IV.

Her Special Day

Jean went home more exhausted than usual. After she took a bath and had dinner, she immediately went towards her bedroom and slumped on the bed.

She could pass out at any moment.

She was supposed to do a few minor things before going to bed, but she couldn't even find the strength to sit up, let alone turn around and face the ceiling.

But turn around she did, and now she was indeed facing the ceiling.

Her day went by so fast that she couldn't even remember much except what happened early in the morning with Lisa.

She smiled, remembering at how embarrassed both of them looked. "It was ridiculous, huh?" she spoke.

Her thoughts then wandered to the books that were supposed to arrive tomorrow. She was feeling rather excited, until the librarian went to her office at dusk to inform her that the books would be delayed by two days.

Jean sighed. "I suppose I could wait." She softly spoke, covering her eyes with her arm. She asked what the reason is for the delay, and Lisa told her the letter stated that the editor-in-chief was feeling rather generous, and promised to send more books than the ones listed.

Jean then yawned, uncovering her eyes and rubbed them. She looked at the window, and saw that it was a starless night.

"Rain…" she softly spoke, as droplets of water then appeared. One by one they fell, and soon enough, Mondstadt was covered in a soothing downpour.

There is reason for the Acting Grandmaster's exhaustion: the usual routes used by merchants and hunters suddenly became active hubs of monster activity, and they were ten times hostile than usual. She spent half of the day on the field, assisting and defending.

"Thankfully, there weren't casualties…" she spoke again, and she yawned once more. She kept staring at the window, lulled by the sound of the rain.

"I wonder what tomorrow would bring…" she softly said, and at long last, she fell asleep.

"My, dear Traveler, I didn't expect you to be here this late at night." Remarked Lisa, as the rain continued on outside.

The Traveler was obviously drenched, but not too much that the floor was wet. Her companion was in the same state. "Remind Paimon to never run through the rain again…" she spoke, pouting at the Traveler as she was fixing her hair.

Lisa simply giggled, and offered the two of them tea. The two of them accepted it. "I think I have towels in my drawer, let me get it." She spoke, as she went back to her table and took out two towels.

As she went closer, Lumine noticed that it was embroidered with the Knights of Favonius insignia. Lisa went behind her and dried her hair before her neck and shoulders. She placed the towel across her shoulders to absorb the wetness from her body. She did the same with Paimon.

"Paimon didn't expect you to do this at all, Lisa!" remarked Paimon, and the librarian giggled. "My, how one-dimensional do you think I am?" she replied.

Lumine took sips of her tea, and felt relief wash over her. The subtle sweetness of the drink and the warmth resonated through her body, making her feel at ease.

"So? What is the esteemed Traveler and Honorary Knight and her floating companion doing running around in the rain at this time of night?" she then asked.

"Paimon, if you would be so kind." Then spoke Lumine, as Paimon finished drinking her tea. She returned the cup to Lisa. "Thanks!" she says, as Lisa simply smiled back. Paimon then took out an envelope behind her.

"For the record, Paimon's not a bag!" she then said, looking at Lumine, annoyed. The Traveler simply giggled as she continued drinking her tea.

As Lisa took the envelope, she noticed it was sealed. "A letter." She spoke.

"Its for Jean, written by her sister." Lumine then told her as she was done drinking her tea. She placed the cup on Lisa's table.

"From Barbara huh? Ah, I see." Then spoke Lisa, giggling a bit. "Its her birthday tomorrow."

Lumine and Paimon nodded, as they both used the towels to dry themselves further. "That letter is a draft, actually. You can tear it open." Lumine added, which surprised Lisa.

"She's going to write another letter?" she asked, as she began to tear open the envelope.

She reads the letter, and she is most definitely impressed at the how much…heart it has.

"She said she wants the letter to be perfect, just like how Jean is." Lumine replied. Paimon floated about, nodding in agreement. "Paimon thinks she shouldn't exert herself too much on this one. One heartfelt letter is enough, right?" Paimon then asked.

Lisa finished reading, and she let out a sigh. "That is true for most people, yes, but the Gunnhildr sisters are a different matter. Barbara here…is reaching out to Jean yet again."

Lumine noticed that she seems disgruntled, or even annoyed. "Its as if your whole escapade to the Golden Apple Archipelago didn't happen." She spoke, and she sighed again. "Lumine, dear, would you like another cup with me?" she then asked, and the Traveler simply obliged.

Paimon followed the two towards the table. "How did their relationship get this…awry?" then asked Paimon.

"Broken promises, other priorities, falling out of love…separation." Spoke Lisa, confusing Paimon and intriguing Lumine. While it seemed she was merely speaking a string of words, they are all connected.

"Jean only told me about it once, and even then, she didn't tell me everything. I didn't pry even further." She added, as she sipped her tea.

"I see." The Traveler spoke. "That's so sad…" said Paimon. Lisa smiled at the two of them. "She's someone who's intently focused on the present and the future. I don't want to say that she's moved on, but I can fairly ascertain that she doesn't dwell on it too much." She told them, and it brings forth a feeling of comfort to the two of them.

The rain continued on, and Lisa reread the letter again. "Would she be the one to give the letter to Jean?" she asked, and Lumine and Paimon nodded. Lisa was surprised at this, but she found it endearing all the same. "I see, then that would be great indeed."

"Are you not going to write a letter for her, too?" Lumine then asked. Lisa looked at her, confused. Paimon jumped in, nodding. "Yeah! You're Jean's best friend, right? Surely you have something!" she remarked.

They looked at her, eager for an answer, but it was Lumine who saw that her face, although smiling, seemed melancholy.

"Best friend, heh…" Lisa softly spoke, as she finished her tea. "I guess I could write her a letter. Hmm, perhaps I would start now." She then spoke, as she sat back down on her chair and scribbled on a piece of paper.

"Already?!" Paimon exclaimed, and Lumine simply giggled, as she returned the cup and towels.

"Stay here until the rain passes." Lisa then told them, although not looking as she continued on with her scribbling. Lumine saw that she wasn't actually writing, and she smiled. "Of course." She replied.

I awoke through the sound of rain. It seems it got a bit stronger from last night.

Slowly opening my eyes, I felt a sharp pain on my forehead. Groaning, I sat up, right hand rubbing my temples.

It didn't take long for me to realize I was having a headache. My body seems to be aching a bit, and I feel…weak.

…am I ill?

I groaned again as the pain seemed to be getting worse. While the rain continued on, I heard soft knocks from downstairs.

Someone was at the door.

I struggled to get up, and once I did, I saw that I wasn't wearing any pants when I slept again tonight. I suppose that explains why I feel sick today.

Lesson learned, Jean.

I went for my wardrobe, looking if I have pants to wear.

I had none. What I had was an old skirt, from when I was younger. Seeing as my wardrobe was mostly empty, I've come to realize that perhaps I woke up late.

"…damn it." I softly muttered, as I went and tried to see if the old skirt still fits.

Miraculously, it still does.

The person at the door knocked again. I didn't have the energy to shout I was coming, and my headache was getting worse. I went to the bathroom, gargled some water and begrudgingly, slowly went downstairs to greet whoever it was.

I opened the door, and saw Lisa's smiling face turn to an expression of genuine concern.

"Oh dear, are you alright Jean?" she asked, as she hurriedly entered and closed the door behind her.

I wasn't able to speak, as I immediately crashed onto her. "S…Sorry." I managed to say. She seems ever ready to catch me, however.

She put her forehead onto mine, and then immediately carried me back upstairs. "A fever, of all the days…" she spoke, as both of us entered the room.

She gently placed me back on the bed, covering me with a blanket up to my waist. She took off her hat and placed it at my bedside. "Wait here." She told me, as she hurried back downstairs.

"Lisa?!" then shouted another familiar voice downstairs. A new set of footsteps then hurried upstairs.

"…Barbara." I softly spoke. She hurried to my side, holding my right hand. "Big sis! I-I didn't know you were ill!" she then said, getting scared and worried at the same time.

"Calm down…I just woke up." I told her, smiling. "Ah! Sorry!" she then softly replied, as she tried to smile back.

"She exerted herself too much yesterday, and the rain didn't help." Then came Lisa's voice, as she was back upstairs with a cup in hand. "Here, I brewed a medicinal potion with what I found in your kitchen. I used some of the ingredients that I gave you before." She added, smiling, as Barbara helped me sit up.

"Thank you…" I told them both, as I took the cup and drank the potion. It felt relieving.

Lisa let out a sigh of relief. "Seriously, Jean, you really need more days off in your schedule." She commented. Before I could retort her statement, I saw my sister nod in agreement with her. "Lisa's right. Y-You shouldn't overexert yourself over everything…" she added.

"Barbara, I…" I began to speak, but trailed off. I looked at Lisa, and she gave me an understanding smile. "I'll be downstairs. I may as well make something, seeing as today is a special day after all~" she said, as she went back down again.

I was confused at what she said, and then Barbara tugged at my sleeve. I looked at her, and on her hands, she held…a letter.

"H-Happy birthday, big sis!" she then blurted out. I was surprised. Genuinely surprised.

I forgot my own birthday.

"I see…thank you." I replied, receiving her letter. I gently opened it, and as I unfolded the paper, Barbara seemed to fidget at the bedside.

"E-Even though I wrote all about what I feel there, I-I still have so much to say…" she admitted, and I placed my hand on her shoulder. "I'm here to listen, Barbara, but let me read first." I told her, trying my best to comfort her. The headache is still present, but it doesn't hurt as much as earlier.

I'll have to thank Lisa again later.

Before I began reading, I looked at my sister again, and decided to hold her hand. "What you've written here would definitely be enough for me to know what you've been feeling." I told her, and she squeezed my hand. "Yes." She said, smiling.

And so, as the rain continues to fall, not too light nor too heavy, I began reading her letter.

"Do you still remember our childhood? I…don't remember much, but I can see those times we used to sneak into each other's rooms to play and talk and pass out together. These are the memories that live on in my mind, especially now that I find myself…seemingly stuck in the past.

Do you also sometimes think of those?

After our… parents' separation, I devoted my time and life to serving Lord Barbatos to the best of my abilities, and I was equally rewarded for it. Of course, I am eternally grateful, but…

…I've always prayed for only one thing to be answered.

Surprisingly though, I only repeat our childhood memories together, not the parts where we were still a complete family, because I am fairly certain that it would never be complete again.

So here I write a letter, which is more than just a birthday greeting.

There are so many things that I want us to talk about, and it seems that as the years pass by and likewise as we get older, the distance between us ever grows, so I want to put an end to that.

I…miss you, big sis, and I really want us to be closer again, just like when we were little. The pain and heartbreak of our parents shouldn't be felt by their children, right?

So, as my birthday gift…I would like to spend more time with you, and to properly act as your little sister, starting now.

…would that be okay?"

I finished reading, and I was…moved. It was heartfelt, and when I looked at my sister she looked away. Perhaps she was embarrassed?

"Its rather short for a letter." I remarked, and she seems to have gotten embarrassed even further.

"I-I told you! I have much more to say…" she replied. I giggled, and patted her head. "Even if you don't tell me anything, I can feel it all the same. We're sisters, after all." I then told her.

She looked at me rather abruptly, and her eyes were welling up. "Big sis…!" she said, as she threw herself towards me. It was an embrace, one that I readily accepted.

"Oh, Barbara…" I softly spoke, as she freely cried. "I missed you too." I told her, rubbing her back.

…how long has it been since I held her? When we were younger?

"I'm so glad…" she then softly spoke. I kissed the top of her head, calming her down. "I'm glad too." I replied.

As she held onto me, I shed some tears as well. I buried my face on her shoulder.

"Are you really sure you should be up and about, much less sharing a drink with me, Jean?" Lisa asked, as she gave her a glass of fresh Dandelion Wine given by Diluc as a present.

"Lisa, this is our third glass together." Jean simply replied, and the both of them laughed.

She walked closer to Lisa, and clinked their glasses together. "Cheers~" they both said.

They drank, and Lisa poured their glasses again. "I actually expected Master Diluc to come join us here, but he said he's busy." Lisa then said, as she handed Jean's glass back to her.

"He's probably busy." Jean replied. "Or he's embarrassed to give the gift and see you~" Lisa teased.

"Oh stop it. Nothing happened between us, and I still consider him as my senior, my higher-up. That's all there is, really." Jean explained, as she drank the wine.

"Really? I thought you two had a thing together~" Lisa continued on. The two of them laughed again. "He has good qualities, and his sense of justice, while odd, is strong, but I really only see him as a senior, or even a mentor figure, if you will." She continued explaining.

The two of them finished their drinks, and filled their glasses again. "Everyone actually thought you two were going out." Lisa then said, and Jean got surprised that she almost choked on her drink.

"Am I right to assume that you were the one who spread that rumor back then?" she asked, and Lisa giggled, shaking her head. "Oh I would never do that~" she replied, looking at her and winking.

Jean sighed. "That was quite the ordeal, wasn't it?" she asked, as she reminisced older days. Days of her younger self.

Lisa sipped the wine, as she noticed Jean looking at her glass. She was wearing a white long-sleeved shirt, what she assumed was her sleepwear, and an old blue skirt that made her look younger. It was as if she traveled back in time and was seeing the young Jean Gunnhildr, staring out as an aspiring and vigilant Knight of Favonius.

Jean then undid her ponytail, placing the hair tie on the nearby table. She smiled, as she drank the wine in her glass. She looked at Lisa. "Like what you see?" she asked.

Lisa's eyes widened. Perhaps it's the wine, but Jean really looks beautiful when her hair is down.

She managed to giggle, as she fully drank her wine. "Oh yes, Jean, I really do like what I see~" she replied.

She glanced at her, expecting her to become a blushing mess, but what she saw was a different expression.

Jean looked…relieved. She let out a sigh as she smiled. "I see. That is good…" she softly replied.

She placed her glass on the table. The bottle was on Lisa's end, and as she approached it, Lisa stepped right in front of her.

"Lisa? What's wrong?" she asked, as Lisa also placed her glass on the table.

It must be the alcohol, but I'm feeling rather upfront and overly confident tonight. Right in front of me is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.

She asks me what's wrong, but I cannot reply and tell her that everything's fine. I find it hard to speak.

Now she blushes. Oh, Jean, this is unfair of you. She looks away, flustered at how close we are.

"L-Lisa, you're too close…" she softly spoke. I like how soft she speaks whenever she's flustered.

"I'm very sorry Jean…but I really do like what I see." I managed to tell her, in the same soft voice that she found herself using. I smiled at her as she looked back at me.

The Jean I see now is different from the Jean that everyone usually sees. Strong, resilient, reliable and levelheaded: those are the things people mostly say whenever they see Jean.

But the Jean I see now…really looks more like a young girl. Other than obviously flustered and blushing, she seems confused, with not just my own actions but with what she's feeling, too.

And somehow, I can see that she's excited.

"I…like you too, Lisa." She suddenly said. I got wide-eyed, and I felt that my cheeks were getting hotter.

We were both blushing messes once again.

…it must be the alcohol, but what I'm about to do next is certainly a risk that I shouldn't consider taking.

I would've pulled away, but it seems Jean knew what I wanted to do.

She leans closer as she closed her eyes. I held her arms, firmly rooting us both in place.

I looked at her face for a final time before I gave in myself. I closed the distance between us.

It must be the alcohol, but her lips are laced with a certain sweetness.

It's already March 14 here. Jean, my beloved, happy birthday!

- The Void Sprinter