Cael looked at Paimon—and naturally reached the same conclusion as Lumine.
He narrowed his eyes and gave her a wicked grin.
"…Paimon, are you jealous?"
"J-Jealous?!"
Paimon's face instantly turned red.
She started kicking wildly in midair, aiming straight for Cael's shoulder.
"D-Don't say nonsense! Don't say nonsense! Don't say nonsense!!"
Watching the two of them fool around, Lumine laughed so hard she could barely stand.
It had been a long time since she'd laughed like this.
A genuine, unrestrained laugh—
the kind that came from the heart.
The last time she'd laughed like this…
was when she was still with her brother.
That thought dimmed her gaze.
They'd been separated for five hundred years.
How could she not miss him?
Back then, every day spent with her brother had been filled with joy.
That was why—
She had to find him.
No matter what.
Lumine's eyes slowly regained their resolve. She lifted her head, staring at the ceiling as she thought quietly:
Somewhere far away… my brother must be missing me too.
...
...
The Abyss
On a dark throne, Aether lounged with one leg crossed over the other, his expression irritable.
Ever since learning that Agarest was still alive, his mood had been steadily deteriorating.
He knew impatience led nowhere—
But it had been five hundred years since they'd last spoken.
"…Man, I really miss Agarest's cooking," he muttered.
As for his sister?
He hadn't spared a single thought.
...
...
The milk tea was finally served.
They'd ordered:
Super Delicious Milk Tea
Extremely Delicious Milk Tea
Ultimate Delicious Milk Tea
Paimon was still sulking—but the moment the aroma hit her nose and she saw the creamy white color, her mouth immediately started watering.
"Let me try!!"
She grabbed a cup and poured it straight into her mouth.
The thick, yogurt-like milk slid down with a glug glug.
Paimon's eyes lit up instantly.
She swallowed with effort.
"It's SO GOOD!!!"
This was, without exaggeration, the best drink she'd ever had in her life.
Seeing that reaction, Lumine knew—
Anything that impressed Paimon this much had to be special.
She picked up her own cup and took a sip.
Immediately, she wore the exact same blissful expression.
One sip made her crave another…
and before she realized it, the cup was empty.
Watching them enjoy it so much filled Cael with a deep sense of accomplishment—
like a chef seeing customers fall in love with a new dish.
Paimon stared at her empty cup, still unsatisfied, about to order another—
When she suddenly froze.
"…Huh?"
She poked her slightly swollen belly.
"I'm… full?"
She stared down in disbelief.
Me, Paimon—defeated by a single cup of milk tea?!
Unacceptable.
Lumine realized she felt the same way, gently touching her stomach.
"How did just one cup make us this full?"
Cael didn't answer.
After finishing his own drink, he called Diona over to settle the bill.
Lumine paid for herself and Paimon—
Then noticed something strange.
Diona didn't take a single Mora from Cael.
She just walked away.
Because of Cael…?
Paimon finally snapped.
She flew over angrily.
"Why didn't you take his Mora?! That's totally unfair to us!!"
Diona looked at her like she was staring at an idiot.
"…What now?"
Diona sighed, clearly unwilling to argue, and simply pointed at a sign behind the counter.
Paimon squinted.
"W-Wel… what… tavern… milk tea… uh…"
"Lumine! Help! I can't read!"
Lumine felt her soul leave her body.
She walked over and read it out slowly:
"Welcome to Cat's Tail. Today's featured new product: Milk Tea created by Liyue chef Cael. Limited-time 10% discount…"
Paimon latched onto the key words instantly.
"…Cael?"
"Wait—don't tell me…"
"These milk teas were all invented by you?!"
Diona nodded impatiently.
"Yes, yes. That's it. Done asking? I've got work."
She walked off before Paimon could say another word.
Cael said nothing—just smiled.
Paimon's brain completely shut down.
She slumped against Lumine's shoulder, muttering weakly:
"Why was I even born… if Cael exists…"
Then she collapsed.
Today had been brutal for Paimon.
But it had been an endless source of joy for Lumine.
Feeling a little guilty, Cael crouched beside her.
"Alright, I did go too far today. How about this—
in a few days, I'll treat you to a big meal."
At the words big meal, the dead Paimon instantly resurrected.
"Big meal?! Really?!"
"Really."
"Hehehe… Cael, you're the best! I forgive you!"
Cael chuckled to himself.
Way too easy.
One sentence—
and an entire day's grudges vanished.
...
...
Night — In Front of the Cathedral
"I didn't expect you to really keep quiet," Lumine said sincerely.
"And you even came along with us."
Cael waved it off.
"Don't mind me. I'm weak—I can't beat anyone."
"All I can do is help keep an eye on that bard who loves slacking off."
Venti shot him an annoyed look.
"Am I really that unreliable in your eyes?!"
Cael replied honestly.
"…Hard to say."
"..."
Lumine smiled.
"Alright, I'm going in now. Cael—
it's cold outside, hang in there."
She entered the cathedral with Paimon, who was still munching sunflower seeds.
Only Cael and Venti remained.
...
Venti gazed up at the star-filled sky.
"Looking at the stars like this… it really puts the heart at ease, old friend."
Cael followed his gaze.
But unlike Venti, he wasn't admiring the view—
He was thinking about where those stars came from.
"Everyone knows stars are light reflected from distant worlds," Cael said calmly.
"That means this world should have other planets too."
Venti blinked, confused.
Cael looked at him seriously.
"Do you think you could just take off—leave Teyvat—and go play on the moon?"
That sentence instantly crashed Venti's CPU.
After a moment, he laughed helplessly.
"You always say the most astonishing things…"
"It's a tempting thought," he admitted,
"but I'd be watched by that one above."
"If not for that… as the God of Freedom, I'd truly want to see the sky for myself."
Cael looked up.
At the faint outline of Celestia.
Deep in his heart, he could already feel it—
His unfinished war with the Heavenly Principles
was drawing closer.
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