Ark Simulator, Don't I Have No Physical Body? Chapter 435

Her fingertips gently brushed against the petals, but she ultimately did not pluck it.

Morning light streamed through the shoji paper door, bathing the room in a soft amber hue. Hoshiguma's green hair was spread out on the pillow, the ends still dusted with the fine gold dust from last night's festival. Her fingertips unconsciously traced the empty space beside her, where the warmth and faint scent of mint from the silver-haired boy's wake lingered. From the kitchen came the soft clatter of silver duster carrying teaware, and the gentle gurgling of rice water being poured into a ceramic jar— Su Rui always insisted on preparing breakfast the traditional way, saying that only then could the porridge have the "smell of home cooking."

Volume 16, page 926: Adjustment and Remuneration

Hoshiguma rolled over, her demon horn tracing wisps on the thin blanket. Her gaze fell on the dark blue kimono on the clothes rack by the door, and a smile unconsciously crept onto her lips. It was a fine silk kimono she had searched through countless old shops in Kyoto to find, its dark silver wave pattern flowing like a real tide in the morning light. She remembered the old tailor's trembling hands when she took her measurements, always suspecting she was a vengeful demon, until Su Rui's silver dust quietly smoothed out the old tailor's wrinkled apron.

"Woke up?"

Su Rui's voice came through the paper door, slightly hoarse from the morning. Yin Chen opened the door and found him kneeling on the veranda grinding matcha. The sleeve of his plain white undergarment had slipped down, revealing the faint red marks on his wrist from where she had gripped him the night before.

Hoshiguma's green eyes narrowed slightly. "Come here."

The tea whisk gently landed in the celadon bowl. Su Rui's silver hair fell as she rose, the ends brushing against Hoshiguma's outstretched fingertips. "The porridge is still on the stove..."

"Never mind." Hoshiguma's green hair wrapped around his wrist, pulling him down onto the tatami mat. Her oni horn brushed against his neck, leaving a faint red mark. "Wear it for me."

Su Rui's eyelashes fluttered in the morning light. "You have to see it eventually... Can't you wait a little while?"

"Right now." Hoshiguma's fingertips untied the ribbon of his undershirt, revealing the lingering bite marks below his collarbone. "Or should I help you put it on?"

Yin Chen silently brought over a dark blue kimono. Su Rui reluctantly rose, the wide sleeves brushing against Hoshiguma's nose, carrying a scent of camphor wood and silver snow. His fingers kept fidgeting as he tried to tie the sash, the obi slipping from his palm several times. Hoshiguma's green hair cascaded down her back as she took the dark green ribbon. "Turn around."

Her fingertips were surprisingly nimble. First, she smoothed out the wrinkles at the back of the blouse's collar, then carefully folded the right lapel, and finally used a belt altered from Hoshiguma's old uniform to encircle her slender waist. When Ginchen brought over the red copper cloud-patterned belt buckle, Hoshiguma suddenly pressed down on Su Rui's hand. "I'll do this."

The soft click of the buckle engaging was particularly clear in the morning light. Hoshiguma's thumb traced the familiar battle scar on the buckle—proof that she had shielded her from Originium arrow during a mission. Su Rui's silver hair fell down, intertwining with the green hair at her forehead. "... Was it specially modified?"

"Nonsense." Hoshiguma's demon horn gently pressed against his forehead. "Did you expect Tetsusai to take away three catties of Star Iron Ore for nothing?"

As he finally adjusted his sleeves, silver dust swirled in the morning breeze beneath the eaves. The waves on the deep blue fabric seemed to come alive, making Su Rui's silver hair appear like a moonlit tide. Suddenly, Hoshiguma grabbed the tassel of his Bell belt, pulling him to a breathtaking distance. "Mine."

Su Rui's fingertips traced the gold dust on her demon horns. "... Yes, it's yours."

The afternoon blacksmith's workshop was filled with the scent of sandalwood and steel. The rhythmic sound of Tetsusai's hammer echoed in the courtyard, and sparks from the quenching process clung to Hoshiguma's green hair. She sat cross-legged on the veranda, polishing the edge of her Hannya Shield, but her gaze remained fixed on the deep blue figure in the courtyard.

Su Rui was helping to arrange the dyed fabrics drying in the sun. The cuffs of her kimono were rolled up with silver dust, revealing her smooth forearms. As she was about to tiptoe to reach the bamboo clips on the high shelf, the Bell behind her waist suddenly made a soft tinkling sound— Hoshiguma's green hair had somehow become adorned with tassels with buckles.

"It's in the way." Su Rui turned around helplessly, her silver hair brushing against Hoshiguma Kojin's nose. "Tetsusai is watching."

The old blacksmith immediately turned his back, the hammer striking with deafening force. Hoshiguma's green hair wrapped even more arrogantly around his waist. "Let him see, he won't see as much as I have."

Yin Chen quietly pulled back the cloth that had almost slipped off. Su Rui tried to pry the strands of hair tangled in her belt. "... The porridge is going to burn."

"So be it." Hoshiguma's teeth grazed the cloud pattern on the buckle. "Is it more important than seeing you?"

Finally, Tetsusai's hammer slammed heavily into the quenching pool, and billowing steam instantly enveloped the corridor. Hoshiguma, gripping Su Rui's sleeve tightly in the white mist, heard the old man mutter in the fog, "Go back inside if you want to be cozy!"

The open-air hot spring at night was filled with the scent of sulfur. Hoshiguma's green hair floated on the surface of the water, like some kind of mysterious aquatic plant. Her demon horns rested against the blue stone by the pool, and her gaze pierced through the steam to the opposite bank— Su Rui was unbuttoning her kimono with her back to her. The dark blue fabric slid down her spine, revealing skin that had turned a pale pink from the steam of the hot spring.

"Turn around." Hoshiguma's fingertips brushed the water's surface, creating ripples that scattered the moonlight.

Su Rui's silver hair clung damply to her neck, the Bell cord still wrapped around her wrist. "... scalded with hot water."

Hoshiguma's green hair suddenly broke through the water, wrapping around his ankle and pulling him into the pool. The spray soaked the kimono folded on the blue stones, the deep blue fabric unfolding like a night curtain in the moonlight. Water droplets stirred up by Su Rui's struggle landed on Hoshiguma's eyelashes, which she licked away with the tip of her tongue. "Salty."

"... It's a hot spring." Su Rui tried to scoop up the floating fabric with his silver dust, but Hoshiguma pressed him against the pool wall. The oni horn brushed against the unhealed bite mark on his chest, causing a slight shiver.

"Never mind those tattered clothes." Hoshiguma's green hair wrapped around his wrist. "Just look at me now."

Moonlight filtered through the maple branches, casting their intertwined shadows onto the misty wall. As the distant sound of festival drums approached, Su Rui's Bell tumbled into the pond, making a dull thud. Hoshiguma's teeth grazed his Adam's apple. "... Make a new one tomorrow."

In the dead of night, only a ceramic lamp was lit in the bedchamber. Hoshiguma's green hair was spread out beside Su Rui's pillow, still carrying the sulfurous scent of the hot spring. Her fingertips traced the dark blue kimono hanging above the bed, and the horn of her kimono inadvertently tore the lining of the cuff.

"... I'll have Tetsusai fix it tomorrow." She mumbled, burying her face in Su Rui's shoulder, inhaling the lingering camphor scent on the clothes.

Su Rui gently brushed the silver dust over the damaged area. "... You said it wouldn't matter."

"Now you're in the way." Hoshiguma's green hair wrapped around his wrist, "Here..." guiding his fingertips to trace the embroidered patterns on his waist, "And here..." finally stopping at the silver wave pattern on his heart, "These are all my marks."

The ceramic lamp flickered on and off. When the morning light shone through the shoji paper door again, the kimono was already wrinkled beyond recognition, yet Yin Chen had still carefully folded it and placed it beside the pillow. Hoshiguma's demon horn gently pressed against the back of Su Rui's neck, letting out a satisfied sigh in the hazy dawn:

Make ten more that are different.

Su Rui's silver hair rippled in the morning light, the ends of which gently curled around her little finger. "...

good."

The Smithing Town was bathed in golden sunlight in the afternoon, the stone pavement warm and inviting. Su Rui's silver hair was tied into a neat high ponytail, with a few stray strands falling across his forehead and swaying gently with each step. He was wearing a dark blue casual outfit chosen by Hoshiguma, with subtle wavy patterns embroidered on the cuffs— Hoshiguma had personally dressed him in this morning before he left home, and had even added a small Hannya Shield pendant to his belt.

"Mr. Su Rui!"

A crisp sound came from the street corner. Moe Moe Xiang ran over, holding two strings of apple candies. Her pink twin ponytails were adorned with a brand-new fox mask hair clip, and the sleeves of her kimono fluttered with her movements. "It really is you! I thought I was seeing things!"

Volume 16, Chapter 927: How come it's just one person?

Su Rui's silver hair gleamed softly in the sunlight. "Alone?"

"Mio went to discuss business." Moe Moe Xiang tiptoed and handed him the candied apples. "Want to try some? The old man said these are the last two!"

The sweet aroma of syrup filled the air. Su Rui gently lifted the apple candy with her silver duster, her amber eyes reflecting the glistening shell. "Thank you."

"Why are you out alone?" Moe Moe Xiang tilted her head. "Where's Hoshiguma?"

Su Rui's fingertips unconsciously traced the ornament on her belt. "... resting."

Moe Moe Xiang's eyes lit up instantly. "Want to go to the festival together? I know lots of fun stalls!" Her sleeves fluttered excitedly, "There's a dumpling shop up ahead, they grind their own bean flour!"

Su Rui's silver hair swayed slightly. "... Okay."

The curtain of the dumpling shop was printed with an adorable raccoon dog pattern. The proprietress was visibly taken aback when she saw Su Rui, almost dropping the bamboo skewer in her hand into the pot. "Young master... what would you like to try?"

Moe Moe Xiang raised her hand first. "Three-color dumplings! Double the bean flour!" She turned to look at Su Rui, "Mr. Su Rui, do you prefer sweet or savory?"

Su Rui's silver dust formed words in the air: [Anything is acceptable.]

"One sweet and one savory!" Moe Moe Xiang pulled out her little wallet. "And two bowls of red bean and rice cake soup!"

The proprietress's fingers trembled slightly as she wrapped the dumplings, her gaze frequently drifting to Su Rui's silver hair. When Yin Chen gently placed the coins on the counter, she nearly knocked over the sugar jar. "I-I'm so sorry!"

Moe Moe Xiang leaned closer to Su Rui and whispered, "Everyone seems to be paying a lot of attention to you..."

Su Rui's eyelashes drooped slightly. "... I'm used to it."

"Because Mr. Su Rui is so handsome!" Moe Moe Xiang took a bite of her dumpling, her lips smeared with bean powder. "He looks like a nobleman who stepped out of a painting!"

Su Rui gently brushed the powder from the corner of her mouth with her silver duster: [Eat slowly.]

The hustle and bustle of the festival gradually intensified. Moe Moe Xiang stopped in front of a mask stall, picked up a demon mask, and gestured with it. "Doesn't it look like Hoshiguma?"

Su Rui's silver hair swayed slightly. "... She's fiercer."

"How about this one?" Moe Moe Xiang picked up another White Fox mask. "It suits you!"

Yin Chen lifted the mask and gently placed it on Su Rui's face. Moe Moe Xiang clapped her hands and laughed, "Perfect! Want to buy it?"

The stall owner, an elderly woman, smiled with her eyes narrowed, "Young master, you look good in anything... Would you like to take a look at the new hairpins?"

Moe Moe Xiang was immediately drawn to the jewelry stall next to her. "Mr. Su Rui! The Bell on this hairpin looks just like yours!"

The silver-haired youth followed slowly, the Bell at his waist jingling softly. As he bent down to examine his hairpin, several passing girls couldn't help but stop and whisper, "Is that young master an entertainer?" "His hair is like moonlight..."

Moe Moe Xiang puffed out her chest proudly. "Mr. Su Rui is even more amazing than celebrities!"

Su Rui's silver dust gently tugged at her sleeve. "[It's time to go.]"

The aroma from the food street was incredibly tempting. Moe Moe Xiang stood in front of the taiyaki stall, torn. "Red bean or cream...?"

Su Rui held up two portions of her silver dust: [Buy both.]

"Ugh... Mio-nee will scold me for eating too much..." Moe Moe Xiang stared longingly at the golden taiyaki, "But it smells so good..."

Finally, the two sat on the stone steps by the river to share their food. Moe Moe Xiang's little legs swung in the air. "Actually, I know why Hoshiguma didn't come along."

Su Rui paused slightly as she bit into the taiyaki.

"Did she argue with Mr. Tetsusai again?" Moe Moe Xiang asked in a low voice. "I saw her slam the door and leave this morning..."

Su Rui's silver hair fell down. "... a style with a buckle."

"As expected!" Moe Moe Xiang clapped her hands. "Mr. Tetsusai always wanted to use the traditional style, but Hoshiguma insisted on adding the Hannya crest!"

The water murmured softly. Su Rui's silver duster gently brushed across the surface, creating tiny ripples: [She liked the pattern.]

"Because it symbolizes 'protection,'" Moe Moe Xiang, swinging her legs. "Hoshiguma cares about this the most."

The sound of taiko drums drifted from afar. Su Rui suddenly stood up. "It's time to go back."

"Ah... so fast?" Moe Moe Xiang hurriedly stood up. "Then, then let's go to one last place!"

The shrine's stone steps were bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun. Moe Moe Xiang climbed the last step and pointed to the ema (wooden plaque) stand. "Write a wish! I heard it's very effective here!"

Su Rui's silver hair fluttered in the evening breeze. "... What do you want to write?"

"I hope the concert goes well!" Moe Moe Xiang wrote down her wish carefully, then secretly glanced at Su Rui's ema (votive plaque), "Where's Mr. Su Rui?"

Silver dust hovered above the ema (votive plaque), hesitant to fall. In the end, it only drew a simple Hannya Shield pattern, adding a small cherry blossom next to it.

"Is this for Hoshiguma?" Moe Moe Xiang stood on tiptoe to look. "So cute!"

As they descended the mountain, the sun had already set. Moe Moe Xiang suddenly stopped at the shrine entrance. "Mr. Su Rui... I had a very happy day!"

Her pink hair fluttered in the evening breeze, her eyes sparkling. "Can we go to the festival together again next time?"

Su Rui's silver hair swayed gently. "... Okay."

"It's a promise!" Moe Moe Xiang held out her little finger, "Pinky promise!"

Yin Chen gently hooked his finger around hers, its tip gleaming faintly in the twilight. As they parted at the entrance of the blacksmith's workshop, Moe Moe Xiang suddenly turned back and called out, "Mr. Su Rui! Tuanzi... it's delicious!"

Su Rui stood in the deepening night, his silver hair like gentle moonlight. He nodded slightly, the Bell at his waist making a clear, crisp sound, as if telling unfinished stories.

The Rhodes Island greenhouse was filled with the damp scent of earth in the afternoon. Su Rui's silver hair was almost transparent in the sunlight streaming through the glass dome, the ends swaying gently as he trimmed roses. His fingertips brushed the petals of a white rose, and Silver Dust held a watering can, sprinkling a fine mist of water.

"Mr. Su Rui!"

Blue Poison's voice came from the greenhouse entrance, her pale purple hair tinged lavender by the sunlight. She held a delicate bento box in her hands, her eyes sparkling. "I made new macarons! Low-sugar!"

Su Rui gently accepted the lunchbox with her silver dust, which formed the words "[Thank you]" in the air.

"There's absolutely no strange smell this time!" Blue Poison nervously twisted her fingers. "I had the Medical Department test it, and the sugar content is perfectly within the acceptable range!"

Yin Chen lifted the lid of the box; the macarons were shaped like delicate musical instruments, each adorned with tiny musical notes drawn on them with icing. Su Rui's eyelashes fluttered slightly. "[Very beautiful.]"

Blue Poison's cheeks flushed. "Because... I heard you like music..." Her gaze fell on Su Rui's muddy fingers, "Are you tending to the greenhouse?"

Su Rui pointed her silver dust towards the rose bushes in the corner: [Pruning dead branches.]

"Let me help you!" Blue Poison hurriedly put down her backpack. "I've studied gardening!"

Just as her fingertips were about to touch the rose branch, Yin Chen gently stopped her: [There are thorns.]

Volume 16, Chapter 928: It can be used directly.

Blue Poison then noticed that Su Rui was wearing specially made gardening gloves—modified from Hoshiguma's old uniform, with tiny Hannya patterns embroidered on the knuckles.

"Hoshiguma is so thoughtful..." Blue Poison exclaimed softly, then suddenly seemed to remember something and pulled a small bottle from her bag, "That's right! This is a newly developed protective oil; applying it to your hands will protect them from thorns!"

Su Rui lifted the glass bottle with her silver dust, the amber liquid gleaming warmly in the sunlight. "[Did you make this yourself?]"

"Yes! It's extracted from greenhouse roses." Blue Poison's eyes gleamed with pride. "I added a little Originium Arts stabilizer, it's great for the skin!"

Yin Chen gently unscrewed the bottle cap, releasing a delicate rose fragrance. Su Rui dripped some essential oil onto his fingertips, and Yin Chen carefully applied it to him. Blue Poison, watching this, suddenly whispered, "Um... Hoshiguma tried it?"

Su Rui's silver hair swayed slightly: [She said it tasted too sweet.]

"As expected..." Blue Poison slumped her shoulders in disappointment, "Then I'll make a woody tone next time..."

Yin Chen gently patted her head: [It's fine now.]

The greenhouse's automatic doors slid open again, and Istina walked in carrying several books, her fox ears twitching in the sunlight. "I knew it was here." Her gaze fell on the macarons. "Blue Poison, no chili this time, right?"

"Of course not!" Blue Poison said angrily, hands on her hips. "It was all an accident!"

Istina's ears perked up as she peered closer at the macarons. "Musical instrument shapes? So cute..." She suddenly noticed the essential oil in Su Rui's hand, "What's this?"

"Protective essential oil!" Blue Poison answered quickly, "My newly developed one!"

Istina lightly touched her fingertips with essential oil and smelled it. "Rose and cedar... an unexpected combination." Her fox ears suddenly turned to Su Rui, "Mr. Su Rui, could I borrow some silver dust for an experiment? I want to study the diffusion rate of essential oils in Originium Arts carriers..."

Su Rui's silver hair swayed slightly, and a wisp of silver dust drifted towards Istina: [Yes.]