[Age 12: Barbara had begun walking the path of singing in earnest, seeking you out more and more often.]
[You never gave her any real guidance—just sang in front of her and let her figure things out on her own.]
[Even though Barbara's Talent couldn't compare to yours, it was still remarkable in its own right.]
[Under your clumsy teaching, she actually managed to discover a singing style that suited her.]
[Age 13: Mondstadt is a city that treasures freedom of will, and that atmosphere nurtured a flourishing of culture and art.]
[As a result, your heavenly voice became quite well-known across the land.]
[Every weekend, countless people would attend service at the Church of Favonius just to hear you sing.]
[Barbara stumbled across the word "idol" in some book.]
[With envy in her voice, she told you, "They say an 'idol' heals people's hearts through song and dance. Kael, you're already a successful idol. Every time I hear you sing, I feel healed. It's amazing... I wonder when I'll ever be able to be like you."]
[Age 14: Today Barbara invited you to her home for a singing lesson. The servants led you into the courtyard.]
[The moment you stepped inside, you saw Jean—golden hair tied into a ponytail, a black-and-teal mantle draped over her shoulders, white fitted pants paired with white boots. She was tall, shapely, and strikingly mature.]
[She was standing there, head lowered, admiring the windwheel asters blooming at her feet.]
[The instant you laid eyes on her, you were utterly captivated, unable to look away. (Talent: Prefers Older Sister Types triggered)]
Wait—Jean's considered an older sister type now?
Kael distinctly remembered Jean Gunnhildr wasn't that old—she was still a young woman, wasn't she?
Did "mature big sister" here just mean her figure was mature?
So as long as she had a good body, he liked her???
[Hearing footsteps, the girl turned her head toward you, her eyes filled with curiosity.]
[You realized at once her face was strikingly similar to Barbara's—both with golden hair and gray-violet eyes.]
[But their temperaments couldn't have been more different.]
[Barbara was a sweet and innocent girl, carrying that gentle air of compassion.]
[The girl before you radiated dignity, her entire being wrapped in an untouchable, commanding presence.]
[You immediately guessed that this must be the "big sister" Barbara often mentioned—Jean.]
[Jean frowned slightly at the sudden appearance of a stranger in the courtyard. "And you are...?"]
[You just stood there staring blankly at her face, unable to speak.]
[Jean's frown deepened as suspicion grew in her eyes.]
[Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded behind you.]
["He's the guest I invited."]
[Barbara stepped forward, introducing you. "This is my good friend, Kael."]
[Jean gave a polite nod. "Hello."]
["Y-yeah... hello!" You finally snapped back to your senses, cheeks burning red.]
[You couldn't believe you'd just been openly staring at her like that!]
[Seeing Barbara had a guest, Jean excused herself and left, and soon the courtyard held only the two of you.]
[As usual, Barbara sang a piece for you first, then waited for you to point out where she could improve.]
[But your mind kept conjuring images of Jean's graceful figure, and you couldn't focus at all.]
[Barbara noticed your distraction. Her singing grew softer and softer, until finally, it stopped altogether.]
[She watched you staring blankly at the ground, and a heavy sense of powerlessness welled up inside her.]
[Here we go again...]
[Why... why does everyone always like my sister better?]
[Why is it that no matter how hard I work, I can never beat her?]
[Even Kael... even he's the same...]
[She was the one who'd met Kael first...]
[So why did he look at her sister that way? Why could her sister get everything so easily, without even trying...?]
[Looking at you, Barbara suddenly felt terrified, as if something precious was slipping away from her.]
[Your thoughts were interrupted by the sound of muffled sobs.]
[Startled, you realized Barbara had stopped singing at some point.]
[You turned to her, only to see her hanging her head, quietly crying, big tears splashing onto the ground.]
["...Barbara, what's wrong?"]
[You stared at her sudden tears in bewilderment.]
[Barbara only shook her head, rubbing her eyes with her hands as if to wipe the tears away.]
[But the more she tried, the more wronged she felt, and the tears just kept pouring down, unstoppable.]
["N-nothing... I'm just... a little sad... I'll be fine soon..."]
[You were utterly confused. How could she just suddenly burst into tears like this?]
[You fished a handkerchief from your pocket and offered it to her. "Don't cry. Can you tell me why you're sad?"]
[Barbara's long lashes were soaked with tears as she lifted her face, gazing at you with wet, shimmering eyes.]
["Kael... do you think I'm useless? I can't do anything right. All I have is trying hard, but nothing else."]
[Soft, sweet Barbara looked so pitiful as she cried, you couldn't help but feel protective toward her.]
[You comforted her. "Hard work is the most incredible magic of all. Your perseverance is admirable. And who says you can't do anything right? Your singing keeps getting better and better—you're about to surpass me."]
[Hearing your praise, Barbara's tears finally stopped. Blushing, she murmured, "I'm still nowhere near your level..."]
[You told her sincerely, "If you keep working hard, you'll soon become an idol loved by everyone."]
[Barbara broke into a watery smile. "I'll keep going! I'll become even better!"]