At breakfast, Ganyu's cheeks were still tinged pink.
She glanced at the perfectly composed Shenhe beside her and thought her junior sister really was…
Making a move like that while he was on the phone…
Collei also seemed a bit dazed. She was slow at reading, but last night she'd finally reached the most exciting part of the story.
The adrenaline from those scenes still hadn't worn off.
After breakfast, Fischl came to find Xia Zhi. She said she planned to take on a commission from the Adventurers' Guild.
Xia Zhi raised a brow. "Short on money?"
Fischl shook her head. "No. I want to prove myself, so I can join you on the journey to Inazuma."
"That works too. But you're still a member of Benny's Adventure Team, right?"
"Yes."
"Your leader Bennett has notoriously bad luck. Something could happen. Take Qiqi with you."
"Very well."
"If you run into any trouble you can't handle, call me right away."
"Yes, Master."
--
Afternoon.
When Rosaria woke up, she went alone to one of Mondstadt's more well-known pet shops.
Inside, rows of adorable cats.
Rosaria stroked one, looked at another. They were cute and tame, but compared to the little white cat from before, their eyes lacked that spark of spirit.
She sighed, stood.
A clerk nearby asked, "Miss, none of them to your liking?"
"No." Rosaria shook her head. "These are all the cats you have?"
"Yes. If none suit you, you can come back next month."
"All right, I understand."
She left that shop, visited several others. The result was the same.
The cats were cute, sure, but none of them had that spark. She wasn't interested.
After wandering around, Rosaria returned to the dormitory.
When she opened the door, she suddenly heard a few familiar meows coming from inside.
She froze.
Am I hallucinating?
Another few meows sounded.
Rosaria turned her head.
A snowy white shadow crawled out from under the bed.
"Little one?"
Surprise flashed in Rosaria's eyes.
"How are you here?"
She walked over, scooped up the cat.
"Didn't your owner take you back? How'd you end up here again? Did you miss me?"
That soft, familiar touch.
Perfect.
Rosaria couldn't help but bury her face into it.
It smelled sweet.
One deep inhale—heaven.
She raised her head with a satisfied smile and glanced toward the window.
Sure enough, it was open.
The little one must have snuck in that way.
"You're so naughty."
Rosaria scratched its chin.
But the cat sniffed her fingers, caught a scent it didn't like, and pulled away disdainfully.
Rosaria blinked.
She lifted it up, looked into those deep eyes.
She swore she saw genuine human-like disdain flicker there.
This cat really was special!
That was exactly what she wanted.
None of those glossy pets in the shops could compare.
"What are you so disgusted about?"
Rosaria muttered.
"Just one day apart and you're already looking down on me?"
"Meow."
"I'm clean! I didn't get into anything gross. I only stopped by some pet shops… wait. Don't tell me you're upset I smell like other cats?"
"Meow!"
"So that's it! You've got some nerve! You're not even my cat! I should send you back right now before your owner comes looking again and thinks I stole you."
"Meow."
"But before that… keep me company for a nap."
"Meow…"
"Yeah, yeah, I'll wash my hands. You're really picky, little one."
Rosaria set it down and went into the bathroom.
The cat stayed, staring at the door, an odd look in its eyes.
Moments later, Rosaria came out, scooped it up again, and lay down on the bed.
"Still the best sleep with you in my arms."
--
"Boss!"
"What is it?"
"The cat's gone!"
"Gone?"
"Yes!"
Diona ran up to Xia Zhi, panic on her face.
"I just put it outside to sunbathe, and in a blink it disappeared!"
"Did you look for it?"
"I searched all around but couldn't find it!"
"I see."
"Boss, what do we do?"
"Relax. It probably just went off to play. It'll come back later."
"But what if it doesn't?"
"If you're that worried, go find Mona. She can divine it for you."
"Right!"
Diona rushed to Mona and explained.
Mona reassured her, then took out her crystal ball and began a divination.
[Where exactly is Little White right now?]
The crystal ball shimmered with strange starry images.
Mona studied them and said, "I found it…"
Diona hurriedly asked, "Where is it?"
"At the Church of Favonius."
Mona's expression turned odd.
"According to the results… it's currently on some woman's bed, sleeping with her."
"Eh?!"