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***
Paimon floated towards Lumine and sat on her shoulder.
"Paimon was wondering...where did you go yesterday? You seem very tired to Paimon." the little fairy inquired.
Lumine giggled slightly, lifting her hands off her lap to caress Paimon's small head affectionately.
"Where did I go? Well, I didn't actually venture anywhere important...you don't have to worry. I am complely fine." She smiled and flicked Paimon's forehead gently.
"Hey! That hurt..." The little fairy let out a yelp, wiggling her head away.
Despite what she said, Paimon knew something was wrong with Lumine.
While she might have appeared to be relaxed, Paimon noted her sporadic trembling.
Perhaps something heavily weighted on her mind. Even so, Lumine refrained from bringing it up herself, so Paimon could do nothing but watch silently and wait for her friend to open up and talk about whatever it was troubling her...
(Maybe Rude Tattoo might help...)
***
With Zhongli's departure to prepare for tomorrow's Rite of Descension, Hu Tao hastily gathered up her thoughts.
To think that all this time, Zhongli was the God overseeing Liyue affairs…
How exciting!
This was a new opportunity for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!
The place would truly shine in history!
After she finished checking documents of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, she walked along without haste towards her room where her friends currently resided.
As a precautionary measure, the funeral parlor had an established second floor and was therefore secluded. Additionally, all necessary activities took place underground and they hardly experienced the light of day.
Unlike the average business parlor and guild house that flooded every corner with foreign customers, locals tended to avoid this place completely.
"Heya! Everyone! How did you like my amazing room~?"
Hu Tao barged into the room without awaiting their reply, eyeing them all briefly before facing Yomite in particular.
"It's pretty average for someone who leads a business." Yomite replied naturally, noticing Zhongli wasn't with her.
(Did he already leave? Shame, I still wanted to ask a few questions. Oh well, he works here so I'll have plenty of time for that.)
"Let me correct you~! Someone who 'led' a business~!" She waved her hand subtly as though wanting to imply something.
Yomite knitted his eyebrows slightly in response. He stared at her blankly.
"Did something happen? Why do you speak in the past tense?" His head tilted questioningly to one side.
"There is nothing specific to talk about in particular." Hu Tao sighed lightly as she sat down on his lap affectionately and hugged him around the neck.
The atmosphere around her became warm and lively, but something was wrong.
Seemingly unsatisfied by her answer, he let out a troubled sigh, "Something's worrying you, anyone can tell."
Smiling softly to himself, he wrapped his hands around her body and squeezed gently in return, leaving her with an overflowing feeling. She couldn't hold back her sweet words of apology...
"Silly! Don't worry. Everything's fine. I've just decided on an important step for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!" Her expression warmed instantly, like a flower blossom that was released from its reserve.
"From now on, I'll be fully in your care! Without any responsibilities from the Parlor! I'm done!" An excited expression grew across her features as she smiled happily.
Those sparkling eyes shone even brighter, and yet her real thoughts might have been concealed tightly within the grinning veil.
(Did she abandon the position of the Director just to be with me... Is she really alright with that...? She must be sad... In that case...)
His tight hold around her sides grew tighter for a moment until he opened his mouth carefully.
"...So that means you're quite free now, huh. When do you plan on becoming my wife?" he lowered his lips onto her forehead with a gentle kiss, smiling lightly while holding her hands with both of his own.
...
..
.
"...Huh?"
It took a few seconds for her to register his words, then she gasped again, "W-What did you just say!?"
She knew exactly what he meant...
But it came so out of nowhere, and he said it in such a cool tone that made it seem he was completely serious about the matter...
Hearing him say those words caused the trembling within her chest to escalate further than ever before.
She blushed heavily at the sudden question, but that statement had exactly the desired effect on her.
It struck her heart and made her forget about the matter of leaving the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor altogether.
She immediately rose from his lap while backing away sheepishly. The blush went deeper with her sudden change in demeanor.
"Wh-What are you saying all of a sudden!? Ar-Are you crazy!? Y-Y-You don't have to prank me like this!" Was all she could manage to spew out before turning her face away, hoping the others weren't watching even though she knew they were.
That hope indeed proved futile for Hu Tao, as Fischl immediately rose up from her seat.
"B-Before that happens, this Prinzessin shall get another date! Our m-marriage...shall come...afterwards...hehe..." She uttered with a giggle, imitating Hu Tao's expression perfectly.
Now there were two embarrassed girls in the room...
In contrast, Barbara glided between them and walked towards Yomite in a hurry.
Blushing bright crimson, she slowly turned to meet his stare. She lowered her gaze in shame as his bright golde eyes pierced straight through her, quite dumbfounded.
"In that case I...I want my promised date as well!" Barbara blurted out without even realizing that it was a secret between them alone.
"You promised me!"
They had agreed on a date during the time where she was close to dying, and she took that promise more than seriously.
Her heart was beating frantically within her chest.
