the home of many of his nightmares. He’d grown so accustomed to it he could point out the places where bricks that made up the walls had been laid improperly.
Besides his dreams, he’d only stepped foot in this warehouse once.
Out of the corner of his eye, someone moves. Xiao grabbed Venti’s wrist, pulling them behind a large pole.
To his surprise, Xiao watched as he and a tall man with slicked-back purple hair entered the warehouse. His stomach dropped with the knowledge of fate.
“So this whole place is a cover-up for illegal smuggling?” the taller man asked.
“Yes. It runs as a normal factory during the day then after the workers go home for the night, it turns into a smuggling operation,” the other Xiao said disinterested in the conversation. He was closely looking over the tables and workbenches, looking for clues.
“But it’s night and nobody is here,” the other man whispered.
“It doesn’t operate all the time, which is why we’re here tonight.”
If only Xiao had done a little more research. If only they had been a little more cautious.
“Who is that?” Venti asked, leaning in close to Xiao. “The tall gentleman who is with you?”
“Bosacius,” Xiao replied, his voice soft. “He was my partner.”
Venti and Xiao watched as the pair scoured the floor. It was odd to watch himself. Xiao noticed the way he moved across the floor, almost as if he were gliding. His footsteps were light and inaudible—especially compared to Bosacius.
The two had been working together for around five years by then. Bosacius was physically stronger than Xiao, but Xiao was smarter and quicker. They covered the areas where the other was weaker. Together, they were unstoppable.
“You’re in sync with one another completely,” Venti observed.
Xiao swallowed back his disagreement. If they had been in sync, maybe Xiao would still have Bosacius as his partner.
The pair ended up huddled together at one of the far workbenches. Xiao had found a stack of hidden papers detailing shipping schedules for the illegal goods. It was enough evidence to obtain a warrant for a full search of the warehouse. They could even pin a few arrests if they played their cards right.
Xiao knew what was about to occur. He turned his head away from Bosacius, focusing on Venti. “I had been secretly tailing someone for a few weeks, learning his schedule to be able to sneak in when the building was empty. But, I had miscalculated.”
A loud bang echoed through the room. In his peripheral vision, Xiao saw the other him and Bosacius dive for cover. He didn’t need to look at the door to know five men had just entered.
The noises continued, shouting commenced until the sound of bullets started ringing in Xiao’s ears.
He closed his eyes, waiting for those fateful words to shout out:
“Go! I’ll hold them off!”
More noise, more shouting. Then, three more bullets shot until the night once again became silent.
“It’s my fault he died,” Xiao said, his voice quiet. “He sacrificed himself to allow me time to escape. I should have stayed behind. I could have saved him.”
If he had been more careful, would he have caught the shipment that was scheduled to arrive that night forcing them to change days of the infiltration? What if they had been quicker at finding evidence? There were so many scenarios Xiao had thought of over the years. So many ways to save Bosacius.
It was his deepest regret.
Xiao opened his eyes. He was back in the shop. Venti stood next to him, his lips pulled into a thin line. In his hand was a new vial with a teal liquid inside.
Instinctively, Xiao went to blink back his emotions only to find…nothing. What once was a hollow pit of regret and despair had been filled. The pain dulled, the tears dry. His chest felt lighter, a weight lifted. Was this the power of shedding one’s regrets?
Venti left his side, moving to place Xiao’s vial on the shelf behind the counter. He pulled out the other vial, handing it to Xiao. “A deal is a deal. All you have to do is open the lid and sniff it.”
Xiao raised a brow curiously. At this point, he complied. His mind was fried with the new knowledge of magic. It was something he must look into once this case was over.
He removed the lid, setting it on the counter carefully. Slowly, he brought the vial up to his nose, hesitating only for a moment. He closed his eyes tight and allowed the scent of the vial to drift into his nose.
Lumine’s house spread out before him. The woman in question sat across from him on a white plush couch with wood trimming, her eyes closed as she sipped on her tea. Her blonde hair was loose, falling gently above her shoulders.
Xiao looked down, noticing the hands attached to his body were not his own. Was he in the body of the killer?
“It’s been so long since I’ve last seen you,” Lumine said, her eyes focused on the cup. “What have you been up to?”
Xiao’s mouth moved on its own. “Nothing much, just picking up a few new hobbies here and there.” He grinned, his chest swelling with pride. Lumine had no clue about his new hobbies.
Lumine frowned. She placed the teacup delicately on the saucer in front of her. “I won’t beat around the bush and humour you with small talk. I’ve been hearing rumours about you. Nasty rumours. Rumours that make my chest ache. Please tell me I am overreacting.”
“Now Lumi, I need to know what these rumours are before I can set your heart at ease.”
Lumine’s eyes were focusing everywhere, but Xiao’s face. She was nervous. Her hands, now laced together in her lap, trembled. “They started out small, you frequenting parts of town you normally wouldn’t. Then they broadened, talking about a change in attitude, a dark glint in your eyes. Your acquaintances as of late are also questionable. There’s that doctor, who people whisper has done terrible deeds.”
Xiao only shrugged, making Lumine’s frown deepen. “I worry about you, you know! We only have each other left. Who else is supposed to look after you, if not me?”
These two were close. This was something Xiao could look into! This was a lead!
“I can look after myself.”
“Can you?” Xiao was silent. Lumine still neglected to look at him. “I was out for a walk the other night. Sometimes the cool air helps me to clear my mind. But as I was walking I heard a muffled scream. It came from the house I was currently in front of. Curiosity got the better of me, I crept up to the window only to witness something terrible. A murder.”
Xiao’s body went still. “It was night, so it was dark at the time, Lumine. I’m sure you worked yourself up and created a false scenario in your head.”
Lumine shook her head. “No. I am positive about what I saw. Though, every day I wish it was a delusion.”
Xiao’s heart was in his throat. He leaned forward, eyes locked on Lumine. “What did you see?”
“You,” she whispered.
Something inside of him snapped, his hands reached out toward Lumine. She screamed.
Xiao shut his eyes, not wanting to see what came next.
Venti was bored. It’d been a few weeks since Xiao walked through the door and into Venti’s life. A day which had changed Venti forever.
After Xiao had returned from reliving the murder’s regret, he’d left the shop immediately with a haste thank you and an even hastier goodbye. It seemed like he found what he’d been looking for. He’d left Venti standing alone behind the counter, wondering if they would ever cross paths again.
Regrets were something Venti had always found interesting. Human nature was full of mistakes. It was thrilling to watch them fail over and over again in different ways. They never learned, destined to repeat the simplest of mistakes.
The way Xiao interacted with his regrets was intoxicating. He held onto his guilt like it was a precious gift handed to him with the promise that he’d cherish it forever. Every step he took, every breath that entered his lungs was filled with his sins. He would carry his burden until it consumed him. Yet, he did not seem to mind. Instead, continuing to move forward, saving lives and making the world a better place.
He was interesting. Venti wanted to see more into his past. What other horrors haunted him? What did he lock away from not only the world, but himself?
The door chimed, bringing Venti’s attention away from his thoughts and toward the customer. His face lit up at the instant recognition.
Short and handsome with messy teal hair pulled back into a low ponytail that stuck out like bristles in a broom. Gold eyes that could see through even the smallest of lies lined with red making them pop. Long dark woven coat where his hands were stuffed into the large pockets.
Venti’s heart quickened as he leaned over the counter. “Long time no see! I was beginning to think you would never come back! Congratulations on another case solved!”
It was all over the papers. The Windborne Murderer had been caught. Xiao was given the full credit of the arrest. He’d been able to tie Lumine’s murder to her brother, Aether, who’d accidentally killed her when an argument broke out between the siblings. The article had continued on about Aether’s motives, but Venti’s attention had dulled by then with the dwindling mentions of Xiao.
“It is all thanks to you,” Xiao replied. His eyes flickered around the store, nervously. “I wouldn’t have been able to solve it without our deal.”
Venti smiled. “You know, I’m willing to keep our deal around if you ever need more help.”
He’d come up with the plan after Xiao had shortly left that first day. He needed a reason for Xiao to stop by. If Venti had information for him, Xiao would frequent the shop.
“That would be helpful,” Xiao mused, thinking carefully. He frowned, a thought occurred to him.
“What happens if I run out of regrets?” he asked.
Venti grinned. “Then how about a date instead?”