As a fortune-teller, Mona had seen plenty of people like her—bottling up things they couldn't say.
She sat up, setting her phone aside. "Alright, fine. If you don't wanna talk, don't. But since we've been roommates for a while, I can't just ignore that face. Want me to do a reading for you?"
"A… reading?" Charlotte blinked.
Mona nodded seriously. "When mortals are lost and uncertain, it's our job to guide them."
Charlotte hesitated.
She knew Mona was a capable astrologist—her crystal ball readings were eerily accurate.
Though this wasn't exactly the kind of thing you could read… maybe she could rephrase it.
"Um… do you charge for it?"
Mona glared. "Come on, do I look that money-obsessed?"
"Yes."
"That was before! Now that I'm staying with Mr. Xia—food, lodging, all covered—I barely even use Mora."
"But didn't you say you wanted to buy more divination tools?"
Mona huffed. "Forget it. Everything they sell on the street's junk anyway. Look—this crystal ball came from one of the black boxes Mr. Xia gave out. Way better quality than that crap Dori pawned off on me!"
"…Right."
Mona grinned. "I heard Inazuma's Summer Festival will have contests too. If it's like Mondstadt, Mr. Xia might hand out more black boxes to the champions!"
Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she turned the crystal ball in her hands.
"So? Want me to read your fortune?"
"It's free?"
"I said it's free!"
"Alright then."
Charlotte nodded.
"Okay, what do you want me to read for you?"
Charlotte thought for a moment, then lowered her voice. "Can you tell me… if Mr. Xia and I are fated to be together?"
Mona froze. "Huh?"
Seeing her expression, Charlotte quickly clarified, cheeks flushing. "I mean—do we have a chance to become, you know, closer than just friends?"
That was what Yaoyao had told her—that to become a magical girl, one needed to form a contract with Mr. Xia.
But since she couldn't say that outright, she'd worded it this way instead.
Mona's face twisted into a smirk. "Charlotte… I didn't think you'd…"
"Don't get the wrong idea!" Charlotte snapped, blushing hard. "It's not what you think!"
"Sure, sure. I get it." Mona grinned knowingly.
"You don't get it! Just stop smiling and do the reading already!"
"Alright, alright."
Mona lowered her gaze and began to chant softly, the crystal ball glowing as faint starlight flickered within.
"Let's see… the fate between Charlotte and Mr. Xia…"
Strange constellations shimmered across the glass, swirling in intricate patterns.
Her brows furrowed in concentration, then lifted slightly in surprise. "Ah. Of course."
Charlotte leaned forward nervously. "Of course what? What's the result?"
Mona looked up with an odd smile. "I've got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?"
"Good news," Charlotte said after a pause.
Mona nodded, lowering her voice. "The good news is… yes, you and Mr. Xia do share a deeper bond of fate."
Charlotte's eyes lit up. "Really?!"
Yes! That means I can become a magical girl too!
"Of course it's true," Mona said confidently. "My readings are never wrong."
Charlotte finally calmed down a bit. "Then… what's the bad news?"
Mona sighed. "The bad news is… your competition might be a little intense."
"Competition…?" Charlotte blinked.
What does that mean?
Could it be that Mr. Xia can only make so many contracts? That there are already other candidates for magical girls, so her chances were slim?
She frowned, falling into deep thought.
Mona quietly tucked her crystal ball away.
An astrologist had to keep professional integrity, after all.
She'd once read for Yelan, Yanfei, even secretly for Jean back in Mondstadt.
And the results… had all been the same.
But she couldn't reveal anyone's fortune without permission.
So all she could do was silently cheer her roommate on. Good luck, Charlotte.
---
Elsewhere
Klee sat cross-legged on her bed, holding a small lantern. She lit it expertly, and a soft glow filled the room.
From within came a woman's gentle, melodious voice.
"My little one, what's got you calling Mommy so late?"
"Mommy, I wanna get stronger! How can I do that?"
"When you grow up, you'll be a great witch just like Mommy."
"How long till I grow up?"
"Hmm… about two or three hundred years, maybe."
"Too long! Klee can't wait that long!"
"Well… it's really not that long."
Klee puffed her cheeks. She wasn't that gullible.
"Mommy, do you know how to become a magical girl?"
"Oh? You want to be a magical girl?"
"Yes! Yaoyao's one, and she's super strong!"
"I see… Mommy can't really help with that right now."
"Eh? But Mommy can do anything!"
"Ahem…"
"Then I'll just ask big brother! He made Yaoyao a magical girl, so he can make Klee one too!"
"My dear.."
"Goodnight, Mommy!"
Klee blew out the light and tucked the lantern away.
A few moments later, Diona came in. They shared a room—both being from Mondstadt, it made sense for Diona to keep an eye on the younger girl.
"Klee."
"Hi, Diona!"
"You were up again? Don't tell me you were playing with that lantern."
"Nope! Diona, were you making drinks again?"
"Yeah. I'm experimenting with Inazuma sake. It's light and smooth—people from Mondstadt could drink a lot without getting drunk. I think it could change how they see alcohol."
Klee tilted her head. "Drinks that don't make you drunk? Klee wants some!"
"Kids can't drink."
"Klee's not a kid!"
Hands on her hips, Diona scolded sternly. "If you keep arguing, I'll call Captain Jean."
"!!!"
Klee froze, eyes wide, looking utterly betrayed.
Diona sighed, her tail swishing as her tone softened. "Alright, alright. Once it's done, I'll let you taste a little. But even if it's mild, you can't drink too much, okay?"
"Thank you, Diona!"
"Did you wash your face?"
"Yup!"
"Good. Then change into your pajamas. It's late. No more playing with your phone—bedtime."
"…Okay."
It took a bit of effort, but Diona finally got the little girl to lie down and close her eyes.
Stretching lazily, Diona flopped onto her own bed, tail flicking against the blanket.
"Man… babysitting's exhausting."
----
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