Jean understood exactly what Kaito meant—and for once, she had no comeback.
A trace of guilt flickered across her face.
"You just got back from outside," Kaito said, tilting his head. "And you still haven't had lunch, have you?"
Jean paused. "…How did you know?"
Kaito spread his hands like it was obvious. "Because I know you. If you'd been at Headquarters all day, you wouldn't take a detour just to stop here. You only came because you happened to pass by."
"…Am I really that predictable?" Jean murmured, frowning slightly.
If her habits were this easy to read, someone like the Fatui or the Abyss Order could exploit it—set a trap, time an ambush—
Then again…
If they tried, she could crush them before their plan even took shape.
Kaito pulled out a chair for her. "Sit. What do you want? Let me feed you properly for once."
"You've already done enough for me…" Jean started.
"Don't," Kaito cut in. "You're here. That's enough."
Jean hesitated, then nodded, softer than before. "…Thank you."
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Pizza."
Kaito sighed. "Same rule as always. We can't let Margaret hear about it."
A small smile touched Jean's lips. "Of course."
Margaret ran The Cat's Tail right next door, and pizza was one of their best sellers. If she found out Good Hunter was serving it too, it would turn into a whole situation.
Kaito crossed to the corner of the room and crouched beside a water bucket.
"Alright," he said. "Then eel."
Jean blinked. "Eel?"
Kaito lifted out a long-bodied fish—slick, muscular, and distinctly not something Mondstadt kitchens usually dealt with. "Diluc's people pulled it out of the lake near Dawn Winery a few days ago. They weren't sure it was safe to eat, so they didn't touch it. I bought it off them."
Jean studied it, still not convinced. "Eel pizza?"
Kaito grinned. "Exactly. Perks of being an otherworldly traveler—sometimes you know combinations Teyvat hasn't gotten around to yet."
As he spoke, Anemo gathered around his hand in a clean, controlled swirl.
In the next heartbeat, the eel went still.
Kaito set it on the board without hesitation and reached for the knife.
Meanwhile—
at Mondstadt's main gate—
"The City of Wind and Dandelions… the free city protected by the Knights of Favonius!"
A girl in red stood beneath the archway, grinning as she gestured grandly toward the city. Chestnut hair swayed behind her, and a bright red bow—shaped like bunny ears—sat proudly on her head.
"Welcome to Mondstadt!"
Beside her stood a blonde traveler—dusty from the road, quiet, watchful—while a small floating companion spun in midair with visible delight.
"Finally! No more sleeping out in the wilderness!" the little one cheered, doing a full loop.
Then she slowed, noticing the mood.
"Amber… why does everyone look so tense?"
"Because of Stormterror," Amber said, hands on her hips. "But as long as Jean is here, everything will be fine."
"Jean?" the floating companion echoed.
"Our Acting Grand Master," Amber said proudly. "Jean—the protector of Mondstadt."
Her confidence was so steady it tugged even the weary traveler into it.
"If Jean is leading us," Amber continued, "then even something like Stormterror can be dealt with."
The floating companion's eyes widened. "Wow… you really admire her."
"Of course I do." Amber nodded, then clapped her hands once. "But before we go to Headquarters, we're making a stop."
"Where?" the companion asked.
"Good Hunter."
"…A restaurant?" The little one gasped, eyes sparkling. "Food?!"
Amber laughed. "Paimon gets excited the moment she hears the word 'food.' But it's not dinner time yet."
Then her expression sobered.
"It's because the owner of Good Hunter is also an otherworldly traveler—like you, Lumine. Maybe he can help."
Lumine's steps slowed. "Another traveler… from another world?"
"Yeah. But not your brother," Amber said quickly, waving a hand. "Boss Kaito has black hair and dark eyes. And… honestly, he's pretty handsome."
Amber had already heard Lumine describe her brother. She was sure.
"Come on," Amber said, leading them forward. "And I still owe you a thank-you for helping me clear that hilichurl camp."
Lumine blinked. "A thank-you?"
Paimon shot forward instantly. "Hey! If there's a treat, then it's 'whoever sees it gets a share!' What about Paimon?!"
Amber chuckled. "It's not something you can use. But tonight I'll treat you to Mondstadt's special Sweet Madame."
"Waaah…!" Paimon practically drooled.
A few minutes later, Amber stopped and pointed.
"We're here."
The Good Hunter sign hung over the street, bright and familiar.
Just then, a second-floor window swung open.
Amber waved up brightly. "Boss Kaito! I've got two otherworldly travelers here—do you want to meet them?"
"Oh?"
Kaito leaned out.
His gaze met Lumine's.
For a brief second, he went very still—like something he'd pictured for a long time had finally stepped into the world.
Then he smiled—warm, steady—and nodded.
"Come up," he called. "You're right on time. You'll be glad you came."
Amber blinked. "Right on time for what?"
Paimon snapped her head up. "Wait—does that mean… good food?!"
Paimon zipped up the stairs so fast she nearly left a trail behind her.
The moment they reached the loft—
"Acting Grand Master Jean is here?!" Amber blurted, startled.
Jean's gaze flicked toward her—calm, but firm.
"Amber. Manners."
Then she placed a hand to her chest in a proper knightly greeting and turned to Lumine and Paimon.
"Mondstadt welcomes you… travelers carried here by the wind."
Lumine blinked.
The person Amber spoke of with such absolute trust really was this composed—this graceful.
"This is… Jean," Lumine murmured, then bowed politely. "Hello."
Then her gaze shifted—
back to the one who'd looked at her like he'd been waiting.
The owner of Good Hunter.
The otherworldly traveler.
"Hello," Lumine said carefully. "My name is Lumine."
Kaito's smile didn't change.
But inside—
something clicked into place.
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