Idris leaned back, letting his mind go quiet as the raft surged forward with the current.
This stretch of river had been personally selected by him—perfect terrain for building the River Rapids attraction.
Better yet, with the help of the Aranara, the speed and turbulence of the water could be adjusted at will.
A natural regulator.
A gift of the rainforest itself.
With advantages like that, not using them would have been a waste.
Just as Idris was thinking this, the raft jolted suddenly.
Water exploded upward in a shimmering spray, splashing straight onto the two girls seated in front, instantly soaking their clothes.
As for the wheelchair-bound girl beside Idris—
she remained perfectly dry, protected by his barrier.
"Waaah—! That's so refreshing!"
Yoimiya laughed brightly, completely unconcerned about being drenched.
Idris smiled.
"Exactly. That's why this attraction is best enjoyed in summer."
"Especially during the daytime."
"At noon, there might even be spectators along the riverbanks—people spraying water at passing rafts with water guns, sending their 'blessings.'"
"Though, since the raft is moving, their aim probably won't be very good."
"Really?!" Yoimiya's eyes lit up.
"Then Ayaka, we have to come back tomorrow morning and try it again!"
Same ride—
different experience.
How could she miss that?
But her excitement got the better of her.
She loosened her grip on the handhold, lost her balance, and—
Her body tipped backward.
Straight into Idris's arms.
She froze for a split second, registering the warmth and solidity behind her, then flushed bright red.
"Ah—s-sorry, Grand Sage!" she laughed awkwardly.
"I got too excited and didn't hold on properly."
"It's fine," Idris replied calmly.
"But do be careful."
"Also—this attraction hasn't officially opened yet."
"For now, you can only experience it under my supervision."
"The safety systems still need time to be perfected."
"If you want to ride it freely, you'll have to wait a few more months."
"Aww…"
Yoimiya pouted.
"You're totally teasing us on purpose!"
"This is way too fun for just one ride!"
Beside her, Kamisato Ayaka glanced at Yoimiya—who was still half-leaning into Idris's arms—and blushed slightly.
"It's alright, Yoimiya," she said gently.
"If we want to play again, we can always visit Sumeru in the future."
"Who knows—by then, the Grand Sage might have invented even more attractions like this."
"Perhaps," Idris replied mildly.
He had considered bungee jumping.
But in a world where people used Wind Gliders to leap off cliffs for fun…
the thrill factor was questionable.
Soon, amid the girls' laughter, the slightly overloaded raft finally reached the calmer downstream area.
The water slowed.
A small rural dock came into view.
With a casual wave of Idris's hand, vines unfurled beneath the raft like living limbs, guiding it neatly into the dock.
They disembarked one by one.
Idris carefully helped the wheelchair-bound girl ashore last.
Yoimiya crouched and ruffled the girl's hair.
"So? Did you have fun?"
"Yes!"
The girl beamed.
"Thank you, big sisters—and thank you, Grand Sage!"
Ayaka nodded approvingly.
"This is a wonderfully designed attraction."
"It uses the local environment perfectly—and gives residents a reason to protect the river."
"If anyone tried to damage this place in the future, the villagers themselves would object."
"Hopefully," Idris said.
"Enjoy the rest of your time in Sumeru."
"As for this little one—you brought her out, so please escort her home safely."
"I have other matters to attend to."
With that, he gave a casual wave and turned away, departing without hesitation.
Watching his retreating figure, Ayaka smiled softly.
"The Grand Sage truly is… a near-perfect leader."
"Yeah," Yoimiya agreed.
"And he's still so young—almost like an older brother."
The girl in the wheelchair chimed in shyly, cheeks red as she stared after Idris.
"I… I think he's really amazing."
Yoimiya knelt beside her with a grin.
"Oh? Did you fall for the Grand Sage?"
"U-Um… maybe a little," the girl admitted, lowering her head.
"But I'm still too young…"
Yoimiya laughed gently.
"Feelings are complicated, you know."
"When you grow up, you'll understand what it really means to like someone."
"…Okay."
The girl nodded earnestly.
Then she tilted her head.
"Um… big sisters… do you like the Grand Sage?"
Yoimiya froze.
Her mind replayed the moment she'd fallen into Idris's arms.
"…There are many kinds of 'like,'" she coughed.
"And that word shouldn't be used lightly."
"Right, Ayaka?"
Ayaka's thoughts drifted—to a golden-haired traveler, once…
But now, another figure was quietly replacing that image.
The one who had sat calmly at the back of the raft.
The one who made everything feel safe.
She flushed and nodded.
"Yes… it's complicated."
The child blinked, clearly not understanding, but wisely didn't press further.
Yoimiya sighed.
"The Grand Sage's charm is honestly terrifying…"
"Even kids fall for him."
Soon after, Ayaka and Yoimiya escorted the girl back toward Sumeru City.
Only then did Yoimiya notice—
the two Aranara who had been accompanying the girl were gone.
They hadn't vanished by accident.
Those forest spirits might look silly—but they knew exactly when not to be a third wheel.
The moment Idris appeared, they had disappeared without a trace.
Not entirely, though.
Because they'd already gone to report everything to Nahida.
Later — Grand Sage's Resting Quarters
Idris returned, stretching as he entered the room.
Nahida was already warming the bed.
He hung up his coat and lay down beside her.
She giggled softly.
"So, Grand Sage… you're finally back from your date?"
"I wasn't on a date," Idris replied flatly.
"I was testing the River Rapids attraction."
"It's potentially dangerous. I needed to experience it myself."
Nahida puffed her cheeks.
"Really?"
"Because I heard you went out with two foreign girls."
"And a wheelchair-bound child."
"So you do like younger girls after all, hm?"
Idris glanced at her.
"Looks like the Aranara reported in."
Nahida snuggled closer, smiling.
"Hehe. Sharp as ever."
"Just don't forget about me, Grand Sage…"
"Or I might cry."
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