Even a donkey on a farm probably wouldn’t be awake this early!
"We’ve got a big plan tonight. We’re going to sneak into the cathedral and steal that lyre!"
"Jean? Why would you steal Acting Grand Master Jean? Ayaka, don’t tell me that troublemaker Lumine has corrupted you and you’ve started taking an interest in women too?"
Kamisato Satoru sat frozen in bed, his brain still struggling to boot up as he stared at her in utter confusion.
"Bro! Ther!"
"If you keep talking nonsense, I’m going to ignore you!"
"I’m not talking about Acting Grand Master Jean! I mean the Holy Lyre der Himmel kept in the cathedral!"
"And Lumine and I have a perfectly innocent relationship, so please stop looking at me like that!"
Kamisato Ayaka stamped her foot in frustration, her snow-white neck instantly flushing a captivating shade of crimson.
"Oh, so you mean that lousy old lyre..."
That shout finally woke Kamisato Satoru completely, and his muddled thoughts gradually returned to normal.
Those stubborn idiots probably got dragged into another mess by that little green guy who’s always conning people.
Even stealing the Holy Lyre der Himmel would be pointless. The Abyss Order already had its eyes on it, so all their effort would ultimately be for nothing.
As for Ayaka and Lumine’s relationship... naturally, he trusted his own little sister.
But what that "harem king" Lumine had going through her head was another matter entirely.
"Actually, you could just talk to Acting Grand Master Jean. Knowing her personality, she might lend it to you directly."
Kamisato Satoru kindly offered the suggestion.
After all, if Barbara, that fanatical devotee of the Anemo Archon, discovered that the lyre had been stolen, the consequences would be severe.
That usually sweet and gentle little deaconess might instantly turn into a battle healer wielding a Gatling gun.
"Well... we don’t have a single piece of solid evidence right now. How could Acting Grand Master Jean possibly believe such an absurd story?"
Kamisato Ayaka hesitated.
Clearly, she didn’t particularly want to resort to such an extreme solution either.
"Then just go along with Lumine tonight and do whatever you want. I’ll stay out of it. Having too many people there would only make it easier to expose yourselves."
Kamisato Satoru yawned and gracefully yet swiftly burrowed back beneath the covers.
A mere Holy Lyre der Himmel wasn’t enough to interest him.
Once Stormterror finished making trouble, he’d simply suppress the dragon by force.
"All right, then. Lumine and I will head to the tavern and meet up with that bard."
"Go on. Be careful."
Bang!
The bedroom door slammed shut.
...
"Little Klee, breakfast is on the table. Remember to eat it while it’s hot. If you run into any trouble, come find me at the shop."
After finishing breakfast, Kamisato Satoru looked at little Klee, who was still sleeping soundly beneath the covers with even a tiny glistening trail of drool at the corner of her mouth.
His heart practically melted.
"Mmm... okay..."
Klee murmured sleepily, rolled over, and continued discussing new bomb designs with the Sandman.
Kamisato Satoru shook his head with an amused smile, then left the house and headed toward his drink shop.
"Morning, Noelle. You’re looking energetic today."
"Good morning, Manager!"
"Have you eaten breakfast?"
Kamisato Satoru pulled out a bench and sat down comfortably.
"Not yet. I was planning to go home later and make something simple."
Kamisato Satoru sighed.
Where else could anyone find an employee so responsible that it actually made you feel bad for her?
He handed her a steaming paper bag and spoke in a tone that allowed no argument.
"I brought this especially for you. Eat it here."
"Huh? Thank you, Manager. Then I won’t refuse."
Noelle accepted the bag, pleasantly surprised. The warmth spreading through her heart felt even hotter than the breakfast itself.
"What’s this?"
Curiously, she took two long, golden, crispy fried pastries from the bag. Beside them was a cup filled with a rich white drink.
Such an exotic breakfast combination had never appeared in traditional Mondstadt cuisine.
"It’s called soy milk with youtiao. It’s the real deal. Just try it and you’ll see."
"All right. I’ll give it a try."
Noelle carefully took a bite, and her eyes immediately lit up.
The crispy exterior and soft, tender interior were simply wonderful.
After finishing the heartwarming breakfast, Noelle efficiently opened the shop, officially beginning another busy day.
"I’ll have an extra-strong Mint and Wolfhook drink!"
Before long, the first wave of customers drawn by the refreshing beverages poured inside.
"That’ll be 1,100 Mora. Please take your change."
Noelle expertly collected the gleaming Mora coins, her movements graceful and efficient.
Kamisato Satoru sat in the shade with his legs crossed like a completely hands-off owner, nodding in satisfaction.
It seemed that after only a single day of practice, Noelle had already completely mastered the essence of running the shop.
"Phew..."
Seeing that everything was operating smoothly, Kamisato Satoru simply laid his head down on the table and fell into a deep nap.
Outside the window, sunlight traced a graceful arc across the ground.
Before long, evening arrived.
"Venti, why aren’t you hanging around the tavern? What are you doing in my little shop?"
Kamisato Satoru stared at the little green guy in front of him, who was happily cradling his own bottle of Dandelion Wine, and immediately felt a headache coming on.
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