Elysia?
Ryan blinked, his mind stuttering for a moment. Instinctively, he narrowed his eyes, scanning the girl seated on the bench.
Her slender legs were wrapped in black knee-high stockings that paired perfectly with her short skirt. Her skin was smooth and pale; above her slim waist, her curves stood out, the shadowed line of cleavage hinting at generous beauty.
That was her most striking trait—a harmony of grace and allure.
Delicate collarbones. Rosy cheeks. A small, well-shaped mouth. A proud nose. Eyes like violet gems. Long hair, soft and pink, cascading down.
She was radiant, alive with youth, tinged with playfulness, like a flower in full bloom that outshone the spring blossoms around her.
Elysia.
Ryan's grey eyes widened. He hadn't expected to see her here—the goddess admired by countless Captains. He remembered when a simple greeting often came with the word Love.
Her warmth, her kindness, felt like sunlight piercing this bleak world.
"You're staring at me so intently, I'm getting a little embarrassed," Elysia said, scratching her cheek, curiosity glinting in her eyes. "I thought you were the cold type, but…"
"But I'm just an ordinary man? Appreciating beauty is human nature." Ryan drew in a slow breath and bowed slightly, the gesture polished and courteous. "It's an honor to meet you, Miss Elysia."
He had regained his composure. He knew she meant no harm—but instinctive caution never left him after so many years surviving in this world.
Ryan's manners only made her smile brighten. Wasn't a flower meant to be admired in its full bloom?
"Haha, so polite. Just call me Ely—it feels friendlier."
There was an ease to her, a natural charm that made her approachable without ever seeming forced.
Ryan hesitated, registering the sincerity in her tone. But this was their first meeting, and he wasn't comfortable with people who radiated such open warmth.
"So then, Elysia… why seek me out?"
"The name's fine," she teased, hands clasped behind her back as she paced lightly around him, "but your mask is still on. Nothing complicated—I just wanted to be friends."
Friends? Just like that?
Ryan blinked, baffled. There was no logic to it. And the fact that she seemed harmless—without ulterior motive—only deepened his uncertainty about how to respond.
"Why so quiet? Are you shy?" she asked, scratching her head. Friendship was supposed to be simple, wasn't it?
"You came all the way to Nagazora City… just to be friends with me?"
"Is that impossible?" Elysia stopped in front of him, leaning forward with a mischievous tilt.
Ryan averted his gaze and cleared his throat.
"Uh… it's just… illogical."
"Logic? Oh, that's unnecessary. I was on vacation and happened to be in Nagazora City. Naturally, I had to meet the hero who fought the Honkai."
"Hero?"
"Of course. You killed powerful Honkai Beasts and saved countless soldiers and civilians. That makes you a hero." Elysia's smile carried no hint of flattery, no attempt to create distance. "And…"
She suddenly leaned closer. Ryan instinctively stepped back half a pace, his reflection caught in those violet eyes.
"Care to elaborate? Don't ruin a girl's fun."
Ryan wasn't slow—just unprepared for her sudden enthusiasm, struggling to keep pace with her quicksilver thoughts.
'Three words and I can usually make Kevin explode. Shy? Possibly.'
He steadied himself, meeting the gaze just inches away. He could see the tiny sweep of her lashes, the fiery passion burning in her gem-like eyes, even the distracting curve emphasized by gravity.
"Elysia, too much enthusiasm can be overwhelming—especially when you appear out of nowhere."
"Oh? I didn't give you time to prepare, did I? Fair enough. To be friends, we need to know each other better. Come with me."
"Where to?"
"Lunch, obviously. It's about time. Rose, will you join us?"
The lieutenant in the distance froze, shaking her head stiffly. She'd braced for an urgent discussion, maybe even confrontation, preparing to leap in at a moment's notice.
But this?
First meeting—and suddenly it was a date? Was Miss Elysia planning to use beauty as her weapon? The poor officer's brain sputtered, hopelessly behind this elf-like girl's rhythm.
"What a shame. I should have told you to eat less beforehand. Ryan, let's go. Keeping a girl waiting is terribly rude."
She stood before the flower wall, watching Ryan still process the whirlwind she had unleashed.
Experience had taught him the world was never this simple. Yet something about her sincerity made him believe her invitation was genuine.
After a moment's pause, instinct won. He stepped forward.
...
'So… what am I doing here?'
Ryan stared into his coffee cup, the empty plate before him mocking his choices. Across the café table, Elysia's voice rang bright, animated, filling the air.
She had dragged him to a stylish spot, ordered an overwhelming spread of sweets, and now ate while narrating her travels: Mu Continent coffee, Sankha fruit desserts, lavish praise for Nagazora's humble cheesecake.
Her pace was quick, her table manners unpolished, but her joy was genuine. Without noticing, Ryan found himself responding.
He had traveled widely, studied countless combat arts. His knowledge stretched far beyond his years.
"Are the Shenzhou baozi really that good? Just one bite and the oil spills out?"
"And Sichuan cuisine—it's not only about the spice. It's the layers, the sauces."
Elysia leaned forward on her elbows, chin in hand, eyes gleaming, appetite barely contained.
"So you mix chili powder with spices, heat the oil and pour it over. Let it cool, then you can toss it with noodles." Ryan's hands moved unconsciously as he explained. "The oil temperature is everything. Too hot, and it sticks and turns bitter."
"Wait—you cook?"
"Picked up a little while traveling. If all you do is focus on getting stronger, it gets dull fast. Easy to lose yourself."
"That sounds lonely." Elysia sipped her bubble tea, violet eyes sparkling. "What's an obsessed person, anyway? It sounds… sad."
"Someone burdened by a heavy fate, who sees their goals as their only reason to live… That's not really living."
Slap!
A light clap. Ryan blinked, startled.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"Perfectly right." Elysia's eyes curved like crescent moons, her voice bright. "To witness the world's evils yet still remember its beauty. To hold both good and evil—that's how you stay true to yourself. Like you now, showing your true self to me."
'Damn it. I fell for it.'
Ryan's mouth twitched. He'd meant to keep his mask on, but somehow she'd peeled it away without effort. He gave a crooked smile.
"Elysia, your interpersonal skills are terrifying. You disarm people without them even noticing."
"Right? People say that all the time. Aren't you grateful? No—you must be grateful." She tilted her head as if thinking hard, then clapped again. "Ah… now I'm craving that soup—and spring lamb."
This was outright manipulation. Ryan wasn't stupid. His first thought was, Why am I doing this? The second, I don't mind.
"That takes real ingredients and an actual kitchen."
"We don't have to do it today." Elysia leaned back, her tone light but precise, like she always knew exactly how far to push. "Save the anticipation for later; that way every day feels a little brighter." She straightened. "Okay, I've done all the asking. Your turn."
Fair enough.
Ryan chuckled and studied her. She was sipping her bubble tea with a sparkle in her eyes, as if waiting for a puzzle to be solved.
'What do I even ask?'
Internal strife in the organization? When Honkai might break loose? Or why a Herrscher would side with humanity at all?
A dozen serious questions piled up—and then his gaze slid to her flawless face, the curve of her chest, the empty plates—and he burst out laughing.
"You ate so many cheesecakes… aren't you worried about gaining weight?"
"Eh?"
The pink-haired girl froze. She'd braced herself for a cunning question; this one blindsided her.
But only for a heartbeat. She pursed her lips, wagging a finger.
"You can't ask a girl that. But I'll forgive you for a little friendly teasing." Elysia rested her elbows on the table, cupping her face in her hands. The sunset caught in her violet eyes, making them glow with warmth.
"Ryan—can we be friends?"
He looked at her—radiant as a flower—and for a moment the scene felt painted, not real. She'd been here only a short while, yet it felt like they'd known each other for years.
He hesitated, then nodded lightly.
"Consider it so."