"What does it matter?"
Venti downed the rest of his drink in one gulp. "As long as it tastes good! Bring us five more. I want the absolute worst drinks in all of Teyvat!"
"Hmph. Drunkard."
Diona shot him a glare before turning back into the tavern.
Keqing hesitated with her glass in hand, but when she saw Kael drinking without a care, she clenched her teeth and followed his lead.
And honestly… even though the flavor was strange, it was the best alcohol Keqing had ever tasted.
Unlike Mondstadt, Liyue's liquor tended to be strong white spirits, the kind where a higher alcohol content was considered better.
So Keqing never really liked drinking.
But this mix was sweet and tart, almost like fruit juice.
Once she got past the psychological hurdle, she started drinking faster.
"Traveler, after you return to Mondstadt, are you heading back to Liyue?"
The moment Venti asked that, Keqing's ears perked up ever so slightly.
"Yes. I plan to stay in Liyue for a while."
Hearing his answer, Keqing finally relaxed.
Venti sighed wistfully. "I want to see it too… what Liyue has become now…"
"That's easy."
Kael had always liked how easygoing this god was, so he generously offered, "Just come with us to Liyue."
"Well…"
Venti was tempted. He used to love wandering everywhere.
He had even lived in Inazuma for a while.
Now that Mondstadt was prosperous and peaceful under the Knights of Favonius, his absence wouldn't change much.
He thought about it for only a moment before agreeing.
"Alright. I'll go with you and take a look at Liyue."
"Then let's meet tomorrow morning at Mondstadt City. I promised Keqing we'd spend the whole day exploring today."
Venti raised a brow. "You sure she's still able to go sightseeing?"
"What?"
Kael followed his gaze to Keqing.
Her cheeks were flushed bright red, and the glass in front of her was completely empty.
"Kael…"
At some point, a small cat had climbed into her lap. Keqing was giggling uncontrollably as she cuddled it.
The drink might have gone down smooth, but the mixed alcohol content was no weaker than strong spirits.
And since Keqing rarely drank, even a single glass had completely taken her out.
Kael covered his forehead.
"Sorry, looks like we won't be staying to drink with you. I need to get Keqing home."
Venti waved with a cheerful smile.
"No worries. See you tomorrow at the city gate~"
Kael stood and lifted Keqing into his arms.
Drunk Keqing was nothing like her usual self. Once he picked her up, the cat hopped off her lap onto the ground.
Keqing reached toward it with a whine. "Kitty… my kitty…"
She kept squirming in his arms, so Kael had to hold her tighter.
"Easy. We'll visit the kitties again next time."
Keqing's lips trembled, her expression on the verge of tears.
"Kitty…"
Keqing was already cute on any normal day, but her serious temperament usually kept people at a respectful distance.
Right now, her soft, spoiled voice and teary eyes were such a reversal from her usual image that Kael felt his heart melt.
He carried her back to their home in Mondstadt.
He set her down on the bed and turned to get water—
"Kitty… don't go…"
Keqing clung to him tightly, refusing to let him move, running her fingers through his hair with the same motion she used to pet cats.
Kael let out a helpless laugh.
Every time he tried to shift even slightly, Keqing only held him tighter, refusing to let go.
After a while, her hands slowed… then stopped.
Kael heard the soft, steady rhythm of breathing above him.
He lifted his head and saw Keqing fast asleep, eyes closed, completely relaxed.
He sighed.
He'd wanted to give her a proper break today, let her unwind after working so hard every day.
Looked like that plan was ruined.
He carefully tucked the blanket around her and pulled her into his arms.
If that was the case, he might as well sleep with her for a bit.
---
In the middle of the night, Kael felt her shift in his arms and woke instantly.
Half-asleep, he murmured, "What's wrong? Thirsty?"
Most people got dehydrated after drinking. He assumed she'd woken from discomfort.
But as soon as she heard his voice, Keqing froze.
After a few seconds, she whispered, her voice trembling, "Kael…?"
"Yeah. What's wrong?"
"Kael… is it really you? Am I… dreaming again?"
That sentence snapped him wide awake.
He sat up immediately, turned on the light, and stared at her.
"You…"
As the room lit up, Keqing saw his face clearly. Her eyes widened, and tears streamed down her cheeks.
She choked out, "Kael… you liar… You said we'd see each other again… So why do you only ever show up in my dreams…"
The scene was painfully familiar.
Kael knew instantly what had happened.
Just like with Amber and Chef Mao..
The Keqing sitting in front of him wasn't the Keqing of this world.
It was the Keqing whose consciousness had crossed over from the life simulation.
---
Next Target 50PS :) ...