The last set of the hilichurl towers are quickly destroyed, their remains evident by the small fragments littering the ground.

After going around to eliminate several camps, you and your partner are finally done with the commission that was sent in by a fellow Mondstadt citizen—a home owner who has been concerned about the increasing amount of nearby hilichurls roaming around his place.

You put your sword away into its case and sling it around your shoulder, turning to see how Lisa's doing. Although your lethargic body is calling for a nice break, you might as well go back to Katheryne and turn in the commission to get today's rewards.

Of course... no surprise. The librarian is resting against a tree, her eyes closed as the breeze blows through her hair gently. A plain, brown book lies in her lap, seemingly untouched.

You don't have the heart to wake her up from her peaceful nap, so you simply sigh and plop onto the ground, taking out your weapon from its case. Now's the perfect time to clean the blade.

As you're cleaning, you glance over to see Lisa shifting a bit in her sleep. Her eyes flutter open as she looks around, confusion present on her face, before she notices you up ahead.

She gives you a lazy smile and a tired yawn in response to your nod. Then she gestures you over, patting at the empty space next to her.

"Yes, Lisa? Is something amiss?" you ask, walking over to stand in front of her, all while your cleaning continues.

"There's plenty of time left in the day, so let's take a break together."

Again, she pats at the space, clearly wanting you to come here. Your hesitance makes her chuckle, a gloved hand covering her lips.

"Don't be shy now," she teases, winking. "Having you beside me will help get rid of this exhaustion. Think of it as a way to help me out, hm?"

"I suppose so. Then... excuse me."

You take a seat next to her, leaving a generous space between you two, and focus on wiping the blade clean again. Even as she's watching you carefully, the side of her head resting against the tree, your blank expression is unwavering.

She laughs softly. "You are quite a serious one, darling."

Without facing her, you ask, "Does that bother you?"

She hums in thought before shaking her head. "That just makes a smile from you a treasured present. I'm sure receiving one from someone as cute as you would lift my spirits."

A treasured present...?

You stop cleaning and think about her words. No one has ever viewed your demeanor as such, let alone in a positive light, so hearing that makes you a bit happy. People either avoid you as much as possible, or they talk to you only when it relates to business matters.

There is also this one female at the food stall who's always staring at you from a distance. You approached her a few times before, giving a simple greeting, but she can barely get in a word or two before quickly excusing herself.

Your seriousness, paired with being a member of the Knights of Favonius, easily makes you intimidating in the eyes of many.

"If I give you a smile," you begin to offer, "may we leave back to town and turn in this commission?"

Lisa raises a brow as a smile graces her face. "Oh? I like your proposal. It's a deal, but it must be a proper one. I'd advise you to not trick me with a smile that lasts for a mere second."

"You have my word," you reply.

After putting your weapon away in its initial place, you move it to the side and face her, meeting her expectant, emerald gaze. She gives you a closed-eyed smile and nods, as if to encourage you.

You aren't sure how long time has passed, but eventually, her eyes widen slightly (whether in surprise or in awe, who knows). Then, her gaze softens as she smiles warmly, a hand now resting on her cheek—a lingering observation.

"Thank you, (Y/N). Let us head back home," she murmurs.

-♡-

Might as well always smile around Lisa if it means getting to see her stare at you in adoration.