Ark Simulator, Don't I Have No Physical Form?

"Are you scared?" Shining's voice was like a stream under the moonlight. She placed the glass on the coffee table, the crisp "click" sound like the beginning of some kind of judgment.

Su Rui continued to shake her head.

The Nightingale suddenly laughed. She stood on tiptoe and this time kissed his bobbing Adam's apple. "Then why did you run away?"

Shining pressed close behind him, her silver hair brushing against his ear. "We gave you a chance to refuse."

(when--)

A sudden flashback to the night at the volcanic hot springs: when he blushed and said he wanted to sleep on the sofa, Nightingale smiled and offered him half the bed; when he frantically made excuses to leave in the early morning, Shining calmly handed him a coat. Each time, each time they stopped taking any further steps, until he himself...

(... until he himself returned to them.)

Su Rui suddenly understood. He lowered his head, resting his forehead on Nightingale's shoulder, and let out a sigh that sounded almost like surrender, "... Too cunning."

The Nightingale's soft laughter resonated in his chest, Shining's kiss landed on the back of his neck.

Volume 12, Chapter 714: Dawn in Siesta

Morning light filtered through the half-drawn curtains, casting dappled patterns of light on the hotel carpet.

When Su Rui opened his eyes, he was still somewhat dazed. He turned his head and saw Nightingale curled up beside him, her golden hair spread out on the pillow, her breathing soft and gentle, while Shining leaned against him on the other side, a few strands of her long silver hair wrapped around his arm like a gentle restraint.

(last night...)

Memories flooded back like a tide, and his ears instantly burned.

He carefully withdrew his arm, afraid of waking them. But as soon as he moved, Nightingale unconsciously nuzzled his shoulder in her sleep, while Shining seemed to sense his departure, frowned slightly, and gently hooked her fingertips around the hem of his clothes.

(This is bad.)

Su Rui held his breath and slowly moved away until he finally broke free from their encirclement. He stepped barefoot onto the carpet and looked down at himself—his shirt was wrinkled, the collar was open, and there were a few faint red marks on his collarbone.

(... needs to be cleaned up.)

He tiptoed into the bathroom, closed the door, and finally let out a long sigh of relief.

His reflection in the mirror was a mess—his hair was disheveled, his eyes were slightly tired, and his lips were a little swollen. He turned on the tap, and the cold water splashed against his fingertips. He scooped up the water and vigorously washed his face, trying to clear his head.

Fragments of memory flashed through his mind— the Nightingale's fingertips tracing his back, the Shining's lips whispering in his ear, their body heat, breath, and voices all intertwined, almost driving him to madness.

He unbuttoned his shirt, revealing several hickeys on his shoulders and chest, starkly visible under the cold white light. He sighed, picked up a towel, dampened it, and gently wiped his skin, trying to erase the ambiguous marks.

But just then--

The bathroom door was gently pushed open.

"Su Rui?" Nightingale's voice was soft, as if she had just woken up. She leaned against the door, her golden eyes half-closed, as if she wasn't fully awake yet.

Su Rui's hand trembled, and the towel almost fell into the sink.

"...Good morning." He responded stiffly, instinctively turning to the side, trying to cover the marks on his body.

Nightingale's gaze was already fixed on him. She blinked, then suddenly smiled, "... Shy?"

"No..." Su Rui's ears burned, and her voice was so low it was almost inaudible.

Nightingale took a few steps closer, gently placing her hand on his shoulder, her fingertips tracing the faint red marks, her tone languid and satisfied. "... It wasn't like this last night."

Su Rui's breath hitched.

Just then, footsteps sounded again at the bathroom door— Shining had woken up at some point. She leaned against the door frame, her grey-purple eyes quietly watching them, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"... Do you need any help?" she asked softly.

"No, I can do it myself."

Su Rui closed the bathroom door and took a deep breath.

The misty mirror blurred his features. He raised his hand to clear a patch of clarity, looking at his slightly reddened earlobes and the lingering marks on his collarbone.

(... It's too obvious.)

He sighed, picked up the bathrobe provided by the hotel, put it on, and tightened the belt to make sure the collar wouldn't come undone easily.

But when he opened the door, the room was already filled with the aroma of coffee and toast.

Nightingale sat on a single sofa by the window, holding a cup of black tea. Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a soft glow on her golden hair, like a gentle morning light. Meanwhile, Shining stood at the dining table, spreading jam evenly on toast.

Hearing the noise, the two of them looked up at the same time.

"Good morning," Nightingale smiled, her tone light as if nothing had happened.

"Breakfast just arrived." Shining placed the spread-on toast in front of the empty seat, her grey-purple eyes calmly looking at him. "Coffee or tea?"

(... this nonchalant atmosphere is actually more nerve-wracking.)

Su Rui pursed her lips, walked to the dining table, and sat down. "... Coffee, thank you."

Shining nodded, deftly poured him a cup of black coffee, and pushed it towards him, while Nightingale got up, took a plate of fried eggs and bacon from the food cart, and placed it in front of him.

"Did you sleep well last night?" Nightingale asked, resting her chin on her hand, her golden eyes filled with a smile.

Su Rui's hand, which was holding the coffee cup, stiffened slightly.

"... It's alright," he replied softly, taking a sip of coffee. The bitter liquid slid down his throat, calming him down a little.

Shining gave a soft "hmm," seemingly satisfied with his answer, while Nightingale chuckled and didn't press further.

The table fell silent, save for the soft clinking of cutlery.

(Was it on purpose?)

Su Rui poked at the fried egg with her fork, glancing out of the corner of her eye at Nightingale sipping her black tea, while Shining leisurely cut the fruit on her plate. Both appeared perfectly normal, as if last night's intimacy had been nothing more than a dream.

(... Or is this kind of thing normal for them?)

He lowered his eyes, a strange tightness in his chest.

"Su Rui," Shining suddenly spoke.

He looked up and met her calm gaze.

"What are your plans for today?" she asked.

(... Is this a change of topic, or is the question really about the itinerary?)

Su Rui paused, put down her fork, and said, "... The original plan was to go to the Siesta museum, but..."

"But?" Nightingale tilted her head.

"... But if you and Shining have other things to do, I can go by myself," he said softly.

Nightingale and Shining exchanged a glance.

"We're fine," Shining said calmly.

"And—" Nightingale stood up, walked to Su Rui's side, and whispered in his ear, "What happened last night... isn't over yet."

Her breath was warm, and Su Rui's ear tips instantly turned red.

Shining picked up her coffee cup, a slight smile playing on her lips, "So, don't even think about running away."

(... As expected, there was no escaping it.)

Su Rui gripped her coffee cup tightly and sighed silently in the morning light.

The morning light in Siesta is clearer than elsewhere, as if it has been washed by seawater, so bright that it can shine into one's heart.

Su Rui stood at the hotel entrance, his eyes slightly narrowed as he watched the flowing light and shadow on the street. Nightingale stood beside him, her long golden hair gently lifted by the wind, the ends brushing against his arm like a silent touch. Shining stood on the other side, her grey-purple eyes quietly gazing at the distant buildings, her expression indifferent.

"The museum isn't far from here," Shining said, his voice low and steady. "A twenty-minute walk."

Su Rui nodded, subconsciously adjusting her collar—the marks from last night were now covered by her high-necked shirt, but the lingering warmth on her skin seemed to still be there.

Nightingale noticed his movement, a slight smile playing on her lips, but she didn't say anything, simply taking his arm gently.

"Let's go," she said softly, her fingertips lightly tracing his sleeve.

Su Rui's body stiffened slightly, but she quickly relaxed.

(... I've already gotten used to it.)

Volume 12, Chapter 715: I want to eat this.

He acquiesced to her advances and didn't even try to pull his arm away.

The Obsidian and Originium Museum in Siesta is a gray-white building with cold, hard lines, like a giant rock growing out of the earth. At the entrance, several uncarved obsidian samples are displayed, their deep black color tinged with a faint blue-purple luster, like a frozen night sky.

Su Rui stood in front of the display case, her gaze fixed on the minerals.

"Obsidian..." he read aloud the description on the display board, "A product of volcanic activity, it is hard and often used for industrial cutting and artistic carving."

The Nightingale stood beside him, her fingertips lightly touching the glass, as if she could touch the cold stones through the display case.

"They're beautiful," she whispered, "Like they've captured the night within them."

Shining stood a little distance away, but her gaze was fixed on Su Rui's profile.

"Are you interested in minerals?" she asked.

Su Rui shook her head. "I just feel... they're a lot like some kind of frozen time."

Shining nodded slightly, saying nothing, but her gaze softened.

The museum's interior space is spacious, with light streaming through the high-rise glass skylights, casting dappled patterns of light on the floor. The Originium exhibit is located on the second floor, accessible via a spiral staircase. On the walls hang geological cross-sections of the Siesta mine, as well as historical documents on Oripathy research.

Su Rui stopped walking at a certain moment.

The display case shows a deep red Originium crystal, labeled "Highly Active Originium Sample, Hazard Level: III".

His breathing faltered slightly.

(... like blood.)

The Nightingale noticed his pause and gently took his hand.

"Are you feeling unwell?" she asked in a low voice.

Su Rui shook her head, but her fingers unconsciously tightened.

Shining walked to his other side, her gaze sweeping over the Originium, before calmly saying, "Let's go, there are other exhibition areas ahead."

Her voice was calm and steady, like a barrier that separated those heavy emotions.

Su Rui took a deep breath and nodded.

Deep inside the museum is a semi-open courtyard with a small fountain in the center, its waters gurgling softly, and several benches for resting around it.

Su Rui sat on the bench, tilting his head slightly back to look at the sky above the courtyard. Sunlight refracted through the mist, creating tiny rainbows that fell on his eyelashes like a gentle touch.

The Nightingale sat beside him, holding a cup of hot tea bought from a vending machine, and gently handed it to him.

"Have something to drink," she said.

Su Rui took the paper cup, feeling the warmth on his fingertips. He lowered his head and took a sip, the aroma of tea spreading in his mouth, with a faint sweetness.

(... she remembered that he liked sweets.)

Shining stood by the fountain, her back to them, her long, silvery hair almost transparent in the sunlight. Her figure was upright and serene, like a silent guardian.

As Su Rui watched her retreating figure, a strange tightness settled in her chest.

(... How exactly do they view him?)

Companions? Friends? Or...?

A closer connection?

On the way back, the setting sun cast long shadows of the three of them.

Nightingale walked beside Su Rui, her fingers occasionally brushing against the back of his hand, as if in some unconscious probing. Shining walked on the other side, her steps steady, her gaze always fixed on the road ahead.

The shops on both sides of the street lit up one after another, and the warm yellow light shone on Su Rui's profile, making his features look exceptionally soft.

"Are you tired?" Nightingale asked softly.

Su Rui shook her head, but her pace involuntarily slowed down.

Shining glanced at him sideways, then stopped in her tracks.

"Take a break," she said, her tone leaving no room for refusal.

Su Rui opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but Nightingale had already pulled him toward a bench by the roadside.