"What exactly is going on? Is someone really behind us?"
Paimon flew nervously to Shenhe's side and asked. Ever since Shenhe mentioned someone following them, she and Lumine had been on edge.
If the hidden person were easy to spot, it wouldn't be a big deal, but the key was that they had tried many methods and still couldn't identify the stalker.
This made them very nervous, especially Paimon, who was already eager to find Durandal for help.
"Yes, there's definitely someone. I'm sure of it."
Shenhe often did this kind of stealthy following herself. She didn't dismiss the feeling of being watched as an illusion; someone was definitely following them.
She initially thought it was just some petty thief, but now it seemed the person had some strength, as even she couldn't find them.
Shenhe remembered that there were individuals in the Fatui who could conceal their presence, seemingly called Agents. Could it be one of them following them? But what for?
In any case, it was better to pretend not to notice anything, focus on their own tasks, and just pay a little more attention while busy.
After finishing the first task, they thought of Venti, who was giving a lecture under the statue of the seven. Recalling his abilities, they decided to go to him for help.
By the time they arrived, quite a few people had gathered. These people had come to Venti for guidance, hoping to get inspiration for writing love poems.
Venti, who was teaching his students, noticed Lumine and the others arriving. He told his students to ponder their emotions for a bit and waved at them with a smile.
"You're quite late. It seems even during the Windblume Festival, you can still find people who need help."
He had expected Lumine and her companions to come to him at the statue of the seven after not finding any commissions, but he didn't expect them until now.
"Venti, actually... we have something we'd like to ask for your help with."
Paimon eagerly flew to Venti's side and whispered about being followed.
Hearing this, Venti's eyebrows raised. He exchanged a look with Lumine, who nodded, confirming the situation.
This was quite interesting. Someone was foolish enough to follow Lumine and Shenhe, such a powerful duo. This wasn't causing trouble for them; it was causing trouble for themselves.
"Alright, don't worry. No matter how strong that person is, they cannot escape the eyes of the omnipresent wind. Let me see who this mysterious person is."
Venti closed his eyes, sensing the surrounding wind, trying to learn about the person secretly following Lumine and her companions from the 'wind.'
Soon, Venti got his answer. He, who had been somewhat serious, immediately burst out laughing.
His cheerful laughter made Lumine and her companions look at each other. What was going on? Didn't they ask him to investigate? Why was he so happy?
"Ahaha~ You... you, never mind. Let the person involved tell you. I didn't expect her to do something like this. It's really too amusing."
Venti walked laughingly towards a nearby stone pillar. Under everyone's gaze, Venti seemed to be pulling someone's hand, trying to get her to come out and meet everyone.
After a while of trying, the person finally emerged from behind the stone pillar, letting everyone see her.
"Dur... Durandal? What's going on? Why were you secretly following us?"
Paimon couldn't understand. As a companion, Durandal could have just greeted them directly; there was no need to sneakily follow them from behind.
Lumine seemed to have caught a hint of something and was pondering, while Shenhe was surprised that she, who always followed Durandal, would one day be followed in return. This novel experience left her somewhat at a loss for words.
"N-nothing. I just wanted to see what you were doing when I wasn't with you."
Although discovered by Venti, Durandal quickly composed herself and put on an expression that suggested she 'wanted to observe what you usually do behind my back.' Paimon naturally accepted this explanation.
Lumine, however, didn't think so. They had traveled together for so long; Durandal already knew what she usually did.
This was an excuse, an excuse Durandal used to divert attention. The real reason was definitely not this.
Thinking this, Lumine stroked her fair chin and walked towards Durandal, looking directly into her beautiful eyes and asking, "Is that really the reason?"
"Otherwise, what do you think it is? Otherwise, what reason would I have to hide from you?"
"Because... you're embarrassed?"
Lumine pondered for a moment, then tentatively said, seeing Durandal's pupils tremble slightly, knowing she had guessed correctly. She continued, "Is it because you have something you want to give us, but you're too shy to say it? You don't know what to do, so you planned to follow us from behind, looking for a suitable opportunity? Is that it?"
"...No."
"Really not?"
"Absolutely not."
Lumine exchanged a knowing smile with Venti. Knowing Durandal's personality, how could they not know this was the correct answer?
Even if Durandal had the principle of 'not lying,' what Lumine asked was related to her feelings. Since it was about Durandal, how she answered was her own business.
It was just her being stubborn, refusing to admit Lumine was right, making a meaningless struggle.
"Hehehe~ As expected, Durandal is really cute."
Unable to resist, Lumine hugged Durandal, enjoying her rosy cheeks, and asked while rubbing against her:
"When you used to act alone, did you secretly follow us like this too?"
"No! I have so many things to do normally, how could I have time to follow you all? Also, hurry up and let me go, don't do such things outside."
"Then if it's not outside, can we just do such things anywhere?"
"Even if I forbid it, would you honestly do nothing?"
This person would stick to Durandal whenever he found an opportunity. Before, it was just touching her face or hugging her, which were all within an acceptable range, but recently he even barged in when Durandal was bathing.
If Durandal hadn't been wrapped in a bath towel, she would have pressed his head into the bathtub and made him calm down properly.
However… one time when she accidentally dropped her bath towel, she made a particularly loud sound. What was that about? Was he shy?
But with his personality, would he really be shy? He usually came to her wearing such bold clothes without any reaction, so why would he be shy because a bath towel fell off?
Hmm? Wait a minute, Durandal suddenly remembered a plot she had seen in a light novel from Inazuma before.
It was the female lead in a certain light novel. The female lead also had that particularly bold personality, very much liked to tease the male lead, and seemed to want to engage in intimate acts with the male lead.
But when the male lead was actually about to perform an intimate act, she recoiled instead, and was unusually shy, completely losing her previous bold demeanor.
This behavior... seemed like 'high attack, paper defense'? Could it be that Lumine was also like this?
Durandal couldn't help but size up Lumine, wondering if it was as she thought. She could try it later, just as a counterattack for his usual pranks on her.
"Hey, why are you spacing out again, Durandal? Aren't you going to explain why you were following us?"
Paimon stood with her hands on her hips, looking at Durandal with dissatisfaction. She had been terrified just now. If Durandal didn't give a satisfactory explanation, unless she treated Paimon to several big meals, Paimon would not forgive Durandal.
"I want to give these words to you all."
After thinking for a moment, Durandal still decided to take out the bouquet she had been preparing for the past few days and give it to them.
The flowers Durandal gave them were Cecilia. Among all the flowers, Durandal liked it the most.
She found the best Cecilia in the flower field, bundled two or three into a bouquet, and gave them to Lumine, Paimon, Shenhe, and Venti respectively.
Although the Windblume Festival had just begun, the longer she waited, the harder it would be to give out these gifts. If someone reminded her, she might not give them at all.
So, giving them the flowers on the first day of the festival was the best choice. This way, she could feel at ease, couldn't she?
(The Indestructible: That's the point. When I used to want to give gifts to others, I always hesitated because I was embarrassed. I would only take out the gift at the very last minute when I ran out of time. Facing my friends' teasing eyes, I really wanted to find a hole to crawl into. He wasn't trying to surprise them; he was just genuinely shy!)
The recipients of the bouquets all smiled. Venti stepped forward, leaned close to Miss Durandal's ear, and whispered, "I've received the flowers. But what sentiment have you entrusted in this bouquet?"
Flower of Respect, Flower of Friendship, and Flower of Love—these are all meanings that the windblume can represent.
As the Anemo Archon, Venti usually received the most Flowers of Respect. But the windblume Durandal gave him was definitely not a Flower of Respect.
So, was it a Flower of Friendship or a Flower of Love? Venti was very curious.
Not only Venti, but Lumine and Shenhe were also very curious about the meaning of the flowers Durandal gave.
Facing their gazes, Durandal did not answer, but looked elsewhere to avoid the question.
Really, couldn't she just say a few more words to satisfy them? However, this was also good; this reaction had already told them the answer.
Since they had the answer, then... it was time to give her a thank-you gift.
Venti was the first to act. Since they were outside, he didn't want to be too intimate, so he just pecked Durandal on the cheek.
Even among friends, a kiss on the cheek was acceptable. Others would only think their relationship was close, not think too much.
So that's how it could be done. As expected of Venti, his experience was indeed rich.
Lumine, not wanting to be outdone, set her sights on the other cheek. Shenhe also did the same, and the three of them left their marks in different spots.
Paimon, who happily accepted the bouquet, thought this was a normal way to express gratitude and was not to be outdone.
"Paimon wants some too!"
With a look of receiving thanks from four beautiful Damselettes, such treatment was not something just anyone could get.
"I've accepted your windblume. Mmm~ these Cecilia are all top-grade. It seems my flower adornment can be changed now."
Venti touched the Cecilia on his head. It was time to replace this flower that had been with him for so long.
"I wonder if you all have time next? I am teaching others to write love poems. Would you like to learn to write the most beautiful poems for the most important person?"
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