The body and memory aren't important?
Ji Lin looked at Kiana in disbelief.
She couldn't quite understand what she was saying.
"Ah, no, no, don't misunderstand."
Kiana immediately realized her words could be misinterpreted and hurriedly explained, "What I mean is, why take what happens in this world so seriously? Just think of it as an illusory, beautiful dream. Wouldn't that be fine?"
"Think of what happens in this world... as a dream?"
Ji Lin murmured.
Although it was true that she entered this place after falling asleep...
It wasn't a dream, after all.
It was already affecting reality.
But... maybe she could choose not to treat it as reality?
So that's how it was.
Ji Lin seemed to understand Kiana's mentality a little better now. Is that what she meant by "the body, or the memory, or whatever, none of that is important at all"?
---o---
On the back mountain.
Sunlight pierced through the dense birch trees, casting down star-like flecks of light.
A gentle breeze blew, and the spots of light in the shade of the trees began to dance like luminous fish.
Mei sat alone in front of a tree trunk, hugging her knees, watching the light that swayed like fish.
For two nights on the island, she hadn't seen Mr. Ye Feng.
She was just a little concerned, really, just a tiny bit—was Mr. Ye Feng with Kiana?
Because Mei couldn't get in touch with Kiana either.
What were they doing together?
Was it training, like before?
Speaking of training, Miss Yae Sakura hadn't sought her out for sparring recently either.
The current Mei was still a sentimental JK, and she suddenly felt a sense of melancholy, like, "Why is no one playing with me anymore?"
"Mei, what are you doing here all by yourself?"
A gentle voice reached her. The young woman turned her head to see a refined and amiable young man walking slowly out from the sunlight, a smile as refreshing as the blue sky on his face.
"Mr. Ye Feng."
There was a clear lilt in Mei's voice.
She stood up and walked cheerfully toward him.
Ye Feng always seemed to appear at the most opportune moments.
After all, "neglecting" Mei for this long was part of his plan.
A traditional young lady from the Far East like Raiden Mei was most susceptible to the "hot and cold" treatment.
The only thing was to precisely grasp the "degree"—when to be cold and when to be hot.
"Mr. Ye Feng, what have you been busy with recently?"
"All sorts of things."
"Oh, I see."
A trace of disappointment flashed in Mei's eyes. It seemed Mr. Ye Feng had no intention of elaborating.
In the past, the heiress of the Raiden family, raised with the elite education of a young lady, would never have so abruptly asked about someone's private affairs.
But today, she had finally mustered the courage, only to fail so completely.
"Hmm~"
Ye Feng's face suddenly drew close to Mei's, his gaze fixed on her eyes.
"...Mr., Mr. Ye Feng~?"
Like a frightened fawn, the young woman shyly lowered her head.
Mei could feel the heat radiating from him.
It was a masculine power and tension completely different from what she felt when she was with Kiana.
The young woman's heart began to pound.
This close, face-to-face gaze was truly enough to make one's mouth go dry.
"Mei, you're so cute."
"Eh?"
Mei's face turned visibly red, like a fiery cloud, spreading rapidly to the base of her translucent ears.
"Mr. Ye Feng, please don't say such teasing things..."
This reaction!
Perfect.
Joy bloomed in Ye Feng's heart.
First, a wild session playing with a married woman, then a sweet interaction with a pure young maiden.
More importantly, Mei didn't reject him. Instead, there was an indescribable ambiguity between them.
The expression on the young woman's face now only confirmed this.
"Actually, I've been with Kiana and Ji Lin these past few days."
Ye Feng said, bringing up his recent activities.
Mei's eyes darted away as she thought to herself: So it really was like that...
"Kiana is working very hard. For your sake."
Mei blinked. "For me?"
"Yes."
"Uhm... What did Kiana and you say about me?"
Ye Feng looked at Mei with a grin. Kiana is terrified I'm going to pound you.
"You can ask Kiana that yourself. After all, it's between the two of you. It's not convenient for me to say too much."
"...Okay."
Mei nodded lightly.
"You must be hungry."
"!~~"
Mei looked at Ye Feng in disbelief.
Coming back to her senses, Mei realized she was indeed so hungry her stomach felt stuck to her back.
"It's alright..."
"Come with me. How about I make you some noodles to eat?"
"Eh? Wait..."
Ye Feng simply turned and walked away.
Mei watched his departing back, her slender hands clasped in front of her chest. She bit her lip lightly and followed him.
Ye Feng led Mei to a dojo.
The traditional Japanese-style kendo hall was spacious and bright, with a cherry tree planted in the courtyard.
Mei stood under the tree, tilting her head back and quietly gazing at it.
She couldn't help but remember that the dojo of the Raiden family also had a cherry tree.
Her father had transplanted it there when her mother passed away. If Nagazora City hadn't been destroyed, it surely would have grown to have a magnificent canopy, just like this one.
She wondered how her father was doing now...
While Mei was reminiscing, Ye Feng walked over carrying two bowls of chicken noodle soup.
The tempting aroma wafted into Mei's nostrils, stirring her appetite.
"It's not too hot today, so let's eat outside."
One stone table, two stools.
The two of them sat under the cherry blossom tree.
"Give it a try. I'm very confident in the noodles I make."
"Thank you, Mr. Ye Feng."
Mei looked at the steaming bowl of noodles Ye Feng had served. The dark black noodles were thick and wild, looking incredibly firm and springy. Paired with the rich broth, they truly had a powerful visual impact.
"Black noodles, and so thick... This is the first time I've ever seen anything like it."
"It's because I added squid ink. Have you never had it before, Mei? It makes them even more firm, smooth, chewy, and delicious. The more you eat, the more you'll crave it!"
Mei picked up her chopsticks, lifted the noodles dripping with broth, and slowly brought them to her mouth. Her eyes immediately widened.
Delicious!
"How is it?"
"It's so good. Mr. Ye Feng, the noodles you serve... are truly delicious."
A bit of the thick broth clung to Mei's cherry lips, making them look even more vibrant and red.
"Right? From now on, if you want to eat, you can come here and find me anytime."
"Here..."
Mei looked around the courtyard and the dojo, her expression a little dazed.
This place... it was identical to the dojo where she used to practice swordsmanship in her memory.
That was the purest and most precious memory of her early childhood. No matter what, Mei would always be proud of her "Hokushin Ittō-ryū."
Sitting here now, eating the noodles Ye Feng served, feeling the summer breeze, Mei couldn't help but be moved by the familiar scene.
"Okay. Just don't find me a bother when the time comes."
A pure smile blossomed on Mei's face.
It had been a long time since she had felt this relaxed.
She couldn't help but eat with even more gusto.