The teahouse.
"Speaking of which — Mr. Zhongli, Kaito, did you two happen to notice the Millelith passing by just now? I wonder what's going on." Once the group had settled into one of the teahouse's private rooms, Childe brought up the Millelith they'd seen a moment ago, addressing both Zhongli and Kaito with the question.
He already knew that the unit they'd just seen had been drawn over by the commotion he and Mobius had caused with the Hilichurls — so he figured it was the perfect opening to steer the conversation toward Mobius without it seeming forced.
If he just brought her up out of nowhere, he was worried it might raise suspicions.
"I did notice them. But aren't those Millelith just on patrol?" The moment Childe said that, Kaito knew exactly where he was trying to take this — so he nodded along and offered his own take, playing innocent.
No matter what, as far as anyone was concerned, he absolutely could not know what the Millelith were actually heading out to do.
"I saw them too. Something must have happened." Zhongli nodded, teacup in hand, and agreed that something was likely going on.
As for what exactly that something was, he didn't say — whether because he didn't know or simply chose not to was anyone's guess.
"Something happened? Hm, but everyone around seemed completely unbothered — I honestly just assumed it was a routine patrol." Kaito looked toward Zhongli with a mildly puzzled expression.
"It is the middle of the night, after all. And whatever it was clearly didn't happen inside the city, so most people simply wouldn't know about it. Word will probably get out by tomorrow morning." Seeing Kaito's puzzled look, Childe weighed in with his own read on the situation.
Even after having said all that, though, he still hadn't made any move to bring up Mobius directly.
He wanted to see whether Kaito would be the one to bring her up himself.
Either way, it was far better coming from Kaito than from him.
While Childe was thinking all of this, Kaito was having thoughts of his own.
You two are both acting like you have absolutely no interest in mentioning Mobius…
Zhongli is just completely checked out, fine.
But what's Childe's excuse?
Afraid of looking too eager about Mobius?
Glancing at the two of them as they peacefully sipped their tea, Kaito couldn't help but think exactly that.
He'd originally expected either Childe or Zhongli to bring her up — yet here they both were, sitting in comfortable silence.
Well, fine. If neither of them was going to say it, then he would.
He was still quite confident that no one but himself knew that he and Mobius were one and the same person. Not Childe, and certainly not Zhongli — not at this point.
"In that case… I'm a little worried it might be connected to Mobius. I have a feeling she might have done something." After pretending to think it over for a moment, Kaito spoke with a look of mild concern.
Childe immediately followed up: "Now that you mention it — that actually makes a lot of sense. I wish we'd gone over to check things out when we had the chance."
He finished with a look of genuine regret.
It's not too late to go now…
Watching Childe put on that expression, Kaito quietly thought exactly that.
"How about we go take a look now? Though I'm not sure of the exact location — and wherever it is, it's bound to be under Millelith watch." Just as Kaito was still mulling it over, Zhongli had already come straight out and suggested they go check — though he too was uncertain of the precise location.
"True — it might be better to wait until tomorrow." Kaito nodded at what Zhongli said.
He wasn't in any hurry. Tomorrow was fine.
As for Childe, though — Kaito wasn't sure whether he'd insist on going right now.
Tomorrow, hm…
Maybe it's worth going tonight after all?
But how exactly would he bring Zhongli and Kaito to that location while still pretending he had no idea where it was?
Childe wanted nothing more than to go see for himself right now — the curiosity was eating at him — but he hadn't yet worked out how he could plausibly lead Zhongli and Kaito to the very spot while keeping up the act that he knew nothing about it.
Forget it.
Better to just ask what I can while Mobius is already on the table…
With that thought, Childe spoke up: "Speaking of Mobius — she doesn't have feelings for you, does she, Kaito? You really do seem to have a way with the ladies."
He followed that with a laugh.
"Well…" Kaito hesitated visibly at Childe's words.
"Ha — so I was right. Kaito, your luck with women is really something else." Seeing that reaction, Childe knew he'd guessed correctly.
And it seems my friendship with Kaito might end up being rather useful for my partnership with Miss Mobius…
Childe felt that his relationship with Kaito was solid enough that this connection could very well work in his favor when it came to his collaboration with Mobius.
Of course, whether that would actually pan out remained to be seen — he'd have to wait until his next meeting with Miss Mobius to know for certain.
Either way, it was a promising development.
"Whether it actually counts as luck with women — I'd say that depends on how you look at it. Personally, I don't think it is." Kaito gave a wry smile and shook his head.
"Ha! Are you worried Mobius might drag you off to use as a test subject?" Amused by Kaito's expression, Childe couldn't resist teasing him.
"Honestly? That's not entirely off the table." Kaito finished with a quiet sigh.
"If that's the case, young friend, perhaps you ought to lay low for a while." Hearing Kaito's words, Zhongli offered the suggestion in his unhurried manner.
Of course, it was only a suggestion — what Kaito actually chose to do was entirely up to him.
"Indeed, Kaito — why not just lie low for a bit? The Fatui can certainly arrange a safe place for you." Picking up on Zhongli's cue, Childe added his own offer.
"That won't be necessary. Since she's already here, I intend to settle things with her properly." Kaito shook his head. He had no intention of hiding — if anything, he was ready to face Mobius head-on and bring things to a resolution.
"In that case — shall we head outside now and see what's going on?" Sensing the moment was right, Childe immediately put out a tentative suggestion.
He'd figure out the matter of how to guide Zhongli and Kaito to the right location once they were actually outside — maybe Mobius would even show herself again by then.
That said, the prospect of Mobius appearing was something Childe found himself slightly anxious about. He was worried she might casually mention that he'd already met her — which would be rather awkward, to say the least.
He did want to collaborate with Mobius, but the two of them hadn't actually formalized anything yet.
"Alright then — let's go take a look." After appearing to think it over for a moment, Kaito gave a nod.
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