What are you doing... Lumine...
As Lumine closed the door, she suddenly heard Paimon's voice from behind her, which gave her a start. She quickly replied, "I was just going to the restroom. You... uh... oh, you were just talking in your sleep..."
Halfway through her sentence, Lumine turned to see that Paimon was fast asleep; what she'd just said was clearly nothing more than sleep-talking.
I was wondering how this little one was still awake so late.
That scared me...
Wait...
Why am I so guilty...
Standing by the bed and looking at the soundly sleeping Paimon, Lumine's mind momentarily filled with all sorts of random thoughts.
Forget it... Time to sleep...
Deciding not to overthink things, Lumine got into bed, ready to sleep.
But just then, she heard footsteps outside again.
Needless to say, they had to be Kaito's and Kiana's.
I wonder... if Kiana told him what just happened...
Although it was pitch black and she couldn't see a thing, Lumine still turned her head toward the sound outside, as if she could see Kaito and Kiana passing by.
And as Lumine stared into the pitch-black exterior, the footsteps outside grew fainter and fainter.
Finally, with the sound of a door opening and closing, the outside returned to silence.
Looks like she didn't tell him...
Knowing that Kaito and Kiana were now back in their room, Lumine averted her gaze and looked up at the equally dark ceiling, thinking to herself.
After all, if Kiana had told him what happened, Kaito probably would have come to knock on her door, but he didn't.
Alright... Really going to sleep now...
Closing her eyes, Lumine was truly about to fall asleep this time.
Wait!!!
Her eyes snapped open. Lumine had thought of another problem, a very important one.
Just now, Kiana... I don't think she ever answered my question... From beginning to end, I don't think she ever said whether she was the person Aether saw...
Realizing this, Lumine sat up, replaying their recent conversation in her mind.
I think... she really didn't...
After replaying the events, Lumine confirmed that Kiana had indeed never answered her question.
Could it be... she really is that unknown god?
Pondering this question, Lumine found it hard to sleep again.
But if Kiana really is that unknown god, then why hasn't she attacked her like before?
Kaito... Is it because of Kaito?
Her gaze shifted to the outside again as she thought of Kaito.
He doesn't know Wendy's identity... so he probably doesn't know Kiana's identity either, right...
Lying back down, Lumine stared at the ceiling, her mind racing with one speculation after another.
But no matter the guess, she had no way to verify any of them, at least not right now.
That guy Kaito... Is he really that popular with girls...
As her thoughts drifted, Lumine couldn't help but return to this question.
If Kiana wasn't lying earlier, then Kaito really does have other girls he's especially close to.
Don't tell me they're gods too?
Because she was now highly suspicious that Kiana was the unknown god, Lumine couldn't help but think this way.
Could it be that the god of this nation is also one of Kaito's girlfriends?
The sudden thought made Lumine's eyes widen.
Forget it... I'm done... I'll deal with it tomorrow...
A wave of drowsiness washed over her. Unable to figure anything out no matter how much she thought about it, Lumine decided to truly go to sleep this time.
-------------------
Kaito's room.
Should I go discuss the plan with Zhongli again tomorrow...
But Lumine didn't say Kiana was the Sustainer... She just suspects Kiana is the person who appeared before Aether...
In that case... it feels like sticking to the original plan wouldn't be impossible...
But...
Sitting on a chair by the bed, Kaito had a thoughtful expression.
He had been ready to sleep just a moment ago, but then Lumine called Kiana out, and he learned about Lumine's suspicions regarding the past.
Although he currently has a mission to make people believe Kiana is the Sustainer, Lumine's suspicion has come a bit too early. He hasn't even started implementing the plan he discussed with Zhongli.
If I proceed as planned... then when the time comes, Lumine will definitely suspect that the person who 'killed' Zhongli was Kiana...
And when he's being 'killed,' Zhongli will 'recognize' Kiana as the Sustainer...
That way, Lumine will be one hundred percent convinced that Kiana is the Sustainer...
And then... what will happen then?
At this thought, Kaito couldn't help but frown.
No matter what, the Sustainer is clearly Lumine's enemy.
If it weren't for her, Lumine would have gone home with her brother long ago.
When that happens, Lumine will probably keep her distance from me... Although, she might also think that I don't know Kiana's identity...
Oh, right...
I'm already 'unaware' of Wendy's identity as the Anemo Archon... So it would be perfectly normal for me not to know Kiana's identity... right?
Normal my ass...
Isn't it too strange that I don't know anything?
Not knowing about one is one thing, but not knowing about both would be hard to believe, wouldn't it? What on earth is so attractive about me that both the Anemo Archon and the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles would specifically hide their identities to be my girlfriends...
Thinking of this, Kaito couldn't help but give a wry smile.
He knew that if such a situation truly occurred, this question would obviously make people very confused, himself included. He was very curious about the answer to that question himself.
Maybe I should build up my own image a bit...
After all, I'm not weak right now...
And I have the Void Archives...
But I still can't beat Wendy, let alone Kiana...
Wait a second...
It's not like we have to fight for real...
A mock battle might just work...
A fight?
As this idea suddenly struck him, Kaito stood up from the chair and began pacing back and forth in the room, a new plan forming in his mind.
However, he still needed to discuss it with Zhongli. Unilaterally changing the plan on his own definitely wouldn't work.
OK... I'll go find Zhongli tomorrow...
Sitting down on the bed, Kaito prepared to sleep first, then he would go find Zhongli after waking up tomorrow.
Speaking of which... that feeling from earlier was really nice...
But I have things to do tomorrow, so I should sleep for now...
After lying down on the bed, he glanced at the sleeping Wendy beside him and the clothes she had taken off. After some thought, Kaito decided to exercise restraint.
After all, a young man must know self-control. Otherwise, if problems arose, it would be bad, and it wouldn't just be Wendy and Kiana waiting for him then.
_____
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