Varesa sat on the edge of the bed for a while.
Bai You has fallen asleep again.
She tucked the blanket around Bai You, got out of bed very quietly, and closed the door behind her.
She stood at the top of the stairs for two seconds, then thought she should go find Odette first; she should be back in her room by now.
Odette's room was on the other side.
The door wasn't closed properly. Varesa knocked twice, and a voice inside said, "Come in, come in."
Odette was sitting cross-legged on the bed, unpacking a package of Mondstadt specialties she had bought a couple of days ago.
When she saw Varesa enter, she slightly raised her head.
"What's wrong? Is Bai You feeling unwell?"
"No." Varesa leaned against the doorframe. "She's asleep."
"Oh--" Odette spat out the cinnamon stick. "So, with that expression, you want to talk to me about something?"
Varesa smiled.
"I want to discuss something with you."
"You say it, you say it."
"We haven't gone out much in the last two days we've been in Mondstadt," Varesa said.
"Let's go for a walk together."
"A quick tour sounds great!" Odette's eyes lit up. "Where to?"
"Let's explore City of Mondstadt first," Varesa said.
"It seems there's also a food street there, and all sorts of shops."
"Forget about the snacks, they're too greasy, I don't like them."
"I haven't finished speaking yet," Varesa interrupted her.
Odette shut up.
"After we finished exploring the city," Varesa said, "Let's go to the beach together."
Odette paused for a moment.
"Beachside?!"
"Hmm," Varesa said, "I've always wanted to go. I wanted to invite you all to come too."
"Go, go!"
"Okay." Varesa straightened up. "I'll go ask Columbina and the others."
"I'm planning to take you to the beach," Varesa said. "Are you coming?"
Columbina paused for a moment.
She turned to look at Varesa.
"The seaside." She smiled.
"Okay."
"Do you want to go?"
"Hmm," Columbina said, "The seaside is nice. It's quiet there."
She paused.
"Aside from this trip to Mondstadt with you guys, I haven't been out of the house in ages."
"I'm planning to go to the beach, do you want to come?" Varesa said. "Let's explore City of Mondstadt first."
Sandrone did not answer immediately.
"The seaside?!" she asked.
"Hmm."
Varesa replied with a smile.
"Okay, let's plan together tomorrow."
She turned to leave.
" Varesa," Sandrone called to her.
"Hmm?"
Is Columbina going too?
"Let's all go together."
When Varesa returned to the hall, it was already bright daylight, nearly noon.
She sat down on the sofa.
He leaned his head back.
Close your eyes.
I ran through my mind: Odette agreed. Columbina agreed. Sandrone agreed.
They all agreed.
She smiled.
Then I got up.
Push open the door to the room.
Bai You is still asleep.
Her breathing was even, and there was still a faint trace of red on the corner of her mouth.
Varesa sat down on the edge of the bed.
They didn't move immediately.
I just stared at her.
I looked at it for a long time.
Then she reached out and very gently tucked a strand of hair from her pale cheek behind her ear.
When his fingertips touched her ear, Bai You let out a soft moan.
He's not awake.
She just burrowed deeper into the pillow.
Varesa smiled.
She bent down.
He kissed Bai You on the forehead.
It's very light.
"... Tomorrow," she whispered, "I'll take you out for a good time too."
Bai You didn't hear it.
But in her sleep, she nudged herself towards Varesa.
It's like I heard it.
Varesa didn't leave.
She sat down on the edge of the bed.
She sat there, her hands resting on the edge of the bed. Bai You's hand dangled from the edge of the blanket and landed right in her palm.
It's warm.
Soft.
Varesa held that hand in hers.
She sat there for a long time.
Bai You woke up briefly in the afternoon.
Feeling groggy.
She opened her eyes and saw a figure beside the bed.
"... Varesa?"
"Hmm."
"What are you doing here?"
"I'll be with you."
Bai You didn't say anything.
Her fingers twitched in Varesa's palm.
Conversely, it was caught.
"Get under the covers," Bai You's voice was muffled. "It's chilly outside."
Varesa looked up at her.
Bai You had already lifted a corner of the blanket.
Her eyes were half-open, and her face was flushed.
Varesa smiled.
She stood up, took off her coat, and crawled into bed.
The Bai You naturally moved closer.
His forehead rested against her collarbone, his breath falling into the crook of her neck.
Varesa leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
"Go to sleep," she said. "I'll wake you up for dinner tonight."
Time flew by, and it was already the next morning.
Bai You woke up and found no one beside her.
She paused for a moment, then was about to sit up—
The door opened.
Varesa came in carrying a tray with two bowls of porridge, a small dish of side dishes, and a glass of warm milk.
"Awake?"
"Where did you go?"
"I'll make you breakfast." Varesa placed the tray on the bedside table.
"Get up and eat. After eating, go out."
Bai You sat up.
The blanket slipped off her shoulders.
She was wearing Varesa's shirt—it was a bit long, reaching her thighs.
The collar was loose.
Don't ask, the answer is that Bai You You's clothes were all ruined by Varesa and she can't wear them anymore.
(1000 words omitted)
Varesa glanced at it.
Look away.
"... After getting dressed," she said, "They'll be getting impatient waiting for us downstairs."
Bai You looked down at herself.
Her face flushed red instantly.
She pulled the blanket over herself.
"Get out."
"I'm leaving?" Varesa raised an eyebrow. "This is my bed."
Varesa --!!"
Varesa smiled and left.
Before the door closed behind her, she heard Bai You slam her pillow against the door with a thud.
downstairs.
Odette had already taken the bag in her hand.
"--You're finally down!" Odette waved to the top of the stairs.
"We've been waiting for you for almost half an hour!"
Columbina sat on the sofa, her hair loosely tied up.
Sandrone sat at the other end of the sofa.
She looked up when she saw Bai You come down.
Sandrone's gaze lingered on Bai You for a second.
Then it was moved.
They moved to Columbina's side.
After tidying up, the five people went out.
The streets are already bustling with activity.
"Let's go, let's go—I did some research last night." Odette led the way towards the street.
"I heard a new grilled cheese stand opened today!"
Bai You walked beside Varesa.
Her hand was being held by Varesa the whole time.
They first went to a barbecue stall.
As soon as Bai You stopped in front of the stall, Varesa had already taken out her money.
"Two skewers, please."
--Myself--
"You eat yours."
When the skewers were handed to her, Varesa took a bite first.
Test the temperature.
Then he handed it to Bai You.
"It's hot," she said, "Slow down."
Bai You took it.
I took a bite.
Varesa smiled and wiped the oil from the corner of her mouth.
She did that movement so naturally.
Naturally, even the owner of the barbecue skewers stall next door smiled.
"Little girl, you're lucky."
Bai You almost choked.
Varesa laughed so hard her shoulders were shaking.
The second stall was selling apple wine, Odette had already rushed over.
"Come on, come on—a new flavor! It has honey in it!"
She bought five cups, one for each person.
Bai You held the cup and sipped it slowly.
Varesa was standing right next to her.
She took a sip of Bai You and then glanced down at it.
Is it sweet?
'... Hmm.'
"Let me try it."
"Don't you have one too?"
But Bai You still handed the cup over.
Varesa took a sip from the spot where she had drunk from.
"It is quite sweet."
Bai You's ears turned red.
"You... you don't know how to use your own cup--"
"Your sweetness." Varesa handed the cup back to her, "What's wrong with me trying it?"
Bai You was speechless.
She buried her face in her hands.
Pretending to drink.