"Do you really think Klee won't throw a fit once we get back to Mondstadt, with how attached she is to Akio?" Jean said with a trace of worry.
"Oh my, what are you worried about?" Lisa grinned mischievously. "If little Klee does throw a tantrum over Akio, that might actually work in our favor."
"Huh? How's that?" Jean looked at her, utterly puzzled.
"Aww, Jean, you're so cute—come here, let me give you a snuggle." Lisa giggled and nuzzled Jean's cheek.
"Lisa, stop it~" Jean huffed, though she didn't really resist. After all, she'd shared some rather intimate moments with both Lisa and Akio—Lisa's affection wasn't something she minded much anymore.
"Come on, tell me—why would Klee making a fuss be a good thing?" Jean nudged her playfully.
"Think about it. Our dear is absolutely wrapped around Klee's finger," Lisa said with a sly smile. "If she kicks up a storm missing him, wouldn't that give our dear a perfect excuse to visit Mondstadt?"
"Huh?" Jean blinked. She hadn't thought of it like that.
"Right now, he practically treats her like his own daughter. If she cries and pouts for him, he'll have to come see her, won't he? And once he's here… hehehe~" Lisa's smile turned positively devilish.
"Hmm…" Jean nodded thoughtfully. "You actually have a point."
"So stop worrying." Lisa stretched and smiled. "Let's get some rest. Tomorrow, we'll go see our dear."
"Alright." Jean gave a soft nod and followed Lisa back into their room.
———
The next morning, Akio slowly opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw was Kamisato Ayaka's stunningly beautiful face, still flushed with a gentle, rosy glow of contentment.
"Mmm~" Sensing his movement, Ayaka stirred, blinking open her eyes to find him looking right at her.
She buried her face against his chest, mumbling, "Akio…"
"How did you sleep, sweetheart?" Akio asked with a warm smile.
"Mmm… Akio, you're such a meanie…" Ayaka's cheeks turned bright red as she thought back on the night before. She pouted at him, scolding softly, "You're always teasing me… and making me call you those things…"
But halfway through, her voice trailed off. She looked away, too embarrassed to finish.
"Oh? Didn't you like it?" Akio teased gently.
"I liked it~" Ayaka reached up, fingers tracing along his face as she gazed at him with dreamy affection. "No matter what Akio does to me, I like it all…"
Ah, such sweet affection in the bloom of spring.
But just then, a video call notification buzzed from Akio's wrist device.
"Ah…" Ayaka immediately curled up shyly in his arms.
"It's from Jean." Akio chuckled and ruffled her hair.
"Good morning, Jean sweetheart, Lisa darling," he said as the video feed connected, greeting the two soft, radiant faces on the screen.
"Good morning, dear." Lisa grinned. "Oooh? Flashing your eight-pack abs first thing in the morning? Trying to kill me with temptation, hmm? Don't you think so, Jean?"
"Lisa!" Jean blushed and swatted her. She really had no filter.
"Hahaha, so you do like it?" Akio teased.
"Like? I'm already swooning~" Lisa giggled—and then, her tone suddenly turned sly.
"Well, well… and who's that little sweetheart hiding in our dear's arms like an ostrich?"
"Good morning, Sister Lisa, Sister Jean…" Ayaka peeked her head up bashfully and greeted them.
"Aww, it's little Ayaka~" Lisa said with a teasing glint in her eye. Even wrapped in the blanket, Ayaka's smooth, snowy collarbones were still peeking out. Her skin was as white and flawless as fresh snow—Lisa could already imagine the rest.
"Starting the day off all lovey-dovey with our dear, huh? Ugh, I'm so jealous I could cry," Lisa said sweetly.
"Sister Lisa…" Ayaka squeaked and quickly ducked back into Akio's embrace, cheeks burning.
"Alright now, Lisa darling, look what you've done. You scared my precious Ayaka half to death." Akio chuckled. "So? What's the video call for this early?"
"Dear, we're planning to head back to Mondstadt tomorrow," Jean said, summoning her courage. "But… Lisa and I were hoping to spend a little more time with you today—maybe take a stroll around Inazuma City together."
"And Klee… she has a gift for you, too," she added softly.
"Oh?" Akio nodded. "Sure. I'll come find you in a bit."
"Yay~" Lisa blew him a kiss. "Then we'll leave you and little Ayaka to your morning activities, mm? Bye-bye for now, see you soon~"
With that, Lisa hung up.
"Shall we… continue, sweetheart?" Akio asked with a roguish grin, setting the wristband aside and looking down at the girl curled in his arms.
"If Akio wants to do it, then just go ahead~" Ayaka whispered sweetly. "All of me belongs to you. You don't even need to ask for permission~"
"Mmhmm~" With a beauty this tender, who could resist? Starting the day with indulgent delight—now that was the perfect morning ritual.
Akio pulled the blanket over them once more and let the happy noises resume~
———
At the Grand Narukami Shrine, after quite a trek, Kuki Shinobu finally arrived.
"Shinobu, you're here!" The shrine maidens all greeted her warmly as they passed.
Shinobu smiled in return, nodding to her sisters. She had never wanted to stay a shrine maiden, but the memories here were still dear to her.
Before long, she found her sister—Kuki Miyuki.
"Big Sis!" Shinobu blinked in surprise as she saw Miyuki in the courtyard, swinging a massive scythe, practicing her technique.
Each swing of the weapon tore through the air, creating streaks of pitch-black rifts in space—brief, jagged tears that healed right after opening.
The sheer force made Shinobu gape. Her sister's power… had grown this strong?
It didn't make sense.
Her sister had always been trained as a shrine maiden since childhood—gentle, humble, graceful. She hated conflict and had never learned to fight.
To put it bluntly, Miyuki used to be the type who couldn't even swat a fly. And now? She was wielding a war scythe like it was nothing?
"Oh? Shinobu, you're here?" Miyuki spotted her and stopped, putting away the scythe before walking over with a warm smile.
"Big Sis, weren't you always the one who hated martial stuff? What's going on?" Shinobu asked, thoroughly baffled.
"Oh, this?" Miyuki smiled gently. "Lord Akio granted me this power. He said I have a natural talent for the martial path and encouraged me to train. So… I did."