The sound of bells drifted from the distance.
Dong—
Dong—
Dong—
The rooftops of Silvervein City were painted a warm golden-red by the setting sun. Distant spires, chimneys, and city walls cast long, thin shadows in the twilight, as homeward-bound pedestrians flowed slowly along the streets.
“It is time,” Kaila said regretfully.
Sophie followed her gaze.
At the end of the street, an old woman closing her stall was struggling to pull a wooden cart filled with vegetables. A wheel had caught in a gap between the stone slabs, and no matter how she pushed, it wouldn't budge.
Further away, two children stood at a crossroads, clutching a broken companion leash and looking like they were about to burst into tears.
In front of a shop along the street, a wooden ladder used for hanging signs suddenly wobbled. The worker lighting the lamps hurriedly grabbed onto the wall as the wooden planks beneath him groaned under the strain.
Kaila’s gaze swept across each of those spots in turn.
She gripped Sophie’s hand, subconsciously tightening her hold a little.
But soon, she slowly let go.
“I am sorry,” Kaila whispered. “I should...”
“Go on, go on,” Sophie waved her hand dismissively. “Wasn't ‘livelihood inspection’ already written in Miss Hero’s date guide?”
“But.”
“Anyway, a cliché like watching the scenery from a high place can be made up for anytime,” Sophie said with feigned nonchalance. “If we can't see the sunset, there's the moon. If we can't see the moon, there are the stars. If we can't even see the stars, then we'll just pick a day without clouds.”
Kaila remained silent for a moment.
“Next time, is it still okay?”
“Of course.”
Sophie said with a smile.
“Miss Hero’s guide progress is only at thirty percent; she’s far from graduating.”
“Yes.” Kaila nodded earnestly.
As soon as she spoke.
A flash of pure white light flickered.
Kaila had already appeared at the end of the street, lifting the stuck wooden cart with one hand. Before the old woman could even say thank you, Kaila’s figure turned into white light again, landing beside the two lost children.
A few seconds later, the wobbling wooden ladder was also steadied.
Under the reflection of the setting sun, the grey-white nun's robes flashed continuously among the crowd.
Always timely.
Always correct.
Always unable to truly stop.
Sophie stood where she was, watching that gradually receding white light.
The bouquet of pale blue forget-me-nots on her chest swayed gently in the evening breeze.
“Being a Hero really is a troublesome profession,” Sophie muttered to herself.
“My Saintess.” Miaoyue waved a hand in front of her. “What about dinner?”
“My Goddess, you’ve been eating all afternoon.”
“Snacks and dinner occupy different stomachs.”
“The church should have prepared the offerings by now,” Sophie dismissed her casually. “If you don't go back soon, Bishop Bennis might invite every dessert chef in the city into the theater to hold a New Moon Festival just for you.”
Miaoyue’s eyes lit up.
“Then I’ll go back and check first.”
A flash of crimson moonlight passed by.
The world finally became quiet.
Sophie looked up at the sky.
Now, it was time to head to the third appointment.
...
The bells were still echoing over Silvervein City.
Vendors were packing up their sunshade cloths one after another, and lamp-lighters walked along the streets with long poles, lighting the candles in the brass lanterns one by one.
Sophie walked onto the arched bridge of the old district alone.
A narrow canal ran beneath the bridge, breaking the newly lit lights on both banks into shimmering golden specks of light.
“This set of clothes is indeed quite good-looking,” Sophie evaluated to herself. “It just has a few too many defense mechanisms.”
“It is good that Elder Brother has returned safely.”
A gentle voice came from beside her.
Shironaka Fueno was already standing by the bridge at some point.
Her long blue hair fluttered gently in the evening breeze, and under her exquisite little top hat, her elegant face wore its usual faint smile.
She lowered her head and glanced at the forget-me-nots on Sophie’s chest.
“It seems today's performance went very smoothly.”
“However, please put away the things that are important to Elder Brother. I am going to help Elder Brother change clothes.”
Sophie placed her hand on the forget-me-nots and stored the flowers into her inventory.
Countless thin blue silk threads descended from the twilight, gently wrapping around Sophie’s sleeves, collar, and hem.
The grey-blue short cloak quietly unraveled, turning into fine blue specks of light.
The soft felt hat, specifically designed to hinder eye contact, was removed by the silk threads.
Those thin gloves that had tried to prevent hand-holding finally ended their brief but hardworking lives.
Sophie opened her arms, letting Fueno tinker with her.
“There's no need for so many defense mechanisms anymore, right?” Sophie asked.
“Of course,” Shironaka Fueno replied softly. “In the upcoming performance, no one else will disturb Elder Brother and me.”
The silk threads interlaced.
Deep blue fabric was re-woven into shape on Sophie’s body.
Shedding the lightheartedness and playfulness of the afternoon marketplace, the new long dress was darker in color, the hem falling to the ankles, with the cuffs and collar adorned with understated silver thread.
A small blue top hat landed gently on the silver-white long hair, echoing the top hat on Shironaka Fueno’s head from afar.
A thin shawl fell onto Sophie’s shoulders, perfectly blocking the gradually cooling evening breeze.
Shironaka Fueno stepped back half a pace, examining her carefully for a moment.
Then, she nodded with satisfaction.
“It suits Elder Brother very well.”
“By the way, I also observed Elder Brother’s performance during the date today...”
“As if there's any day you don't peek,” Sophie said casually.
Shironaka Fueno pouted. “Doesn't Elder Brother want to hear the evaluation?”
“Tell me.”
Sophie waited for a few seconds, but Shironaka Fueno still didn't answer.
“Well?” Sophie couldn't help but turn to look at Shironaka Fueno.
Shironaka Fueno tilted her head slightly and held up one finger.
“Unable to speak normally after holding hands.”
A second finger.
“Only able to hiss after being princess-carried.”
A third finger.
“Almost becoming a disciple on the spot after a few casual pointers from the Moon Goddess.”
A fourth finger.
“Babbling about how many stories you've read, but your actual experience is zero.”
Sophie: “...”
What... what are you doing?
Shironaka Fueno withdrew her hand, a gentle and flawless smile appearing on her face.
“Overall evaluation—”
Scrub~~
“Scrub.”
Rate on N.U.
