Wriothesley couldn't have slept worse. His neck ached, and his arm felt even worse. Every part of him seemed to rebel against the idea of facing the day ahead, but he had no choice. He got dressed slowly, lacking any ounce of his usual motivation. Today, he had to ask Clorinde who she liked. The uncertainty had been eating away at him, and he needed to know if he even had a chance with her.
Brushing his hair half-heartedly and grabbing his weapon, he made his way to breakfast. As he entered, he noticed a group of inmates casually reading the newspaper. One of them joked as he sat down, "Represent us well, Duke!"
"I won't disappoint," Wriothesley replied, giving them a confident nod.
Sigewinne joined him at the table, a worried expression clouding her face. Wriothesley noticed immediately. "Everything alright, Sigewinne?" he asked, lowering his voice so their conversation stayed private.
Sigewinne sighed softly, glancing at the medical bag she had placed beside her. "Yes, I'm just concerned. From now on, we're almost exclusively dealing with fights between Vision holders. It increases the likelihood of serious injuries," she said, her brows furrowed as she double-checked her packed supplies.
Wriothesley smiled gently, trying to reassure her. "It also means we're experienced fighters who know how to avoid getting hurt," he said, hoping to lift her spirits.
Sigewinne looked up at him, a spark of amusement in her eyes. "That's rich coming from you. How many times have I patched you up after your so-called 'experienced' fights?" she teased.
"Hey, I've gotten hurt less seriously over time!" he countered, chuckling lightly.
She gave him a small, worried smile. "Just don't hurt the civilian you're fighting, alright?" she pleaded, knowing his next match was against Dehya, a seasoned mercenary but in the same team as a civilian.
"Don't worry," Wriothesley assured her, "I actually want to fight Dehya head-on. Not every day I get to face someone with a similar fighting style. I'm looking forward to it."
Though his heart still weighed heavily with thoughts of Clorinde, the promise of a good fight brought a small glimmer of excitement back to him. He knew he had to resolve things with Clorinde before his match, but for now, there was something to look forward to.
Wriothesley made his way to the arena alongside Sigewinne, his eyes scanning the bustling crowd. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as the first match was about to begin, but something felt off. Clorinde was nowhere to be seen.
He furrowed his brow, surprised. It wasn't like Clorinde to disappear before a big fight, especially with how organized and disciplined she always was. He had expected to see her at least preparing or warming up, but there was no sign of her anywhere.
"Where is she?" he muttered to himself, his mind now fixated on the absence of the one person he needed to talk to most. The tension from their unfinished exchange yesterday weighed heavily on him. Today was supposed to be the day he finally asked her directly about her feelings—about who she liked—and now, he couldn't even find her.
"Are you alright?" Sigewinne asked, noticing the slight shift in his mood.
Wriothesley gave her a reassuring smile. "Yeah, just... Clorinde's not here yet. It's unlike her to be late."
Sigewinne glanced around, sharing his curiosity. "Maybe she's preparing somewhere else?" she suggested, though she sounded uncertain.
Wriothesley nodded absently, his thoughts still on Clorinde. The first match was about to start, and he had to push the matter aside for now. But one way or another, he was determined to have that conversation before the day ended.
Navia and Furina took their positions on the stage, standing opposite Kokomi and Gorou. Both teams, armed with Hydro and Geo Visions, looked formidable. The crowd's energy was high and had everyone on the edge of their seats.
In the crowd, Itto could be seen waving wildly at his fellow Inazumans, shouting encouragements at Kokomi and Gorou. "GO GET 'EM, YOU GOT THIS!" he yelled, his voice booming over the already excited crowd. The rest of the Arataki Gang, just as loud and energetic as their leader, surrounded him, making sure that no one within earshot remained quiet. Itto's infectious excitement had the audience cheering before the fight even began.
Despite the upbeat atmosphere in the crowd, the tension on the arena platform was thick. Navia, Furina, Kokomi, and Gorou weren't here for fun—this was serious. All four competitors were locked in, their eyes scanning their opponents for any hint of weakness. The contrast between the boisterous crowd and the intense focus on the stage was striking. Not a single fighter cracked a smile; they knew this was going to be a battle of strategy and strength, and neither side was going to make it easy.
The air was charged with anticipation as the arena fell silent, the crowd's energy now hanging in suspense as the horn was about to sound.
The horn sounded, and for a split second, neither team moved. Both parties were sizing each other up, waiting for the other to make the first move. It was Furina who finally acted, summoning her Hydro companions to aid her in battle. Almost immediately, Kokomi responded, summoning her jellyfish to the field. Gorou was the first to fire, sending an arrow whizzing through the air toward Furina.
And then the arena came to life.
Kokomi and Navia clashed head-on, their strength and determination evident in every strike, while Gorou and Furina exchanged a barrage of attacks, one team staying on the defensive while the other pressed forward, trying to get in close. The platform was soon filled with a chaotic mix of summons, Hydro waves, and elemental energy swirling around them, each fighter trying to gain the upper hand.
In the midst of the chaos, it happened—Furina was sent flying off the platform. Gasps echoed through the arena as everyone watched her tumble through the air. But Furina wasn't finished yet. With a swift change of summons mid-air, she gracefully landed on the surface of the water below, performing an elegant roll to soften her fall. She stood up, her weapon still in hand, her expression composed despite the sudden turn of events.
For a brief moment, the crowd fell silent. The fight on the platform paused as everyone—including the fighters—wondered if Furina had been disqualified.
Yanfei stood up from her seat, her voice clear and authoritative as she addressed the arena. "The rules clearly state that the contestant must fall INTO the water to be eliminated. Furina is ON the water, and therefore, she is not disqualified."
The moment she sat back down, the fight resumed with renewed intensity. Navia, seizing the moment, pressed hard against Kokomi, nearly sending her off the platform. Kokomi clung to the edge, dangling dangerously close to the water below. But before Navia could finish the job, a storm of arrows from Gorou rained down on her, forcing her to retreat and preventing Kokomi's fall.
But Furina wasn't about to let it end there.
She sprinted across the water, her eyes locked on Kokomi. Reaching the edge where Kokomi was hanging on, Furina grabbed hold of her legs, determined to send her into the water and secure her team's victory.
The crowd held its breath, eyes glued to the platform, knowing this moment could decide the outcome of the match.
Kokomi let go of the edge, revealing her hidden card—she too could walk on water. With a graceful landing, she stood on the surface, mirroring Furina's earlier maneuver.
"What? You can do that too?" Furina exclaimed, taking a few cautious steps backward. This had not gone as she'd intended.
Kokomi, ever focused and efficient, didn't waste time with words. She immediately began firing a barrage of Hydro projectiles, knowing her ability to walk on water was limited. Her time was running out. Furina struggled to dodge the onslaught, each projectile narrowly missing her. Realizing she couldn't keep this up for long, Furina opted for a retreat, sprinting toward the other side of the platform and seeking cover behind the structure, buying herself a few precious seconds to think of a new plan.
Kokomi, determined to finish the fight before her advantage ran out, pursued her relentlessly. She closed in on Furina, who was just within reach. Kokomi could see the opportunity—if she could just jump to the right, she'd have a clear shot. She made her move, leaping to position herself for the perfect attack.
But in that critical moment, the surface beneath her gave way. The water lost its solidity as she miscalculated the timing of her ability. Her shot went wide, missing Furina completely as Kokomi plunged into the water with a splash.
The crowd erupted in surprise and applause, realizing Furina had won
Gorou and Navia were still locked in a fierce battle on the platform. Navia, her stance firm, unleashed a powerful blast from her umbrella shotgun, the force of the attack knocking Gorou back. He tumbled across the platform, clearly injured from the impact.
Navia readied another shot, her eyes focused and determined, but Gorou, ever the experienced soldier, quickly assessed the situation. He knew when a battle was lost. Realizing he had no chance of turning the fight around, he made the wise decision to jump into the water, effectively conceding the match.
As he surfaced, Furina, standing nearby on the boat, reached out to help him aboard. Sigewinne was already waiting, her medical supplies at the ready. Without missing a beat, she immediately began tending to Gorou's injuries, her practiced hands ensuring he'd recover swiftly.
The crowd applauded, appreciating the sportsmanship and the intense battle both teams had delivered.
Wriothesley scanned the arena once again, but there was still no sign of Clorinde. It was unlike her to miss a fight, especially one involving her close friends like Navia and Furina. A small frown creased his brow as he tried to figure out where she could be. Clorinde was always punctual and focused, never one to disappear without reason.
His worry grew, especially with their earlier awkward exchange weighing on his mind. This wasn't like her at all. He couldn't help but wonder if their conversation—or lack thereof—was affecting her more than he'd thought.
Up next were Itto and Shinobu, facing off against Fischl and Mona. The energy in the arena was high as the match was set to begin, but Wriothesley barely noticed, his thoughts consumed by Clorinde's absence. As the battle unfolded, he realized if Clorinde didn't show soon, she could miss her own fight.
Growing more concerned, Wriothesley approached Furina and Navia, hoping they might have seen her. "Have either of you seen Clorinde?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.
Both shook their heads. "She'll be fine," Furina reassured him with a nonchalant wave. "Maybe she's just helping some grandma with her groceries?" She shrugged, as if the idea of Clorinde being somewhere mundane was the most reasonable explanation.
"Speaking from experience?" Navia teased, chuckling at the playful jab at Furina's more ancient age.
Wriothesley smiled faintly at the joke, but his concern remained. Time was running out, and Clorinde was still nowhere to be found.
The crowd erupted into cheers as Itto and Shinobu were declared the winners of their match. Navia and Furina exchanged a glance—Clorinde was up in about two minutes, and yet, there was still no sign of her.
One minute left. The competitors were announced: Dunyazad and Dehya versus Wriothesley and Clorinde. Just as the announcement finished, a small boat docked at the competitors boat, and out stepped Clorinde, rushing to the stage just in time to walk alongside Wriothesley.
"Where were you?" Wriothesley asked, disbelief written all over his face.
"My alarm clock broke—I overslept," she panted, clearly out of breath.
"I can tell," he said, eyeing her more closely. "You're missing an earring."
Clorinde reached up, realizing he was right. With a sigh of frustration, she quickly removed the other earring and pocketed it. "Just let me fight. I'm really interested in sparring with Dehya," Wriothesley said, his focus already shifting to the upcoming battle.
Clorinde nodded, still trying to catch her breath. "If it looks bad, I'll step in," she replied, relieved to take a more passive role today. As she reached for her weapon, she noticed one of her gloves was inside out. It truly wasn't her day.
The horn blared, signaling the start of the fight. Wriothesley charged forward, his eyes locked on Dehya, while Clorinde took her place on the sidelines, determined to stay sharp despite her chaotic morning.
Clorinde casually approached Dunyarzad, her demeanor calm as she held her weapon, though it remained lowered. "I think it's best if you willingly take the swim," she suggested, her voice even.
Dunyazad eyed Clorinde's stance, understanding the futility of fighting. With a nod, she knelt down and hung off the edge of the platform before letting herself drop into the water below. "I think that's a great idea," she murmured as she disappeared beneath the surface.
Dehya, however, wasn't as compliant. Gritting her teeth, she activated her Pyro Vision, flames flickering around her fists. Wriothesley responded by activating his Cryo Vision, and as their fists collided, a cloud of vapor erupted between them, growing denser with each strike. The audience soon found themselves unable to see much of the action, the platform consumed by mist. Neither Dehya nor Wriothesley had a clear view either.
Luckily for the Duke, Dehya's Pyro infusion illuminated her movements, giving him an advantage. The bright red glow allowed him to track her through the thick mist, dodging her blows while landing his own. The spectators could only see flashes of red and white streaking through the cloud as the two fighters battled fiercely at the center of the platform.
After what felt like an eternity of chaotic flashes, the audience heard a loud thud, signaling that someone had hit the floor. Clorinde, alert and ready, steadied her weapon, preparing to intervene if necessary. Through the mist, a figure emerged, and without hesitation, she pointed her sword at their throat.
"It's me," Wriothesley said, raising his hands in a non-threatening gesture, not eager to get stabbed.
Clorinde lowered her sword, breathing a small sigh of relief. As the wind began to carry the vapor away from the arena, the remaining mist cleared, revealing Dehya lying unconscious on the platform, clearly knocked out.
The judges immediately declared her unable to continue, and the victory was awarded to Wriothesley and Clorinde. The crowd cheered for their triumph.
Kaeya and Lisa took their positions on the stage, facing off against Cyno and Tighnari on the opposite side. The crowd's energy surged as the match began, but Clorinde and Wriothesley stood slightly apart from the action, focused on something else.
Clorinde took the brief respite to finally fix her glove, turning it right-side out. As she did, Wriothesley observed her closely, noting the fatigue in her movements. "You look tired," he remarked quietly.
"I am tired," Clorinde admitted, her voice a little quieter than usual. "I went to bed late, couldn't sleep." She paused, seemingly unsure how to continue before finally taking a deep breath. "Listen... I was just curious when I asked you... I didn't mean to make things weird." Her eyes dropped to her feet, the confidence she usually carried gone.
Wriothesley's expression softened. "I was just taken by surprise, that's all," he said gently. "I didn't think you were overstepping at all." He smiled, trying to ease the tension between them.
"Oh," Clorinde murmured, finally looking up at him, some of the weight lifting from her expression.
For a moment, they stood there in the midst of the chaos, with the fierce battle raging on the platform behind them. The crowd's cheers and shouts rang out around them, but it all seemed distant as they shared a quiet, vulnerable moment.
"Then everything is good between us?" Clorinde asked, her voice tentative.
Wriothesley's smile faltered for a brief second as his expression grew a bit more serious. "Yeah... No," he replied, looking at her with sincerity, knowing there was still something left unspoken.
Clorinde looked surprised, a bit confused by his answer. "No?" she repeated, clearly not understanding where he was going.
Wriothesley took a deep breath. "Listen, Clorinde, I think we need to talk about some things. I feel like we're not telling each other everything." He paused, gauging her reaction. When she simply nodded, it was a sign for him to continue.
"I think we're both curious about the same things," he said carefully. "And, well, I'd like to know the same thing you asked me. Who is it you have a crush on?"
Clorinde's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "I never said I have a crush. How do you...?" She trailed off, caught off guard.
Wriothesley smiled, though his expression was still serious. "I guess it will remain a Miss-terie," he said, his eyes locking onto hers with a knowing look.
Clorinde blinked, her cheeks warming with embarrassment as she processed his words. "I see... so you know," she said quietly.
"It took me a while, but yeah, I figured it out eventually," Wriothesley admitted, watching her closely, trying to read her reaction.
"Yes, there is somebody I like," Clorinde admitted, her voice quieter this time. "But... why do you want to know?"
Wriothesley hesitated for a moment, but then his voice softened, sounding more protective than he intended. "I'd like to know who the idiot is that broke your heart."
Clorinde's face immediately flushed red, and she instinctively covered her face with her hands. "Oh, well... um, that," she mumbled, clearly flustered. "I may have combined a bit of nonsense there."
"I don't follow," Wriothesley said, confused.
She peeked through her fingers, her embarrassment evident. "You remember at the ball, when I told you I saw him kiss someone else?"
"Yeah, I remember," Wriothesley said, nodding.
"Turns out, I had it wrong this entire time," she admitted, her voice a mix of frustration and embarrassment. "I thought he was dating someone, but he wasn't, and it was actually someone else... Ugh, don't remind me of the mess I made because I jumped to conclusions." She buried her face even deeper in her hands, her cheeks burning at the memory of thinking Wriothesley and Maria were dating when, in reality, it had been Vire all along.
"Wait, you thought the guy with Maria was the one you liked, but it turned out to be Vire?" the Duke said, laughing unintentionally at the absurdity of the mix-up.
Clorinde's expression changed immediately, her frown deepening as she looked at him. "I never said that. I never said I thought the guy I liked was dating Maria!" She looked dead serious now, her eyes narrowing. "I never told anybody that."
Wriothesley's laughter faded, and he suddenly felt the tables turn. "I..." He hesitated, realizing he was about to be caught in his own slip-up. "I may or may not have overheard your friends talking about it, and from the description of the couple, I recognized them as Maria and Vire at the masked ball," he admitted, stammering as he finished, hoping she wouldn't be too angry.
Clorinde's serious expression lingered for a moment before she started laughing, the sound catching him off guard. "So that's why you asked me if I liked Vire?" she said between laughs. "You were right, there's plenty we didn't tell each other."
Wriothesley smiled, both relieved and slightly embarrassed. "Yeah, well, guess we've both been carrying around some misunderstandings."
"Seems like it," Clorinde said, still amused by how tangled everything had become. "We really should've cleared this up a long time ago."
The crowd erupted into cheers as Cyno and Tighnari were declared the winners of their match, but there were whispers circulating. Some spectators were puzzled, talking about how strange it was for the Mondstadt duo to concede when it didn't seem like they were in a dire situation.
Clorinde caught wind of the murmurs but shrugged them off. "Let's grab a coffee and see if there's anything else that's a mess," she suggested with a smirk, her tone light.
With the day's fights over, the boats began returning to shore. As they stepped off, Wriothesley had an idea. "You know what? Let's go to that nice restaurant I told you about instead," he said casually.
"Sounds good," Clorinde agreed. "I skipped breakfast anyway."
They made their way to the restaurant, both feeling the ease of finally clearing the air between them. As they skimmed the menu, Clorinde glanced up at Wriothesley. "You know, after I told you about my crush, I think it's only fair you answer that question of mine," she said confidently, her eyes still scanning the dishes. "Is there anybody you fancy?" she asked, repeating the question she had originally asked.
Wriothesley smiled slightly, setting down his menu. "Yes, I actually do have quite the crush on someone as well," he admitted, his tone steady but with a playful edge.
Just then, the waiter approached. "Are you ready to order?" he asked, interrupting the moment.
"I think so, yes," Clorinde replied, and they both placed their orders.
Once the waiter left, Clorinde looked out the window, her expression thoughtful. "I'm surprised," she admitted, turning her gaze back to Wriothesley. "You always seem so calm. I wouldn't have guessed."
Wriothesley leaned back in his chair, his eyes locked on hers. "Calm, maybe. But that doesn't mean I don't feel things just as strongly," he said, his voice soft but direct.
Clorinde met his gaze, her curiosity piqued even more.
"Why don't we play a game?" Wriothesley asked, a playful idea striking him as he leaned in with a smug look. "I think we're even when it comes to risk. How about this: if we win the tournament, we tell each other who we like."
Clorinde shook her head, grinning. "No, no, that won't do," she said, enjoying the back-and-forth. "When we win the tournament, we'll tell. But if we lose, we both stay guessing."
Wriothesley's grin widened. "Alright, I have an even better idea," he said, clearly pleased with his next proposal. "How about after we win, and only if we win the tournament, you and I battle it out. Loser has to say it."
Clorinde's eyes lit up with intrigue, and without a moment's hesitation, she agreed. "Yes."
He blinked in surprise. "You really had no hesitation there."
Clorinde laughed, clearly enjoying the idea. "What can I say? It sounds more thrilling than the other ideas."
"I guess so," Wriothesley replied, chuckling. As their food arrived, the conversation drifted to other topics, but underneath it all, both of them were laser-focused on one goal: winning the tournament. They were determined, no matter the cost, because they had to know who the other liked.
"The semi and final are held tomorrow, right?" Clorinde asked as she sipped her drink.
"Yeah," Wriothesley confirmed, leaning back in his chair. "Since two fights in one day might feel rushed, there's a five-hour break between the semi and the final for recovery. They announced it earlier, but you weren't there."
Clorinde nodded, remembering her chaotic morning. "Right, I still need to buy a new alarm clock."
"Yeah, it would be pretty bad if you missed the fight for real this time," he teased, but his tone softened. "You had me worried there."
Clorinde smirked. "No, I wouldn't miss it for anything," she replied with a grin before her expression turned more serious. "But all jokes aside, tomorrow's going to be tough. We need to be careful."
Wriothesley nodded, his usual lighthearted demeanor giving way to focus. "I've been observing their fighting styles," he began, shifting into strategic mode. "I think if we do this..."
He leaned in, starting to outline his thoughts, his voice dropping as he detailed his observations and proposed a plan for how they could tackle their upcoming opponents. Clorinde listened carefully, offering her own insights, their banter replaced by the focused mindset of two warriors preparing for a difficult battle. The tournament had become more than just a competition—it was now the key to a truth both of them were eager to uncover.