Chapter 153

Chirp, chirp.

In the early morning, the crisp birdsong drifted through the slightly open window, swaying the curtain as a gentle breeze entered the room.

A hand emerged from beneath the blue blanket. Hiroshi, with his slightly messy hair, sat up on the bed and looked at the golden morning light streaming in through the window.

"It's morning already, huh."

"Ah~" Hiroshi yawned widely, stretching out his arms, and then reached towards the space beside him.

"Kuroneko, time to get up. Weren't we planning to go to the summer festival today?"

"Huh?"

Feeling nothing but an empty space, Hiroshi opened his senses.

A smile appeared on his face as Hiroshi shook his head, mumbling, "That Kazuma, always causing trouble. Now he's got Hu Tao in on it, insisting on playing some drinking contest."

"But Hu Tao's plum wine was actually quite tasty. I'll have to ask her for some ingredients next time and brew my own in my own realm," he added, picking up his clothes from a nearby chair.

As Hiroshi picked up his clothes, a business card fell out of his pocket. He paused for a moment before remembering something from last night.

After everyone was saying their goodbyes, Hu Tao, who had taken a piece of dragon meat from him, had enthusiastically patted her flat chest in front of him, smiling widely.

"Since you gave me such precious food, you're officially my friend now!" she'd declared proudly. "Take my special business card. When you become my client, I'll find you the best feng shui location for your future resting place—guaranteed spacious and suitable for your entire family to stay together!"

Thinking back to that moment, Hiroshi couldn't help but find it both amusing and exasperating. Everyone had been a bit tipsy last night, including Kazuma, who had overheard Hu Tao offering Hiroshi a discount.

Kazuma had immediately approached her, exclaiming, "We're drinking buddies now, right? I'll definitely support your business, but you've got to give me some kind of friendly discount!"

Realizing she had made a new customer, and since Kazuma had told her he was an adventurer and even the leader of a small party, Hu Tao had promptly offered a 30% off group package with a buy-one-get-one promotion. Kazuma ended up getting a four-person package for the price of two and a half. Everyone had been happy, and a very pleased Hu Tao was dragged away by Zhongli afterward.

Click.

"Brother Hiroshi?"

A small head peeked in from the now-open door. Klee looked curiously at Hiroshi, who was laughing to himself. "Is there something fun happening? Can you tell Klee too?"

"Qiqi... also wants to know," came a soft voice from behind Klee.

"Hahaha." Hiroshi opened his arms toward the two little ones at the door, smiling warmly. "Come here, both of you. I'll tell you while you sit in my lap."

"Okay!" Klee said, taking a short running start before leaping into Hiroshi's arms.

Thud.

"Hahaha~"

As she happily laughed, Klee knocked Hiroshi back onto the bed. Still chuckling, Hiroshi turned to Qiqi, who stood hesitantly at the door, and waved to her gently. "Qiqi, come over here."

"Mm." Nodding lightly, Qiqi walked over and stretched out her tiny hand.

"Heave-ho!" Hiroshi gently pulled Qiqi into his embrace, snuggling the two adorable girls close.

The morning sunlight filtered into the room as the wind blew softly through the window. Holding his two little ones, Hiroshi smiled as he began to share the funny story with his family.

Although, honestly, they probably wouldn't fully understand it.

Knock, knock, knock!

Wearing an apron and holding a ladle, Kuroneko stood at the bedroom door, her face showing a faint smile as she shook her head lightly at the sight of the three sleeping figures.

Listening to the steady breathing, Kuroneko said softly, "I sent you two in here to wake up that lazy Hiroshi, but now you've both fallen asleep too."

"Mmm~"

Klee, who had fallen asleep on Hiroshi's chest, rubbed her eyes when she heard Kuroneko's voice. She sat up, greeting her. "Good morning, Sister Kuroneko."

"Klee, Qiqi, weren't you two supposed to wake Brother Hiroshi up? How did you end up asleep too?"

"Hehehe." Klee scratched her head.

"Brother Hiroshi's... hug was warm, so Qiqi... just fell asleep," Qiqi said softly, bowing her head. "Sorry."

"It's alright," Kuroneko said gently, kneeling to hug Qiqi.

"Qiqi, we're family, so there's no need to apologize."

"Mmm... Qiqi understands... Sister Kuroneko."

"Good girl." Kuroneko stood up, holding Qiqi's hand, and glanced at Hiroshi, who was still hugging Klee. She then lightly tapped Hiroshi's forehead with her ladle.

"Time to wake up. Did you forget about the summer festival?"

"No, no, of course not. How could I forget my promise to you?" Hiroshi said as he stood up, holding Klee's small hand. "Good morning, Kuroneko."

"It's not that early anymore. Come and have breakfast," Kuroneko said, smiling.

"Uh..."

"Breakfast!" Klee exclaimed happily.

"Mm," Qiqi nodded.

As the morning sun gradually climbed higher, Hiroshi and Kuroneko, holding hands, waved goodbye to Klee and Qiqi. A flash of white light enveloped Hiroshi and Kuroneko, and they disappeared from Klee and Qiqi's sight.

Watching them vanish, Qiqi's gaze wavered slightly.

"Heave-ho." A warm little hand grasped Qiqi's.

Klee leaned closer to Qiqi, smiling. "Qiqi, want to go see Beibei and Yuanyuan with me?"

"Brother Hiroshi... and Sister Kuroneko... they will... come back tomorrow, right?" Qiqi asked softly. "They won't... disappear, will they?"

"Of course not!" Klee said, holding Qiqi's hand firmly. "Brother Hiroshi and Sister Kuroneko would never, ever disappear."

"So Qiqi doesn't need to worry," Klee added. "And next month, when we can join the group chat again, Brother Hiroshi and Sister Kuroneko will definitely bring Qiqi in! Then we can visit Hifumi together."

Smiling brightly, Klee pulled Qiqi along toward the bamboo grove.

In the mundane world.

Hiroshi and Kuroneko, holding hands, returned to Kuroneko's home.

Kuroneko's father, stunned, stared at them for a moment until Hiroshi waved. "Good morning, Dad."

"Oh... ah!" Her father blinked and then suddenly snapped out of his daze.

"Hiroshi, Kuroneko, you two are back? Weren't you going to visit a friend's hometown for some event? Is it over already? How was it—did you have fun?"

"Yes," Hiroshi said, smiling as he pulled out a piece of dragon meat. "It was fun. We happened to run into a nine-headed dragon god, and we gathered some people to defeat it. So here's a little souvenir for you."

"Huh???"

Kuroneko tugged at Hiroshi's sleeve, looking a bit worried. "Is it really okay to leave Qiqi home alone?"

"Don't worry, don't worry," Hiroshi reassured her, watching Klee's livestream in the group chat. "Last night, Klee specifically asked me to let her take care of Qiqi today—she said she wants to get closer to Qiqi as her big sister. So let's leave the little ones to bond."

Back in Mondstadt, at their estate.

Under the bamboo grove, Klee and Qiqi were each riding a fluffy panda as they patrolled their home.

Qiqi gently hugged Beibei beneath her, a small bird resting atop her head as a tiny smile appeared on her face.

"Fluffy... so cute... Qiqi likes it very much."