When Competing for a Man… the Older Sister Always Wins!
Someday, she thought, she would return to Inazuma with their daughter—
the three of them, a perfect little family.
Just imagining her younger sister Ei's reaction made Raiden Makoto smirk mischievously.
But only for a moment.
She quickly shook her head, banishing that wicked idea.
Ei had already endured great trauma.
If she were to be "betrayed" by her beloved sister and the man she trusted most…
Makoto suspected her poor little sister might just blacken on the spot.
Once Mona finally settled into a seat, Raiden Makoto began explaining.
"You've mistaken me for someone else. I'm not Alice. But Klee does often visit here. Are you looking for her?"
Mona instantly apologized for her blunder, cheeks burning, and began recounting why she came, including everything that happened over the past two days.
Her story came in fragmented waves, taking over fifteen minutes.
Makoto sat with her long legs crossed, listening patiently—
an air of gentle warmth around her, yet also an unapproachable divinity.
"So," Makoto summarized softly,
"You came because your teacher instructed you to fulfill an old promise with Alice's daughter. But due to misunderstandings, you ended up here instead?"
"Pretty much… though I think I got tricked by that little brat."
Seeing Mona sulk at the idea that her astrology had been "outplayed," Makoto chuckled quietly.
Rather than send her away, she offered a seat.
"Klee can't use astrology at all. The reason you couldn't locate her but were led here… I believe I understand why."
She added calmly:
"Stay a while. I think you'll have your answer soon."
With Makoto's intelligence, just a few clues were enough to reconstruct everything.
Among Mondstadt's astrologically gifted, only Lisa could rival Mona.
But Lisa would never prank a stranger this way—let alone overpower Mona's divination so thoroughly.
There was only one person capable of such subtle manipulation:
Lory.
Mona, of course, had no idea.
"The girl can't use astrology?" she asked blankly. "But my visions—"
Makoto smiled.
"Perhaps my beloved decided to play a little joke on you."
"???"
Meanwhile, at the Church of Favonius—
Lory finished discussing the Skyward Harp incident with Klee and Barbara.
In the end, things had been surprisingly "dangerous but harmless."
"Well, that's everything for today. I should head home—seems we had a guest earlier."
Reluctantly, Barbara stopped herself from asking him to stay.
Instead, she clasped her hands shyly and asked:
"Then… when I have a day off… may I visit Lady Ei as well?"
She didn't dare be as bold as Eula.
Even approaching Lory needed an excuse involving Raiden Makoto.
Lory immediately understood and smiled.
"Ei enjoys having you girls around. She used to be so quiet—now the liveliness is refreshing."
Barbara didn't understand what his words really implied, puffing her cheeks slightly.
"I—I'm not a little girl…"
Whether she meant her age or feelings, Lory wisely chose not to ask.
Compared to her older sister Jean…
Barbara's courage and skin thickness were still lacking.
Indeed—
A younger sister is always a younger sister.
Just like Makoto and Ei.
The elder sister enjoys a blissful life with her man,
while the younger sits alone in Inazuma, teetering on the edge of emotional collapse.
Muttering to himself, he allowed Barbara to escort him and Klee out.
The two then made their way back toward the manor.
Before they even reached the door, Lory heard voices—Makoto's, and an unfamiliar girl's.
He wasn't surprised.
Klee immediately hopped down from his arms and dashed inside.
By the time Lory entered, he saw the scene clearly:
Klee nestled at Makoto's side,
staring curiously at the strange girl across from them—
who was staring equally intensely at him.
"Lory! That's the big sister who chased me today!"
Klee promptly tattled.
Lory nodded and turned his gaze to the newcomer.
As expected, it was exactly who he'd predicted—
The perpetually penniless, self-respecting astrologer: Mona Megistus.
Her outfit was… even more scandalous in person.
Whoever taught her fashion sense must have had the same philosophy as Cloud Retainer.
In Mondstadt, only Rosaria could rival this level of boldness.
Ignoring Mona for now, Lory first asked Makoto:
"Where are Eula and Noelle?"
"They went to the Knights' training grounds for sword practice."
Dance and elegance were practiced at home.
Combat was practiced in the field.
Thus Noelle had no time to act as maid today.
But she had made progress: learning the basics of Flying Heaven Sword Style's "Godspeed," and beginning elementary iaido.
A good start.
Eula, meanwhile, was focusing on strengthening her physical endurance—
she still wasn't ready for the full power of the Imperial Arm "Demon Essence."
Lory nodded appreciatively.
Then he turned to Mona.
The astrologer shot up from her seat, ready to introduce herself.
But Lory waved a hand casually.
"I already know who you are and why you're here. No need to repeat it."
Mona: "???"
"The reason you came here… is simply because I nudged destiny a little."
"…"
"Don't look at me like that. I was making things easier for you. All you have to do is stay here and wait. Enjoy some snacks while you're at it."
Mona blinked.
Objectively speaking, she had indeed lost nothing.
In fact… she had gained snacks.
And lodging.
And wasn't dead.
After thinking it through, she suddenly felt much better.
"Actually… this is a pretty good deal…"