Could it be she had forgotten to turn off the light when leaving?
Barbara paused in thought but didn't dwell on it, instead inviting Jean inside.
Jean closed her umbrella and stepped into the garden villa. Her eyes wandered over the elegant furnishings, the windows lined with Cecilias and sunflowers. Quietly, she mused to herself—
So this was the kind of home Barbara liked.
It really suited her.
"This is an herbal tea I blended. If you don't mind, please try it."
Barbara carefully placed the steaming cup before Jean, eyes brimming with expectation.
She hoped it might ease her sister's fatigue.
Every time she saw Jean exhausted, Barbara's heart ached. Her capable, dependable sister gave far more than anyone imagined. Yet Barbara never knew how to express her care. Most of the time, she buried it deep inside. Tonight was the first time she had gathered the courage to show it openly.
"I… don't mind. I like it…"
Jean wasn't especially fond of herbal tea, but since Barbara had made it for her, she lifted the cup and drank.
Cool, slightly bitter. She couldn't identify the herbs, nor was the taste particularly good. Still, she finished it all.
Silence fell again.
Jean frowned faintly. Every time she was with Barbara, she tried to lighten the mood… and every time, it only grew more stifling.
Just as her nerves began to fray, footsteps sounded upstairs.
"Ken?"
"Jean?"
The three froze, staring at one another.
When Barbara had returned home, Ken had just arrived in her bedroom. He'd planned to wait upstairs to surprise her.
But when she never came, he grew puzzled and went downstairs—only to find Jean sitting there too. The sudden scene was tinged with awkwardness.
The storm outside roared with thunder and lightning, muffling small sounds. Ken hadn't paid close attention, and Jean and Barbara hadn't been talking much. Naturally, he hadn't realized Jean was present.
"Am I interrupting?" Ken coughed lightly, trying to ease the tension.
If it were Lisa sitting there, he might've teased her to stay. But Jean was upright, brave, and reserved. Banter wasn't the way to approach her.
"No. I just… didn't expect you here too," Jean said softly, her sea-blue eyes betraying a trace of unspoken grievance.
She had long heard whispers about Ken and Barbara. She'd already thought it through—if her sister was happy, she too would feel glad.
But what stung was that ever since that kiss at Starsnatch Cliff, Ken hadn't come to see her again.
"I… I didn't know either," Barbara stammered.
Especially after glimpsing the faint grievance in Jean's gaze, her nerves wound tighter.
Barbara had always known Ken was popular with girls. Whether it was Diona from the Cat's Tail tavern, Mona who helped him run his shop, the Traveler, or the languidly seductive Lisa—many seemed to like him.
It sometimes troubled her, but she couldn't help it. At least she had bravely followed her heart and taken that first step with him.
What she hadn't expected was that her work-obsessed sister… would too.
Barbara stole a glance at Jean. Those pale-blue eyes truly did hold the soft ache of longing—a look only lovers wore.
The realization made Barbara both nervous and oddly excited.
Excited—because her sister, who had endured harsh training since childhood, who had given everything to Mondstadt, who could even set aside her own life, who was so strict and disciplined… even she could fall in love?
But nervous—because…
"My sister and I… like the same person."
The thought carried sorrow.
Jean had always been the dazzling one. In matters of love too, wouldn't she be more capable than Barbara?
Since childhood, Barbara had lived in Jean's radiant shadow. Though she adored her sister, deep inside, she longed to surpass her—even just a little.
But no matter how hard she tried, even as Mondstadt's beloved idol, she was still outshone by Jean, the respected Acting Grand Master.
And yet—this time, in love, she had acted first. That counted as a win, didn't it? Even if Jean caught up later, Barbara had been ahead by a step.
She had beaten her sister once, at least in this.
With that thought, her sadness eased. Jean might have the better figure, the more refined air, the prettier face… but Barbara had claimed this small victory.
"Barbara, you can do it!"
Silently cheering herself on, Barbara lifted her eyes to Ken.
"I brought some food. Shall we eat together?"
Sensing the delicate "love triangle" atmosphere, Ken didn't over-explain. Instead, he set out the dishes he'd packed from Xinyue Kiosk and Liuli Pavilion.
The system's storage preserved them perfectly—fresh as the moment they'd been made.
"Alright."
The rich aroma filled the room, and Jean realized she was hungry too. She wasn't as fond of spice as Barbara, but seeing her sister's hopeful gaze, she didn't refuse.
"These are specialties of Liyue—Liyue-style dishes. Try them."
Ken spoke as he also pulled out a few pizzas, handing one to Jean.
Jean's cheeks warmed. The grievance in her heart slowly melted into the storm outside. He remembered she liked pizza… Taking a bite of the mushroom-and-meat slice, a honeyed ripple spread through her chest.
"Jueyun Chilis… Liyue's food is amazing!"
Barbara's earlier nervousness vanished as she savored the flavors. The wild game stir-fried with chilis was a delight. For someone who loved spice, it was pure joy.
"Cough…"
Jean, watching her sister, unconsciously tried a bite of spicy beef chow fun.
The numbing heat burst across her tongue. Her pale cheeks flushed pink from the spice, but she hid it. Not wanting Barbara to feel let down, she forced herself to eat a few more bites.
Watching the sisters interact, Ken could only sigh inwardly. Jean really was the perfect elder sister.
"Try some seafood. Another specialty of Liyue." He offered her a milder dish.
"…Thank you." Jean gave him a grateful look. She preferred lighter flavors anyway.
Strange—two sisters with the same blood, yet such different tastes.
Her thoughts wandered, but her heart felt sweet. Her sister across the table, her beloved beside her—despite the thunderstorm, she felt at peace.
If only life could always be this way.
Knock, knock, knock—
"Miss Barbara, is Acting Grand Master Jean here?"
The voice at the door shattered the fragile serenity.
Jean immediately set down her chopsticks and hurried to the entrance. A Knight of Favonius stood outside, looking anxious.
"What happened?" Jean's voice was suddenly commanding—her gentle air replaced with the reliable authority of Mondstadt's leader.
"It's Diona's father. He went hunting in the mountains days ago and hasn't returned. She's asking the Knights for help!"
The knight had been relieved to find Jean here; otherwise, he wouldn't have known where to look.
"Dispatch a rescue squad immediately!" Jean ordered, striding toward the storm. She paused mid-step, glancing back at Barbara and Ken. Regret flickered in her gentle features. "I have to go…"
"I'll go with you." Barbara cut in before Jean could finish.
In weather this harsh, hunters could easily meet danger. If medical aid was needed, she could help.
She looked toward Ken.
"I'll come too. Maybe I can be of use."
He'd only planned to visit Mondstadt and check on everyone. Instead, he'd walked right into trouble.
In this storm, tracks would be washed away. Even with a rescue team, finding Draff quickly wouldn't be easy.
But if he recalled correctly, when Diona first gained her Vision, it was also because Draff had gone hunting and failed to return.
Was fate repeating itself?
"Hunting really is a dangerous job," Ken murmured. No matter how skilled, hunters risked accidents in weather like this.
"Let's go."
Jean gave Ken and Barbara a grateful look. Her heart softened.
…
Knights of Favonius Headquarters.
Diona, usually scornful of her drunkard father, now sat with tears welling in her emerald eyes.
Two years ago, the same thing had happened.
That was when she received her Vision, gaining the power of Cryo.
She had never imagined history would repeat itself.
Compared to her past panic, she was calmer now. Upon receiving word from other hunters, she had rushed straight to the Knights. Even with her Vision, she knew she couldn't find him alone in the vast mountains.
"Diona?"
Jean hurried into headquarters, seeing the tearful little cat-girl. She went to her side at once.
Gripping Jean's hands tightly, Diona pleaded: "Master Jean, I just got word from Allan of Springvale—my father went hunting two days ago and still hasn't returned… With this storm, I fear he's in danger. Please, let the Knights help!"
Only then did she notice Ken and Barbara standing behind. But for once, the usually proud, prickly girl had no care for her image. Finding her father was all that mattered.
"Don't worry. I've already dispatched a search party. We'll head to Springvale too. I believe Draff will return safe, just like two years ago." Jean comforted her.
Hearing that, Diona relaxed slightly, though anxiety gnawed at her as lightning split the skies.
"Don't cry. Your father isn't hurt—at least not yet. They stumbled upon treasure, which drew the Treasure Hoarders' attention. They're being held in a camp right now."
A soft green glow swirled around Ken's hand. The faint wind outside stirred, tugging at their clothes and hair.
On the way here, he had listened carefully to the wind—and it had revealed Draff's exact location.
"Really?" Diona's eyes widened, gratitude flooding her small face.
"I'm certain," Ken said, glancing at Jean. "Send the rescue squad toward Dadaupa Gorge. The wind tells me there's a large Treasure Hoarder camp at the foot of the mountain. This time, we can wipe them all out."
"I understand." Jean immediately sent knights to relay the orders.
As soon as she finished, Ken's body flared with a surge of Anemo power. With Barbara and Diona in tow, he leapt into the stormy night.
Compared to hilichurl camps, the "treasure" Draff carried intrigued him more.
The mountains of Mondstadt hid countless relics. Reality made them far harder to find than in the game.
He was curious—what had Draff discovered?
Artifacts and mora?
Or something else?