"Amber, you're lying. Dodo thought the same thing just now. Amber, can you please tell Klee why you're upset? Maybe Klee can help you!"
"There's really nothing, Klee. You should go play… uh, actually, it's getting late. In just an hour or two, it'll be dark. Why don't you go tomorrow instead?"
"…Alright then, Amber. How about Klee sings you a song? I just learned it from a bard!"
"A bard…? Better not. Those guys only sing serious and solemn songs. Listening to them just makes your mood even heavier…"
"Huh? But Klee thinks this one's really cheerful and pretty! Klee will sing it for you!"
Amber was about to say something, but Klee had already started singing, so she had no choice but to sit and listen.
🎵 "When storm clouds suddenly gather in your sky, that's me blowing them up for you. When a gentle breeze tousles your hair, that's me missing you from afar…" 🎵
Amber instinctively clenched her hands, her expression filled with sorrow. The song was upbeat and pleasant, but it struck a chord deep in her heart.
That day, the friend she had just made… disappeared so suddenly.
No matter how much she searched afterward, she couldn't find any trace. It was as if that person had vanished from the world. And now, this song had brought all that sadness back to the surface.
Just then, an old man out for a walk passed by and said, "Oh, Amber! You're back."
"Grandpa Wang! How's your health?"
Grandpa Wang was said to be originally from Liyue, but had moved to Mondstadt later in life.
"Oh, I'm just fine. I was even playing chess in the park this afternoon. By the way, a little blonde girl came looking for you earlier. She left you this note."
"A little blonde girl?"
Amber froze, and then asked excitedly, "Was she wearing a white dress, with a little floating sprite next to her?"
Grandpa Wang nodded.
Amber instantly lit up with joy.
"It's her!"
She was stunned—overwhelmed with happiness.
Klee said, "Amber, why are you crying? Was Klee's singing not good?"
Amber hugged Klee tightly and said, "No, it was beautiful. These are tears of joy. Say, Klee… I wasn't really listening just now. Could you sing it again for me?"
Klee patted Amber's head and said, "Amber, you're impossible! Alright, Klee will sing it again."
…
After finally shaking off the knight, Zephyr said, "It's nighttime now. Amber should be back, right?"
Paimon replied, "Not sure. Let's go check."
"Mm."
Standing outside her home, Zephyr peeked through the window and saw a light on inside. His eyes lit up. "Hey, looks like Amber really is back!"
"Let's call her, then."
"Okay… No, wait! I left so suddenly before. I'm kind of embarrassed to just show up. And hey, why didn't Amber lock this window? That's too careless of her."
Suddenly struck with inspiration, Zephyr said, "I've got an idea."
He patiently waited outside, planning to sneak in and surprise her once she fell asleep.
But for some reason, Amber didn't go to bed until late into the night. Not until the early hours did she finally turn off the lights.
Zephyr yawned. "Finally asleep."
He carefully slipped through the window. Amber lay peacefully on the bed, mumbling in her sleep, "Zephyr… Traveler… Paimon…"
Zephyr's heart filled with guilt as he quietly lay down beside her.
Paimon's eye twitched. "This is your plan?!"
"Exactly. The plan is to naturally blend back into her life when she wakes up tomorrow."
"I don't think this plan is going to work."
"No worries—I've got a Plan B."
"…Alright. So where am _Paimon_ supposed to sleep?"
Lumine said, "Paimon, you take the couch."
"Paimon don't wanna sleep on the couch!" Paimon, using her small size to her advantage, squeezed herself into the middle between the two of them.
…
The Next Morning
A ray of sunlight fell across Amber's face as she slowly blinked awake.
Zephyr gently said, "Amber, you're awake."
"Mmm…"
"What would you like for breakfast—fried eggs, or fried Paimon?"
"Fried… Paimon?"
Amber's eyes shot open. Right in front of her was the person she had been thinking about day and night.
"Zephyr? Lumine!"
Zephyr feigned innocence. "Why so surprised? Haven't we been together these past few days?"
"Been together…?"
Amber tilted her head, pulled a doll out from under the covers, and gave a suspiciously peaceful smile.
"Traveler, do you think I'm that easy to fool?"
A bead of sweat trickled down Zephyr's forehead. "Amber, calm down. Put the Baron Bunny down and let's talk this out. Don't you remember all the happy memories we shared these past days?"
Amber smiled—though it wasn't exactly warm. "The only memories I have are painfully sad ones."
As she spoke, she pulled out another Baron Bunny from the blanket.
"What the—where are you even getting those?!"
Amber replied smugly, "Hmph, Klee and I made them together. And that's not all—I've got dozens more in my closet. Want to see?"
"N-No, that's okay."
"In that case, Traveler, would you mind explaining where exactly you've been these past few days? If I don't find your answer satisfactory…"
It was clear Amber was on the verge of going full dark mode.
Zephyr quickly said, "Don't lose control, Amber! You're not that kind of person!"
Amber frowned. "What are you mumbling about? I asked—where have you been?"
"I… I won't hide it anymore. The truth is, Paimon _forced_ me to go to another world!"
"Another world?" Amber blinked.
Paimon shouted, "_Paimon_ forced you?!"
Zephyr immediately slapped a hand over Paimon's mouth. "Here's how it happened: Paimon dragged me into another world. I wanted to come back—I _tried_ to come back! But I couldn't! That world was called _Jujutsu Kaisen_, a terrifying place filled with cursed spirits…"
He spun a dramatic tale.
Amber covered her mouth in shock. "I can't believe there's such a place… The world is truly full of wonders."
"Mhm, mhm," Zephyr nodded earnestly.
"So you understand, right, Amber? I didn't leave you on purpose—it was all Paimon's fault!"
"Mmph mmph!" Paimon struggled violently in Lumine's grip.
But Lumine's brute strength kept her completely restrained.
"I see…" Amber let out a long sigh of relief. "And here I thought you had played with my feelings and just left without a word."
Zephyr rushed to explain, "Do I look like that kind of person?! Amber, you're my _favorite_! I'd never abandon you! You were my _first friend_ in this world—I would _never_ leave you!"
Paimon finally wriggled free and yelled, "Hey! Stop blaming everything on Paimon! And _Paimon is_ your first friend in this world, thank you very much!"
"You're just emergency food—don't get cocky."
Suddenly, Amber hugged him tightly.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"You're back… That's wonderful. You're finally back…"
Zephyr gently held her in return. "I'm back, Amber."
"Wahh… Welcome back…"
//END
------------
❇❇❇
Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 25+ Advanced Chapters There!
patreon.com/RedX43
❇❇❇