Welcome Home

Normally, finding someone in such a large place as Fontaine is not an easy task, but fortunately, Xingsu did not intend to conceal his whereabouts.

As soon as Lyney and Lynette stepped out of the gate of the Hotel Bouffes d'ete, they saw Xingsu Su standing in front of a snack stall not far from him.

He was holding a steaming plate of fish and chips in one hand and a chilled Fonta in the other, chatting with a human patrol officer.

Hmm? Why do I have to mention humans?

The story of a handsome, white-haired man with starry eyes who held Melusine's hand and made up a story for over an hour while giving a statement spread throughout the Maison Gardiennage.

This has made Melusine wary of all white-haired men, making it extremely difficult for Xingsu Melusine.

"Thank you for reporting the criminals involved in the sale of L㏒s. The perpetrator has now been apprehended. However... from what I've heard, this person was a pitiful victim used as cannon fodder. Before his arrest, he didn't even know that L㏒s was a contraband. We questioned him for a long time but couldn't get any information out of him, and that lead just went cold."

The officer rubbed his temples, looking somewhat troubled, and said, "I really don't understand. The goods are delivered to a designated location by the seller for self-pickup, and when a customer experiences withdrawal symptoms, he assumes they're using L㏒s to treat their illness... and he doesn't even suspect anything?! How does someone like that manage to live in Fontaine?"

Xingsu took a bite of her fries, looked at the police officer and nodded slightly, agreeing, "Indeed, it seems that Fontaine's education has a long way to go."

The police officer shook his head helplessly, his tone full of sighs. "Don't even mention it. They can't even get a proper census. Who knows how many people smuggle themselves across the Fleuve Cendre every day, and how many are just rotting away in there?"

Xingsu put away the Fonta in his hand and quickly devoured the remaining food. "Alright, I won't disturb your patrol any longer, young man. There are still people waiting for me."

He turned his head and calmly surveyed the approaching siblings, Lyney and Lynette.

Before the two could speak, Xingsu's lips curled into a faint smile. He slowly said, "Fourth, your vigilance is too poor. I was able to easily follow you all the way here. Arlecchino really should give you extra training."

The smile on Lyney's face froze instantly, Lynette's cat ears twitched slightly, and the brother and sister were speechless, hanging their heads and not daring to say a word.

After a brief moment of embarrassment, Lyney was the first to regain her composure, suppress her awkwardness, and speak frankly:

"Mr. Xingsu, my father wishes to see you."

Lynette stood beside him, still keeping her eyes down and silent, her cat ears slightly tense, quietly observing Xingsu's changing expression.

"Father... she lets the children call her that... it actually suits her quite well."

Hmm? Why are you looking at me like that? Well, the fifth one...

Lyney quickly waved his hand, saying in a slightly hurried tone, "Oh no, no, no, Mr. Xingsu, I'll take you to see my father right away."

"You've come."

"I am coming."

You shouldn't have come.

"I'm here."

Xingsu stopped by the door after entering, crossed his arms, looked calmly, and stared straight at Arlecchino, who was seated.

Arlecchino leaned back in her high-backed leather chair, legs crossed, her fingertips tapping slowly on the table. She looked up to meet his calm gaze, the warm light from the Hearth flickering gently between them.

Although it was only their second formal meeting, their eyes were filled with a familiarity that had been refined over the years. In their silent gaze, there was a tacit understanding that transcended life and death, a reunion after a long separation.

"I hope you understand that the Fatui are a quagmire; if you step into it, you will only sink deeper and deeper until you can't escape."

"But I grew up from this quagmire."

A moment of silence fell over the air. Arlecchino lowered her eyes, concealing the complex emotions churning within. Her tone softened, revealing a genuine expectation. "I still hope you can live a peaceful life in Fontaine. I've looked into it; the Spina di Rosula in Poisson has a solid foundation, Callas is reliable and capable, and his daughter is warm and welcoming. You'll find life there very easy..."

Xingsu's gaze was steady as he interrupted her persuasion, speaking earnestly and firmly, "If I hadn't met you, perhaps I would have considered this suggestion. But unfortunately, on that night when I first arrived in Fontaine, when I saw your figure from afar, I knew I couldn't sever the ties of the past."

"... Ha, you're still as stubborn as ever."

"You're the same as you were back then."

"..."

"..."

A brief silence fell over the room, the crackling of firewood from the Hearth in the corner particularly clear.

Arlecchino slowly rose from her seat, walked to Xingsu, and a ball of cold, black and red flame condensed in her palm. Her gaze was utterly serious as she stared at Xingsu: "Now, I'm only giving you two choices. I hope you'll think them over carefully before you answer."

Xingsu stared quietly into Arlecchino's eyes, without the slightest fear.

"My first option is to use my flames to selectively erase a memory, allowing you to forget the past House of the Hearth and the Fatui, and remain peacefully in Fontaine."

I choose option two.

"You can distance yourself from it and avoid getting involved in the Fatui ' disputes..."

I choose option two.

"Stay in Poisson and continue living a peaceful and uneventful life..."

"I choose number two!"

Arlecchino paused silently for a moment, the ghostly flame in her palm slowly dissipating, and she chuckled softly.

She dropped all her guard and embraced Xingsu tightly, resting her chin lightly on his shoulder. Her voice was extremely low, revealing the emotions she had suppressed for many years:

"Thank you, Xingsu. Welcome home."

The sudden embrace caught him off guard. Xingsu was slightly taken aback, and after a moment, he slowly raised his hand and tentatively placed it gently on Arlecchino's back. He leaned down slightly, his breath brushing against her ear as he whispered, "Yes, I'm back, Pepe."

The crackling of the Hearth still echoed in their ears. The regret of dying in battle and the trepidation of their long and winding reunion vanished into the smoke. After wandering for so long, the two finally returned to each other's side in the firelight of the Hearth.

"So how did you regain those past memories?" Arlecchino asked curiously.

Xingsu raised her hand, picked up the necklace around her neck, and shook it. It was the very one she had worn day and night back then. "This holds all my memories from when I came to the House of the Hearth until I gave it to Clervie."

The familiar patterns caught her eye, and a flicker of surprise crossed Arlecchino's eyes. She hesitated before tentatively asking, "So you're from...?"

"Yes, just like you think, I dug up my own grave."

"..."

"..."

The air suddenly became quiet, and the crackling of the firewood in the Hearth was exceptionally clear.

6: Arlecchino