After the meal and drinks, Eden gracefully set down her wine glass and said softly to everyone, "Since we're all gathered here, why don't we all move to the hotel where we're staying?"
"I've already booked out the entire place. Other than me and Elysia, there's no one else there. It's quieter and a lot more convenient."
No one tried to be polite. Everyone nodded in agreement.
Except for Mobius, who secretly gritted her teeth.
After all, she had spent so much effort earlier just to change her room to be near Van's.
Now, if they moved hotels, wouldn't all that effort go to waste?
Thinking of this, Mobius instinctively raised her head, only to meet Elysia's meaningful gaze.
Their eyes met midair. Mobius narrowed hers, her thoughts sharp, "Elysia... don't tell me this was your idea?"
As if sensing the unspoken message in Mobius's eyes, Elysia blinked at her with a bright, playful smile.
That teasing expression made Mobius so furious she almost crushed the wine glass in her hand.
'That damn pink fatty!'
———
In his new hotel room, Van had barely finished settling in when a series of knocks sounded at the door.
'At this hour, who could it be?'
He thought it was probably Kiana and the others.
But when he opened the door, he found Kalpas, Kevin, Su, and Kosma, all four men, standing there, each holding bags of canned beer.
"Come. Drink." Kalpas spoke bluntly, his tone leaving no room for refusal.
Kevin, standing beside him, added calmly, "Sorry to bother you so late, Van."
Of course, despite his polite words, Kevin's feet were anything but slow as he walked right into the room.
Su, following behind, gave Van an apologetic look before stepping into the living room as well.
As for Kosma...
"..."
Silence was tonight's Cambridge.
They all sat in the living room. After several rounds of drinks, Kevin sighed suddenly.
"Never thought we'd be able to sit together like this again, sharing drinks."
"Yeah." Su looked out the window, his voice soft and warm. "Compared to those days when we fought Honkai every waking moment, life now feels almost like a dream."
"..." Kosma stayed quiet, drinking in silence.
Su raised his beer can suddenly. "So, you really plan to spend the rest of your life like this?"
Van shrugged and clinked his can against Su's. "What's wrong with living an ordinary life?"
Kevin glanced at the door, his tone meaningful.
"You call this ordinary? With the number of girls around you, and the way they're connected to you... I don't see a single thing ordinary about it. And that's not even counting the ones who aren't here tonight. Your future's bound to be... colorful."
Van didn't reply to Kevin's teasing. He just quietly took another sip of his drink.
Kalpas suddenly grinned, sharp teeth gleaming.
"By the way, if you ever need someone to cook for your wedding feast, I can handle the kitchen for free."
Van, "... Thanks, I guess."
Kosma still said nothing, but the corners of his mouth curved up ever so slightly.
Despite the playful banter, when they said their goodbyes, all four men clapped Van on the shoulder with quiet seriousness.
At the door, Kevin gave Van a long, steady look before saying, "Make time to get together again in the future."
Catching the weight behind Kevin's words, Van nodded slowly. "Alright."
No sooner had he seen the four of them off than another round of knocking sounded at the door.
Thinking Kevin had forgotten something, Van opened the door, only to find Griseo and her parents standing there.
Griseo was at the front, eyes bright with joy.
"Brother Van... finally, I can see your colors again..."
Blanca, her voice gentle, smiled apologetically as she patted her daughter's head.
"She has been begging to see you ever since dinner. We really couldn't say no."
Beside them, Ato stood with his arms crossed, his gaze complicated as he looked at Van.
He knew this man had saved the world. But every time he saw his daughter's bright, affectionate smile directed at Van, he couldn't help but see him as some scheming punk trying to steal his precious girl.
After inviting them in and letting them sit on the sofa, Griseo finally couldn't hold back anymore.
She ran straight into Van's arms, hugging him tightly.
Tilting her small face up, her big watery eyes sparkled with excitement.
"This time... I'm going to finish a whole painting for you, Brother Van!"
This was the promise they never got to complete in the previous era.
Now, finally, they had the chance to make it real.
Looking at her serious expression, warmth filled Van's chest.
He crouched down, gently ruffling her soft hair.
"Silly girl. We've got plenty of time now. This time, you'll definitely finish it."
Feeling the warmth of his hand on her head, Griseo nuzzled against it happily. "Mhm!"
Blanca watched the scene, her eyes full of warmth.
"As long as Griseo's happy, that's all that matters."
Then, turning to Ato, she shot him a quick look, silently telling him to relax.
Ato forced himself to swallow his irritation, though his eyes never once left Van's hand resting on his daughter's head.
After seeing Griseo and her family to the elevator, Van returned to his room.
The moment he stepped into the living room, he immediately sensed an unusual fluctuation from the bedroom.
That familiar ripple of space told him instantly, Sirin had snuck in again.
Just as he turned to catch her in the act, the doorbell rang once more.
Opening it, he saw Elysia at the door, supporting Eden.
Eden's cheeks were flushed, but her gaze was still clear, she wasn't drunk yet.
"So late... what's up?"
As Van spoke, he couldn't help but subtly glance toward the bedroom.
Sirin was hiding in there. And now, Elysia, this walking megaphone of the Flame-Chasers, was in the living room.
One slip, and by tomorrow morning this little secret would be all over the resort.
At that thought, Van went on full alert.
On the other side, Elysia seemed oblivious to his unease, her big innocent eyes blinking as she said, "Eden said she wanted to talk to you, so I came with her~ Aren't you going to let us in?"
Van stepped aside to let them in, silently praying Sirin wouldn't make a sound.
The three of them sat in the living room, chatting idly.
At some point, Eden, sipping her wine with elegant poise, unknowingly drank too much.
With a languid stretch, her graceful figure was displayed under the warm lights, before she naturally leaned against Van's shoulder.
"Van..." Eden's voice, soft with tipsy sweetness and a hint of coquettishness, brushed his ear as her slender fingers tapped lightly on his cheek. "Do you know... how much I've missed you..."
Feeling the soft weight on his shoulder, Van gulped unconsciously.
Her light perfume, mixed with the faint scent of wine, left his mind momentarily blank.
"Woooow~" Elysia cupped her cheeks, eyes sparkling. "Van, you're so sinful... even I'm starting to feel a little jealous~"
Van shot her a helpless look.
"Not the time for jokes. Help me get Eden onto the sofa first."
Together, they carefully settled Eden onto the sofa.
Van exhaled in relief and adjusted his seat.
Elysia suddenly leaned closer, her voice playful yet laced with mystery.
"By the way, Van... with so many cute girls around you, even I'm starting to feel like joining your little harem~"
Van, '???'
"Oh, come on," Elysia winked mischievously. "If I joined, I'd have the perfect excuse to get close to all the beautiful girls by your side~"
Van, 'So that's your game, huh, you pink menace?!'
Then, with a sudden shift, Elysia's playful grin faded. Her pink eyes softened, holding a rare trace of sincerity.
"I'm just kidding. Actually... I just want to be like the others. I just want to be by your side... always."
Inside the bedroom, Sirin had her ear pressed to the door, stomping her foot in frustration.
Gritting her teeth, she seethed silently, "This pink-haired woman... she's even harder to deal with than that venomous snake!"
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