Just as Sylvia was anticipating whether to go on that date with Firefly first, or head to Penacony with Robin...
It was Kafka who ended up paying Sylvia a visit first.
On one particularly fine afternoon.
As Sylvia was lazing in the courtyard with Bella, basking in the sun, she spotted Kafka approaching for a visit.
Sylvia's eyes widened in surprise.
She got up and went over, ushering Kafka inside.
Kafka was wearing a different outfit today—a fitted dress that fell to her thighs, revealing her lovely, well-proportioned legs.
Her high heels and overcoat complemented each other perfectly, adding a touch of mature elegance to Kafka's usual style.
Her usually tied-up hair was now in a simpler, sleeker ponytail, and her makeup had also changed quite noticeably.
With a smile, she raised a hand, and as she passed by Sylvia, she leaned in slightly, bringing her lips close to Sylvia's ear to greet her.
"Hi, darling. Missed me these past few days?"
The warm breath brushed against her ear, tickling slightly.
Sylvia couldn't help but shrink her neck a little, raising a hand to scratch it. At such close proximity, she could even catch the scent of Kafka's perfume.
She smiled at Kafka and said:
"You seem to be in a good mood?"
She didn't directly answer Kafka's question, mainly because Sylvia felt Kafka was deliberately teasing her here.
Best not to fall into her rhythm.
Kafka didn't seem to mind either. She and Sylvia walked over to the chairs in the courtyard and sat down. Her gaze turned to Bella, who was lying nearby, and she examined her carefully.
"So this is the Doomsday Beast you tamed? Looks like it's gotten stronger."
"Yeah, though besides sparring with me now and then, she hasn't really had much actual combat. Hard to say how strong she really is."
Sylvia poured Kafka a cup of fragrant herbal tea, shrugged, and sat down opposite her.
She handed Kafka a disposable straw to keep her lipstick from staining the cup rim.
Taking the straw, Kafka propped her chin with one hand while toying with the straw with the other, her eyes returning to Sylvia, brimming with amusement:
"The custom-made clothes are ready, darling. Today's the day we get our 'certificate.'"
"..."
Well, that was one way to put it... but the phrasing was certainly a bit...
Sylvia was at a loss for words and could only nod in agreement while sipping her drink.
Seeing Sylvia's reaction, Kafka wasn't surprised and continued:
"Let's go, darling. We can stroll around somewhere first."
"Can you really just wander around freely now? Wanted notices for the Stellaron Hunters have already been issued on The Blue, you know."
Sylvia looked at Kafka curiously. Her disguise was certainly effective—someone who hadn't dealt with Kafka before probably wouldn't recognize her.
But considering this was Herta's homeworld, with The Blue's technological level, identifying someone shouldn't be too difficult.
Unless Silver Wolf had been pulled in to do the grunt work again?
"No worries. Silver Wolf has already hacked into this city's surveillance network and implanted a virus. All footage of me will be replaced."
Well, of course it was Silver Wolf.
Punklorde's hacking skills really were handy.
"...I figured as much. We should bring some pastries back for Silver Wolf later."
"Hmm~ Then I'll thank you on Silver Wolf's behalf in advance."
--+--
Kafka didn't seem to be in any particular hurry, and it looked like she had no other tasks for the day.
The two of them lounged leisurely in the courtyard for quite a while before finally heading out together.
Arriving once more at that clothing boutique.
The moment they pushed the door open, they were met with an enthusiastic welcome from the shop owner.
It was only now that Sylvia finally got to see Kafka's new outfit.
The outer coat looked somewhat understated, but the gown inside appeared truly luxurious.
As for her own, it was a primarily white dress—nothing much to say about that.
The two changed into their clothes together to see the final look.
Sylvia took a bit longer to change. By the time she pushed open the fitting room door, Kafka was already waiting outside.
The design of Kafka's purple gown complemented her hair color, and the final effect was even more stunning than Sylvia had imagined.
Moreover, if Sylvia remembered correctly, this gown was almost identical to the one Kafka wore in the promotional material for the concert held by the game company behind Honkai: Star Rail.
The high slit of the skirt was artfully obscured by special decorations, and beneath it, a leather thigh strap accentuated the gentle curve of her thigh, constantly drawing Sylvia's gaze.
"So, darling, does it look good?"
Kafka, having acquired her new clothes, seemed rather happy.
Her smile also looked a couple of shades more beautiful than Sylvia remembered.
"Absolutely stunning. So stunning that you should be standing under the spotlight in a concert hall playing the violin, not accompanying me on a shopping trip."
Hearing Sylvia's words, Kafka smiled with pursed lips, then picked up a small box and opened it, revealing a pair of earrings inside that resembled both pearls and gemstones.
Her gloved hand, clad in silk, held the jewelry case out toward Sylvia.
Then, she gently placed the box into Sylvia's palm.
Even through the smooth silk of the glove, Sylvia could feel a trace of Kafka's body warmth.
Sylvia looked up, her eyes just meeting Kafka's, when she heard her voice, as if imbued with magic, softly ringing in her ear:
"Well then, darling, I'll leave this final touch to you."
Hearing this, Sylvia finally glanced at Kafka's ears and realized she really wasn't wearing any earrings today.
She hadn't noticed earlier.
"...Alright."
Though Sylvia felt Kafka was deliberately teasing her, helping put on earrings wasn't a big deal.
Sylvia picked up an earring and took an initiative step forward, closing the distance between them to less than half a meter.
Kafka's features were magnified further in her sight, and as Kafka tilted her head slightly, the elegant line of her jaw and her flawless skin made Sylvia almost want to reach out and touch it.
Sylvia wasn't sure what perfume Kafka was wearing, but within its pleasant fragrance, she always sensed a hint of elusive danger.
If every girl had her own distinct charm, then the feeling Kafka gave Sylvia was, without a doubt, the most 'dangerous' of them all.
Sylvia raised her hand, her fingers brushing through Kafka's long hair. To avoid any mistakes, Sylvia herself instinctively leaned in a little closer.
Because she was putting on the earrings, Sylvia inevitably made contact with Kafka's face, her neck, even her shoulders.
Kafka let Sylvia adjust things as needed, watching as the girl pressed close, attaching the earring for her.
And her gaze never left Sylvia—gentle, not intense, yet it made Sylvia feel as if she might melt under it.
As Sylvia withdrew her hands, Kafka lightly touched the earring and said to her:
"The ring... you're wearing it properly. But it looks a bit plain with this outfit. How about I swap it for one that matches the clothes better?"
As she spoke, Kafka reached out and took Sylvia's left hand—the one wearing the ring. Her fingertip, through the glove, gently brushed over the ring she had given her.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.