Happy Qixi Festival~

Sera winked at No. 0, No. 0 immediately moved the photo to a corner of the database's public area. Sera then gave another instruction, and No. 0 reverted to the previous action and cleared the trace.

Of course, the elimination couldn't be hidden from Miss Herta, but Miss Herta didn't bother to care about such things, so No. 0 only needed to cover up what was in the open.

"Go back and have No. 0 delete it completely."

Miss Herta's voice, filled with gritted teeth, rang in Sera's ears, Sera naturally rushed to comfort Miss Herta.

"Actually, it's quite nice to keep it as a souvenir. It's the first time I've seen Herta like this, and I really like it."

"Call..."

Miss Herta calmed her restless heart. She also believed that the time she spent with Sera was worth recording with a camera. If she hadn't yet encountered Memokeeper, Miss Herta would have wanted to use the means of "Remembrance" to record it.

Well, Miss Herta sighed inwardly. This was one of the most memorable places she had visited during her time with Sera.

Then stay, but only Sera, Herta, and No. 0 can know.

"Then have No. 0 put the photos in the top-secret layer of the database."

Miss Herta eventually gave in.

"I'll have No. 0 do it right away."

Sera snapped her fingers, and a data screen unfolded beside No. 0. After No. 0 confirmed receipt, Sera immediately withdrew her powers.

"Reporting to Ms. Herta, No. 0 is complete."

Sera deliberately put on a serious face and spoke to Miss Herta in a report-like manner, but the smile on her face was still impossible to hide.

Although she felt helpless, Ms. Herta nodded in response to Sera's words.

"It's time to go back to shore."

Perhaps sensing that it was getting late, Sera began to steer the small boat back in the direction it had come from, and started to accelerate in order to save some time.

"Watch out, there are river lanterns ahead, don't knock them over."

Miss Herta gently reminded her that if Herta could see Sera, then so could she, but Miss Herta still spoke up because she wanted to talk to Sera.

Perhaps it was because the only sound on the quiet boat was the turbulent rushing water, which was too monotonous, that Miss Herta inexplicably began to dislike the tranquility she usually enjoyed the most. Sera raised her eyes to admire the moon reflected in the water.

"If you don't like quiet, let's talk."

As if they were telepathically connected, Sera easily understood what Miss Herta Miss Herta, so he spoke first before she could say it outright.

Hmm... what should I say?

"Well... why don't you tell me what you like? I'm quite interested in that question."

A satisfied expression flashed across Miss Herta. She raised an eyebrow and asked Sera a question.

"The things I like..."

Sera let her mind wander, pondering, "Besides the moon... what else does he like?"

"First and foremost, without a doubt, my favorite thing is the moon. I enjoy reading stories, or rather, epic tales of heroes fighting for themselves on planets."

certainly..."

Sera smiled and looked at Miss Herta.

I also like 'stars'~

"So, Herta, what do you like?"

"I?"

Miss Herta seemed to have thought of something amusing, a strange light flashing in her eyes, and her voice, brimming with uncontrollable laughter, rang in Sera's ears.

"Me? I like Sera, so what? Do you like this answer?"

Sera wasn't shy at all, seemingly because she'd been subjected to similar situations by Miss Herta so many times that she'd become accustomed to it, or perhaps she'd developed... an antibody?

Instead, he faced Miss Herta directly, his smiling face and upturned lips particularly handsome, his slightly teasing eyes meeting Miss Herta's pupils, which showed a hint of surprise.

Sera leaned forward, her right hand gripping Miss Herta's left, and spoke softly.

"I also really like Herta, and I really like the answer Herta gave."

The sound of something shattering seemed to echo around them. Miss Herta's defenses had been breached by Sera, and her eyes seemed to hold a gentle, watery look, while a shy expression appeared on her face.

"Ahem, continue..."

After Sera returned to normal, Miss Herta also recovered and coughed lightly. The blush on her face faded, but the tips of her ears still had a resolute red tinge.

"As you know, I enjoy the unknown, like knowledge about someone."

Miss Herta spoke, a smile crept across her eyes as she looked at Sera.

"Because of you, the Herta's list of favorite things has changed for the first time."

Congratulations—you've surpassed all other options and become the Herta's favorite.

"So... should I give an acceptance speech?"

As he spoke, Sera stretched out his left index finger and rested it on his chin, pretending to be deep in thought, preparing to speak with great seriousness.

"No need for that. Why don't you guess if there's a prize?"

"Prize?"

Sera's eyes now held a genuine hint of doubt. What kind of prize would the Herta offer?

Hehe~

Miss Herta's laughter rang in Sera's ears.

"The prize is... you becoming the Herta's favorite person, how about that?"

Is this prize enough?

"Of course it's enough."

After Sera finished speaking, the small boat gradually approached the shore beside the old man. Sera stepped onto the ground first, then turned around and helped Miss Herta back down to the ground.

Thank you, sir.

As Sera and Miss Herta finished speaking, they disappeared from the old man's sight.

Finally... there was the fireworks show.

It's almost time, let's go.

Miss Herta once again led the way for Sera.

Walking into the bustling crowd, the sounds of laughter and conversation gradually rose. Sera and Miss Herta walked hand in hand to the special viewing area reserved by the staff.

Upon seeing the two, the staff immediately came forward and led them to the best spot.

"Distinguished guests."

Another staff member came up carrying a box covered with a red cloth. He removed the red cloth in front of Sera and Herta, revealing a button. A 3-minute countdown lit up on the screen on the left.

"This is the start button for the fireworks. Please press the button together after the countdown ends to ignite the fireworks."

Sera and Herta were not surprised. They clasped hands and lifted the button together, glanced at the time, and then focused their attention on each other.

As the countdown reached zero, the two, who had calculated the time perfectly, pressed the switch together.

The fireworks—the fuse has been lit.

As fireworks burst in the sky.

The two looked at each other, and their voices, tinged with laughter, rang out together.

Happy Qixi Festival!