249. Ruffling Wings, the Cherry Festival, and Orange-Flavored Sparkling Water.

Apartment rooftop.

The boy sat silently on the edge of the railing, his feet dangling over a thousand meters below.

Looking out from here, the buildings and pedestrians gradually fade into the afterglow, disappearing into shadows.

His arrival undoubtedly changed too many things. The fragments of information that St. Freya had previously gleaned and the scattered pieces of records of major events from the Previous Civilization all proved that in the original timeline, the rate at which Herrscher appeared was not very high.

Between the time of the Third Herrscher and the Finality of humanity, there are at least seven years for development and transition.

But now, less than two years have passed, and the Finality is not far away.

If this rate of development continues, the Finality will probably come in less than a year.

Su Qing'an's presence made the process of Honkai far less intense and cruel than it initially appeared.

In short, he single-handedly raised the initial threshold expected for civilization to resist the Honkai, which indirectly led to an intensified wave of selection, resulting in a constant stream of enemies and giving civilization no chance to breathe.

And then there's... Fuxi.

This was an unexpected outcome, born from the butterfly effect triggered by its own existence.

Su Qing'an never dared to hope that she could save the world or become a so-called savior.

More than the conditions for passing the test as described by the gods, his unwillingness to see his compatriots die and peace be destroyed is the reason he has fought to this day.

Even if his only goal was not to make the world worse because of his arrival.

But the result still doesn't seem to be very good.

The boy gazed at the clouds where the flames were slowly dying down. The golden sunlight, like fireflies in the night sky, gradually faded away under the heavy cover. He didn't feel disappointed, and murmured to himself:

"There are some differences, after all."

It's not just about failure or death.

The outcome is still uncertain, and the accumulated things remain.

The person's avatar flashed in the terminal, and as their eyes lowered, a reply came into view:

[OK.]

My heart was stirred for a moment, then returned to tranquility.

Su Qing'an was in a calm mood. He typed a reply and then put the terminal back in his pocket.

For some reason, the autumn I experienced in that small eastern town flashed through my mind.

The wild geese that swept across the twilight-colored sky adorned the road ahead like a carpet, leading to golden ginkgo leaves, intricate billboards, roadside breakfast shops, and even earlier, the unfamiliar gaze of that girl looking at herself and the unconscious worry she revealed.

The memory abruptly ended.

Could this be the last week I can live a normal life with her?

The Path of Sincerity provides a clear answer.

The intuition that existed before that death, as always, did not obscure the path ahead.

Regardless, it seems I still can't give that person the happiness they deserve.

So,

If there is a next time.

If only we could do it all over again.

Su Qing'an faced the already deep night alone, thinking.

Perhaps the greatest act of kindness towards her is to never meet, never know, and never acknowledge her.

In fact, from the moment Kenshin first saw Fu Hua and his body was fully restored, in addition to the joy and the sense of security of holding onto something real, there was also fear and regret in his heart.

People are always like this; they hope that all wonderful encounters will be without regrets or separations.

The boy, whose body was nearly burned out, still chose to stay by her side, clearly having already foreseen his fate.

Although the forms are different, the impending outcome remains the same.

But if he hadn't met Fu Hua, whether he could have held onto his sword heart at that time would be another matter entirely.

Therefore, there is no room for regret.

Can...

Assuming we could truly start over, having endured countless hardships in the Previous Civilization, my sword heart would no longer be broken.

By then, it might be a better decision not to meet.

Su Qing'an examined this calm and objective conclusion, a smile appearing on his lips. He stepped from the high-rise building into the void, walking step by step to a street corner. Gazing at the bright lights all around, he put on his hoodie and headed towards a chain supermarket.

No one can say for sure what the future holds.

There might not be a next time, and even if there were, I might not be able to calmly carry out this action, and I might face a situation where I have no control over my own destiny.

In short, the best choice is to give up thinking and live in the present moment with a wholehearted attitude.

Regardless of the outcome, he cherished the time he spent with Hua.

Su Qing'an walked out of the supermarket carrying a bag of snacks and desserts in one hand. He leaned against a banyan tree nearby, next to a row of unused shared bicycles. Across from him was the Bulgari flagship store with a Roman style. Looking ahead, there were other shops lined up one after another, but most of them were deserted.

The roadside cleaning robots were on standby, there were few pedestrians, and the streetlights cast a warm glow instead of the Milky Way.

"Gurgle, gurgle."

The boy downed the glass bottle of orange-flavored sparkling water in one gulp. The night breeze ruffled the stray hairs on his forehead, making his features even more defined and dispelling much of the summer heat.

He gazed at the street scene and the occasional passing vehicle, his expression indifferent.

The subtle, tingling sensation of bubbles rising from his lips to his tongue, along with the lingering fragrance and coolness, reminded him of the scene before he first arrived in this world.

The instant I finished my cola and threw it into the trash can, I only felt a fleeting moment of disorientation before I found myself in the devastated Canghai City.

Life's twists and turns are truly unpredictable.

"Xiao Su, the way you're talking right now sounds like an old man."

Suddenly, the White Sparrow, which had been suspended in the air, rolled around on Su Qing'an's head like a fluffy ball and landed safely.

It stared intently at the bag he was carrying, its eyes reflecting the wide variety of snacks and exquisitely presented desserts, its gaze quite persistent.

Su Qing'an gently flicked White Sparrow's head with her finger and said lightly:

"If you want to eat it, then take back what you said."

Su Muxi tilted her head and answered seriously:

"I've taken it back. Can we eat it now?"

The boy watched Fu Hua jogging towards him, but felt no desire to respond, so he put the bag down under the tree.

White Sparrow consciously dispersed into light and transformed into the appearance of a little girl. She obediently squatted under the banyan tree, took out a bag of seaweed-flavored potato chips, and began to watch the two parents talking as a side dish. Her big eyes stared at them without blinking as she opened a can of iced cola.

The girl wore a plain black short-sleeved top with no print, tucked into pure white wide-leg pants, which accentuated her good body proportions and made her waist look even slimmer. Her snow-white hair was tied into a ponytail and flowed down her back from the opening of her black baseball cap. This simple, monotonous, and cool outfit suited her usual temperament perfectly.

The girl's black leather shoes, with their British style, trotted along the roadside with crisp, carefree steps, yet somehow exuded an adorable, innocent charm.

Her eyes, naturally glowing a beautiful rose-red in the lamplight, were brimming with laughter, and her pink lips curved upwards, radiating a youth and vitality rarely seen before.

As the little girl approached the person, she slowed her pace, concealing most of her smile, and walked slowly to the banyan tree, asking:

"Have you been waiting long?"

Su Qing'an tidied her wind-blown hair, her fingertips touching her warm skin, as if she could feel the scent of summer through it, and said:

"Not long after, I went to the supermarket and saw you a little while later."

The girl seemed to care a lot about the person's gaze lingering on her hair, and began to mutter to herself:

"Doesn't it look better than the original?"

"The color of her eyes has also become a bit strange."

She encouraged herself:

"Anyway, you'll get used to it and it'll turn back into its original form, just like wings that can be folded up, so it doesn't really matter."

The boy silently pressed his hand against her shoulder blade, regretfully not being able to touch any part of the wing, and said:

"It looks just as good now, it's okay."

The girl raised her head and gazed at him wistfully. Her slight disappointment at the change in appearance had completely vanished, replaced by a strange mix of shame and bewilderment. She patiently explained:

"That's a special organ in an energy state, hidden inside the bones. You can't feel it by touching it like that."

She watched the man's fleeting, disappointed expression and didn't know how to react.

Wings aren't cats or dogs, so why are they so popular?

And it's not soft, so what's the point of masturbating?

Su Qing'an thought for a moment and asked:

"Could you extend your wings so I can see them?"

Fu Hua pinched his cheek, indicating her refusal:

"Didn't Su Qing'an promise me last time that he wouldn't masturbate anymore?"

The boy asked in a very serious tone:

"When? I don't remember."

This person did not deny the fact that he would reach out and masturbate.

The girl tried to find the chat history, but she realized with dismay that although she had made the request, the other party had not chosen to agree directly.

Good or bad.

Su Qing'an, good or bad.

She put her phone back in her pocket, trying to change the subject:

"I heard there's a milk tea shop nearby that Qiluo really likes to drink. Shall we go stop by?"

Su Qing'an saw through the purpose of this request and declined.

"I just had orange-flavored sparkling water."

She then noticed the empty glass bottle in the other person's hand and feigned a sigh:

"It sounds just like summer!"

Su Qing'an spoke with righteous indignation:

"That's why I'm not going."

The little girl blinked and said seriously:

"You're being naughty."

Su Qing'an reflected on his past actions and was somewhat speechless. Finally, he sincerely said:

"... really."

"But I want you to unleash your wings simply to enhance your self-control. Although you haven't experienced the [transformation] process yet, to prevent any unexpected issues with your Gene Ability one day, you should still practice more."

"Compared to the changes in your hair and eye color, these wings are the only special organs you have, and it is essential to make them completely your own."

The little girl was speechless for a moment.

This person is reasoning with me in such a serious manner that it seems impossible for me to refuse.

She struggled:

"I think I have a good grasp of what's in control."

The boy pondered for a moment, his fingertips brushing across his beautifully sculpted back. Honkai Energy particles rained down like stars, creating a subtle ripple deep within his shoulder blades. The ripples of [momentum] spread outwards, and in a trance, there was Dragon's Roar's roar, and a brilliant blue light shone brightly.

Thus, the translucent crystals and jet-black keratin extended out, with the pale blue periosteum serving as the connecting point, and Benares' wings reappeared.

Taking advantage of the girl's momentary confusion, Su Qing'an reached out and stroked the surface of her wing, feeling its cool touch and the slight, natural tremor and flinching of the organ as it was touched. He then said earnestly:

"Look."

"You completely mishandled it."

The little girl glanced at her wings being stroked by someone, and at the two suddenly appearing holes in her clothes on the back, feeling the chain reaction brought about by this action, her face flushed.

She stared fiercely at the man's face, crossed her arms, and unable to bear the shame, took a few steps forward, buried her face in his chest, snuggled closer, tilted her head back, and whispered:

"Su Qing'an, don't you know how special this position is!"

The boy's eyes were lowered, and the girl's fair and delicate collarbone came into view. The shoulder straps were slightly loose for some reason, and further down was a long, delicate curve and snow-white skin. Her arms pressed against the fabric, creating a dark shadow that covered her most private parts.

But even this brief glimpse of spring is enough to refresh and invigorate the mind.

Su Qing'an instantly understood what had happened. He shifted his gaze elsewhere, feeling somewhat guilty.

"Disconnected?"

The little girl's wings, which were over three meters long, folded naturally behind her back, covering the exposed portion of her snow-white skin. She looked somewhat listless, and she complained softly:

"Yeah, it's not like we're in combat gear, we're going on a date."

The girl said softly:

"Also, stop touching your wings, or I'm about to bite you."

Su Qing'an silently released her hand, indicating that it was time to stop. The Nanobots inside the black metal watch on his wrist danced like falling dust, slowly repairing the torn fabric along her back. As the huge wings naturally returned to their energy state and disappeared deep into her bones, the bra straps were immediately corrected back to their original shape.

The girl's face flushed crimson. She deftly straightened her clothes, then glared at the man, stomping on his foot with her little leather shoe in retaliation. Gazing at the brightly lit distance, she parted her lips and smiled, saying:

"Let's go get some cherries."

The boy stroked her hair and said softly:

"Okay, it should be very lively."

His eyes were deep and thoughtful, reflecting a complex mix of emotions.

Fu Hua had actually passed the period of genetic stability and had never experienced [transformation] or sublimation. However, even so, after being stimulated with [potential], she still couldn't control this special organ for a moment.

This proves that Gene Ability and the soul, just as Doctor Mobius said, are indeed indelibly linked.

What will the outcome be a week from now?

Whether the unique and powerful Soul Essence of Idealistic Lifeform can withstand that influence and interference remains to be seen.

But... let's wait and see after this week.

Cherishing the present moment is the only struggle I can make.

Su Qing'an put all of this out of his mind, took the girl's hand, and walked towards a small town in the distance. A famous Cherry Festival was being held there, which was why the area seemed a bit deserted.

As for why this festival occurs during this period...

Perhaps it's because Australian cherries are smooth and plump, with a crisp and sweet taste, and are of high quality and size, making them the elite among these fruits.

Today, the main production areas of this fruit have been eroded by Honkai Phenomenon to the point that they are no longer suitable for cultivation or consumption.

The once renowned states of Victoria and Tasmania have been semi-permanently blackened off the map of humanity, becoming Honkai Pure Land.

In the past, these regions enjoyed abundant sunshine throughout the year. Their fertile soil, fresh air, and clean water were all rare factors that contributed to the excellent quality of their fruits. The significant temperature difference between day and night further facilitated the accumulation of sugar.

Today, Australia's only remaining major city is located in the southeastern part of the country, in New South Wales, which borders the Pacific Ocean to the east.

This region is not only the most populous, industrialized, and urbanized state in Australia, but also a major cherry-producing area.

Before the Great Honkai, such festivals would be held in the summer, where tourists could participate in the activities with the locals for free, taste the sweet flesh of cherries, and share the joy.

Even though humanity is losing ground to the Honkai, in order to give the remaining people a sense that social order still exists and that the future and the dawn are not far away, such activities and festivals will not be stopped by the authorities, and may even be encouraged to some extent.

Of course, this is under the premise of having spare capacity.

Australia's main city is one of the few areas where such activities can still be carried out with some difficulty. Even though the outside world is full of war and conflict, this vast area can still barely maintain this false peace.

Su Qing'an and Fu Hua's trip to this festival was semi-official.

That is, to maintain peaceful order and prevent the Honkai Cultist from causing trouble and accidents.

Of course, enjoying the light and warmth that human civilization is still striving to emit in the apocalypse is also part of the purpose of this trip.

Su Qing'an stood in the void, beneath his feet a vast expanse of lights and neon. He wrapped his arms around the girl's soft waist, gazing at the cheers and sounds in the distance, and said:

"I heard a singer named Eden will be singing on the parade float; she seems to be quite popular."

The little girl said earnestly:

"Definitely, there are very few people in this world who don't know Eden."

"However, besides performing, she came this time mainly to openly use her Gene Ability to detect any unusual activity nearby and stop it in time."

Su Qing'an parted her lips and smiled.

The boy and she walked silently into the grand, celebratory scene, blending into the sea of people filled with the lively atmosphere of a festival.

For some reason, as they looked at each other and strolled through the area, they clearly no longer felt the summer heat, yet they could still sense the unique flavor of this season.

Just like that glass of orange-flavored chilled sparkling water, refreshing and cool.