Kiana had been feeling a bit anxious these past few days.
In truth, Bronya was also finding it difficult to remain calm.
Having suddenly learned about Seele from Sister Mei, she wanted to enter that magical world no matter what.
A cold air current from Hokkaido had settled in, the weather was gloomy, and yellowed leaves drifted down, adding a touch of desolation to the air.
"Kiana."
"What is it?"
"Is there really no way to get in?"
"Eh? Bronya, you want to go in?"
Bronya had been considering it for a long time before finally speaking to Kiana.
"Is it because of Seele?"
"Yes... Bronya is very worried about her."
Kiana waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it! I've already asked around. Seele is doing fine right now, and she might even be able to get out of the Sea of Quanta on her own soon. You two will be able to see each other then."
Kiana was a good girl, doing her best to dissuade her.
After all, once you entered that dog-thief's world, your body was no longer your own to command.
It was even possible that Bronya's Seele... had already been molded into Ye Feng's shape!
From what Bronya said, Seele was a girl as pure and innocent as a blank sheet of paper.
It's over. It's all over.
That dog-thief Ye Feng loved this type the most. He had definitely painted Seele with his colors long ago.
Sigh~ I can't tell Bronya about this.
After all, Kiana knew from deep personal experience.
She had been caught in that rain herself, and it was miserable. She was still hurting from it now. How could she bear to let her good friend get drenched too?
Even if there really was a way in, Kiana didn't want Bronya to go.
Firstly, according to that dog-thief's own words, Seele would "come ashore" sooner or later. Secondly... she could avoid falling prey to Ye Feng's malicious hands.
If Bronya's goal was to see Seele, then waiting was the best choice.
"Bronya, don't be anxious. When this young lady goes in, I'll interrogate Ye Feng properly and make him help Seele escape the Sea of Quanta as soon as possible."
The little duckling lowered her head.
But that... was the Sea of Quanta.
And hadn't they said that Ye Feng's ability to perceive reality was limited?
However, this was the only option for now.
"Thank you, Kiana."
"Hmm?"
Kiana raised an eyebrow, playfully nudging Bronya's shoulder. "I didn't hear you clearly. Could Bronya say that again?"
The anticipated embarrassment didn't appear. Bronya stopped floating mid-air and bowed her head solemnly to Kiana.
"Kiana, thank you."
"Eh-eh? D-don't be like that, I was just kidding. Why are you being so serious, Bronya..."
"Also, please thank Mr. Ye Feng for me."
"Huh? Him? No need for that."
"?"
Kiana waved her hand with such finality that it left the little duckling a bit stunned.
Bronya stared blankly at Kiana, watching her for so long that Kiana started to feel embarrassed.
"Wh-what is it? Is there something on my face?"
"No. Bronya just thinks that Kiana and Mr. Ye Feng's relationship is really good."
"Huh? How is that possible! It's not good at all! I wish I could give him a flying kick! Let him have a taste of this young lady's power."
Kiana brandished her fists and claws wildly.
She didn't notice Mei not far away.
She stood frozen behind a tree, and upon hearing the conversation between Kiana and Bronya, a look of self-reproach and shame flashed in her eyes.
Kiana... she really does like Feng-kun, doesn't she?
The young girl, whose heart was blooming with first love, lowered her head, her small hands clenched into fists over her heart.
---o---
Jingliu, clad in a white robe, stood upon the mountain's peak.
The clear moon cast down its cold light upon her elegant, otherworldly figure, making her resemble a fairy, independent of the mortal world.
The black blindfold covering her eyes only added a different kind of aura to her presence.
"Good evening, my Honored Master."
Ye Feng embraced the warm and fragrant beauty from behind. Even through her clothes, he could feel the smoothness and firmness of her body.
He placed his hands on her lower abdomen, his nose lightly inhaling the fragrance of her hair.
"Honored Master, the sight of your coquettish appearance that day is deeply branded into this disciple's mind. It has lingered for so long and refuses to fade."
Jingliu remained unmoved, allowing Ye Feng, who was behind her, to explore her body.
The peerless swordswoman was silent; not even her breathing was disturbed.
She was as tranquil as a winter lake surrounded by pure white snow.
"Honored Master, shall we play a game?"
Jingliu remained as silent as the moonlight.
"If you don't answer, I'll take that as your tacit agreement, Honored Master. As for the prize... what would be good? Baiheng is definitely off the table. Aigh, I kind of regret it now. I shouldn't have promised you so early that I wouldn't touch her."
Hearing this, Jingliu's rosy lips parted slightly.
"I didn't think you would actually keep your word."
"Hehe, Honored Master, what game would you like to play? I've prepared several scripts here. You can choose one."
"They are all uninteresting."
"Just hear me out."
Ye Feng held Jingliu from behind, the peerless swordswoman's plain white, slender feet resting on the ground.
"What more could you possibly say? It's nothing more than how to humilia—Ngh!"
Jingliu couldn't help but rise onto her tiptoes, her snow-white, crystalline toes pressing hard against the rock face, the soft pink pads of her toes compressed into cute, flattened shapes.
Her skirt swayed, revealing the skin of her thighs, which outshone frost and snow.
"You..."
"I was just afraid you'd get cold on the mountaintop, Honored Master."
"I thought you would have some new trick. In the end, is it still just this?"
"If Honored Master doesn't like it, we can also play a game of [Script Murder]."
"..."
Jingliu was silent for a moment before saying, "Fine. I can play a game with you. But if I win, I hope you won't come to bother me in the future." Although she didn't know what "Script Murder" was, Jingliu had confidence in herself.
"That won't do."
"Afraid of losing?"
"Not at all. I'm afraid of going all out. If I did that, Honored Master wouldn't have even a one-in-a-billion chance of winning. After all, the price of 'not being able to bother Honored Master in the future' is far too great for me.
"Because, I am both a participant in the game, its creator, and its referee.
"Therefore, to give Honored Master a chance to challenge me, the reward cannot be set to be 'so absolute'."
Ye Feng's hot breath ghosted over Jingliu's earlobe. She turned her head, her beautiful face like the moon itself. The black gauze over her eyes gave her a stunningly beautiful appearance.
"You'd actually consider how I might win?"
"That's what makes it interesting."
"Then how do you think the 'reward' should be set?"
"Something incremental would be good. For example, 'If Honored Master can win, I will not bother you for three days'."
"Only three days?"
Ye Feng smiled.
"You're quite confident, Honored Master. Have you not considered the possibility of losing?"
"...It doesn't matter. Even if I do lose... how much worse can things possibly get?"
"So, does that mean you agree, Honored Master? Don't worry, this time will be absolutely fair. There will be a referee."