Chapter Text
After winning the Celestia’s Shine Battle, Abyssri’ah Production was brought down. Those people or agencies that suffered because of them rejoiced. The accident that happened was kept as a secret from the public and what they only know is the oath that President Alberich made with Venti. If Abyssri’ah loses, President Alberich would step down which made Abyssri’ah stop from functioning for a while.
President Alberich is still missing and both the Knights of Favonius, Milleliths and the Tri-Commission from Inazuma worked together to search for the man. Halfdan and Enjou, together with the other moles in Abyssri’ah, started sorting up the files to hopefully take over Abyssri’ah and change the agency for the better.
…
..
.
6 months after the challenge
-In Mondstadt-
A band could be heard rehearsing inside the practice room of the Winding Ballads Productions. The Unusuals are having their afternoon practice because they’ll be having their comeback concert next week. All of their fans are excited, not just because Kaeya’s will be singing again but because of a new member that they announced. Though some of the fans already got an idea who the new member is. After all, he was the one who led The Unusuals to victory during the Teyvat’s Rocking Stars tournament. The fans were also surprised to know that Kaeya is a Ragnvindr now and that he’s brothers with the wine tycoon in Mondstadt.
The agency’s President, Venti, and the band’s Manager, Xingqiu, are watching them at the sides. Xingqiu seems to be taking some notes about Kaeya’s progress with his singing.
“Good, good. Kaeya’s getting the hang of it again.” Venti said, grinning. “This is going to be a great comeback performance! I could feel it!”
Xingqiu giggles, “A lot of fans were surprised because they thought they have to wait for a year since we did say that The Unusuals is going to have a year break.” he told him.
Venti laughs, “Is that so? Then a lot must have been waiting for this! Ah, I’m excited!”
Once their rehearsal finished, Albedo gave each of them a bottle of cold water. Kaeya got a semi-warm one though since Jean’s orders.
Xinyan gulps all the water down before smiling brightly at Kaeya and Diluc, “You two really sound so amazing!!!” she told them.
Kaeya grins, “Of course. We’re brothers after all.” he replied proudly.
Kaeya remembers the day when Diluc told him about permanently joining the band. It happened two months ago in Angel’s Share. Since Diluc is still being strict about him drinking alcohol or wines, he was just served a glass of a non-alcoholic beverage called Berry & Mint Burst.
“What?” Kaeya asked, looking up to his brother.
Diluc sighs, turning around to face him. “I said… I think I’ll join your band, The Unusuals. Unless you don’t want me to?”
Kaeya immediately shakes his head before smiling wide, “O-Of course, you can join! President Venti is going to be… happy!”
Diluc smiles, “Then good, so how do I permanently join?”
“We’ll just have to talk to President Venti…” Kaeya told him before finishing his drink, “And then he’ll inform the others!”
Diluc chuckles, “Alright then. I can go to him later after my shift.”
Diluc’s chuckle snapped Kaeya out of his thoughts, “How’s your throat?” he asked him.
“That’s the 15th time you’ve asked me about that today, Diluc. I’m alright now! Jean and Miss Rosaria said so~ You’re so doting, brother!” Kaeya replied, chuckling as he crossed his arms.
Hu Tao giggles, “Diluc is obviously a worrywart! Hehe!”
“I-I’m not!” Diluc tried to say but the others didn’t buy it and just smiled smugly at him. He rubs his face, “Anyway. I should go back to Angel’s Share now. It’s almost my shift and I have to see if Aether isn’t slacking.”
“Be easy on him, brother.” Kaeya told him, frowning a bit.
“I’m already too easy on him, Kae.” he replied, sighing. “Do you want to come?”
Kaeya shakes his head, “I have.. To go somewhere today. Miracle Dandelion will have an audition later right? I’m one of the helpers for the music.” he told Diluc, Venti nodded at this since he was the one who asked Kaeya to help.
“Ah… right. Alright then. Don’t tire yourself out now.” Diluc told him, ruffling his hair.
“I won’t!” Kaeya replied with a puff of his cheek. “I’ll get going now then! I still have to uhh… visit someone before the audition!” Kaeya told them, cheeks turning a bit pink and Xinyan notices this. She narrows her eyes as she watches their vocalist’s suspicious actions.
“Okay! See you later, Kae! I will also come to watch the audition!” Hu Tao told him.
Kaeya waves his hand before leaving the room. This was when Xinyan said, “Hey… Do any of you think that Kaeya is acting a bit suspicious these days?” she asked them.
Diluc raises an eyebrow while Venti just grins, as if he knew what’s going on with their vocalist.
“He seems fine.” Diluc answered.
Xingqiu blinks, “Now that you mention it… Ever since two months ago, he would go out saying that he’ll visit someone. Can’t be Paimon since she’s still in Taishan Mansion in Liyue. That’s too far from Mondstadt.” he told them, Xinyan and Chongyun nodded.
“What if he meets up with Lumine?” Hu Tao suddenly asked.
Silence filled the room before they shook their heads.
“Yeah no, that’s impossible.” Diluc mumbles.
Hu Tao pouts, “But what if? I mean after that challenge, something must have formed between them~ You know~ Like love~” she snickers.
Diluc grumbles, “I know Kaeya wouldn’t keep anything like that from me or from all of you.”
“I have to agree with Diluc. Kaeya would tell us if he ever started dating someone.” Albedo told Hu Tao, crossing his arms. “It’s our privilege after all. To see if this girl he’s courting is the right one for him.”
Chongyun chuckles, “Yeah, he wouldn’t be able to hide the excitement to tell us about it! So yes, Kae is probably not dating anyone at the moment. Maybe he’s doing secret visits with Jean to make sure his vocal cords are truly healed? Our comeback concert is close after all!”
“I guess you guys are right…” Hu Tao mumbles sadly.
Xinyan pats her in the head, “Don’t worry! We can tease him as long as you like once he gets himself a girl! As his younger siblings, we’ll protect him from any crazy girlfriend! His older brother is with us too!” she told Hu Tao with a grin.
Hu Tao grins back, “Right!”
Diluc just sighs, shaking his head before he helps Chongyun to set the instruments aside.
Venti was trying not to laugh as he watched the group, ‘Ah.. But he is keeping it a secret from them for a while…Oh Kaeya, I hope they won’t find out about it first before your surprise for them.’
Aether turns around with a smile when the door opens, only to frown to see that it’s only his employer, Diluc.
“What?” Diluc asked, raising an eyebrow.
Aether puts the tray down to take his tablet which was pocketed in his side.
“Thought you were a customer. I was showing my ‘welcome smile’.”
“Oh really now?” Diluc muses as he walks behind the counter, “How’s your stay here so far? No one bothers you about being mute?”
Aether shakes his head, grinning.
“No one have the courage to actually bully Inteyvat’s Aether Viatrix even if they are drunk. Even though our group has disbanded, we are still well known as individuals!”
Diluc chuckles, “I see. That’s good then.”
Aether sat on the chair across him, typing on his tablet. He also got used to his mechanical fingers by now. Good thing Rhinedottir made it water and shockproof too.
“How’s your preparation for the comeback concert of The Unusuals? Is Kaeya already singing well?”
Diluc nodded, “He’s doing great actually. Fortunately, he isn’t forcing himself. He takes a break from time to time.” he answered before making a glass of Snow-covered Kiss since before getting in the tavern, Cynthia had asked him to make some as a take out. She’ll be taking it later.
Aether just nodded, smiling as he tapped his fingers on the counter. When a new customer arrives, he stands up and smiles, gesturing to a vacant seat before following to get his order.