Sing Me To Sleep

Chapter 1: A Fine Tune

"No! Not like this! I'm begging you..."

Soft cries echoed in the stillness of the night. The voice is full of grief and sorrow, permeating deep. Everyone was grieving. Their hero has fallen. The honorary knight was defeated. It was an unexpected occurrence that sent everyone reeling. What will happen? The battle has not yet been won. Who will save them? The lone yaksha ran in the direction of the man. Tears streamed down his face as he held the limp body of the man he had sworn his entire life to.

"Xiao..."

Xiao gripped his chest tight. His eyes were clearly crying, and beads of sweat were trickling down his forehead. He inhaled deeply.

'That dream again...'

He is utterly irritated by it. The idea that a person he has never even met in real life is bugging him in his nightmares is frustrating. But the truth is that in his nightmares, Xiao had the impression that this blonde person was the center of his entire being.

He made the decision to get back to his everyday tasks rather than obsessing about his upsetting dreams. Maybe a lengthy, hot shower will help him relax. He can take his time taking a bath because it is still early. He typically skips breakfast and just heads straight to school. But because of that dream, he was able to get up early and make a cup of coffee and some toast. As Xiao scrolled through his phone, his messaging app was overrun with messages from seminar group chats to his circle of friends.

Although it doesn't seem like it, Xiao has a wide range of friends. Hu Tao is a very vivacious and cunning woman. Chongyun and Xingqiu are the pair. The biggest worrywart when it comes to his meals and sleeping habits is his fictitious mother, Xiangling.

After finishing his simple breakfast, he retrieved his small backpack and keys. While closing up his flat, he texted his Uncle Zhongli to let him know he was leaving for university.

At the moment, Xiao is residing in his uncle's extra apartment room in a well-known area. This person going by the name Zhongli is not Xiao's blood relative. Simply said, Zhongli and his parents are very close, and the guy also loves him like a son. It is no secret that Xiao loves his uncle dearly, but there is no way in hell he would act that way out in the open.

His residence and university are both close by. Only two stops and a 15-minute walk are required to get there. He paid for his ticket and went to wait in Line 3.

"...Guili Station...onboard..."

The intercom announced. Before entering, Xiao waited for the passengers to exit and then sat down close to the entrance. He connected his earbuds and began playing music at random. The passengers continue to come in. It's remarkable how lively and active the residents of Liyue are at this early hour of the day. An elderly woman entered. It's challenging finding a seat because the train is nearly full.

"Ma'am, you can take my seat," Xiao politely offered. The old woman smiled brightly at the stern-faced man and thanked him.

"The train will depart at 8:15 am..."

Already 8:13 in the morning. The doors of the train will close in less than two minutes. Xiao grabbed his phone from his pocket after it beeped. A silhouette of a blonde-haired person entered just as the train door shut.

A tall young man cried, "Uwah! We almost got left behind!" with a tone of relief. His booming voice caused Xiao to focus on the group. Then a female voice joined in. A princess-worthy voice, it was calming.

"Mou... that's because you're so slow, Thoma." Xiao removed one of his earpods. His mind is consumed by curiosity. It seems as though some unseen force is urging him to pay attention to the group and listen. This man, Thoma, just made a regretful expression while scratching his head.

Time is being wasted on this. Why is he even listening to a bunch of friends conversing about something that is totally none of his business? He was annoyed by his own behavior. He heard a lovely giggle coming from someone just as he was going to put the earpod back in his left ear. Even though it was only a brief chuckle, Xiao's ears perked up. His body trembled from nostalgia, and his heart was racing so rapidly.

He must meet with this individual. He is filled with inquiries. He is directly in front of him, only a few people behind. Although he's nearby, why does it seem like he's also far away? The intercom buzzed, interrupting his train of thinking.

"Arriving at Guili Station....boarding passengers kindly....the train will..."

When the train came to a stop, there was an internal echo of machinery stopping. The passengers hurried out the door as soon as it opened. The clamoring throng all around Xiao masked his own words. It was already too late when he got off. The group had left at this time. In hopes that he would run across them again, he made the decision to simply attend university.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

Liyue International University, 8:45 am.

The situation was typical. The other pupils are occupied taking care of their own affairs. Xiao's friends share the same sentiments. As usual, Xingqiu was standing in the middle of the seminar room doing all in his power to make Chongyun miserable. Xiangling is giggling while Hu Tao is making fun of her. Hu Tao leaped toward Xiao when they saw him standing directly at the door.

"XIAO LISTEN—-"

Hu Tao's sentence was cut off before she could even finish it by Xiao's sigh. "You should budget your stipend wisely, Hu Tao. Xiangling is not your personal chef when you're in need."

Hu Tao's only actions were a tongue click and an eye roll. Hu Tao turned to the other side and said, "Stingy."

"You arrived early? Still another dream? Breakfast?" Xiangling grinned as she turned to face Xiao.

Xingqiu stopped bothering Chongyun after Xiao settled down next to him. To face the stoic man sitting next to him, Xingqiu turned in his chair. "Ne..." Xingqiu asked. "Do you even sleep well? Don't you think you dream too much?"

The response to the query is too simple. Xiao's complexion provides a complete response to Xingqiu's queries. Curtly the individual to whom the queries were addressed said, "I'm alright."

All Xingqiu could do was sigh. It's not as if Xiao will come right out and tell them that he is struggling and that he is not really okay. This is Xiao that we are discussing. The same man is also conscious of his friends' concerns. He must thus resist letting that dream have any impact on him. It's not Xiao's intention to worry his friends.

The day went on like it should have. They attended lectures, had lunch, and then split out to pursue their individual major subjects.

"See you later!" says Hu Tao.

She receives a nod from Xiao before he walks away to enter the art prep area. The room is located in the next building, adjacent to the lecture building. The preparatory rooms for music, art, and history are all in the same building. It is referred to as the Yujing Building.

He's still thinking about the owner of the familiar voice he heard inside the train a little while ago as he moves along. Xiao's mind burst with many queries.

'Should I start asking who is this Thoma? Wait, are they even students?'

Xiao's mind was consumed with frustration. He is furious with indignation at the vexing thought of his helplessness. It was merely a question of distance. He shouldn't be beating himself up right now if he had just gone up to them right away.

He entered the Yujing Building's second floor and turned left. There is a clear view of the "Art Room" sign. He walked by the music room as he made his way slowly to the assigned room. He believed it to be empty, not until he overheard a melody being hummed. His feet came to an abrupt halt. He cautiously turned his head toward the opening of the partially opened door while his body shook.

The identical blonde hair, identical voice. That exact calm smile taking a bath in the afternoon sun's afterglow. His sole sky.

"Aether...?"