Chapter Text
It all started at one merry festival during the spring. Lumine was a volunteer at a daycare center and they were able to receive approval to let the kids have a trip together at the spring festival. Klee and Qiqi were excited to be able to spend more time together with their favorite teacher. The two of them became close because of the daycare, though Klee was the one who initiated the friendship with the quiet Qiqi; they were now stuck together.
What made them attached to Lumine was how she was always caring for them and she would tell them different adventures with magic, including them as one of the characters in the story. It always made them feel special. Not only that Lumine would always let Klee play with her, others don't want to because of her high energy that made her feel a little down, but Lumine doesn’t refuse her. Qiqi, on the other hand, was comfortable around her. It was hard for her to take a nap in a place she wasn’t accustomed to, but Lumine always patted her and sang her to sleep; not only that she always gives her coconut milk.
“Big sis Lumine!” Klee came running towards her as soon as she spotted her waiting by the entrance.
“Klee!” Lumine greeted back as she picked her up.
“I want to introduce you to someone, he’s like a big brother to me!”
“Oh? Is he your guardian for today?”
Klee hummed joyfully and nodded excitedly. She pointed to where her ‘big brother’ was standing. Klee called out to him and the guy came closer to them with a welcoming smile.
“This is big brother Albedo. He’s really really smart and he makes Klee new toys to play with!”
Albedo was bashful at Klee’s compliment. He wasn’t fond of festivals but he couldn’t refuse to Klee’s pleading. After all, it wouldn’t hurt to take a break from his studies. Not only that, Klee seems more excited for him to meet her favorite teacher at the daycare. Everytime Klee comes to visit him, she would always boast about her favorite teacher.
Saying that ‘big sis Lumine’ is so pretty and cool.
“I’ve heard a lot about you from Klee. Pleased to finally meet you.” Albedo said, he habitually offered his hand for a handshake and lately realized that Lumine was still carrying Klee in her arms. He awkwardly lowered his hand feeling embarrassed. “Klee, must be heavy, I’ll carry her.” He changed the subject quickly.
“Hey! I’m not heavy!” Klee protested.
Lumine laughed and hoisted Klee up to readjust her in her arms. “It’s alright. It was nice meeting you as well, Albedo. I’m Lumine.”
They exchanged a few words before waiting for the others. Albedo learned that Lumine is still studying as well, but most of her classes are in the afternoon that is why she was able to volunteer at the daycare from time to time.
“Do you like kids?” Albedo asked.
“I find them quite a handful, but I enjoy being around them.” Lumine said, she set down Klee when she felt her arms going numb already.
“I agree. And I feel less lonely when Klee’s around. As you already know, she has an extraordinary energy.”
“Funnily enough her best friend is very docile and calm.” Speaking of Klee’s best friend, they were alerted that she arrived by Klee’s excited squeal.
Right beside her was a guy that looked like he was forced into babysitting Qiqi, but Lumine could notice that he still cared for Qiqi since he wasn’t letting go of her hand. He was giving off an unapproachable aura, and he didn’t even try to hide his distaste for crowded places, avoiding people at all cost.
“Lumine.” Qiqi softly greeted.
Lumine squatted down at her level and brought out coconut milk from her bag. At the sight of Qiqi’s favorite drink, her eyes sparkled and mouth agape.
“Thank you.” Qiqi said and made grabby hands for the milk in front of her. Lumine poked on the straw for Qiqi to drink.
“Thanks.” Qiqi’s guardian muttered as well.
“You must be her guardian for today. I’m Lumine, by the way.”
“Ah, yes. Aether’s twin.”
“Oh, you must be one of his friends.” Lumine hasn't met most of her twin brother’s friends, especially the ones he plays games with. Aether made a lot of friends on the internet aside from the people he met at school, while Lumine only made friends with the people she met in person.
“I’m Xiao. I was told to look after Qiqi today.”
It was such a coincidence to meet one of his friends in this situation. Lumine couldn’t help but laugh quietly as she found similarities between Qiqi and Xiao. They’re both calm and don't like to associate with people much.
A few minutes later, everyone is already gathered. It was a nice sunny day with a gentle breeze. Everyone is getting along and well maybe Albedo and Xiao are a bit out of place since most of the kids' guardians were their mother. Lumine felt a sense of accountability to stay with them, well she didn’t have any choice either since Klee and Qiqi orbits around her.
Albedo’s tries to open a topic for them to talk, but Klee would pull Lumine somewhere or comment when she saw something that caught her interest. Making Albedo let Klee do what she wanted. In the end, Xiao and Albedo we’re left alone as the girls enjoyed the fair. They weren’t talking that much, since Albedo feels an aura around Xiao that he doesn’t want to talk.
Well, it’s not like I’m not used to a quiet company. Albedo thought to himself. He ended up just scrolling through his phone as he and Xiao followed from behind.
Klee was the one who was really excited and wanted to do everything that she sees.
“Big sis! I want to get a matching flower pin for the three of us!”
“Oh oh! Klee wants to do that too!”
“I also want an ice cream!”
Lumine paid for the pins as a gift for the two and an ice cream for them to share. Though she was frugal, she couldn’t help but say yes to their request. Kids were her weakness, and the smile on their faces is worth more than anything.
“I’m sorry about Klee making you spend your money. You know I can always pay for her.” Albedo said, a little ashamed of how Klee acted. “And I know that you’re doing this to make them happy, but it wouldn’t hurt to refuse her.” He also advised.
“Well, I do think that she’s also a little spoiled, but maybe someone can’t say no to her as well.” Lumine replied with a knowing look on her face.
Albedo laughed at her reply, since she was right. He tried refusing Klee a dozen of times, but the ending would always be the same. Albedo would eventually give in.
“You got me there.”
“Sorry to interrupt, but here’s my share for Qiqi’s expenses so far.” Xiao butted in. He did receive an allowance and it didn’t settle well with him for their teacher to spend her own money on them.
“It’s okay. I don’t mind.” Lumine said pushing back the money towards Xiao. “I’m pretty sure the kid would do more activities here when the sun starts to set and more booths open.”
“Just take it. It wouldn’t hurt for you to take it.”
“I agree with Xiao, Lumine. Here’s mine as well. We are their guardians after all.” Albedo added.
There’s no point in making a fuss about it, so Lumine accepted their share and thanked them.
After eating their ice cream they followed the other groups who were going to ride a mini ferris wheel for the kids.
-
On the other hand; a young boy along with his brother were enjoying the festival as well.also enjoying the festival. The older brother was very doting towards the young one and he would buy everything the little boy wanted.
As they went from one booth to another, the young boy saw a familiar face. A face he has not forgotten even though he only met her once and a month had already passed. The lady who had helped him when he got separated with his other older siblings at the mall. He was scared but the nice lady played with him until he calmed down. Not only that the young boy was enamored by the lady’s beauty and kind heart. He did wish that they would play more.
The young boy quickly ran towards the lady and maneuvered around the crowd.
“Teucer! Teucer! Wait up!” The older brother said in a hurry as he tried to catch up, but his frame was a disadvantage in avoiding the crowd unlike the little boy.
“Big brother! Hurry! We need to catch up with Miss nice lady!” Teucer shouted back.
Teucer being open to his brother, he tells everything to him. So he also knows who this Miss nice lady Teucer was talking about. In fact he was also intrigued because of how much Teucer praised her.
Once Teucer was within reach, he grabbed the hem of the lady’s skirt.
“Miss nice lady!” He said to get her attention. “Do you remember me?”
“Big sis Lumine, do you know him?” Klee asked and Qiqi stared at Teucer.
“Of course Miss nice lady knows me! She played with me when I was alone and lost.”
Klee was about to say something more, but Albedo had picked her up interrupting her. Albedo gave a warning look to Klee and she pouted in return. “Let Lumiine talk to the little boy first. And he is older than you, Klee.” Klee’s frown deepened at what Albedo said to her but she dare not say anything.
“Little boy, are you lost?” Lumine asked, once she got the chance to talk.
“You don’t remember me?” Teucer sulked. He was really disappointed that he was the only one who remembers, but then he remembered a keychain that she gave to him and he always carried it. He opened his backpack and pulled out a small circular yellow bunny keychain. “You even gave me this keychain.”
At the sight of it, Lumine vaguely remembers how she gave that keychain. “Oh! I remember now, Teucer! How have you been?”
When Teucer was about to reply, his brother called out to him. “Thank goodness I found you. Don’t ever run into the crowd again.”
“I’m sorry, I was just excited to see Miss Nice Lady again.” Teucer became gloomy again and the older brother couldn’t help but let out a sigh.
“I was worried that’s all.”
“Uh, are you Teucer’s older brother?” Lumine intruded.
“Yes, people call me Childe. You must be the Nice Lady, Teucer has been talking about.”
“Well, that’s an odd thing for people to call you, but I’m Lumine by the way.”
“Miss Nice Lady, can my brother and I join you?” Teucer asked excitedly.
Lumine looked at Albedo and Xiao who had just been observing the whole conversation. They just shrugged and left the option for her to decide. Lumine couldn’t say no to kids so she agreed and Teucer beamed.
-
If Lumine has known the outcome of watching over three kids, maybe she should have said no in the first place. It’s not that she hates it, it was tiring! Teucer and Klee have been arguing for her attention and it honestly makes her dizzy, and she feels bad for Qiqi if she gets left behind by the two. Whenever she picks her up, Teucer wants to be carried by her as well.
When Lumine excused herself to go to the bathroom, Teucer and Klee burst out saying who’s brother is the best.
The three guys were unbothered by it and just let it unfold. But deep down they were greatly amused, as much as their personality differs from each other, it boosts up their ego and pride hearing them boast.
“Big brother Albedo, is smart and always plays with Klee!”
“Well, my big brother buys me all the toys that I want!”
“Xiao, protects Qiqi all the time and carries me.”
Qiqi and Klee never argue about who’s the best big brother, and Qiqi doesn’t even understand what’s happening, she’s just joining in the conversation.
“Big brother Childe definitely deserves Miss Lumine more.” Childe chokes up at Teucer’s reply. Sure he found Lumine attractive and he appreciated that she took care of his little brother. But when did this assumption come up?
“Albedo looks like a prince and Lumine looks like a princess, they look good together more!” Albedo felt embarrassed having to listen to this, he tried to stop it but he was too embarrassed to do so.
“Qiqi thinks Lumine likes Xiao more. She’s always by his side.” Qiqi recalls how Lumine talks to Xiao a lot today, but that’s because Lumine doesn’t want to make Xiao feel left out of the group. Xiao blushed at what Qiqi said, he pretended that he wasn’t listening in the conversation and was too immersed in whatever he’s looking at on his phone.
“That’s because Lumine is kind!”
“You three seems so excited. What are you talking about?” Lumine interrupted. She just came when Klee had said that she’s kind, so she hasn’t heard what Qiqi said, well Klee’s voice was louder than Qiqi.
“Lumine!” Teucer and Klee said, and Qiqi stretched out her hand wanting to be carried again. “You like my big brother more right?!” They both asked at the same time.
“Eh?!”
Lumine looked at the three guys and they were avoiding her gaze and hiding their faces using their hands.