Chapter 1

"Let me go!!" Venti screamed, his tone full of terror. Caught off guard by the sudden repulsion, Zhongli sat back on his heels and released him. Once free, Venti drew his knees up to his chest and buried his face in them, soaking his tights with flame-hot tears, anguished sobs resounding throughout the room.

It pained Zhongli to see Venti this way, even more so to think he caused such a reaction. Was he too rough? Did he cross a boundary? What did he do wrong? His amber eyes softened as his tone took on a much more gentle tone than his previously aroused one,

"Venti... No... Barbatos... Talk to me, my love... What's wrong...? It is clear I triggered a negative reaction from you... So tell me... What are you not telling me...?"