Trivia: One of the most famous stolen paintings yet to be recovered is Johannes Vermeer's painting titled ' The Concert '

(Y/n) spent the weekend with their boyfriend, only returning home sunday night. Suspiciously, throughout that period they received no messages from Kokomi or Venti. They didn't want to linger on that while they were with Ayato so they could enjoy their time together wholeheartedly.

On campus the next day, their best friend greets them with a stern look on her face.

"Kokomi is something wrong? I'm sorry for leaving you without a word last friday, I just got excited to see Ayato..."

"I'm not mad at you, I promise. It's just we have a big problem." She averts her gaze. She didn't lie when she said she isn't mad at her friend, but she didn't want to burden them with more problems and ill feelings if she told them about Albedo's disappearance.

That friday after (Y/n) left and it was just her, Childe, Yelan, and Itto in the room, the latter abruptly began rambling about how Albedo sent him an image of his unfinished painting of beetles. "He never once sent me a picture of his work in progress, especially an unfinished one. He always wanted to surprise me by showing me the finished piece in person." Were his words.

Yelan spoke to them about the conversation she overheard. The group came to the conclusion that Ayato may have something to do with Albedo not being present, but it has only been a day. It would be too early for them to suspect anything.

Since then Yelan had a team go and check Albedo's house which was empty, and remained empty that weekend. A separate team searched around the city, Kokomi was ringing his phone that was found to be left unattended at his house. Still, it was too early for any of them to say anything for sure but it was suspicious.

"Let's... Get to class."

(Y/n) nods their head. They couldn't shake off the different behavior Kokomi had that morning. During their vacant later on she didn't go to buy her usual snacks.

"Here, eat something you two." Childe hands them both grape soda and lemon bread. "Did you tell (Y/n) yet?" He spares no second in asking.

"Tell me what? Oh and thanks rich boy."

Kokomi gives him an annoyed then despaired look. "Ahaha about how I accidentally kicked his balls last week."

"You sure it was an accident?"

"Yeaah I was just walking and I swung my leg back and Childe so happened to be there."

"You just love bullying me don't you Kokomi?" He smiled while his eyes showed a different expression. The poor rich boy had his moments of irritation too.

She discreetly steps on his toes, squashing them. "Play along. "

"Waait..." (Y/n)'s eyes widened. "Are you two dating?"

"No!" Kokomi screeched. "My heart and soul and life and everything belongs to Kujou Sara! Even if it didn't why would I like this lame cringy dude!"

"Harsh." Childe frowned.

"Sorry, you two have just been acting weird so I thought. You know..."

"Never!"

"Yeah clumsy bookworms aren't my type."

"I am not a clumsy bookworm!"

(Y/n) opens the pack the lemon bread was in, taking a less than generous bite while staring at the two. "So what are you two hiding."

"It's nothing (Y/n). Don't worry."

"Yes! If anything, you should worry about your life decisions from now on and not kiss other dudes outside where people can take photos to blackmail you!"

"You damn gulper shark." Kokomi scowls at the outcast of the group.

"That was oddly specific... Are you implying something?"

"Maybe, maybe not."

"I'm not even going to bother inquiring any further. Things with me and Ayato are all well now, I have nothing to worry about."

"That's good..."

The rest of the day was smooth sailing. Although (Y/n) was still skeptical with how Kokomi was acting, they enjoyed lunch with their boyfriend and once their classes ended for the day, before (Y/n) could leave Yelan requests to speak with them in private.

In a different empty room, Yelan locks the door and quite reserved like the sun that afternoon was her smile. "Sorry, I just can't have anyone suddenly entering and overhearing our conversation."

"I understand."

"So the thing you friends were struggling to tell you a while ago during our morning vacant."

"You were listening?"

"I am most of the time, I admit."

"Okaay, so what is it they were struggling to tell me?"

"It seems your friend Albedo has disappeared. We think Ayato has something to do with this, and since you're his partner we need your help."

"Albedo has what? Huh? What would Ayato have... No. I mean, Ayato wouldn't actually try to harm someone."

"He would never do it himself."

"Sorry, I'm lost."

"It started with that photo taken by Ayato's hireling. The photo of you and Albedo kissing."

"The what?! Momoyo damn it. So that's what Childe meant."

"It was forwarded to Ayato. Then the other week I overheard him on a call with—"

"There you are (Y/n)!" The door unlocks and opens, Ayato waves at his lover.

"How did he figure out this soon?!" Yelan turned around, appearing calm. "Hello, Ayato Kamisato."

"Good afternoon, miss Yelan."

They exchanged a resentful look and Yelan took off without saying anything else. She just gave (Y/n) a quick look while holding one finger by her mouth. "Shh"

"Was something going on?"

"Oh we were just discussing what to do for our project, Yelan and I are partners."

"Sorry to disturb you two then. You still busy?"

"Nope. You have my undivided attention." They grab his collar and pull him close, planting a kiss on his cheek.

"How cheeky of you. Pun intended." He wraps his arms around their waist. "I know it's only been a few hours but I missed you a lot. Want to go out for dinner?"

"Yeah. Oh but first I need to go check if Albedo is around, I've been meaning to talk to him. If you don't mind."

"I do mind. And Albedo isn't here, didn't Yelan tell you that?"

"Ah..."

Ayato pulled away, (Y/n) stared at him with surprise and fear. Would he really?

"Come on, let's go babe." He grabs their hand, somewhat more harsh than usual. It was clear to them that the mention of Albedo ticked him off.