Utopia Huanyue

Shiori's gaze passed through the crowd and locked firmly onto the figure ahead—the one she could never possibly mistake.

The moment she saw her, light swiftly burst forth from her slightly dimmed eyes.

The main body was a deep black gown. The skirt was not made of ordinary fabric, but some kind of crystal-clear material that refracted a faint sheen as energy flowed through it. A translucent black veil rested on her head, delicately concealing about a quarter of her face. Black thigh-high stockings outlined the graceful curves of her legs, while her hands were covered by black gloves adorned with intricate lace.

The murmurs of passersby drifted faintly over:

"Is she cosplaying?"

"...She's so pretty."

"Mom, that big sister is so pretty."

Qian Huanyue—or rather, her clad in the complete Godly Spirit Garment: Thousandfold.

But why... why was Huanyue standing on a busy street dressed like this?

"Huanyue?"

"..."

"Were you calling me?" Qian Huanyue turned around and looked at Shiori in confusion, surprise flashing through her violet eyes.

"Huh?" Shiori's eyes widened in shock.

She desperately wished this was some joke, that Huanyue would soon say something like, "Sorry~ I gave Shiori a scare, didn't I?"

But the silver-haired girl before her held nothing but pure bewilderment in her eyes.

"...Who are you?" Qian Huanyue asked politely.

"I'm Shiori Itsuka, your... friend." Shiori no longer knew what to say.

"Miss Shiori?" Qian Huanyue softly repeated the form of address. She could clearly see the blue-haired girl who claimed to be her friend suddenly darken in expression.

"...Huanyue doesn't remember me?"

Shiori unconsciously pursed her lips, her eyes slightly red as she wore a pitiful, wet-eyed expression like an abandoned puppy.

"...!"

An inexplicable heat surged onto Qian Huanyue's cheeks. Her heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly turned