Inside Klee's home, Klee stared dumbfounded at the woman who emerged from the shimmering light. She had never seen a pretty lady dressed like this before.
This beautiful lady had long, smooth pink hair tied at the ends. The fox ears signifying her identity as a shrine maiden were adorned with earrings embedded with purple gemstones that she wore year-round. A Vision of Electro was embedded in the earring on her right ear.
She was clad in a shrine maiden's attire predominantly in red and white, with sleeves of the same color separated from the top and fixed to her upper arms like sleeves. A wide black obi was tied at the small of her back. Her legs were bare, and she wore a pair of geta sandals. This attire, so out of place in Mondstadt, felt very novel to Klee.
"Sister Miko, long time no see. How have you been lately?"
Su Bai gently hugged the sister who had looked after him for over ten years. Yae Miko smiled slightly, leaning close to his ear and whispering a breath of fragrant air.
"Whether I've been well or not can wait. Xiao Bai~ You have a daughter this big, and you never once mentioned her to your dear sister?"
"That little girl from the Kamisato Clan comes to daydream under the Sacred Sakura at the Grand Narukami Shrine in her spare time, you know."
"If she were to find out, her heart would probably break on the spot. It wouldn't be good if something happened then."
Su Bai's face flushed red as he instantly pushed Yae Miko out of his embrace. What was all this nonsense? And here he was getting so emotional just a moment ago. Sure enough, the mischievousness was bone-deep in Sister Miko. All these years with Sister Hanachirusato keeping an eye on her hadn't curbed it; she'd only gotten worse.
"Wuwuwu~ Has Xiao Bai really forgotten the old love once he found a new one~ But sister won't blame you. Sister will pray for your happiness under the Sacred Sakura every single day."
Yae Miko covered her face with her sleeve, making sounds of sobbing. Klee tilted her head, not quite understanding why this pretty sister was crying. Did Brother Su Bai bully her? But Brother Su Bai was a good person.
"Alright, alright, Sister Miko, don't just cry without tears. I promise to meet up with you at least once a year from now on, okay?"
"Wuwu... Three times a year!"
Wow. He'd only heard of 'a lion opening its mouth wide' before, but today he witnessed 'a fox opening its mouth wide.' Su Bai rubbed his temples. He was starting to regret summoning Yae Miko now. He should have called Sister Hanachirusato instead. But it was too late for regrets now.
Having spent ten years with Yae Miko, Su Bai was somewhat familiar with her tricks. Looking at her pitiful, seemingly abandoned appearance, Su Bai found himself giving in once again. Even though he knew she was acting, he just couldn't bring himself to be harsh.
"Three times a year, Sister Miko. If the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine is never at the shrine, that old woman Ei is going to get angry."
"Deal."
Yae Miko lowered her sleeve, a flicker of cunning in her eyes. That triumphant smirk bore no resemblance to someone who had been wronged, leaving Klee utterly bewildered.
"By the way, Xiao Bai, you still haven't told me if this little elf is your daughter."
Yae Miko knelt down and pinched Klee's pointed little ears. Knowing this pretty sister was a friend of Su Bai's, Klee gave her a bright smile.
Klee's adorable appearance instantly made Yae Miko take a liking to the little creature. Seeing the two getting along well, Su Bai finally began to explain about Klee.
"Sister Miko, I'm a fox. Klee is an elf. How could we possibly be blood-related?"
"Hmm, that does make some sense. But why does little Klee look so familiar?"
Yae Miko adjusted the little red hat on Klee's head. A figure from her memories gradually overlapped with Klee. Yae Miko narrowed her eyes. She might have figured out whose child this little one was.
"Little one, is your mommy's name Alice?"
"Huh? Pretty sister, you know Klee's mommy?"
Indeed. Yae Miko felt inwardly pleased. Who would have thought? Klee was actually Alice's daughter. That made her even more determined to look after her. That interesting woman Alice... she'd really like to see her again.
"So, Sister Miko, there's been a pervert appearing in Mondstadt lately, one who seems to specifically stalk children."
"I'm a guy, after all. It's not always convenient for me to follow Klee around constantly. So, until this pervert is caught, I'm entrusting Klee to your care."
Su Bai quickly explained the reason for summoning her before Yae Miko could start causing more mischief. Yae Miko nodded. Even if Su Bai hadn't said anything, given that Klee was Alice's daughter, Yae Miko would have taken good care of her during her stay in Mondstadt.
"Well then, a pleasant vacation begins now. I've long heard that Mondstadt's Sticky Honey Roast is quite delicious. This is the perfect opportunity to try it."
Ever since Hanachirusato was revived, Yae Miko's load had lightened considerably. She often 'accidentally' left a pile of unprocessed administrative work in front of Saiguu and then found various excuses to make a quick escape. Saiguu, devoted to Inazuma, unable to find Yae Miko, ended up handling a lot of her duties for her.
"Alright. Then you two wait for me at my place. I'll go buy some food."
"Oh, right. Some of Klee's milk got drunk by Mr. Trash Can. I'll go buy some more for little Klee."
These sudden words made Klee feel like she'd been struck by lightning. Poor little Klee, still just a child, was already experiencing the dramatic ups and downs of life.
The group decided to split up. Su Bai went to buy food and some daily necessities, while Klee led Yae Miko to Su Bai's house to wait for him.
Half an hour later, just as Su Bai, having bought everything, pushed open his front door, Yae Miko came to greet him. Su Bai, wary of whatever new mischief she might be plotting, took a cautious step back. Other children's childhood memories were just that—childhood memories. His childhood memories were practically a recorded history of his blood-and-tears suffering at Yae Miko's hands.
"Xiao Bai, you're back~ Would you like to take a bath, eat first, or... eat me first~?"
"Eat you first."
"Wishful thinking~ I just helped you tidy up the house; it tired out this Guuji. Hurry up and bring out the Sticky Honey Roast."
Yae Miko gave Su Bai a sidelong glance full of allure. Any other man might have had a nosebleed on the spot. But Su Bai, long since immune, now only felt an ominous premonition weighing on his heart.
After placing the Sticky Honey Roast on the table, Su Bai hurriedly pushed open his bedroom door. One look, and he was utterly stunned. His bed was stark clean, stripped down to the bare wooden boards.
"Sister Miko, you took my bedding, fine, but why did you even take my pillow and leave nothing behind?"
"Aiya, wasn't Sister just doing a good deed? No need to thank me~"