The next morning, sunlight spilled over the mountaintops. A gentle breeze carried a hint of chill.
Chiyo arrived at the place where he had met Kaguya yesterday, his shoes damp with morning dew. From afar, he saw the silver white figure standing quietly at the cliff's edge, gazing up at the sky.
Her long hair danced softly in the wind, glowing with a gentle halo in the morning light, as though she had become one with heaven and earth.
"Kaguya."
Chiyo walked over and greeted her with a smile.
Kaguya slowly turned her head. His reflection appeared in her pale eyes as she spoke softly.
"You came."
"Have you been waiting long?"
Chiyo came to her side and followed her gaze toward the sky, where there was nothing but a few drifting clouds.
"Not too long."
Kaguya's voice remained calm, but a trace of complicated emotion had appeared in her eyes.
"In less than two years, Isshiki will descend upon this world."
Chiyo's expression did not change in the slightest. Instead, he gave a light laugh.
"Two years? That's plenty of time."
Kaguya glanced at him, seemingly surprised by his composure.
"Aren't you worried?"
"Would worrying help?"
Chiyo shrugged, his gaze firm.
"Rather than worry, we should figure out how to deal with him."
Kaguya fell silent for a moment before speaking in a low voice.
"Isshiki is very strong... the current me is no match for him."
Chiyo looked at her and suddenly spoke in a half-joking tone.
"Then once we deal with Isshiki, I hope the one you look up at is me, not the sky."
Kaguya froze slightly, and something unusual flashed through her pale eyes.
The fear rising in her heart faded considerably.
She could not help recalling the story of Cowherd and Weaver Girl that