"Ah—ahaha… s-such a coincidence! You haven't gone home yet? I'm just out here for a walk too!"
Caught hiding, Stanley stiffened but forced himself to step out from behind the tree, pretending to be surprised while scrambling for an excuse.
"But you were literally standing right there just now."
Wendy exposed him mercilessly.
She had known he was there earlier—she simply didn't care.
"I… I didn't want to disturb you…"
His voice stuttered. Stanley was panicking inside.
How could he forget how terrifying this girl was?
Still, he stubbornly tried to justify himself.
"Wendy, this is normal."
"Why?"
Now it was Wendy's turn to be confused. To her, Stanley screamed "suspicious."
If she hadn't already seen him before—and promised Venti not to kill humans—he would've been gone.
"This place is where Stanley once fought bravely. He must be reminiscing about his old battles. He just happened to run into us."
Venti explained smoothly.
"O-of course! I shed tears and blood on this very land. It holds too many memories… Now that I'm old, I can only visit once in a while."
Relieved that the bard had handed him such a perfect excuse, Stanley immediately agreed.
"See? I was right~ heh—"
Wendy: "…"
Paimon: "Is Wendy really this easy to fool? That guy is obviously shady."
Lumine: "Shh! Don't say that out loud, she can hear—"
Paimon: "!"
"Well, then… I won't disturb you. But there are many Hilichurls around here—be careful."
"A-ah… goodbye then, youngsters."
Stanley hurried off immediately.
"Venti, stop trying to fool me. I can tell that guy's guilty about something. That broken sword and shield earlier were his doing, right? Whatever. I don't care about humans' problems."
Wendy looked bored.
Wendy saw through him…
Paimon stared, surprised.
"I think I'm getting a little hungry…"
Wendy suddenly smiled strangely at Paimon—who yelped and hid behind Lumine instantly.
"Those who refuse to let go of the past and abandon the present…
If they are forced to take their first step toward the future…
Which direction will they walk in?"
Venti murmured, glancing at Wendy.
He had never forgotten the past. But he never abandoned the present either. The two didn't conflict.
But still…
Why does Wendy look so much like me?
Even the name…
These questions had been eating at him. He needed to find a chance to talk to her properly.
"Huh? What does that mean?"
Paimon peeked out—relieved Wendy hadn't eaten her.
"Nothing. Just talking to myself. Anyway, let's visit Angel's Share tonight."
Venti changed the subject. He had something he wanted to do.
Angel's Share
Watching drunks? How boring.
Sitting at a separate table, Wendy quietly snacked on the tavern's appetizers.
For some reason, the tavern had been cleared out except for them.
Not that she cared. She was here to eat.
"Stanley… Tell me… What should I do…"
The drunken man at the next table muttered.
Stanley?
So he's another one living under someone else's name…
No wonder Venti brought me here.
"Why… Why didn't I die in the Ashen Sea that day? Why must I steal your name? Why won't your spirit stop me—Stanley…!"
His voice cracked into sobs, full of guilt.
"I only lived because you protected me… a useless rookie like me—"
Wendy turned him out completely.
She had come to eat—not to babysit human drama.
"Uh… waiter?"
"What can I get you?"
Diluc hurried over—he dared not keep this little goddess waiting.
"Bring me alcohol. I want to see what it tastes like."
She was curious why humans became strange after drinking.
"Uh… sure… but we have many types. Which one would you like?"
Diluc hesitated. But he carried out the request—there was no point refusing.
And besides, Venti was here as insurance.
"All of them. Bring everything."
Diluc: "…"
"…Right. It'll take a bit of time."
He didn't argue.
She looked like a small girl—but last time he'd seen what she was capable of.
"Mm."
Wendy nodded, satisfied.
"Wendy."
Diluc had barely left before Venti sat down across from her.
Everything had gone just as planned—he summoned Stanley's true spirit to confront the fake, helped Jack gain recognition from his parents, a perfect ending.
Now it was time to talk to Wendy.
He had already found excuses to send Lumine and Paimon away.
"What is it? Where's Lumine? Why isn't she here?"
"They're probably looking for treasure somewhere.
Ahem… you heard what happened earlier, right?"
Venti moved straight to the point.
"What happened?"
"Eh… the stuff about Stanley!"
"Oh. I heard a bit at the start. The rest? No. Human stories are boring. Waste of my time."
Venti: "…"
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