Longmoon Lake Scenic Area

(Bai Ziye)

The car drove out of the mountain-crossing tunnel. Its exit was on the commanding mountainside, where shimmering ripples could be seen reflecting the sunlight on Longmoon Lake. Half of the narrow, elongated lake was embraced by crescent-like mountains, while the other half faced the large forest on the north side of the city.

"SpiCa mentioned that matter to me—using an experimental wormhole system to act as global firefighters... To be honest, if the Association's wormhole technology were mature enough, I wouldn't be opposed to it."

"...Not opposed, does that mean you are willing?"

Yin Wei parked the car by the mountain road.

The scenic area's entrance was at the foot of the mountain, and the intercity railway station was there as well. Parking here meant she expected me to walk the rest of the way by myself.

I opened the door, got out, and leaning against the roof, I said, "However, your Association continually tests my bottom line, which irritates me. Hiding my identity and serving as a firefighter do not conflict with each other. I hope the Association can give me a win-win solution."

I practically laid my cards on the table, and Yin Wei nodded as well.

"Understood. I will relay this matter to the Director."

"Then we'll talk about it later. I'll head down the mountain first."

I closed the car door.

(Sun Yao)

So fast, I got here in half an hour.

Rail transit these days was truly convenient, boasting not only a crisscrossing railway network within the city, but even the ability to cross the great forest to reach neighboring metropolises.

However, my destination today wasn't the neighboring city, but the natural scenic area in the suburbs—a lake surrounded by half-mountains.

I didn't expect Miluno to call me out alone. I wonder if her injuries are healed.

Come to think of it, it was quite a coincidence. Yezi actually ran off to a bathhouse to scrape his back for guasha yesterday afternoon, injuring his back too, though guasha shouldn't be all that serious.

I looked around the entrance of Longmoon Lake National Nature Park. Although we were meeting up here, I had arrived half an hour early, so I would probably have to wait for a while.

"Ceruno."

A cold greeting suddenly came from behind.

Wearing casual clothes and a face mask, Miluno stood there. She looked like an intellectual office lady fresh out of university... Though this clothing coordination style felt somewhat familiar.

"M-Miluno! Thank you for inviting me out to clear my mind in your busy schedule!"

She waved her hand at me.

"There's no need to be so reserved. Besides, I invited you out, so this line should really come from me."

"Not at all! You're the person I've always looked up to! And yesterday, you even protected me... Wh—?!"

Before I could finish, my mouth was covered by Miluno. The scent of hand sweat passed through my nose into my brain, and while it made me blush, it also felt somewhat familiar, as if I had smelled it somewhere before.

Miluno said, "Your voice is too loud. I don't want to be recognized here."

"Sorry."

Although there weren't many people around, I couldn't forget that this was a secret activity. Miluno possessed an admirable sense of caution!

She added, "Apologizing at every turn, that's one of your flaws as well."

"S-S-Sorry."

"You..."

"..."

Ugh, I subconsciously apologized again.

"Sigh, let's go inside first."

Miluno had arrived even earlier than me; she had even prepared the tickets. However, the people in the park today were unexpectedly sparse, and apart from the two of us, there were practically no other tourists.

Sure enough, outdoor attractions in this forty-plus-degree extreme heat weren't popular, but this was undoubtedly Miluno's brilliance! As long as no one else came, didn't that mean we practically had the place to ourselves?

I looked up—a clear blue sky without a single cloud in sight. Aside from the sun, there was only the phase-detection airship floating over this area, its pure heavenly blue resembling a huge curtain.

Although sweat was already streaming down my back, I still asked Miluno.

"...Then, are we going to go boating on the lake now?"

The park gate wasn't far from Longmoon Lake. After walking a few steps, I could see the wide lake and the boat rental dock—but there wasn't a single boat on the water.

Prompted by my question, Miluno also looked toward Longmoon Lake. The high-temperature-evaporated water vapor caused unnatural distortions on the lake's surface.

"...No, let's not go boating after all."

Although she was called an iceberg-type beauty, Miluno couldn't generate air conditioning. The high temperature by the lakeshore also made her face slightly flushed, but she appeared much calmer. This was undoubtedly a tenacious spirit! Miluno was truly amazing!

However, I was relieved that we didn't have to go boating.

"Then what are we going to do?"

Miluno looked at the park map for a moment, then said, "Let's walk along the lakeshore to the mountain trail entrance, and then go hiking. The temperature in the woods halfway up the mountain is always a bit lower... But before we go up, we need to buy enough water first."

"Okay, I'll go buy it!"

I couldn't always let Miluno spend her money. Since I didn't even pay for the admission ticket, it was only natural for me to handle this time. After all, Miluno wasn't registered with the Association; she acted entirely out of a sense of duty as a magical girl. This was one of the reasons why I looked up to her so much.

Miluno defeated monsters without seeking wealth or fame, just like the protagonists in traditional stories. She was a hero of lofty justice, the city's guardian, and she was so pure... I also wanted to become a magical girl just like her.

There was a shop on one side of the gate, so I asked, "What would Miluno like to drink?"

"Regular mineral water is fine. I don't like sweet drinks."

"Understood!"

I ran toward the shop.

Miluno, who disliked sweets, was just too cool!

"Three bottles of mineral water, one bottle of cola."

"That will be forty-five yuan in total."

Things at tourist spots were indeed ridiculously expensive. I held the icy drinks and returned to the lakeshore, only to find that Miluno was already sitting on the lawn beneath the shade of a tree.

Could she really not take it anymore?

"Miluno, water."

"Thank you."

"Hehe~"

She took the water and looked up at me.

"Just like this is fine. Your smile is quite nice."

"R-Really? Actually, I don't really understand how to get along with others."

I sat down beside her, waiting for the cola in my hand to calm down.

"Not good at getting along? Surely you have friends or people like that?"

"I do have friends!"

There was someone who let me say those words with pride.

No matter what happened, I still had Yezi... although now, I only had Yezi left.

Miluno drank half a bottle of water and asked, "What kind of person is that friend?"

"Hehe, his name is Bai Ziye, but I usually call him Yezi. He's my most important best friend."

Things that would be too embarrassing to say to Yezi's face could be easily spoken to Miluno.

"Because of some changes in my family, my father didn't care much about me since I was a child, leaving me to fend for myself. Just as I was about to give up on myself, Yezi walked into my life and dragged me out of the abyss..."

Emotions surged, but I caught a glimpse of Miluno scratching her cheek as if feeling shy.

"Ahem, it seems you also have an unfortunate past."

"I suppose it was just my own doing."

I gave a bitter smile, but couldn't actually laugh. Thinking of past events inevitably made one's mood drop.

Yet Miluno pressed her hand onto my shoulder.

"Going out to clear your head is meant to vent your emotions, not to dig up the black mud of the past. Lift your head; looking at the scenery can also soothe those negative feelings."

How gentle.

But the weather was too hot, and no matter what, I only felt restless.

However, in front of Miluno, I couldn't show any unseemly expressions.

"Thank you, Miluno."

"Is it an easy thank-you following an easy apology? Whether it's an apology or gratitude, being too casual strips them of their original meaning."

"...Mm, I understand."

At my reply, Miluno showed a rare, faint smile.

She was truly pretty, even more captivating than the scenery on the mountain.

"Since you've come out to play, don't you plan to take a photo and send it to your friend?"

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