Chapter 111

Efnir and Yukina went to many places.

A fragrant baking experience center, a lively game center, a famous nearby parfait shop, an interesting aquarium, a bustling commercial plaza...

Then we went to see a popular movie together.

As night fell and a damp breeze carrying a faint floral scent wafted from the end of the street, Efnir and Yukina left the movie theater; it was already past eight o'clock in the evening.

How was the movie just now?

"... It's quite pretty."

Yukina, clutching the unfinished popcorn, glanced at the posters as she passed by, seemingly still immersed in the movie she had just watched.

"I was so busy watching that I didn't even finish my popcorn..."

She muttered something, which made Efnir smile.

"Isn't this great? Worth the ticket price! It's been a long time since I've had a day of fun, I have to have a good time."

"I'm happy just being with Naoko..."

"Me too. I'm so happy to be with Yukina. There's nothing happier than that."

Efnir smiled gently, and intentionally or unintentionally, lightly hooked Yukina's finger.

Yukina tilted her head slightly and moved closer to Efnir.

Their fingers slowly intertwined in the night.

"Naoko, can we... be together forever, like in the movies?"

"Certainly."

Efnir responded softly, feeling the warmth of Yukina's body emanating from her fingertips.

"Whether it's spring, summer, autumn, or winter, we'll always be together. Let's come back to the aquarium we visited today at this time next year."

Yukina raised her eyelids and looked at Efnir.

From her perspective, all she could see was Efnir's bandaged right eye.

She couldn't see Efnir's expression clearly, but she vaguely sensed that Efnir wasn't smiling.

"..."

She looked away and moved closer to Efnir.

"No matter what, I will stand by Naoko's side. I will not leave Naoko, nor will I let Naoko leave me."

Efnir slowly stopped walking.

"Yukina... do you want to film that?"

Yukina looked in the direction Efnir was pointing; it was the self-service photo booth.

Is this how it's done?

"What is this... It's not cute at all!"

"I'm going to write this down!"

"Ah, time's running out..."

"Well... Yukina, I'm going to take pictures now!"

"Okay! That's it..."

Click--

Efnir carefully made a hand gesture, forming a heart shape with Yukina. The moment the shutter clicked, Yukina's face came close to his.

In the final photo, Efnir stares wide-eyed in a daze, while Yukina, with her eyes closed, gently kisses her.

"Ah, not enough time... we can't reshoot."

Efnir held the printed product resentfully and glared at Yukina.

Yukina simply stuck out her tongue and gave a playful smile.

"What does it matter?"

"It's really nothing."

As Efnir said this, she took out another coin, chuckling as she tapped it into the coin slot, then turned to look at the stunned Yukina.

"Anyway, I have plenty of money, I can just take a few more pictures."

"Hey!? Wait a minute! You can't just squander money! Money will cry!!"

Yukina wanted to protest, but the next second she was gently embraced by Efnir, the tightness of her grip from behind making it impossible for her to escape.

Her chin was tilted back, and it was gently pressed down.

"Wait... Naoko... here..."

Along with Efnir's hair, her smooth, fragrant hair and her water-colored hair ribbon fell to the ground.

Yukina fell for him instantly.

"Hmm..."

Their breaths mingled, and Yukina kept her eyes tightly closed. Her hands, unsure of what to do, gently rested against Efnir's shoulder in front of her chest. Efnir then gently grasped them, and their fingers naturally intertwined, caressing and entwining, sharing the warmth of each other's palms.

After a while, Efnir finally let go of her, smiling triumphantly. By then, the new photo booth pictures had been taken.

The pose of the two in the photo made Yukina blush.

"Naoko... you, you, you're utterly debauched! You..."

But her protest flag had barely been raised when it was immediately snapped in two by Efnir's kiss.

"Is there anywhere else you'd like to go, Yukina?"

"At this point... there's probably nowhere left to go, right?"

Yukina lowered her head, the blush on her face still lingering, and replied in a muffled voice.

She deliberately walked very slowly.

It's already 9 PM, most shops have closed, and the streets are much quieter. Even if there are still places to go, the atmosphere for further sightseeing has lost its appeal.

But she doesn't want to go back yet.

She tugged at her collar, burying her chin in her hands.

Time spent with Naoko always flies by, and before she knew it, night had fallen. But she didn't want the time she spent with Naoko, playing and laughing, to end just like that.

Efnir saw through Yukina's thoughts, smiled gently, and tugged at Yukina's hand.

"If not, I suddenly have a place I want to go!"

"Where is it?"

"Come with me!"

Yukina paused for a moment, then was pulled forward by Efnir.

They left the sidewalk of the shopping street and went through the narrow alley beside the street, with Efnir pulling Yukina for a short run.

"This way~"

Efnir chuckled softly, the swaying ends of her hair falling into Yukina's eyes.

The softness and warmth of Efnir's hand reached her fingertips, and the gentle night breeze lifted her water-colored hair ribbon. Yukina stared in disbelief, stumbled, and fell into Efnir's arms.

Be careful...

Efnir tightened her grip on her fingers, their breaths almost touching.

"No one will see us here, let's enter the Synchronization right here."

"Here?"

"Um..."

Yukina didn't quite understand, but she wouldn't question Naoko.

She closed her eyes, and a silvery light flickered. When she opened them again, Efnir in front of her also had silver hair.

Moonlight-like bangs fell from between her eyebrows, obscuring Efnir's right eye.

"Naoko, what happened to you too...?"

"It's alright, it'll only last a little while."

Efnir took Yukina's hand.

"I'm leaving!"

A faint light flashed beneath her feet as Efnir leaped into the air. Yukina gripped Efnir's hand tightly, the intense feeling of weightlessness and the unfamiliar emptiness beneath her feet causing her to unconsciously hold her breath.

Then, the view suddenly opened up beyond the tall buildings.

The rugged buildings and scattered lights made the night in Xijing City even more desolate than I had imagined, yet dazzlingly beautiful.

"Isn't it beautiful at night?"

"Um..."

Yukina responded softly, but her gaze never left Efnir's face.

She rarely saw Naoko smile like that.

"You can only see nights like this in the city."

Efnir's gaze drifted over, and she spoke softly.

She leaped up again, hooked her arm around Yukina's, and gently pulled her along. The two collided in mid-air, then laughed heartily.

Efnir held Yukina until their bodies fell through the air before letting go.

"Try condensing the Order Force into a 'Stairway,' can you feel the extension of your five senses?"

"A little bit..."

"Then try to maintain this feeling. I'll take you somewhere."

Efnir held Yukina's hand tightly, smiling as she shook the bell.

159. Wish

After passing through the bustling city center, Efnir led Yukina towards the East District.

The two figures landed in front of a grove of shallow trees.

Pushing aside the layers of low trees that obscured them, they came to see a dilapidated, low-lying building.

This is a shrine.

The lush leaves rustled in the evening breeze, and the bluestone paths were covered with moss and fallen leaves. There was not a single light around, and the place was filled with a tranquility and coolness that was completely different from the city.

Although the terrain here is not particularly high, turning around and looking towards the setting sun still allows you to take in the entire night view of Xijing City.

"I didn't know there was a shrine like this around here..."

Yukina stared blankly at the dazzling night sky. The clouds in the sky had already obscured the moonlight, and as far as the eye could see, the city lights shone with a rosy glow.

She looked around, the scenery before her evoking a deep sense of nostalgia, yet she couldn't immediately recall it.

"It looks like no one has been here for a long time..."

"Yes, it was abandoned a long time ago due to Erosion Disaster and was never repaired. Now it has been contracted out to the Orderkeepers Organization and is preserved as one of its training locations, which is why the shrine here has been preserved."

Or rather, this was a place that Efnir requested to retain without her consent. Because it was a difficult place to govern, the Orderkeepers Organization simply followed Efnir's suggestion and designated it as one of the training grounds, which indirectly prevented some trouble from arising.

Efnir paused for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"Speaking of which, Yukina probably doesn't even remember this place anymore, right?"