These days Jean rarely ate at the Knights of Favonius canteen, but today—just to bring food home for the two girls—she made a special trip.
Halfway there she ran into Lisa, who had apparently come looking for her so they could lunch together.
Thus the canteen witnessed the rare sight of the Acting Grand Master and the Librarian sharing a meal.
Yet anyone watching closely would sense something off in the air between them.
Jean especially looked completely unlike her usual self—clearly torn.
"This…" Jean stared at Lisa across the table, looking troubled.
She hadn't expected Lisa's invitation to lunch to be about this.
She'd planned to finish quickly and bring food back to the two at home.
Now things had become awkward… "Jean, don't be shy—just tell me what's on your mind." Seeing Jean's expression, Lisa assumed embarrassment and smiled encouragingly.
Jean's reaction confirmed Lisa's suspicion: Jean had fallen for Stelle.
Otherwise Jean would simply look calm and puzzled, not so conflicted.
"I'll help you," Lisa added.
Her theoretical knowledge far outstripped Jean's; even if she wasn't sure what tactics Stelle favored, two heads were better than one.
Lisa's reassurance only deepened Jean's dilemma.
After a long pause Jean finally spoke.
"Sigh… how should I put this." She set down her fork and knife with a helpless sigh.
Lisa was her good friend; there was no harm in telling her about her relationship with Stelle.
Still, after all, it was that sort of thing; for the moment Lisa wasn't going to accept it easily.
"Do you have something you can't bring yourself to say?" Lisa propped her head on one hand and looked at Jean in puzzlement.
"It's not exactly unspeakable, only… the truth is a little different from what you imagine." Jean hesitated, then slowly explained.
Jean glanced around, then leaned closer to Lisa and whispered into her ear.
Lisa listened, bewildered. Moments later her hand froze; knife and fork clattered onto the table.
"Y-you're serious!?" Lisa stared wide-eyed at Jean.
Usually so languid and easy-going, she rarely showed such a flustered expression.
Anyone who knew Lisa would probably drop their jaw at the sight.
"I'm serious." Jean nodded, a little embarrassed by Lisa's reaction.
"W-when did it happen…?" Lisa bit her lip, unable to hold the question back.
She was trying her best to stay calm, but Jean's bombshell had set her heart racing.
"Not long after the Dragon Disaster ended…" Jean reflected, realising how much time had passed.
"Then… who else besides you?" Lisa's voice trembled slightly.
"Me, Amber, Barbara, the Honorary Knight, Rosaria…" Jean listed, counting on her fingers.
She hadn't reckoned before; now the number startled her.
"Also, the astrologer named Mona, and Fischl…" Jean added.
She only knew the two had accompanied Star during the meteor crisis; whether their relationship had changed remained uncertain.
After all, she herself had scarcely met them since.
Yet they'd travelled together for days, and both were such charming girls.
Star surely hadn't let the chance slip.
"…" Lisa opened her mouth but found no words.
She turned her attention back to the food before her.
After a long silence she raised her head again and looked at Jean.
"A special constitution? I've never heard of such a thing in all Teyvat's history."
"I thought it was just an excuse, but with so many involved…" Lisa frowned.
Hearing the long list, her first thought was, "With so many already, what difference would one more make?"
"Star's an outlander; being different is natural." Jean shook her head, then met Lisa's eyes earnestly. "But my feelings are true—without doubt."
"…I believe you on that." Lisa smiled after a pause.
Someone of Jean's temperament, without status or strength, could easily be taken advantage of.
Fortunately Star wasn't malicious—only… a little prone to affection?
Perhaps it wasn't even voluntary; that constitution left little choice.
"Lisa, all this talk makes me curious about something."
"Oh?"
"What do you think of Star?" Jean asked cautiously.
My view? Knowing this changes nothing." Lisa shrugged.
She was startled, yes, but not repulsed.
In the end it was consensual; even influenced by that constitution, self-control still counted.
From Jean's tone, she'd been the initiator.
Many others seemed so too—Rosaria, for one, had seized the moment.
Seen that way, Star might be the victim.
"No, what I meant was—Lisa, would you like to join us?" Jean's words left Lisa stunned.
"W-what did you say…?" Lisa wondered if she'd misheard.
Jean's suggestion was completely unexpected.
"I know you've been watching Star," Jean said, eyes showing she wasn't joking.
Under that gaze Lisa felt a secret exposed; she averted her eyes.
"Star's still at my place. If you're willing, come with me after lunch—we've plenty of time…"
Jean's invitation made Lisa's heart pound.
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 70 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!