The world of dreams was so wondrous. Aside from the absence of chaotic, disorderly elements and spirits, it looked no different from the true past.
After glancing at the empty sofa, Shade went up to the third floor as usual, entered the attic, and then climbed from there onto the rooftop.
The Long-haired Girl was clearly in much better spirits this time. Though she still wept as she watched the ruins of Tobesk in the distance, buried beneath swirling yellow sand, while Shade sat beside her, once he had settled down, she took the initiative to embrace him.
"Happy birthday, Shade."
Then she kissed him.
That single kiss made Shade swallow all the questions he had wanted to ask. The girl in the dream showed him her passion once more; her lonely, sorrowful soul longed for warmth and shelter.
But when she lay in Shade's arms, listening to his heartbeat as they gazed at the distant Sun amid the endless yellow sands, Shade still asked what was in his heart.
"Laplace Howard told me some things, about the Woman of Destroying Time-Space."
He did not mention the Time Great Witch's assessment of the girl in his arms. That would have made it seem as though he did not trust her. The girl in his arms nodded softly but offered no explanation.
"Do you still believe in me?"
"Of course."
"Even if I really did something wrong?"
"Yes."
She silently sat up from Shade's arms, pressed a hand against his chest to keep him from rising, then straddled him and looked down at him.
"Shade, do you like me that much?"
"Yes."
Shade tried hard to look into her enchanting eyes rather than the part of her body slightly lower down. Her brown hair spilled around her shoulders as she leaned