Tenderness of the Tofu

Xiao watched as the scalding-hot tea in front of him let off subtle steam in silence.

Upstairs, he could hear the faint sounds of thumping and shouting, with the voice of the male barista being significantly louder and more panicked.

Shifting his eyes golden eyes over to the plate presented to him, he fell into contemplation.

Looking behind him, he saw the clear glass pane window and the city of Fontaine outside.

'An even more unfamiliar environment...' Xiao, who had always stayed in Liyue, was unfamiliar with the modern Fontaine. 'Fleeing here won't do much. And...'

Looking back at the rapidly cooling tofu, his eyes became focused. '...that man named Isaac doesn't seem to be holding any malicious intent...'

Cynical as he was, Xiao was still relatively reasonable.

This Yaksha— who experienced the bloody battlefield multiple times— knows how to properly respond to any situation he finds himself in.

As for right now? He only has one option.

Comply.

Correcting his sitting posture, Xiao placed down his jade polearm and looked at the meal in front of him.

It was a simple meal that comprised nothing but tea and tofu. On the side of the tofu was a silver spoon.

Xiao raised his hand before picking up the silver spoon and felt it cold to the touch, perhaps due to the air conditioner in the cafe.

He brought his spoon close to the glistening white soft tofu and took a slice from its corner. After which, he brought the spoon with the tofu close to his nose and lightly smelled it.

Right after smelling it, he judged that it wasn't laced with anything dangerous. It only exuded a faint soybean scent.

Xiao looked at the tofu for a moment before finally eating it.

Nom*

The soft-boiled tofu gently separated as it made contact with Xiao's tongue. The texture was silky and soft, to the point that it felt like it would melt in his mouth.

Additionally, the simple taste of the tofu, without any additional flavors, was favored by Xiao. Because, as it happens, his favorite meal is also tofu.

'Is it just a coincidence?' Xiao thought. However, there was no way for him to know.

As for why it's his favorite? Simply put, it reminds him of the dreams he devoured.

Gulping down the tofu, Xiao lightly nodded his head. He quite liked it.

He then looked at the lavender tea Isaac gave him. He extended his hand and took the teacup before gently cradling it and bringing it close to his nose.

He took a quick sniff of the scent and the floral aroma quickly attacked his nose. It was a gentle aroma as if inviting him to relax.

'Tea...' Looking at the teacup in front of him, Xiao fell into thinking. 'In the past, I used to drink these to calm my nerves... But as time passed by, its effects started waning until it became completely ineffective to me...'

One must know that simple remedies cannot heal deep scars formed from wars.

Even now, countless dark and howling screams terrorize Xiao's inner mind. They were all the Karma he had accumulated throughout his life as a Yaskha— forever lingering with him and torturing him.

If Isaac were here and knew of Xiao's thoughts, he would surely lampoon and try to persuade Xiao to go to therapy as a war veteran.

Gently cradling the tea and seeing his faint reflection on the surface, Xiao observed his stale cold expressionless face.

'After using several items to calm myself... I believe that this would be a useless endeavor.' He thought as he looked at the tea in his hand.

After a brief moment of silence, he brought the teacup to his mouth and took a sip.

Soon, the delicate and slightly sweet taste of the lavender tea rushed through Xiao's tongue. Additionally, the presence of the lemon added a tangy kick and a burst of freshness to the taste. Together, they created a harmonious balance of flavors, with the floral sweetness complementing the citrusy acidity.

"...!" As for Xiao, he was slightly taken aback, but not to the point that it was exaggerated. The taste of the tea just left him in a state of shock. "This is...?"

Xiao looked around, but all he saw was the silent cafe and the ray of light outside penetrating through the glass pane windows.

"..." Xiao continued to look around, before finally coming up with a conclusion.

"It's... Quiet?"

Silence.

For the first time since he can remember... He once more felt what silence is like. No horrendous voices were cursing at any given moment— it was as if they all had been silenced to eternal damnation.

"How..." In disbelief of what was happening, Xiao looked back at the teacup he was holding. In it, the surface of the tea slightly rippled as his reflection refracted. "How is this possible..."

It was unbelievable.

For ages, he had tried various methods to suppress his Karma. Even pills crafted by the Adepti only suppressed them to a certain extent.

Never had he experienced something that could completely suppress his Karmic Debt.

Observing the tea, Xiao fell into deep contemplation. "This..."

Just as Xiao said this, voices suddenly started approaching him. But this time, it wasn't the voices in his head, but rather, from the real world.

"Do that again and I'd seriously ban you for two weeks, young lady." Isaac clicked his tongue as he walked down the stairs.

Klee, on the other hand, was panicking as she tried to persuade him. "Wa-wait! I won't do it again! Please, mister Isaac!"

"Nuh-uh, you've been causing too much mischief for me," Isaac looked at her. "First you detonated a smoke bomb in my cafe, causing me to have to release it outside, and now you were trying to set up a private bomb factory on my second floor? Yeah no."

"Gosh, you sure have too much idea, don't you?" Meanwhile, Yae Miko was watching the scene play out with an entertained face. "If you had been a little been more subtle, perhaps you would have succeeded."

"Wait, really?" Klee, hearing Yae Miko, believed her. "I see..."

"For God's sake..." Isaac felt like a headache was about to arrive as the two chatted.

However, before he erupted, he saw Xiao who was quietly sitting down and watching them. 'Oooh right!'

Clearing his mind, he heaved a don't such and gestured to the two women at a table. "Can you two sit down there for a bit? I still have a customer to attend to."

"He's our new friend?" Seeing Xiao for the first time, Klee became curious. "Can I talk to him?!"

"I think it's wise to do that later, little one." Just then, Yae Miko interjected Klee and guided her to the table Isaac pointed at. "Come on then."

As the two of them started moving, Yae Miko turned around and looked at Isaac. She then winked. 'You owe me one.'

'Ha... Yeah right.' Isaac rolled his eyes before nodding lightly and walking away.

After doing this, he walked behind the counter and stood adjacent to Xiao. "How was your meal, dear customer?"

"...it was good," Finding no merit in telling any lie, Xiao decided to be straightforwardly honest.

[+10]

[+5]

[+5]

Seeing the confirmations, Isaac relaxed as his smile softened. "Is that so? Then that's delightful to hear."

"Seeing the satisfaction of my dear customers has been my utmost cherished goal. For all time, always."

Xiao nodded his head lightly. He then followed it with words. "If... You don't mind... Can I ask a question?"

"Oh? Of course!" Hearing Xiao, Isaac's face lit up. He always loved it when he was asked questions. "Please, do go on ahead."

"Might in inquire what you put in this tea?" Xiao lifted his teacup which was now half empty.

'Hm? The tea?' Hearing his question, Isaac spaced out for a moment. He then composed himself and explained with a calm tone. "Well, to start, I just placed a teabag full of Lavender in a teacup and let it simmer with hot water."

"Apart from that, I also added a dash of lemon for a distinct taste," He added.

Hearing the simple procedure, Xiao became slightly perplexed. He still had doubts. "That's it?"

"That's it." Isaac smiled.

"..." Xiao became silent as he fell into contemplation. He was now looking at the teacup he had in silence.

After a few moments, he looked back at Isaac. "I see... Well then..." After saying this, Xiao got off the stool and stood up.

'Is he leaving already?' Isaac felt saddened that they only met briefly. 'Well, I can just hope that I made a good impression and that he might return.'

"I see." What Isaac anticipated was finally here. In the end, he could only silently sigh. "Well, I'm glad you enjoyed your visit."

"Yes," Xiao's golden eyes sized up Isaac and he lightly nodded his head. "I had... A new experience here."

"That's wonderful to hear." Isaac lightly smiled. He then looked at the door, "Do remember, if you ever want to come back here, then please, return at any time."

"We will always welcome you."

Xiao heard this and he paused. He then turned around and saw Isaac, Yae Miko, and Klee looking at him with warmness in their eyes.

"Have a safe trip, dear customer." Isaac opened his mouth, and tender words escaped.

Hearing such unfamiliar words— no, he once heard those words before, but they gradually receded in his mind— Xiao fell into silence.

After a few moments, he sighed lightly.

"I will try."

And so, the Conqueror of Demons left. However, it won't be the last time that this war-torn soldier would be heard of in the cafe.

---

Seeing Xiao leave, Isaac sighed externally. He then picked up a teacup and brewed himself a cappuccino.

"Congrats, Isaac." Yae Miko's voice drifted over to his ears. "You earned another customer."

"And you guys got a new friend." He retorted with a light smile.

"So what are you gonna do now?" Ignoring Isaac's remark, Yae Miko changed the subject. "You said that the Iudex's personnel are watching you, what are you gonna do?"

"Well, if Monsieur Neuvillette were to send more Marechaussee personnel, then it might cause me a bit of trouble," Isaac explained as he stirred the cup of coffee he just brewed.

"But would you lose?" Yae Miko then asked.

Hearing this, Isaac paused before lifting his head and smirking. "Nah, I'd win."

"Because throughout Heaven and Earth, I alone am the cunning one."