Frieren dimmed her eyes; that figure stirred no caution in her
The figure stood nearly motionless, yet there was a vibrating motion to it.
Yet before sleep claimed her, she noticed a soft halo shimmered around its silhouette.
I'll check it later… if it stays, she thought before drifting off.
Hours passed. Frieren woke and rubbed her eyes.
It was the pre-dawn hour, yet still dark, almost identical to when she had fallen asleep the previous evening.
It had been a surprisingly deep nap. Frieren rubbed her eyes again as the sand beneath her shifted back to its normal, rough texture.
So… it's still there, she thought as she brushed the remaining grains away.
She pushed herself upright, her hair falling loosely around her shoulders.
Frieren exhaled softly, watching her warm breath dissolve into the cold dawn.
She walked toward the figure with relaxed, careless steps.
She yawned mid-step, barely breaking her pace.
The cries of gulls filled the air. Frieren lifted her head, noticing the dark birds circling overhead—
some steady, others wobbling as though they might drop into the water at any moment.
The closer Frieren stepped toward the shore, the more the view of the sea expanded, drawing a curtain of horizon over the figure.
She blinked sleepily, still not entirely convinced this morning deserved her full attention.
The figure remained oblivious to Frieren's approach, almost completely still.
Her brow creased slightly, more out of curiosity than worry, she wasn't the type to be startled easily.
Once Frieren reached the shore…
it was the smartphone girl.
Frieren blinked softly.
This girl is really good at hiding her mana, she thought as she took the final steps.
Then I'll just hide my entire presence, too. Frieren lifted her feet from the ground, hovering just a finger's width above the sand.
As she neared the girl, a faint sniffing sound reached her ears.
Frieren didn't stop; she continued hovering forward.
A quiet shiver rippled through the girl's shoulders, barely noticeable unless one looked closely.
Frieren's eyes softened, her floating steps slowing.
I see… that explains that small mana around you, Frieren thought as she noticed the faint glimmer, spray falling into the seaside, making the water brighten for a moment.
Once she drew close enough, she finally saw it, tears gathered…
and clung to the girl's lashes, unblinking.