The Still Water

The Maiden's life had already vanished, not even a trace of her existence remained. How could this kindness be repaid?

"Sakura Dance..."

"Don't talk to me!!!"

"...Sigh."

Haoyue sighed and sat down beside Sakura Dance, her fingers gently brushing through the Maiden's long white hair.

"You're very sad, aren't you, Sakura Dance?"

"...Don't ask what you already know!"

"Although this sounds cliché, all we can do is cherish the second chance she gave us and live well."

"You don't need to tell me!!!!!"

Sakura Dance's voice had completely lost its usual clarity and composure. She sounded like a maddened young beast, filled with immense sorrow yet radiating aggression.

"..."

Haoyue gently wrapped her arm around Sakura Dance's shoulders. Sakura Dance flinched slightly.

"...Take your hand away."

"No."

"I told you to take your dirty hands off!!!"

"I said no."

"You--"

Sakura Dance suddenly looked up, her reddened eyes glaring at Haoyue. Haoyue merely wiped the tears from her face with a gentle smile.

"Hey, Sakura Dance, we're friends, right?"

"...So what?"

"One of the uses of friends is to cry your heart out in their arms."

"...Stop talking...nonsense."

"..." "..."

"..."

"...You, you don't mind?"

"As long as you don't mind."

"...You said it."

Tears gushed out like a bursting dam.

The figure that had always been so strong finally completely collapsed.

Sakura Dance's hands clutched tightly onto Haoyue's back, her fingernails digging deep into her flesh.

Then, burying her face in Haoyue's embrace, she sobbed uncontrollably.

Feeling the sharp pain from her back, Haoyue gently stroked Sakura Dance's back, her movements incredibly tender.

But her gaze had turned sharp.

"Neumann?"

"Ah, ah! Yes!"

"Where is Xiao Ye?"

"Uh..."

"Where? I only know she was supposed to be fighting Yu He."

"Too many unexpected things happened, I have to explain