As Auntie Ester was moping the floor of her tea cup store, the front door suddenly opened up. She looked up and smiled as Mayoki walked through the door at 12:48 PM. Auntie Ester then stood up straight, smirking at her. "For once you're on time!"

Mayoki jokingly rolled her eyes, took off her jacket as she jogged towards her caretaker, and took hold of the mop. "Allow me." Mayoki offered, and Auntie Ester smiled at her. "Thank you, darling."

Mayoki then looked around the shop, slightly confused. "Where's Leon?"

"He's taking the afternoon shift for the Liyue Qixing today." Auntie Ester explained. That explains why he isn't in the store already helping her out. Mayoki thought to herself as she finished cleaning the stains on the ground.

"How's the shop going?" Mayoki asked, and Auntie Ester smiled widely, slightly catching Mayoki off guard.

"The store is going absolutely great, thanks to you two siblings." Auntie Ester said as she ruffled Mayoki's hair, making her smile softly. "We even have enough extra money for huge feasts!" Auntie Ester exclaimed, making both ladies giggle.

She goes to grab her bag and scarf. "I'll be going to Dragonspine again to get more special ingredients. If anything wrong or bad happens just call me!" Auntie Ester exclaims as she opens the front door. Mayoki looks back at her and nods.

Mayoki, looking around the shop, notices how the tables and chairs are quite messed up, along with some stains and dust in some parts of the shop. Feeling productive, she immediately wore her apron and tied her hair up, getting ready to give the shop a full makeover.

She looked over at the wooden Mondstadt-styled ticking clock stuck onto the wall and took notice of the time — 01:23 PM.

╱╲❀╱╲╱╲❀╱╲╱╲❀╱╲

The time was now 03:09 PM. Mayoki sighed as she had just finished sweeping the floors and cleaning the windows until they were shiny clean. She sighed, looking at the uneven tables and chairs scattered all over the place, triggering her OCD.

Why do people always never push their chairs in after use? They gotta stop using the excuse: "Because this nation is the nation of freedom. Bless Barbatos.".

Going behind the reception and grabbing a dry and wet cloth, the front door to the shop opened, making Mayoki flinch in shock and briskly stood up straight, slightly bowing her head. "Welcome."

"There you are Mayoki! We've been trying to find you everywhere!"

Mayoki's eyes immediately widen, as the familiar cute but always annoying voice rang through the shop, making Mayoki look towards the doorway.

"Aether? Paimon?"

Mayoki watched as the two people waved at her, smiling widely as they found a table to stay at temporarily. Mayoki, realizing that the table was quite dirty, quickly rushed over to them and started cleaning up the table. Aether and Paimon both look at her, awkwardly smiling.

"How have you been, Mayoki?" Aether suddenly asked, making Mayoki raise her head to look at him. Thinking of an answer, she responded:

"Good."

...

"You've never been much of a talker, have you?" Paimon jokingly teased, making Aether look at Paimon with disappointment as Mayoki lightly giggled. "How about you two?" Mayoki asked, standing up straight and crossing her arms. "Were you guys able to achieve your goal here in Mondstadt?"

"Mhm, we sure did!" Paimon exclaimed, along with Aether nodded beside her. "After defeating and saving Dvalin, Venti discussed with us about the nation of contracts, Liyue! He told us that the Geo Archon himself was going to be coming to begin the Rite of Descention." Paimon explained. "Before he leaves we'll be going to Liyue tonight to go and meet him tomorrow evening," Aether added, letting Mayoki connect all of the dots.

Aether then got curious. "Have you ever been to Liyue, Mayoki?" Aether questioned. To their surprise, Mayoki shook her head. "My brother works there as a part-time job. He works for the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, Ninguang. Heard of her?" Mayoki questioned, and Paimon eagerly shook her head. "Ooooohh! I know! I know!" Paimon exclaimed and turned towards a confused Aether.

"She's the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, a committee made up of merchants and business leaders who govern Liyue, specializing within the commerce and trade sectors. As a Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, not only does she embody law and order, but she also represents fortune and wit." Paimon proudly explained, Aether nodding as he listened to her introduction to Ningguang.

"Heard of the Jade Palace?" Mayoki asked, and Aether shook his head. Both Paimon and Mayoki sweatdropped. How does this kid know absolutely nothing about Teyvat...

"Have you ever seen a floating building in the skies besides Celestia?" Mayoki questioned, and Aether thought for a bit. After a solid ten seconds, he nodded. "While exploring Dragonspine, I've seen a big palace just randomly floating in the sky towards the west. Is that what you're talking about?" Aether recalled and Mayoki nodded. "She owns that palace."

Aether's jaw dropped to the ground. That single woman has a floating jade palace???

"Which means that she's probably got her hands full of Mora!" Paimon exclaimed, already getting excited about their next trip.

"Based on the Anemo Archon's answer and suggestion, they didn't know anything about your sister?" Mayoki asked. The moment she asked that question, the entire store was filled with tension. Real uncomfortable tension. Aether, looking down at the table, slowly nodded.

Mayoki sighed, as she finished cleaning the table they were sitting on, moving to the next table. "Well don't lose hope. You'll get your answer soon." Mayoki encouraged him, and Paimon agreed.

"Yeah! You gotta stay strong and positive! You've got me by your side, so you won't be that lonely." Paimon commented, making both Mayoki and Aether chuckle. "Yep, after all, you're the best travel guide in Teyvat," Aether recalled, making Paimon sheepishly grin.

While Mayoki was cleaning the next table, Paimon suddenly perked up and whispered into Aether's ear about something important. Aether's eyes widened as he went into his nonexistent inventory and grabbed an average-sized cardboard package. "Mayoki, we forgot to give something to you!" Paimon exclaimed, gaining Mayoki's full attention. 

Aether and Paimon stood up and walked toward her, handing her the box. Looking at the name carefully, it does say that the package was to be given to Mihara Mayoki. But the name of the person who sent the box was nowhere to be seen. Noticing her confused face, Aether decided to explain.

"During our time exploring Mondstadt, finding chests and anemoculi, we bumped into a delivery man from Miyagi Island to give Mihara Mayoki this package," Aether explained as Mayoki took further inspection of the package. She looked up at him and bowed, thanking him for receiving the package for her.

While thanking them, Paimon looked over at the time and looked over at Aether and Mayoki. "Time sure does fly by fast! We've sadly gotta go Mayoki." Paimon explained as Aether looked over at the clock in shock. Mayoki followed, looking to her left and staring at the clock before her.

04:20 PM

Mayoki slightly gasped, looking at the clock. My shift ends at 6 PM, and the tables and counters are not yet cleaned! Mayoki then quickly looked back at Aether and Paimon and bowed. "Have a safe trip. Like you, I also have a task to complete right now. I hope you will be able to find your twin soon." Mayoki softly smiled, making Aether smile back at her. Paimon then eagerly nodded.

"We will! Thank you for your time, Mayoki!" Paimon exclaimed as the two people walked towards the door, waving back at her. Mayoki then waved back, looking at them as the door closed before her eyes.

Mayoki then exhaled, not knowing that she held her breath. She then looked over at the small cardboard package that was placed on the reception counter. Deciding that she'll open it before bedtime, she continued to clean the tables and polish the reception.

╱╲❀╱╲╱╲❀╱╲╱╲❀╱╲

The door to her house opened up at 06:17 PM, revealing a visibly exhausted Mayoki with a slouched back. Looking around the house, both Auntie Ester and Leon have not arrived back yet. Realizing that she has the house all to herself, she smiled widely as she sprinted towards her bedroom, aiming for the bathroom to shower and get changed into comfortable pajamas.

Time Skip *20 Minutes*

After her shower, she looked around the house, and noticed that Auntie Ester was back. The woman looked over at her and awkwardly smiled, with a hand on her nape. "Sorry I came back so late, I had trouble finding what I had to find."

Mayoki looked at the time on the wall above her caretaker. It was 06:39 PM.

She looked at Auntie Ester, shaking her head and waving her hand, telling her that it was fine. With her legs aching, she beelined for the couch, wanting to do homework.

"How was taking care of the shop today?" Auntie Ester asked, making Mayoki perk up and stop walking.

"At least I had company today. The Honorary Knight and his sidekick came to the shop today to talk with me, so it was fine." Mayoki recalled, memorizing the smiles on both Aether and Paimon's faces. Auntie Ester immediately dropped a plate that she was cleaning and whipped her head around, staring dead into Mayoki's eyes.

"The Honorary Knight and his sidekick?! They came to our shop??" Auntie Ester slightly exclaimed, visibly shocked that they would ever go into a tea cup store.

Mayoki slightly smiled but shook her head as well. "They did come into the store, but they were trying to find me. They didn't buy anything." Mayoki explained, as, in the background, Auntie Ester made an "ohhhhh..."

As that short conversation ended, Mayoki plopped onto the couch and sat in a comfortable position as she opened her math notebook and took out her calculator. 

After completing about five questions, in the corner of her eye, Mayoki then saw a figure placing something down on the coffee table. She looked to see Auntie Ester placing a plate of cut-up apples, pears, mangos, and watermelon. Along with the side of blueberries and valberries.

Mayoki smiled at her and then nodded at her, thanking her while picking up a cut-up apple slice. Auntie Ester smiled back at her, and then headed back to the kitchen.

╱╲❀╱╲╱╲❀╱╲╱╲❀╱╲

08:01 PM

Mayoki was on her computer, trying to complete her digital English worksheet. Halfway through the questions, the door opened up, and someone walked in. "I'm back."

Mayoki, perking up at the familiar voice, turning around to make eye contact with Leon. She quickly grabbed a pear piece and stretched her arm towards him, offering a piece of fruit. Leon, grinning, took off his shoes and walked towards her, taking the piece from her. "Thank you."

More Accurate Representation of the two Siblings:

Leon --> 18, third year, fukurodani

Mayoki --> 15, first year, u.a + nekoma manager

"What are you doing?" Leon asked, sitting on the arm rim of the couch, towering over Mayoki to see what she was doing. Instead of answering with words, Mayoki just showed him her computer, Leon scanned through the digital worksheet.

"Straight A's?" Leon asked, looking at his younger sibling with a raised eyebrow, making Mayoki smile. Auntie Ester could be heard laughing from the kitchen. "She's only been in U.A. for a week! There are no assignments just yet!" She yelled out making both Mayoki and Leon chuckle.

"Oh, did you know that the volleyball team groups are out?" Leon asked, almost making Mayoki choke on her valberry. She whipped her head around and stared at her brother. He stared back, laughed, then took out his phone to give it to her. "Here, have a look."

She harshly grabbed his phone out of his hands and carefully read the list:

◤─────•~❉᯽❉~•─────◥

Group 1:

Leon Nachtnebel - Fukurodani (#6)

Tooru Oikawa - Aoba Johsai (#1)

Nishinoya Yuu - Karasuno (#4)

Akagi Michinari - Inarizaki (#15)

Kawanishi Taichi - Shiratorizawa (#12)

Shibayama Yuki - Nekoma (#12)

Semi Eita - Shiratorizawa (#3)

Kinoshita Hisashi - Karasuno (#7)

Group 2:

Ushijima Wakatoshi - Shiratorizawa (#1)

Haiba Lev - Nekoma (#11)

Sugawara Koushi - Karasuno (#2)

Riseki Heisuke - Inarizaki (#14)

Anahori Shuichi - Fukurodani (#10)

Kyotani Kentaro - Aoba Johsai (#16)

Ojiro Alain - Inarizaki (#4)

Group 3:

Kuroo Tetsurou - Nekoma (#1)

Sawamura Daichi - Karasuno (#1)

Akaashi Keiji - Fukurodani (#5)

Kosaku Yuto - Inarizaki (#13)

Ohira Reon - Shiratorizawa (#4)

Yahaba Shigeru - Aoba Johsai (#6)

Kai Nobuyuki - Nekoma (#2)

Group 4:

Kozume Kenma - Nekoma (#5)

Suna Rintarou - Inarizaki (#10)

Tsukishima Kei - Karasuno (#11)

Hinata Shoyo - Karasuno (#10)

Kindaichi Yutaro - Aoba Johsai (#12)

Yamagata Hayato - Shiratorizawa (#14)

Sarukui Yamato - Fukurodani (#3)

Group 5:

Bokuto Koutarou - Fukurodani (#4)

Yamaguchi Tadashi - Karasuno (#12)

Kita Shinsuke - Inarizaki (#1)

Kunimi Akira - Aoba Johsai (#13)

Fukunaga Shohei - Nekoma (#6)

Shirabu Kenjiro - Shiratorizawa (#10)

Narita Kazuhito - Karasuno (#8)

Group 6:

Iwaizumi Hajime - Aoba Johsai (#4)

Tanaka Ryuunosuke - Karasuno (#5)

Miya Atsumu - Inarizaki (#7)

Washio Tatsuki - Fukurodani (#2)

Komi Haruki - Fukurodani (#11)

Omimi Ren - Inarizaki (#2)

Matsukawa Issei - Aoba Johsai (#2)

Group 7:

Kageyama Tobio - Karasuno (#9)

Yamamoto Taketora - Nekoma (#4)

Miya Osamu - Inarizaki (#11)

Goshiki Tsutomu - Shiratorizawa (#8)

Onaga Wataru - Fukurodani (#12)

Hanamaki Takahiro - Aoba Johsai (#3)

Inuoka So - Nekoma (#7)

Group 8:

Azumane Asahi - Karasuno (#3)

Morisuke Yaku - Nekoma (#3)

Tendou Satori - Shiratorizawa (#5)

Ginjima Hitoshi - Inarizaki (#5)

Konoha Akinori - Fukurodani (#7)

Ennoshita Chikara - Karasuno (#6)

Watari Shinji - Aoba Johsai (#7)

Which group would you guys join? I'd personally join group 1 <3

◣─────•~❉᯽❉~•─────◢

Mayoki looked at the list. Her eyes were just wide, with no emotion. Leon looked at her confused, curious about her behavior. "What's wrong?"

Mayoki turned to Leon and showed him the list, then pointed at the list, then at herself. Leon connected the dots, and a visible light bulb appeared above his head.

"The managers are not in a specific group. They take turns helping each group to be able to get to know them. Another reason why the managers are not mentioned in the list yet is that we needed more volunteers or helpers to help out with managing." Leon explained, while Mayoki slowly nodded her head. "The volunteers were selected this noon, so the manager list and schedule should come out tomorrow.

Mayoki nodded at his explanation, thanking him for clarifying it for her. Leon got his phone back and shifted off the couch. "If you need me, I'll be in my room," Leon said, before walking up the stairs and disappearing behind the wall.

Mayoki then looked back at her computer and sighed.

Time Skip *10 Minutes*

After finishing the last English question, she stood up, gathered all of her stuff, and headed upstairs into her room. She plopped everything onto her desk and landed face-first onto her bed.

A minute or two passes, and Mayoki realizes something. She turns to look towards her bedroom door, and next to it, was the small cardboard box that Aether and Paimon had given her during her shift.

She stood up, picked up the box and found a pair of scissors on her desk. She cut off the tape and opened the box. Inside there was-

...

A single rose?

Mayoki picked up the rose, looking at it with pure shock.

This rose was like no other. Its petals were glowing red in the dark, and the thorns on the rose were extremely sharp.

Seeing that this flower was so special, she quickly found a small spare vase, filled it up with water, and carefully placed the glowing rose into it. 

Looking at the rose was quite addicting. Mayoki's hazel orbs could not move away from the neon tips, almost seeming like it was hypnotizing her.

But, while staring at it, Mayoki's eyes widened. Slowly, there were two letters formed on the rose's petals, almost making Mayoki piss her pants.

She blinked once.

...

The neon red glowing tips were still there.

But the two letters disappeared.

...

Mayoki then properly laid down on her bed, questioning the two letters she just saw.

I wonder what 'KT' could mean..

Could it possibly be someone's name?