Varesa woke up first.
She turned her head to the side.
Bai You is still asleep.
Her face was half buried in the pillow, with a thin layer of red on the exposed cheek.
Her breathing was very light.
Varesa didn't move.
She propped her cheek on her hand and looked at Bai You for a while.
Then she reached out and very gently tucked a strand of Bai You's hair that had fallen across her face behind her ear.
When my fingertips touched her ear, Bai You seemed to react slightly.
But he still didn't wake up.
She just shrank deeper into the pillow, as if she'd been tickled by that touch.
Varesa smiled.
"Let's get a glass of water first."
She propped herself up, moving very slowly.
When she lifted the blanket, she glanced down— Bai You's shoulder was exposed, with a faint mark on it.
Varesa pulled the blanket back up for her.
When she returned with the water, Bai You had just woken up.
"... Awake?" Varesa placed the water glass on the bedside table and sat back down on the edge of the bed.
Bai You slowly turned her head to look at her.
I looked at it for two seconds.
Then she turned her face back and buried it in the pillow again.
"Don't look at me," he said in a muffled voice.
Varesa paused for a moment.
Then she laughed out loud.
Why?
"... Just don't look." Bai You's ears turned red.
Varesa didn't listen to her.
She leaned closer, resting her hands on the edge of the pillow, and brought her face close to Bai You's.
" Little Bai You."
"What are you doing?"
"Look up."
"No."
"Look up."
The Bai You remained still.
Varesa just stared at her for two seconds, then reached out and very gently pinched her chin.
It was just a gentle lift.
Bai You was forced to turn around.
Her eyes were watery, her cheeks were flushed, and her lips were a little swollen.
Varesa looked at her.
I looked at it for a long time.
"... You yesterday..." Her voice was very low, so low that only the two of them could hear it.
Bai You's eyes closed abruptly.
Varesa --!!"
She tried to break free.
But she had no strength at all. She moved slightly, and her arms went limp; she didn't even have the strength to push Varesa's shoulder.
Varesa laughed so hard her shoulders were shaking.
She stopped teasing her.
She straightened up and held the water glass to Bai You's lips.
"Have some water."
Bai You kept her eyes closed and didn't open her mouth.
" Little Bai You."
"I won't drink it."
"Your voice is hoarse."
Varesa said, "It hurts even more if I don't drink it."
Bai You's eyelashes trembled.
She slowly opened her eyes.
There was something in his Kamisato... a mixture of shame and anger, yet also a sense of helplessness.
Varesa just stood there, holding her water glass, watching her with a smile.
Bai You glared at her for three seconds.
Then I drank the water as she suggested.
He drank very slowly.
After finishing her drink, she leaned back on the pillow, closed her eyes briefly, and realized she had used up all her energy just from drinking that little bit of water.
"What time is it?"
"It's getting late," Varesa said, putting the water glass back. "Where did you go today?"
"I didn't intend to move anyway," Bai You's voice was soft and slightly hoarse.
My whole body aches.
Varesa rubbed her cheek with her thumb.
"Serves you right," she said.
"... You even said that..." Bai You's eyes reddened again—not from crying, but from anger, "Yesterday you—"
"What happened to me yesterday?" Varesa leaned closer, her smile not reaching her eyes, but her voice full of mischief.
"I didn't do anything yesterday."
" Varesa!"
Bai You wanted to hit her with a pillow.
But her arm fell down halfway up.
Varesa laughed so hard she practically collapsed onto the edge of the bed.
"You stay here and lie still, I'll go downstairs and get you some food."
When she came downstairs, Odette was wandering around, eating a bowl of porridge.
"Ah! Varesa!" Odette held a spoon in her hand.
What about the Bai You?
"Still asleep." Varesa pulled out a chair, sat down, and rubbed her temples.
"What's wrong?" Odette noticed her expression. "Are you feeling unwell?"
"No." Varesa closed her eyes. "She... is tired today."
Odette paused for a moment.
Then her expression changed from confusion to sudden realization.
Oh.
When Varesa brought the porridge upstairs, Bai You was already leaning against the headboard.
His posture was very upright.
It's like they're pretending nothing's wrong.
But when she saw Varesa come in, her eyes still darted away for a moment.
Varesa sat down, scooped up a spoonful of porridge, blew on it, and brought it to her lips.
Bai You looked at the spoonful of porridge.
"I can do it myself--"
"Your hands are shaking," Varesa said.
Bai You looked down at her hands.
It does seem to be shaking.
I still can't control it.
She was speechless.
He opened his mouth.
A spoonful of porridge was added; it was warm and quite delicious.
She took three sips and then didn't want to drink anymore.
"I can't drink anymore."
"Take two more sips."
"I really can't drink anymore."
Varesa looked at her.
She put the bowl down and took a tissue to wipe Bai You's mouth.
"If you're sleepy, go back to sleep."
Bai You shook her head.
"I don't want to sleep anymore," she whispered, "I've been sleeping all morning."
"Then lie down and rest for a while."
'... Hmm.'
Just as Varesa was about to get up, her wrist was grabbed.
It was a very light touch.
She turned around.
Bai You just stared at her, her fingers hooking around her sleeve, her eyes a little timid.
"... Don't go."
Varesa's heart softened.
She didn't say anything.
She lay down next to Bai You.
Turning to face her, Bai You naturally leaned closer—but halfway in, she hissed.
"What's wrong?"
"... Sour..." Bai You's voice muffled in the crook of her shoulder.
Varesa smiled.
"Serves him right."
"... You still say that..."
Varesa didn't say anything more.
She reached out and gently pulled Bai You into her arms.
Bai You snuggled against her, finding a comfortable position.
Suddenly I feel sleepy again.
"... Little Bai You."
"Hmm?"
"We've been in Mondstadt for the past few days," Varesa said. "You haven't really explored much."
'... Hmm.'
"Wait until you calm down." Varesa lowered her head and kissed her forehead. "I'll take you to the beach."
Bai You raised her head.
"... Beachside?"
"Hmm," Varesa said.
"Let's go to the sea and blow bubbles together then."
Her fingers slowly tugged at the hem of Varesa's dress.
"Really?"
"Really," Varesa said, "Let's go explore City of Mondstadt first, and then--"
She paused.
"I'll take you to the beach."
Bai You's eyes lit up.
Then she buried her face in Varesa's arms, her voice muffled.
"... Should we call them too?" she asked softly, " Sandrone, Odette, and Columbina."
"Okay, I'll go ask them later. It'll be more lively with more people."
The author has been working on a new book during the holiday these past few days, which has made the ideas a bit chaotic, so updates will be somewhat irregular. Those interested can check it out; the book will be updated regularly again.
Thank you everyone for your support! つ♡⊂