The pedestrian street in Heaven's Gate Town lay south of the Grand Church, less than a fifteen-minute walk away.
The buildings lining the street were mostly in Angel Island's style, with bright storefronts and a soft, fairy-tale charm.
Most of the signs were wooden, with the shop names written in handwritten lettering.
Buckets of fresh flowers stood outside the florist, freshly baked croissants filled the bakery window, and customers of various races sat beneath the awning outside the café.
Kujaku walked ahead with her arm linked through Sephi's.
She wasn't wearing her Marine coat. The hem of her dress and her long golden hair fluttered slightly in the breeze.
There was an innate allure to the way she walked, not deliberate affectation so much as utterly natural body language.
Sephiroth kept an easy pace, exchanging a few casual remarks with Kujaku now and then. She would laugh aloud, exceptionally good at making someone feel appreciated.
Baby 5 followed behind, maintaining a fixed distance.
Before long, the three arrived at the dessert shop Kujaku had mentioned.
The waitress recognized His Majesty Sephiroth and immediately bowed, a little nervous and full of admiration.
"Your Majesty. Thank you for honoring us with your presence. I-I'll fetch the owner."
"No need. I'll call you if I need anything."
The waitress acknowledged him and withdrew, but lingered nearby, stealing glances their way.
"Lord~ Sephi~"
Kujaku's little coo was sweeter than anything in the shop.
She led Sephiroth to the tasting display, where several rows of brightly colored pastries of different kinds were arranged.
Kujaku studied the display for a while, then turned to ask Sephiroth.
"What color do you like?"
Color? Shouldn't that be flavor?
That was what Sephiroth thought, but he didn't ask outright. Instead, he played along with Kujaku.
"Yellow."
But Kujaku seemed