The performance ended, leaving Akari and the others longing for more. The awe and emotion lingered in their hearts as they basked in the music and dance.
Amid their spontaneous applause, Mingyou slowly opened his eyes. Before him, Meloetta bowed to thank the audience, one hand resting against its chest and the other lifting the edge of its skirt.
"Melo~"
Meloetta was delighted, as though it had found a kindred spirit who truly understood it. This was its first time performing with someone else. It had had audiences before, but it had always performed alone.
The person before it might have been human, but that no longer mattered. The emotion-filled Relic Song had told it that this human was worthy of its trust. And besides...
"Melo!"
Meloetta suddenly stepped forward with its fair-skinned right leg. The timidity had vanished from its face, replaced by a bold demeanor. Its lips curved slightly as it gazed at Mingyou with orange-red eyes.
Meloetta's personality changed dramatically between its Pirouette Forme and Aria Forme. Mingyou could clearly sense that it was actively reaching out, trying to get to know him.
Simply put, it had suddenly gone from a socially anxious girl to an outgoing Older Sister...
"Finally willing to get to know me?"
Mingyou smiled calmly and reached out to catch the card formed from the blue particles drifting off its body. Now he had truly earned its trust.
〔Meloetta (lv5): When used on rose seeds, changes the variety to Melo Roses. Eating them grants the ability to control emotions〕
"And its affection is even at lv5..."
Mingyou quietly put the card away, inwardly thanking Meloetta for giving it to him. Then he knelt on one knee to meet it at eye level and said softly, "I've learned a little about what