Happy times, like fine sand in one's hand, slipped through the fingers unnoticed, and in the blink of an eye, it was almost time for the group to return as planned.
"We're leaving tomorrow, huh."
By the sea at sunset, Nangong Yu and Elysia walked side by side on the beach.
He didn't know how Elysia had managed to get rid of Seele and Bronya, finding an opportunity to pull him aside for a stroll.
Turning his head, the soft sunset glow reflected Elysia's somewhat unhappy expression. For a moment, Nangong Yu even wanted to just stay here and be with Elysia forever, but he quickly suppressed the thought and slowly nodded.
"Yes, the plane tickets were ready before we came, and we've played long enough this time. There's still a lot to do when we get back."
It had been almost half a month since Elysia arrived, a considerable period of relaxation and rest.
The development of hollow knight needed to continue, aiming for completion before the end of the year. The CGs for manhua mirror 4, 'Maiden of Sin and Punishment,' which has the most incredible story in the series, had also been completed by the hard-working Eromanga Sensei, just waiting for him to organize and package them before contacting sales channels. At that time, he would also need to design special editions and other complicated matters.
Thinking about it carefully, there were quite a lot of things to do. He estimated that after returning, he would spend every day working.
"Mm, but, during this time, Fairy Miss is already very satisfied~"
The lost expression quickly disappeared, and Elysia soon returned to being the Fairy Miss Nangong Yu was familiar with, seemingly always happy.
"Such a wonderful time shouldn't be wasted. Come on, A Yu, let's run together."
His empty hand was suddenly tightly clasped by a cool, small hand. Elysia stood in front, pulling Nangong Yu to run forward with her.
Their slippers scattered, their feet stepping on the fine sand soaked by the tide, letting the splashing seawater draw mottled patterns on the dry beach.
This aimless running seemed to make them forget everything. The flowing air in their ears separated the world, and this space seemed to exist only for him and Elysia, whose hand he held tightly.
Unfortunately, running on a wet beach was not an easy task, and an accident soon occurred.
Nangong Yu's foot slipped, and his center of gravity immediately tilted forward, causing Elysia, who was being pulled, to also fall to the ground. The two of them tumbled together.
"Ah, ouch, ouch."
Nangong Yu, who was underneath, rubbed his waist. He had been hit by Elysia when they fell. He hoped it wouldn't ruin their future happiness.
"It's all your fault, Sister Aili! If you hadn't slipped, we wouldn't have fallen!"
Seeing Elysia, who was lying on top of him, also somewhat dizzy from the fall, Nangong Yu immediately played the victim, 'angrily' questioning her.
"Wah wah wah wah, A Yu, you're actually blaming me!"
Rubbing her slightly aching chest, Elysia immediately puffed out her cheeks, glaring at him angrily.
"Who saw it? Do you have proof?"
"You..."
"And you're pressing down on me so hard! You might as well not be called the Pink Fairy; just call yourself the Pink Piggy."
Thinking that since he had already started the trouble, he might as well be bolder and go all the way!
"Hehehe, A Yu, you finally said something you shouldn't have. Take this!"
Taking advantage of her higher position, Elysia sneered and placed her small hands on Nangong Yu's side. She knew his weakness very well.
Feeling his sensitive spot attacked, Nangong Yu's expression suddenly changed, and he begged for mercy, "I'm sorry, Sister Aili, I was just possessed. Now I want to be a good person. Can you let me go?"
"Too late!!!"
As soon as she finished speaking, her small hands began to tickle rapidly. Soon, Nangong Yu's uncontrollable laughter echoed on the beach.
After a while, Elysia knew when to stop. She let out a light sigh and stood up, her back to Nangong Yu, who was still laughing stiffly. With the demeanor of an expert, she said faintly, "The purity is too low."
As soon as her voice fell, she chuckled and turned around, helping Nangong Yu up.
"I've wanted to say that line for a long time. Thank you, A Yu, for fulfilling my wish~"
"...As long as you're happy. But I feel like I could say one more thing."
"Hmm?"
"Running under that sunset, that's my lost youth~"
"Haha, indeed~"
After laughing for so long, Nangong Yu still felt soft and weak all over. So, Elysia pulled him, and they both sat on a nearby large reef.
The orange sunset looked increasingly gentle. The approaching night brought a slight chill, and their bodies pressed tightly together, as if to transmit warmth to each other.
The nearly twenty-centimeter height difference allowed Elysia to naturally lean on Nangong Yu's shoulder, and he, in turn, reached out and embraced her, making them press even closer.
Their gazes simultaneously turned towards the setting sun gradually merging with the sea. The dreamlike halo and magnificent scenery captivated them both for a moment. Perhaps this was the meaning of travel.
Thinking of travel, Nangong Yu suddenly said, "Oh, right, I remember, Sister Aili, you had a plan to travel around the world, didn't you? Why did you stop now?"
"A Yu still remembers that."
Elysia smiled. Those were the words she wrote when she first created Fairy Miss's blog.
"Of course, I'm your number one fan, Fairy Miss~"
When Nangong Yu heard about this during a chat, he immediately went and followed her, successfully becoming the first fan with a fan number.
"Yes, why?"
Elysia slowly relaxed her body, almost resting her entire weight on Nangong Yu, which made them lean even closer, as if they were about to merge into one.
"Perhaps it's because a journey alone is too lonely."
At first, it was fine, but ever since...
Glancing at the young man beside her, Elysia reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, directly perching herself on top of him.
This time, it was truly a voice in his ear.
Her warm breath was mixed with enticing whispers: "So I've been waiting~"
"Waiting?"
"Yes, waiting for another pair of footprints to walk alongside me on the journey~"
"!!!"
The almost explicit whisper instantly sent Nangong Yu's heart rate to its peak, and along with the tight face-to-face contact, he couldn't suppress certain special reactions.
At this moment, the last ray of sunset fell, and a soaring light suddenly ignited from the other end of the coastline.
Boom!
Splendid fireworks bloomed in the sky. The brilliance of that instant overshadowed the light of the bright moon and the stars, and also illuminated Elysia's slightly flushed cheeks.
"These fireworks, did you prepare them, Elysia?"
"Mm, do you like them?"
"I like them."
"That's good. Also, A Yu, you're not being good~"
She tried to maintain her big sister's dignity, but her voice was trembling slightly.
"Sister Aili, you should have some self-awareness about your charm. I feel my self-control is already..."
His voice was silenced by a slender finger. The continuous fireworks illuminated Elysia's cheeks, making them rosy. She just looked into his eyes, slowly squatted down, and a layer of white mist enveloped the pink crystal.
"So, does A Yu need Sister Aili's help?"
"..."
Her words merged with the breeze into Nangong Yu's ears, and his consciousness, too, fell into warmth.