"The big Hilichurl is sick, the second Hilichurl tends to it~"
"The third Hilichurl gathers herbs, the fourth Hilichurl dances~"
"The fifth Hilichurl... the fifth Hilichurl..."
In the morning sunlight, Klee happily walked at the front of the group, singing a new song that a friend she just met had taught her.
Shaking her head a little, Klee tried to remember the rest but couldn't. She glanced at the smoke rising in the distance and continued joyfully running across the wooden bridge on her short legs.
"The big Hilichurl is sick, the second Hilichurl tends to it~"
"The third Hilichurl gathers herbs..."
Watching Klee singing a strange nursery rhyme while running ahead, Hiroshi scratched his head and looked at Xiangling, asking, "Xiangling, do you know who taught Klee this song? It sounds a bit odd."
"I know this song. There used to be someone who liked to sneak up and scare me while singing it," Xiangling replied, her face showing a mix of annoyance and amusement. She looked at Klee, who had run across the bridge to chase a butterfly, and smiled, shaking her head. "But I have no idea who taught Klee. It's not even a popular song in Liyue anymore."
"Paimon knows!" Paimon floated in front of the two, crossing her arms and staring at Xiangling and Hiroshi. "One big meal! When we get to Liyue, treat me to a big meal, and I'll tell you!"
"Deal!"
"Alright, I'll tell you... Mmph! Mmph... mmph..." Lumine suddenly grabbed Paimon and covered her mouth, laughing as she said, "I'll tell you, Klee made friends with a ghost girl named Xiaoming during breakfast this morning. The ghost girl even took Klee on a short adventure around Wangshu Inn."
Getting closer to Xiangling and Hiroshi, Lumine whispered mysteriously, "I even overheard that Xiaoming said she would come play with Klee again in the future."
As Paimon struggled in her grasp, Lumine patted Xiangling and Hiroshi's shoulders, smiling. "That's all I know. Looking forward to that big meal in Liyue!"
Humming a happy tune, Lumine fell back and released Paimon, who had been trying to bite her.
After wiping her hand on Paimon's clothes to clean off the drool, Lumine patted Paimon gently. "Don't worry, Paimon. I'll bring you along for the meal too."
Tearing up, Paimon asked, "Really?"
"Of course." Lumine nodded. "You and I are partners, Paimon. I wouldn't leave you out of a feast."
"But it was supposed to be my meal..." Paimon said pitifully, looking at Lumine. "I was even going to share it with you, so why did you grab me?!"
"Pudding," Lumine replied simply.
Paimon's little body froze, and she silently flew to the top of Lumine's head, tears streaming down her face.
"Hey! Paimon, stop crying on my head! My hair will get wet!"
"Humph! No, you wiped your hands on my head earlier."
"That was your drool!"
"I don't care. I'm crying. Boohoo..."
"Hahaha."
With a bright smile, Noelle looked at the bickering Lumine and Paimon, then glanced at the group ahead, moving forward in the morning light.
"It's so wonderful to be traveling with everyone," Noelle said softly.
In Guili Plains, once the base of operations during the Archon War in Liyue, the land was much like Mondstadt's Windrise—one of the few flat areas in all of Liyue. Though the central hub had since moved to Tianheng Mountain for various reasons, Guili Plains remained an important area, still serving as a key region for agriculture and transportation.
In the morning light, Hiroshi and his friends slowly made their way toward Liyue Harbor. Occasionally, they passed small villages by the roadside, and groups of Millelith soldiers patrolled the main road, safeguarding villagers and travelers alike.
As an important part of Liyue, Guili Plains was always under the protection of the Millelith, except for a few dangerous ruins. Thanks to their constant vigilance, the residents lived peacefully.
Hiroshi opened a blue panel in front of him, smiling as he read through the group chat's conversation.
Borsalino: Oh my, oh my, it's time for work again.
Borsalino: I've been informed there's a meeting with the admirals today. How terrifying. I wonder if there's a new monster out there.
Hinata: ノ(°?°?)ノ♡ Uncle Kizaru, good luck!
Hinata: You looked so cool last time, catching those pirates!
Kazuma Satou: Uncle Kizaru, can you catch me another Sea King?
Kazuma Satou: The taste was amazing last time.
Kazuma Satou: By the way, Uncle, can I come over and fish myself?
Kazuma Satou: Fishing rod.jpg
Kazuma Satou: Look, I already have my fishing rod ready. Last time at Hiroshi's engagement, Klee blew up all the fish, and I didn't catch a single one.
Kazuma Satou: This time, I'm sure I'll redeem myself!
Megumin: +1, I want to fish too!
Aqua: +1, great for side dishes!
Darkness: +1, I want to experience being swallowed by a fish.
Darkness: Ah! Just imagining being eaten by a massive deep-sea fish, its stomach acid slowly dissolving my armor... Ahhh!!
Darkness: I'm getting excited!
Darkness: @Borsalino, Uncle, take me fishing immediately!
Darkness: Ah, being saved by a perverted uncle after being naked and weak, rescued from the Sea King's stomach, just the two of us on the vast ocean...
Darkness: Ah~
Takimoto Hifumi: Σ(⊗◇⊗")α
Takimoto Hifumi: Scary!!!!
Borsalino: ????
Borsalino: @Kazuma Satou, control your pervert, or my reputation is done for!
[Ding! The administrator Kazuma Satou has muted Darkness for a day.]
Kazuma Satou: I'm truly sorry!
Kazuma Satou: I apologize for the trouble my pervert has caused!
Hiroshi: Ah, jumping into the chat to see Darkness's bold remarks. What a sight.
Hiroshi: @Hinata, don't run. I saw your messages. You're still chatting during class?
Hinata: Brother, I was on a break.
Ruri Gokou: Really? So, I must have misremembered the schedule then? Right, Hinata?
Hinata: Ah! Ruri sis!
Hinata: Sorry, I'm logging out!
Ruri Gokou: I'll visit your room tonight.
Hinata: Ah~ noooo...
Hiroshi: Ruri, good morning.
Ruri Gokou: Morning, Hiroshi. Are you almost at Liyue?
Hiroshi: Yes, we should reach today.
Keqing: What time will you arrive? I'll come to meet you.
Lumine: Probably this afternoon. We're in Guili Plains now.
Keqing: Got it. I'll finish up the work for the week to come.
Takimoto Hifumi: ??? A whole week's work? (°□°;)
Hiroshi: Ruri, are you coming here after school?
Ruri Gokou: Not today. Chika's dragging me to go shopping.
Klee: Eh? Ruri sis isn't coming?
Klee: w(◕°◕)w, I wanted to go on an adventure in Liyue City with Ruri sis.
Ruri Gokou: (´･ω･）♡(.ˉ`.)
Ruri Gokou: How about this weekend then? I'll also bring Hinata and Tamaki along.
Klee: With Hinata and Tamaki?! Yay~ヾ(＾ω＾)ゞ, I'll wait patiently!
Hiroshi: @Kazuma Satou, about that fishing trip—Liyue Harbor has some big fish too.
Kazuma Satou: Nah, not with Klee around.
Klee: Hm? Kazuma, why does it matter if Klee's here?
Kazuma Satou: =-=
Kazuma Satou: Klee, tell me, how many Jumpy Dumpties did you prepare?
Klee: Eh!!!
Klee: Kazuma, how did you know?!
Kazuma Satou: I heard it from the one who ended up soaked.
Lumine: Klee???
Lumine: Even with Noelle here, you're still bombing fish?!
Klee: Don't worry, Lumine. Klee will do it secretly. Noelle won't find out! (*^▽^*)
Takimoto Hifumi: (*^▽^*)
Klee: Thank you for the toy, Hifumi sis! Klee loves it.
Klee: Tomorrow, I'll bomb a big fish and treat you to some delicious fish, Hifumi sis!
Takimoto Hifumi: (°▲°), thank you, Klee.
Klee: Hehe.
Hiroshi: @Kazuma Satou, come on. I'll go with you to fish then.
Kazuma Satou: Emm...
Kazuma Satou: Okay, I just finished a mission today. Let's rest tomorrow.
Riku: Fishing? I want to go too...
Shuvi: No. Riku, we have to help everyone build our home now.
Riku: (○|～|══)
Kazuma Satou: Ha! I'll show off my big catch to everyone later! Get ready!
Hiroshi: Klee dropped a Jumpy Dumpty.
Kazuma Satou: ...
Kazuma Satou: Whatever. See you tomorrow. I'm off to prepare my fishing rod!
Kazuma Satou: I'm getting Wiz to enchant it.
Hiroshi: Ah, I see...
Klee: Brother Hiroshi, look! I caught a strange doll! Klee holding a Ruin Hunter.jpg
Hiroshi: ??? Klee, weren't you just on the road?
Klee: Hehe, I chased a butterfly and ended up somewhere far.
Hiroshi: =-=. Come back now.
Klee: Okay.
Closing the chat group, Hiroshi looked up, and a red flash of light streaked across the sky.
Klee landed beside Hiroshi, holding a smoking Ruin Hunter in her tiny hands.
"Here, Brother Hiroshi." She smiled brightly as she handed him the smoking Ruin Hunter.
After adjusting her backpack straps, Klee turned and started running ahead on the road once again, her little feet making a cheerful patter.
Holding the smoking Ruin Hunter, Hiroshi looked at Lumine, who was curiously poking it. He asked, "Why do you think Klee gave me this?"
"I don't know." Lumine shook her head, watching Klee run further ahead and smiling. "But maybe Klee thought it was something great and wanted to share it with you."
A smile spread across Hiroshi's face as he waved his hand, storing the Ruin Hunter in his domain. He looked up at Klee running further away under the brightening sunlight.
"Let's catch up," he said.