Goodbye, Mom. I'm Setting Sail Tonight.

"What's wrong."

Hasegawa Izumi glanced sideways.

Perhaps because of his guilty conscience, that pure, azure gaze seemed inexplicably profound to the girl at that moment.

"Actually, I invited the Sage here today not for an investigation, I just... just wanted to invite the Sage out for a walk."

She mustered her courage and did not avoid eye contact.

"Yeah?"

His expression remained calm.

"So, it's not bad to get out and relax once in a while."

At that moment, Takanashi Rikka suddenly understood.

Lovers Contract cannot be successfully concluded at this time.

After all, there are many things about the Sage that she doesn't know as well as Chika.

But this date wasn't a complete waste of time; at least she finally figured out a few things.

"Recently, the Dark Power has grown too rapidly, causing my mind to become overburdened, almost leading to an imbalance and a huge crisis... However, today, after my mind was relaxed, it has grown significantly, and my mind and body have once again matched this power. I feel the opportunity for a breakthrough!"

She hummed in agreement, clenched her fist, and then looked up and said.

The confession didn't continue; it ended halfway through.

That's it?

Shinomiya Kaguya, who had been secretly watching, felt her heart sink, and muttered something under her breath.

'Kaguya-chan, you must be dying of anxiety!'

Beside her, Fujiwara Chika remained silent, thinking to herself.

'But is Rikka really satisfied with this?'

Well, as long as Rikka thinks it's okay, then it's fine.

'We really can't be too hasty, or we'll be defeated.'

She gazed at the girl's retreating figure in the distance, ultimately abandoning the idea of taking out her phone to ask further questions.

Enjoying the tranquility of the moment, Takanashi Rikka felt relaxed when suddenly she heard another voice.

"Speaking of which, Rikka, what do you think is going on with those two?"

Her body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

So it was exposed after all!

"They've been following us all day."

"Perhaps it was a chance encounter. They saw me with the Sage and became curious about what we were doing..."

"That's certainly possible, since surveillance wouldn't be so blatant."

"Ah... hahahahaha."

Twenty one

Chapter 21 Goodbye, Mom. I'm setting sail tonight.

Hasegawa Izumi and Takanashi Rikka suddenly appeared in front of them.

"Hehehe... we've been found out."

Fujiwara Chika chuckled and scratched her long, smooth, cherry blossom-colored hair.

"Sorry, Izumi-chan, Rikka, I didn't mean to peep, I was just curious about what you were doing~"

Born into a political family, how could he not know how to lie?

The prettier a girl is, the more likely she is to lie.

This is a profound truth of human nature.

"Since Fujiwara wanted to visit the aquarium, I accompanied her."

Shinomiya Kaguya described the incident simply without batting an eye.

"So, what about you two? A man and a woman, are you on a date?"

Her eyes were sharp, piercing as she stared at him.

Takanashi Rikka seemed a little guilty, and at the same time gave Chika a look, as if asking—

Where did this guy come from?

Fujiwara Chika pouted, too embarrassed to answer.

"Like you guys, Rikka wanted to clear her head, so I came out with her."

Instead of using the excuse Rikka had fabricated, Hasegawa Izumi spoke directly.

Shinomiya Kaguya frowned slightly.

She still managed to glean something from his words.

At least in this man's eyes, this chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) girl also held considerable weight.

However, since they retreated today, they are probably similar to Sawamura and not worth fearing!

Shinomiya Kaguya then put on a smile and said, "It's getting late. Since we've run into each other, why don't you ride in our car and we'll take you home?"

"Thank you for your kindness, Shinomiya, but we still have things to do."

Hasegawa Izumi denied.

"Really? Then I'll be going now."

Shinomiya Kaguya was proud and wouldn't pester him. After understanding the implied meaning, she turned and left.

"Well then, Rikka, Izumi-chan, see you Monday~!"

Fujiwara Chika followed in her footsteps, then waved goodbye to the two of them.

"Goodbye."

Takanashi Rikka waved enthusiastically this time as well.

Time passed quickly, and darkness gradually fell.

Inside the aquarium, staff are conducting daily training and rewarding for the dolphins.

One of the staff members is staring into the eye at the dolphin that shone so brightly today; neither of them is moving.

"Xiao Liang, what are you doing?"

"I'm trying to Mental communication! If that little girl can do it, there's no reason why I, who spend every day with Xiao Lan, can't!"

"Haha... Good luck then!"

However, no matter how hard the staff member named Xiao Liang tried, she was unable to do it.

What she lacked wasn't the dolphins' affection for her, but a spark of inspiration.

"Well, that's all for today, Xiao Lan. I'll come see you again tomorrow."

As it was time to leave work, she sighed and left the enclosure.

In the pool, Xiao Lan watched its other kin swimming happily, motionless, its intelligent eyes seemingly lost in thought, unseen by anyone.

I don't know how much time has passed.

Just when Xiao Lan thought the day would end like any other, someone suddenly appeared silently inside the already closed aquarium.

He was ignored by the animals as he passed by, and even the surveillance cameras couldn't capture his image.

Do you want to leave here? I can help you.

Suddenly a voice rang in her mind, leaving Xiao Lan puzzled and bewildered.

"I'm over here."

This time, the sound came from reality.

It turned its head and saw a human standing on the shore, and it vaguely remembered him.

"I am here to bring you freedom at Rikka's request."

The voice echoed in its mind again, and the girl's image appeared simultaneously, making it realize that Rikka was the human who could understand its thoughts.

"I want... the ocean to help me?"

"Able."

Although dolphins possess intelligence, they have not yet experienced true growth, so their inner thoughts are somewhat naive, like those of a young child.

"And... friends."

"Sure, but I don't recommend it. It would be better for you to go out alone; it might not be a good thing for your friends."

It didn't understand that while it yearned for freedom and wanted to see the magnificence of the sea, many other animals also wanted to come in, longing for a peaceful and stable life.

With its intelligence, it can easily survive in the ocean, but for its friends, it may face a cruel elimination.

"Please... I'm counting on you."

Xiao Lan thought it over a lot, chose to trust the human's judgment, and turned to say goodbye to its kind.

"Don't resist, I'll take you away now."

While transmitting her voice, Hasegawa Izumi raised her right hand and, under the control of her spiritual power, separated the seawater surrounding Xiao Lan, along with Xiaolan herself, from the pool, forming a blue water sphere.

Xiao Lan was shocked; she never imagined that humans possessed such terrifying power.

No wonder he was confident he could take it away from here.

A few minutes later, Hasegawa Izumi brought the water sphere to the nearby beach.

"Sage!"

There, Takanashi Rikka was already waiting.

Hasegawa Izumi casually tossed the water balloon into the sea.

Entering a world many times wider from the narrow pool, Xiao Lan was incredibly excited and swam freely, leaving a long white line on the surface of the sea.

Such a scene would make someone who didn't know better think a shark had arrived.

"Chirp chirp..."

After the initial excitement, Xiao Lan approached the shore again, poked its head out, and made dolphin calls.

This is a heartfelt expression of gratitude to them.

"Alright, alright, it was nothing more than a small favor. Meeting the Sage is your good fortune, little dolphin, don't worry about it... However, if you're going to dwell on the Sage's kindness, then next..."

Takanashi Rikka, walked towards the sea, entered the water but did not sink. She squatted on the surface of the sea, stroked her smooth head, and slowly told a story. Suddenly, she remembered some stories told by the Sage, and a pleasant smile appeared on her lips.

"Little dolphin, go out to sea! Conquer this ocean! Live as you please! Be freer than anyone else!"

"Be the freest being on this vast ocean! Become the Dolphin Queen!"

"When that time comes, you will be able to repay us."

The voice was passionate and stirring, which made Xiao Lan's emotions rise as well.

It memorized these words, emitted a high-pitched dolphin sound, thanked the two people, and then sailed away.

"Ooh~"

On the moonlit sea, dolphins dive into the ocean, then ride the currents and rise to the surface, letting out excited cries.

From this day forward, may fish leap freely in the vast sea, birds soar freely in the boundless sky, and roam freely under the frosty heavens!

Watching its departing figure, Takanashi Rikka felt a pang of sadness in her eyes.

Although they had only known each other for less than a day, this encounter had given her many insights.