As Takashi was explaining things to Lumine, Lisa, and Amber, a gray falcon swooped over Cider Lake, flying towards them.
Amber saw it and extended her hand, letting the falcon perch on her palm. She took the note tied to its leg, read it, and her expression changed slightly.
Lisa spoke lazily, "What's wrong, Amber?"
"Captain Kaeya says Sister Victoria from the church came by asking for help. Barbara has gone missing, and we need to leave the city to look for her."
Barbara? Jean's sister, the girl who sings.
There was also that often-repeated magical phrase—"Barbara, charge!"
Takashi remembered his time playing Genshin Impact; Barbara often caused a lot of trouble for him—always freezing the party when using her skills, earning her the nickname of "the traitor."
Lumine spoke up righteously, "Paimon, let's go help find her too."
"Alright," Paimon nodded. "But after this, you have to treat me to something tasty."
"If we find Barbara, she should treat us."
"I don't want any spicy fish skewers!" Paimon said, her eyes turning into swirls at the mention of Barbara treating them.
Lisa played with her chestnut hair, saying nonchalantly, "I'm sure Barbara sneaked out to gather herbs. No need to overthink it—it's not the first time."
Amber adjusted her goggles confidently. "I'll set off for the mission—I need some Mora to raise Ponyta."
Lumine nodded slightly, muttering to herself, "I'm thinking the same."
Seeing the two eager to go, Lisa knew she couldn't compete with the younger ones for the mission—it wouldn't be ladylike or appropriate for a senior. "Alright then, I'll leave it to you two. I'll take care of little Klee."
Amber mounted her Ponyta. "My Ponyta is fast. We'll head towards Windrise. Lumine, you take the area around Windwheel Aster."
Lumine nodded and started running. "Paimon, let's go. Wingull, help us search from the sky."
"Woo..."
With that, Amber and Lumine left in a flurry.
Seeing Lisa unperturbed, even with a mischievous smile, Takashi couldn't help but ask, "You don't seem worried at all? I heard from the Traveler that the Treasure Hoarders have been quite active lately."
Lisa petted the Tynamo in her arms. As an electric-type woman herself, she knew how to charm Tynamo, who looked as happy as a 200-pound cuddly bear in her embrace.
"Yee-yee-yee..."
"That little girl came to me yesterday asking where she could find Jueyun Chili. I told her there were some near Wolvendom, and she must've sneaked out while Sister Victoria was praying at the church today."
Takashi aimed the Poké Ball at Feebas on the lake's surface. "Come back, Feebas."
"Are you planning to go look for her too?" Lisa asked.
Takashi smiled slightly. "Who hates making money?"
Barbara was somewhat of a local celebrity in Mondstadt—popular, full of energy, an idol like the lead of a morning drama. Her smile alone could heal the wounds of Mondstadt's residents.
"Let's go, Xerneas."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xerneas used Teleport, and they both disappeared before Lisa's eyes.
Klee tilted her head, "Huh? Big brother's gone?"
Lisa adjusted her purple witch hat charmingly. "Oh well, Mr. Cool likes to show off. Come on, Klee, let's head back."
In the blink of an eye, Takashi and Xerneas arrived on a forest path near Wolvendom. The narrow path was lined with broken walls and thick brambles.
Takashi rode on Xerneas' back, moving freely through the woods. "Xerneas, do you sense anyone nearby?"
"Yes, just ahead," Xerneas replied, leaping high over a birch tree and landing gracefully on a bare rock.
Takashi looked around. Not far behind, under a pine tree, were two pigtails sticking out.
Up ahead on the path, a man with short brown hair wearing casual trousers was looking around, seemingly searching for something.
From Takashi's experience, it was likely that this guy was following someone—his eyes shifted nervously, his movements furtive. He was definitely a stalker.
Seeing the white dress under the pine tree, Takashi already guessed that the man was following Barbara.
Takashi walked over, and before he could speak, the man with short hair spoke first, his face darkening. "Who are you? I've never seen you in Barbara's fan club."
"I'm new. Are you looking for Barbara?" Takashi replied, pretending to be familiar.
"Oh?" The man's demeanor shifted as soon as he heard it. "My name is Albert. I live in Mondstadt, and my favorite idol is Barbara. My favorite thing is helping Barbara. Have you seen her around here?"
"No, it's just been me here. I'm gathering mushrooms," Takashi shrugged, glancing back at Xerneas.
Xerneas had a freshly-picked matsutake mushroom hanging from her mouth.
Albert scratched his head. "That's too bad. I swear I saw her around here."
Takashi crossed his arms, saying casually, "I heard Sister Victoria at the church complaining yesterday that the place hasn't been clean lately. She wanted to get Barbara to do the cleaning."
"What?!" Albert's eyes nearly popped out. "Barbara shouldn't have to do that! I'll head back right now—no one else is taking that job from me!"
With that, Albert dashed off, running along the path towards Mondstadt.
Here one moment, gone the next—truly Mondstadt's number one Barbara fan. The guy really knew how to charge in.
"Come on out," Takashi turned and called out to Barbara under the pine tree.
"Oh..." Barbara emerged from behind the tree, left hand covering her chest, and holding a basket with her right. Her sweet voice was full of clarity. "I thought I'd been found out—thank you."
Her blue-grey eyes sparkled like jewels, her light blonde twin-tails shimmering in the sunlight. Her white dress with black and blue lace, white-patterned tights, and a blue and gold book at her waist all showcased her youthful vitality.
Takashi spoke seriously. "The Knights are looking everywhere for you. You should head back."
"I recognize you," Barbara said, setting the basket on the grass and sitting down like a duck. She looked at Takashi, her eyes warm and smiling. "You're the shopkeeper from the Pokémon shop."
Takashi asked in surprise, "You know I'm not part of the fan club?"
"Hehe," Barbara wiped the sweat from her forehead. "I can tell."
"Probably because I've never attended any of your concerts?" Takashi said bluntly. In truth, since arriving in Mondstadt, he had been so focused on Pokémon that he rarely went out.
"That's not it. There are lots of people at the concerts—I can't remember them all," Barbara said, holding her head and laughing sheepishly.