Yaqing walked down the stairs and looked at everyone in the living room. It was as lively as a New Year's celebration. Pink balloons covered the ceiling, and streamers had been tied into decorative balls and arranged around the large space.
"Hey, Yaqing, you're finally back! I missed you so much!"
Before Yaqing could even get a clear look, he saw Senti launch herself at him in a flying tackle-hug, clinging to him like an octopus. The impact nearly made him lose his footing.
"Long time no see, little Senti," Yaqing said, subconsciously catching her and smiling gently.
The prim and proper Fu Hua, watching this, frowned.
To Yaqing, little Senti and little Griseo were on the same level—not in terms of age or size, but in personality and heart. Although Senti was already twenty, in some ways, she was still a child.
"Oh my, little Senti is back and doesn't even give Miss Pink Elf a big hug?" Elysia narrowed her beautiful eyes, looking just like a fox.
"Don't want to~" Senti said with a cute pout.
"Muu~" Elysia pouted her lips.
Eden hugged Elysia from behind.
Elysia was pleasantly surprised, nuzzling her cheek against Eden's fair skin and saying sweetly, "Eden, you're truly my good Eden."
Eden remained as elegant as ever, though a slight flush from being tipsy colored her cheeks. The red wine in her tall glass sloshed slightly from Elysia's affectionate nuzzling.
"Yaqing, it's been a long time. Welcome back."
"Eden, it really has been a while. You're becoming more and more famous."
"Haha," Eden laughed softly.
Yaqing patted Senti, signaling that it was time for her to get down.
Senti hopped off him immediately.
"Kevin, you're back?" Yaqing said, seeing Kevin and Mei walk through the door.
Years after graduation, Kevin no longer had the same sunny disposition from his school days. He had faint dark circles under his eyes, but when he looked at Yaqing, he still managed a smile.
Mei was holding Kevin's arm, wearing black-framed glasses that gave her the air of an intellectual beauty.
Kevin walked over to Yaqing and threw a light, friendly punch on his shoulder. "If you ever leave again without a word, I won't let you off the hook."
"I'm back to start a company this time. What do you say, Kevin? Want to jump ship and come work for me?" Yaqing knew Kevin was only staying in Nagazora to work with Mei, but he teased him anyway.
"Er..." Kevin glanced at Mei awkwardly.
Mei smiled sweetly and said in a mock-scolding tone, "Well now, Yaqing, I can't believe you're trying to poach people from World Serpent the moment you get back. Mobius won't let you off if she finds out."
Just as Mei finished her sentence, a proud, mature female voice came from behind her.
"If he wants to poach, let him. It's not like World Serpent will collapse just because that little follower is gone. Hmph." The tall, green-haired woman gave a cold snort.
"Ah! It's Pro~fes~sor Mo~bi~us~" Elysia cooed, squirming out of Eden's embrace.
"Hmph." Mobius gave a haughty turn of her head and stomped up the stairs.
"Uh... did I do something to offend her?" Yaqing was clueless.
Mei shook her head helplessly.
Back in their Senba Academy days, everyone knew that Senior Mobius had a strange obsession with Yaqing...
Thankfully, although Kevin was dense, he still knew his own heart. He wasn't like Su and Yaqing—one gentle, one aloof; one gentle to everyone, the other aloof to everyone.
Mei took off her coat, rolled up her sleeves, and smiled. "Are you guys making dinner? Do you need my help?"
The air fell silent for a moment. Then, the expression on everyone's face changed dramatically.
Su's eyes snapped open.
Aponia, who was chopping vegetables, froze.
Even Elysia's smile looked strained.
Kevin immediately grabbed Mei, who was heading for the kitchen, and after much persuasion, managed to talk her out of showing off her "culinary skills." He convinced her to go back to their room to shower first.
Why did Kevin love instant noodles so much?
Because it was the only thing Mei could make that was actually edible.
Once Mei had gone upstairs, everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.
Yaqing wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. For a second, he thought he was going to be poisoned to death the moment he returned to the Courtyard.
"What's going on? Why is the atmosphere so strange?"
Sakura, who had arrived just after Kevin, was dressed in a women's suit, her beautiful legs wrapped in black stockings under a skirt. With her pink hair and green eyes, she looked confusedly at the group, who all looked as if they had just escaped death.
A small head poked out from behind Sakura. A cute little face with blue eyes looked at Yaqing and smiled sweetly. "Big Brother Yaqing."
"Sakura, Rin, long time no see."
Sakura smiled. "It really has been a long time. The last time Rin and I went on a trip to Europe, a certain someone used 'busy with work' as an excuse and didn't even meet with us sisters once."
Rin nodded her little head earnestly in agreement. "That's right, that's right! Big Brother Yaqing, you're so mean!"
"My apologies, my apologies," Yaqing said, putting his hands together with a wry smile.
Rin sidled up to Yaqing. "Is a simple apology enough?"
Yaqing pinched Rin's small face and said with a comforting smile, "Rin, you're such a little imp, aren't you? How about Big Brother Yaqing gives you a few sets of practice exercises as compensation?"
Rin slapped Yaqing's hand away and hid behind Sakura, pouting. "Big Brother Yaqing is a bully."
"Alright Yaqing, stop teasing Rin," Sakura said, ruffling Rin's hair.
"Welcome back."
"Mmm."
The two exchanged a smile, and thus, a world where only Rin suffers was complete.
"Dinner's ready! Hmph," Kalpas, wearing a beauty face mask, shouted as he carried out the last platter of food.
"Coming, coming!" Rin scampered towards the dining table.
Sakura grabbed her. "Wash your hands first!"
"I know, Sis~"
A huge, round dining table was set up in the living room, laden with over thirty dishes that all looked delicious. Everyone gathered around to sit.
Kosma also arrived right on the dot. He put down his schoolbag and sat down without a word, but from the way his eyes occasionally darted towards Yaqing, it was clear how happy he was.
"Let's welcome Yaqing back! Cheers!"
Elysia was the first to raise her glass, which was filled with juice.
"Cheers~!" chorused everyone.
"Let's take a picture!"
Vill-V quickly set up a camera and then hurried back to her seat.
With a click, it was as if time stood still, forever preserving this moment.