Head Librarian [1/3]
One week ago, after Kaeya left Igarashi's shop.
"...And that concludes the report." Kaeya said before placing down a paper.
"Alright, thank you." Jean said.
Currently, he was in the Knights of Favonius headquarters. And sitting in front of a desk was the Acting Grand Master, Jean.
He had just finished telling what he had experienced in Igarashi's shop.
From the conspicuous owner to the passionate kiss that happened between him and the eight fatui harbinger.
"Honestly, it bewildered me just as you." Kaeya shook his head with a smile. "So, what do we do now?"
"It's no doubt that La Signora holds that man dear to her." Kaeya said as if he was suggesting something. "So why don't I..."
"No." Jean shook her head. "Kaeya, that's too risky."
"If what you said is true, then if we try to do something to that man named Amon, then who knows what will happen." Jean said. "Furthermore, we won't gain anything from doing something to him."
"It's better to just observe him for now."
"Alright." Kaeya shrugged. "But the moment he tries to do something shady, well, you know."
Hearing this, a sigh escaped Jean's mouth. "Please don't. Just... Observe from afar. And if he does do something, report it to be first."
Hearing this, Kaeya did a carefree shrug. "Sure."
When Jean heard this, she sighed in relief. She then saw something on the table.
"What's that?" She curiously asked.
"Oh, this?" Kaeya held the book he brought with him. "It's the book that that guy named Amon sells."
"A novel?" Jean asked. It was no surprise for Kaeya to hear this as he knows she likes to read books.
"No, it's something called... Manga, I think?" Kaeya said. "Its pages have something like those pictures from the Kamera that was invented in Fontaine... But drawn."
"Oh?" Suddenly, a new voice was heard. A melodious and mature voice. "Are you two talking about a book right now?"
Turning around, Kaeya saw who it was. "Oh, Miss Lisa."
It was none other than the Head Librarian of the Knights of Favonius, Lisa.
"Good evening, sweetie." She smiled at Kaeya. "Good evening to you too, Jean."
Jean nodded at her greeting. "What're you doing here, Lisa? I thought you were busy dealing with overdue customers..."
"Oh, don't even bring that topic up." Lisa sighed before sitting down on the couch. "I feel like I'm about to pass out from the stress of dealing with that problem..."
"..." Both Kaeya and Jean turned silent as they heard this.
Everyone in the Knights of Favonius knows that Lisa hates it when a book is overdue.
As for why she went to Jean's office, it was no secret that she would sometimes accompany Jean during her overtime.
As the Acting Grand Master, Jean has a lot of work to do. So having Lisa accompany her on most nights was a relief.
"Well," Kaeya decided to speak up. "Since I already turned in my report, I should head out now."
"Alright, thank you Kaeya." Jean said.
Kaeya nodded and was about to leave when he was stopped by Lisa.
"Say, what do you have there, sweetie? I don't remember any book having that kind of cover..." She asked as she pointed at the book in his hands
She looked at the cover and saw that it was a drawing of a man pointing a gun at his head with a confident smile. He had scarlet eyes and blonde hair, making him look rather... attractive.
Written on the cover are golden words saying Moriarty the Patriot Volume 1.
Truly, it was a book that she hasn't seen in the library before.
"It's something I bought earlier," Kaeya said. "Want to try reading it?"
"Bought? You mean it didn't come from the library?" Lisa asked, genuinely curious.
"Nope." Kaeya shrugged. "I bought it from a very interesting person... Isn't that right, Master Jean?"
"Yes." Jean nodded. "The man Kaeya has bought this from is currently under the observation of the knights."
"I see..." Lisa hummed. "But is it a good book?"
"Oh, Very." Kaeya said with a smile. "An interesting plot, if I must say so myself."
"You make it sound very interesting..." Lisa sighed. "Fine. I shall visit the seller of this book when I have the time."
"Alright." Kaeya nodded.
"Well then, if there's nothing else, I'm going out now." Kaeya waved his hand before leaving the door.
Seeing him leave, Lisa looked at Jean who was writing on something. "Jean, dear, can you tell me more about the person Kaeya was talking about?"
"Sure." Jean placed her pen down. "According to Kaeya, a man named Amon along with a younger person named Klein recently visited Mondstadt."
"It turns out, they were from Liyue sent here to operate a branch store." Jean recounted what Kaeya had investigated.
Kaeya asked around, from the guards that talked to Igarashi to his customers. After doing these, he gave the report to Jean.
"They operated decently and only sold books," Jean said as she held her head. "Until La Signora came."
Seeing her, Lisa noticed something. "You look stressed."
She then placed both of her hands on her thighs. "Why don't you come here and take a small nap? Clear your mind for a bit."
"No, no thanks, Lisa... I'm fine." Jean said with a wry smile, clearly sensing her teasing.
"How boring..." Lisa said with a smile.
"Well, just tell me if you have any problems. I'm going to sleep." Lisa said before laying down on the couch.
"Have a good sleep, Lisa." Jean said while writing.
With the only light source being the lamp on Jean's desk, a simple and peaceful atmosphere descended upon the room.
* * *
Present day.
"And that, my dear Lumine, is how you draw a tree," Igarashi said.
It was currently the afternoon and the customers are slowing down. Sasori took over the sales as Igarashi took a break.
"I see..." Lumine said while holding a paintbrush. "Is this right?"
Currently, the two of them are beside the shop, and in front of them are canvases.
On Igarashi's canvas was a well-drawn and detailed tree. Whereas on Lumine's canvas... something else was drawn.
Seeing the one Lumine draw, a wry smile appeared on Igarashi's face. "Err..."
"You don't happen to know cubism or abstracticism, do you?" Igarashi asked.
"What's that?" Lumine curiously asked.
'Oh dear...' Igarashi thought. 'She's... Much not that great when it comes to drawing...'
'Which begs the question, how was she able to draw a recognizable Paimon on the 2.2 event?' Igarashi thought. 'A secret of the universe, it seems.'
"Let's take a break here." Igarashi proposed. "We'll continue later, alright?"
"Okay," Lumine said. "But... Did I do alright?"
"Yes." Igarashi nodded. "Although you're still at the basics, you still did well on your first try. You shouldn't feel down as drawing takes a lot of practice."
"Trust me when I say this; Practice makes Perfect." Igarashi said. "Well then, you go on then. I'm sure your companion is waiting for you."
"Yes!" Lumine said, feeling happy. "See you later, Sir Amon."
After saying this, she waved at Igarashi and left to find Paimon who was with Bennett and company.
Seeing her leave, sighed. "Seriously... Even though I found an apprentice, it feels like it will still take a long time to finish this quest..."
Yes, he picked Lumine as his first apprentice for his quest. Unsurprisingly, Lumine agreed with him and actually wanted to learn how to draw with passion.
Although... She was still at the basics, Igarashi did not give up and decided to continue teaching her.
'Anyways, if I find an opportunity, I'll get more apprentices...' Igarashi nodded at this thought and prepared to take the canvases to his inventory when he saw someone.
It was a woman that was looking curiously at his shop. She was wearing a purple and white dress accompanied by a purple witch hat.
'Oi...' Igarashi subconsciously rubbed his eyes. 'Is that... Lisa?'
Curious, he decided to approach her. "Excuse me, is there anything you need?"
Lisa snapped out of her thoughts and turned to the man wearing a monocle. "Hm? Oh, I just heard something interesting."
"And that is...?" Igarashi asked. "Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name's Amon and I'm the branch manager for this shop."
"Ah, so it's you." Lisa said. "Well then, that saves me the trouble of finding you."
She then observed Igarashi with interest. "Now that I look at you, you do look like a cutie." She giggled.
"???"