A heartfelt gift

"I'm sorry, everyone. But... The cafe would be closed for today."

Isaac, wearing a faint smile, looked at the visage of the group of people in front of him. He still retained his composed look— appearing okay, yet his slightly disheveled hair and pale expression made all of them think otherwise.

The raid had just finished and now, it was time for Isaac to... fall back and contemplate about what happened.

"Mister Isaac... Are you really okay?"

The little elf, Klee, looked at Isaac. Her elongated ears fluttered as she asked him with a soft voice that hinted worry.

His eyes looked at her and a familiar warm look appeared on his face. Lowering himself, he bent down and patted her head, expressing that he was alright.

He smiled.

"I'm fine, Klee. There's no need to worry. See? I'm smiling— that's because I know I'm doing good."

His voice was mellow, calmly speaking to her like that of a gentle elder to a child.

But he knew she was worried about him since she saw his... detestable form that went out of control. Letting Klee see him in that light made Isaac want to turn back time. But still, he persisted with his usual lies to cheer her up.

"Now cheer up! A frown doesn't suit a cute kid like you. How about this? I'll treat you to a free meal tomorrow— free of charge!"

She tilted her head.

"Really? But I thought you were a... money pincher that won't easily give things for free..."

His smile froze.

'...It's her again, isn't it?'

Subtly looking at a certain person in the corner of his eye, Isaac internally scowled. Seeing the Kitsune look at him with an innocent expression, he could only blame himself for not protecting Klee from her corrupting influence.

'Nahida wasn't enough... You had to corrupt Klee too?!'

Isaac winced at the fact that his two most precious VIP customers were tainted by that vile Kitsune's influence. He needs to stop her before she spread hee influence further.

'That Kitsune needs correction...'

Looking back at Klee, he chuckled lightly as he tried to push those thoughts aside for now.

"That's right, I am— that's why making it an exception for you. This is to show my sincerity, of course."

"So what do you say, Klee?"

The child was convinced by his words and nodded her head as she wore her familiar innocent smile, trusting him.

"Alright, it's a promise!"

"Yeah, it's a promise."

Satisfied, Isaac stood back up and looked at the other people looking at him. Seeing their gazes that hid worry, he had no one else to blame but himself for letting such things happen. He knew that his horrid act had ruined today's plans.

The last thing a person like him would have wanted was to disappoint those close to him, after all.

He hesitated for a moment before putting on another mask in an attempt to salvage the situation.

"Hey, what's with everyone today? Why so serious? What, do you need free meals too?"

"Relax, everybody. I told you, I'm fine."

This time, his tone was light and humorous in an attempt to lighten up the mood.

Fortunately, his attempt was successful. Although it wasn't apparent, he could tell that they had been somewhat convinced by his words.

Yae Miko was the first to speak up. She sighed lightly before smiling lightly.

"Of course you are. Knowing you, a good roll in the sheets and counting your earnings this week would fix you up in no time. If that doesn't work, then a good meetup with your lady friend could also work."

Nahida tilted her head, eyeing the Kitsune.

"Lady friend?"

Similarly, Klee also looked up at Yae Miko at the mention of Isaac's supposed lady friend. The two elves have been in Isaac's cafe for a long time now, yes, but they have rarely seen Isaac close with anyone other than them. They knew Isaac had a somewhat amiable personality fit for social settings and making new friends, but they barely knew anyone close to him other than them, so it was odd.

Klee and Nahida turned their heads simultaneously and looked at him, awaiting his response. Isaac wanted to dodge the question, but their pure, innocent eyes full of curiosity made it impossible.

Isaac looked at the two children and hesitated for a bit before speaking.

He smiled faintly.

"That person... Is my most valued customer and... friend. Her name is Furina— Fontaine's biggest celebrity. If an opportunity arrives, I'll make sure to introduce her to the two of you."

Isaac was still hesitant to tell them about his true relationship with Furina because of two reasons.

One is that their relationship was still very vague— and for a good reason that connects to the second reason. Sure they have done this and that, but the two of them haven't yet told each other their official label, as such, behind closed doors, they remain mutual partners.

The second reason was that Isaac was afraid that if their true relationship were to be known in the public, then there's a chance that Focalors' plan might suffer a potential drawback— as such, Isaac was exceptionally careful about this area.

Fortunately, the public only sees the two of them as a fashionable duo and friends.

He lingered a bit before speaking again.

"Like the two of you, she's a real fan of anything sweet— I'm sure that you'd all get along quite well."

He could already imagine it. Furina, along with the two little children playing together, and him serving them a freshly baked tray of cookies. Imagining such a harmonious scene makes Isaac almost melancholic.

The pyromancer elf's eyes sparkled.

"Really?! Oh! Klee now wants to meet her! I have a feeling that me and her are gonna be the best of friends!"

Nahida, meanwhile, hummed.

"Hmm... Hey, Klee, didn't we make something for Isaac? Why don't we give it to him now so that miss Furina could see it too?"

Klee, suddenly reminded of something, gasped before nodding her head.

"You're right, Nahida!"

Quickly after, she placed down her backpack and went to search for something.

Isaac, meanwhile, looked at them with a curious gaze.

"Hm? What's going on? What do you have for me?"

Lumine, who had been watching in silence for a while now, suddenly spoke with a hint of enlightenment in her voice.

"Hmm... So it's already finished, huh? Surely it's something exceptional."

Xiao added after her, his voice remaining indifferent.

"The two of them had been wanting to make this for some time now. With such materials... I could only assume that what they're trying to make is no common item."

Lastly, Yae Miko added with a proud look on her face.

"Why of course. With such great materials and the Narukami Shrine's grace, it is bound to be something that makes even the Gods jealous."

Isaac listened to all of their words and his curiosity grew even further. Placing his hands on his waist, he gazed down on Nahida.

"Nahida... Care to tell me what it is that you crafted? And... Why are you giving it to me?"

Isaac had been busy with his recent operations involving Fontaine, yes, but he never would have thought that he'd overlook something akin to a scheme right under his nose— in his own turf!

Sure, he knows it's something not dangerous— especially coming from his them— but still, it was odd that he hadn't at least gotten a bit of wind about it.

Well, he can't really blame himself since they all appeared to have covertly concealed it... which was odd since concealment was supposed to be his thing.

Nahida looked up at him and smiled. Her smooth voice then flowed.

"Me and Klee actually wanted to make this for you to make up for the previous troubles we caused... But when the rest found out, they started wanting to contribute to it too."

"I pieced together knowledge to make it, Klee gave strong materials that were created using alchemy, Xiao gave an exceptional ore, and Yae Miko pieced them all together in Mt. Yougou."

"Lastly... Lumine made the Anemo Archon himself bless it— imbuing it with the Thousand Winds."

As Nahida explained, Isaac watched as Klee took out an item from her backpack, its tantalizing appeal instantly catching his attention.

In Klee's hands was a dazzling piece of golden pendant.

It was a gold pendant with a symmetrical and geometric design, and had a centerpiece that was an amber gem. Surrounding the gemstone is a six-pointed star pattern, made from polished golden triangular shapes.

The pendant's outer ring is decorated with intricate golden details, resembling symbols, and is attached to a golden chain with thick links, further enhancing its luxurious and royal aesthetic.

It was... a beautifully regal pendant that Isaac was sure someone like him shouldn't be worthy of.

Klee, holding the luxurious piece of jewelery, held it up to Isaac before speaking.

"Mister Isaac, please take this! Klee's sorry for all she's done... I hope this will make up for all the explosions!"

"Hold on..."

Isaac looked at the pendant and hesitated, his eyes full of disbelief and alternating between all of them.

"Are you all serious? I... I can't possibly..."

Yae Miko suddenly cut him off.

"It isn't proper manners to decline a gift like this, Isaac. Especially when it's a heartfelt gift from... all of us."

His expression turned awry.

"That's..."

At that moment, Lumine spoke up, catching his attention. He looked at her and saw her warmly smiling back at him.

"Please take it, Isaac. It's... the best we could do for what you've done to us today and... the boons we received."

The boons she was referring to were the unexpected rise in their proficiency in their battle prowess after battling Azhdaha. For some reason, after they finished the battle, they felt as if they had gained a significant insight with their powers and thus have risen in power. Of course, that also includes Isaac.

So this pendant was not only a way for them to repay Isaac, but also to thank him.

Nahida spoke with a gentle expression.

"Accept it, Isaac. It's something that we worked very hard on, after all. And... our thank you to you."

He shifted and looked at the aesthetically pleasing pendant and pondered for a moment. As he stared at the fine piece of jewellery...

He realized that in this cafe he created, he found himself something irreplaceable— something he cannot buy.

It was people who cared.

These people, who came from carrying backgrounds and were each invited to his cafe for a place of respire had, in turn, gave him the very same thing he wanted to give to others. They... became his close friends.

And that includes Furina and the others from Fontaine. Freminet, Lyney, Wriothesley, and Neuvillette... Those who he had been close to.

They were perhaps the only ones in this world who knew him best, despite his multiple façades.

They...

Isaac faintly smiled as the moisture in his eyes swelled, threatening to make him look like a fool today.

Resisting the urge to let those floodgates open, Isaac hesitated before reluctantly outstretching his arm and holding on to the pendant.

As he held it, a mellow smile appeared on his face.

"Well... If you all insist. Gosh, you guys even got my favorite color right— gold."

As his humorous tone appeared, everyone's spirits lightened up a bit as they continued to listen to him.

Isaac continued.

"Seriously... Thank you, all of you. This... Words can't compare how much this means to someone like me. As such, from the very bottom of my heart..."

"Thank you."

It was a warm feeling knowing that he wasn't alone in this world.