"D-Did he just... take his own life?"
Amber gasped, covering her mouth as she stared at the lifeless pool of dark water.
"Mhm," Kaeya murmured, his tone laced with disdain. "That's the Abyss Order for you—inhuman to the core."
"All units!" Jean's voice rang out, clear and commanding. "Rest where you are. In thirty minutes, we begin purging the remnants of the Abyss's corruption!"
"Yes, Acting Grand Master Jean!"
"Apologies, Traveler," she added, her voice softening as she turned toward Gongqu. "We've dragged you into another dangerous affair."
Gongqu waved it off with an easy smile. "It's fine. I think we both know this has something to do with Lumine. If anyone should be apologizing, it's us."
"Please don't say that," Jean said, her eyes steady with resolve. "You and Lumine are honorary knights of Mondstadt. If the Abyss seeks to corrupt her, then we have every reason—no, every obligation—to fight back."
"You truly live up to the title of Dandelion Knight. I'm humbled," Gongqu replied with a faint smile.
At that moment, Eula, who had been silently observing the rapport forming between the two, cleared her throat deliberately.
"Ahem. That aside—Traveler, what brings you here with Amber?"
Gongqu opened his mouth to reply.
Amber tugged at his sleeve, eyes pleading. Don't mention Klee sneaking off.
Gongqu blinked in realization and gave her a subtle wink.
Amber turned beet red and lowered her head in embarrassment.
"Well, I came to visit the Knights and discuss some matters. On the way, I ran into Amber taking Klee out for some fun. We got to talking, and when I heard you were out dealing with monsters, I suggested we leave Klee in the Serenitea Pot and come help."
"Amber, is that true?" Jean asked with a skeptical look, sensing something had been left out.
"Y-Yes! That's exactly what happened!" Amber stammered, nodding furiously.
Jean gave a slow nod but couldn't help noticing that Amber was still clinging to Gongqu's arm—and that her chest was practically squashed against it. Gently, she offered a reminder.
"Amber, how long do you plan on holding the Traveler like that? He's been helping everyone all day—he must be exhausted. Let him rest."
Eula gave a sage nod, looking for all the world like a disappointed best friend.
"Eh?!"
Amber quickly let go and apologized frantically.
"I-I'm sorry, Traveler! I didn't even realize..."
"It's fine, really," Gongqu replied, almost too quickly. "Actually, it was kinda comf—"
He stopped himself just in time, catching the icy gazes of the two women next to him. In a desperate attempt to change the subject, he threw an arm around Kaeya.
"Say, Kaeya—don't you think it's a perfect day for fishing?"
"Right... Hahaha..." Kaeya, ever the bystander, barely suppressed a laugh and nodded with mock seriousness.
The surrounding knights exchanged glances but dared not say a word.
Though some cast glowering, jealous stares at Gongqu as if he'd just stolen their wives.
With the mastermind behind this Abyss incursion dealt with, Kaeya, ever tactful, volunteered to lead the remaining knights in mopping up the monsters lurking in Whispering Woods.
Meanwhile, Gongqu, who had business with the Order, was escorted back to Mondstadt by Jean and two of the knights for further discussions.
As he left, Kaeya shot him a cheeky look of encouragement and whispered:
"Mondstadt is a free city, you know. Back in the day, the nobility used to marry dozens. Don't waste the opportunity."
Gongqu very nearly smacked him with his claymore.
Around 3 p.m., the quartet returned to Mondstadt, a strange tension clinging to them like morning mist.
As they passed the Adventurers' Guild, Amber enthusiastically recommended a meal at Good Hunter. With little resistance, they went in.
That's when a new problem emerged.
Who gets to sit next to Gongqu?
He returned from the counter after ordering, only to find all three women still standing, frozen like statues.
"Sit down already. What are you waiting for?"
Three sets of eyes turned toward him in unison.
One cold and aloof—Eula.
One bright and burning—Amber.
One calm and noble—Jean.
And just as the tension was about to snap, a voice as smooth as velvet drifted in.
"Mind if I join, my little cutie?"
Lisa—Mondstadt's resident enchantress—glided over from the next table, pulling a chair beside Gongqu with practiced elegance.
"Sara, dear. Could you bring my tea to this table?"
"Of course, Miss Lisa!"
Lisa? Lisa?! Isn't she the one who never gets up before ten? Oh, right—it's the afternoon now.
Jean frowned, just slightly. She eyed the last seat to Gongqu's left and moved to claim it—
But a flash of blue swept in first.
Eula sat down with perfect poise, flipping open the menu like she hadn't just sprinted for the seat. But the tips of her ears betrayed her.
Hesitation is defeat. Jean sighed internally and resigned herself to the seat farthest from Gongqu, across from Amber.
Their eyes met.
That single second felt like something torn from a romance novel—destined souls exchanging a wordless glance across the void.
Maybe... sitting across from him isn't so bad.
Jean smiled faintly at the thought.
"Well, well," Lisa teased, eyeing the others. "Seems our Dandelion Knight is finally feeling the stirrings of spring. Could it be you've taken a liking to our little cutie, too?"
"...Too?"
Amber's voice trembled.
Lisa smiled sweetly, stretching like a satisfied cat, subtly flaunting her... mature charms.
"Our little cutie gave me a legendary weapon, rare artifacts, even bought me a new outfit. With such an overwhelming offensive, tell me—which woman in Teyvat could resist?"
She held up her weapon—Tulaytullah's Remembrance, its sapphire-inlaid chime ringing like a siren's call, impossible to ignore.
Eula scoffed quietly, ready to mention her own Song of Broken Pines, until she saw Amber's expression—on the verge of tears.
Right. She's the only one here without a legendary weapon.
Her gaze snapped toward Gongqu, sharp as a blade.
Gongqu raised his cup and pretended to sip water—sweating bullets beneath his calm façade.
He wanted to shout: Big sis, please don't fan the flames anymore!
But Lisa was nothing if not true to her title: The Witch.
And witches, big or small, never made life easy.
With a coy little smile, she mouthed: This is a witch's revenge, darling~
Seeing the table buckle under the collective pressure, Gongqu finally spoke.
"Miss Lisa, I'm honored you think so highly of me, but I already have someone I care for. The gifts I gave were out of concern for your safety—as comrades."
In other words: My heart is as clear as a polished mirror.
Treat everyone like a dear friend—regardless of gender—and no one gets hurt.
"Pure friendship between men and women? Oh, how naïve," Lisa purred, leaning in. "Or... are you hiding something, little cutie?"
"Hey, it happens! Ever heard of a guy bestie?"
"Oh? And what about this—?"
Lisa slid her hand over Gongqu's, her face suddenly just inches from his, their noses nearly brushing.
A soft rose-scented breath drifted over him.
Gongqu felt something explode in his mind.
Crap. His heart just skipped a beat.