Jean held Aquila Favonia.
Anemo flowed into it.
The silver-white blade flashed—sharp and bright—with a clear teal edge.
A delighted light flickered in her eyes.
"Kaito… I want to try it."
Her voice carried the impatience of a girl who'd just been given her favorite toy.
Kaito smiled.
Behind the Knights' headquarters was a training ground where recruits practiced year-round.
But—
"I still have work," Jean said, reluctantly putting the sword away again.
Then she looked at him, eyes warm.
"Kaito, thank you. I really like it."
One of the Knights' inherited blades was now in her hands—
and the other, Wolf's Gravestone, was in his.
The thought made her feel strangely reassured.
Her gaze softened.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then gave him a brief, sincere nod.
"Thank you."
Only the knock at the door forced her to pull back.
Jean hurriedly straightened her slightly disheveled uniform, cheeks flushed, and went to answer.
"It's your fault," she shot him a reproachful glance.
She'd lost more time than she meant to.
Kaito sighed. "It's not a waste. Lisa would call it… 'appropriate rest.'"
Jean returned behind her desk, trying to refocus.
If I don't keep up, I won't sleep before four.
"Come in," she called.
Another Knight entered, delivered a report, then left—closing the door behind him.
They probably assumed the Acting Grand Master and Boss Kaito were discussing something important.
Jean was still Jean—still taking time to receive them, even now.
Kaito glanced at the door. "You should finish your work. I'll head out."
Jean ignored him and kept working.
Kaito didn't push further. He stood.
"Then I'll head back."
"Mm."
Jean walked over, kissed him once more, and saw him out.
…
In the Knights' lobby, Noelle was coming down the stairs.
When she saw him, her face brightened, and she hurried over.
"Boss Kaito."
"…Noelle," Kaito said, dread rising. "Where are you going?"
"Good Hunter," Noelle answered.
"…Alright," Kaito said.
He didn't argue.
Once Noelle got stubborn, even a herd of wild boars couldn't drag her back.
And besides—Noelle had been helping more and more often lately.
Kaito didn't intend to discourage her—he just needed boundaries.
Noelle walked beside him, hands folded neatly at her abdomen.
Seeing his acceptance, her rose-petal lips pressed into the faintest, pleased line.
They hadn't gone far before—
"Noelle, can you help lift this cargo?"
"Leave it to me."
Noelle vanished in a blur, lifted a load even two or three grown men couldn't move, and placed it on the cart with one hand.
Then she returned to Kaito's side like nothing happened.
"Noelle! My clothes blew onto the roof—can you get them down?"
"Leave it to me."
She hopped up effortlessly, retrieved the clothes, and handed them back.
She hadn't even returned yet when someone else called out—
"Noelle, my child still isn't home at this hour—can you help me find them?"
"…Yes. Leave it to me."
Noelle listened carefully to the description and immediately began searching the city.
Kaito returned to the restaurant alone.
By the time Noelle finally came back to Good Hunter, it was past ten.
She looked a little embarrassed.
She didn't explain—just started cleaning the restaurant top to bottom.
When she finished, she came upstairs.
"Boss Kaito," Noelle asked softly, "is there anything else to do before we close?"
"…Are you tired?" Kaito asked.
Noelle looked stunned by the concern.
She shook her head quickly, clumsy with nerves.
"N-No… it's fine. I'm not tired. You don't have to consider how I feel. I'm a maid."
"A tool would be more accurate," Kaito said flatly.
Noelle actually thought about it seriously—then shook her head.
"A tool can do many things and still not feel happy."
"But when I finish each task, I feel… a little happy."
"Especially here."
She pressed a hand lightly to her chest and gathered her courage to look at him.
"Everything I do for you… gives me a sense of achievement."
"And the burning feeling here…" her voice softened, "…it calms down a little."
"So cute," Kaito murmured, lifting a hand to touch her cheek.
"…M-Me?" Noelle's mind went blank.
She instinctively closed her eyes.
Lisa had been in the alchemy workshop today—Noelle hadn't dared enter, so she'd gotten no advice.
All she could do was follow her instincts.
Kaito's fingertip brushed lightly across her lips.
Noelle trembled.
Then he asked, unexpectedly, "What's your favorite food?"
The moment it became something familiar, Noelle steadied—still nervous, but less shaky.
She rattled it off in one breath:
"Satisfying Salad. Mondstadt's natural balance in one bowl—nutritionally even, and it won't exceed calories. I've eaten it for ten years."
She nearly ran out of air after finishing.
"…Okay," Kaito said. "Sit down."
Noelle obeyed and sat.
Kaito went downstairs to the ice cellar—chilled with Mist Flower crystals to keep ingredients fresh.
He grabbed apples and cabbage.
Potatoes and eggs were already upstairs.
At the stove, he quickly prepared a Satisfying Salad and plated it.
"This is for you today," Kaito said with a small smile. "Eat."
"…E-Eh? Really for me?"
Noelle had hoped—secretly—but once it was truly placed in front of her, she panicked.
"I… I… my chest feels like it's burning again."
She stood and pressed a hand over her heart, voice trembling.
"I want to make you delicious food too. A lot."
She'd lost her appetite entirely.
Kaito rubbed his temple, a headache forming—then remembered what she'd just said.
And an idea clicked.
"Alright," he said. "Can you run an errand to the Knights' headquarters?"
"Yes. Leave it to me," Noelle replied immediately.
Kaito packed one portion of the salad into a food box and handed it to her.
"Deliver this to Jean. Come back quickly."
"Otherwise your portion will sit too long and won't taste as good. Understood?"
"Yes!" Noelle said, and ran.
…
The Knights' headquarters was still brightly lit late into the night.
Noelle knocked on Jean's office door with the food box in hand.
"Oh—Noelle," Jean said gently when she opened it.
Noelle stiffened immediately.
Before her stood the person she'd admired all her life—her model, her goal.
"Acting Grand Master Jean."
Noelle swallowed. "Boss Kaito… asked me to deliver this salad to you."
"Salad?"
Jean frowned slightly.
At this hour, receiving a late-night meal from Kaito would normally make her happy.
But the strange part was—
he would usually come in person.
He wouldn't hand it off to someone else.
"Did you stop by on your way back?" Jean asked.
"No," Noelle shook her head quickly. "I… I still need to go back to Good Hunter. There's still my…"
Jean's expression softened with understanding.
So he'd sent Noelle on an errand, then treated her?
Still, it was odd that Noelle hadn't eaten there first and simply brought the extra.
"Just set it on the meeting table," Jean said.
"Yes."
Noelle placed the box down and started toward the door.
But at the threshold, she stopped.
Then, unexpectedly… she turned back.
"What is it?" Jean asked, concerned.
Noelle clenched her hands.
Her voice came out small, but determined.
"Acting Grand Master Jean… I-I have a question I want to ask you."
"I don't know if… if it's okay…"
…
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