Sabaody Archipelago Grove 43.
This was the entertainment district of the Sabaody Archipelago, with Soap Bubble Park and the amusement park occupying most of the area.
The enormous wheel of the bubble Ferris wheel turned slowly. Shrieks came from the bubble-tunnel roller coaster tracks, and the aromas of assorted snacks drifted through the air.
Shining and Perona walked along the amusement park's main avenue, surrounded by laughing, cheerful crowds.
The sight of the two celebrities caused a little commotion, but no one panicked.
After all, Kessoku Band ranked second in the world in music sales. To a certain extent, people had grown used to Shining.
First place, of course, belonged to Babylon's Girl Band. Uta's singing was a supernatural ability. Even giving it their all, Shining and Brook together could not beat her.
"Lord Shining~ You have to help me make ghost lights later, okay~?"
Perona's round eyes darted about, her gaze hopping between the attractions, but her first destination was still the Haunted Castle.
"...You really do love playing around like this."
Shining held Perona's little hand.
She was already twenty-three, yet she still skipped along like a child.
"Horo~ Horo~ Horo~ If you won't play along, Lord Shining, I'll dress up like a grown-up~"
Perona grinned mischievously.
"Let's not..."
With Perona holding his right hand, Shining could only raise his left in one-handed surrender. An exclamation mark formed on his face.
In fact, Sephiroth had seen Perona's so-called grown-up look once. She had simply styled herself as a mature woman.
Seeing her lose her Gothic Lolita appeal had genuinely startled him. He had thought time had jumped forward two years.
He had assumed Perona was playing a prank with Bonney. It turned out she had merely changed her clothes, styled her hair, and put on makeup.
Thinking it