Time passed by unnoticed as they conversed.
Okote, the great playwright, was talkative and exceptionally professional when it came to scripts. After just a cursory glance at the ending Furina had written, he immediately pointed out numerous issues in detail and offered many suggestions.
Furina nodded repeatedly, humbly accepting Okote's opinions. At this moment, the Hydro Archon had set aside her divine identity and fully embodied that of a diligent student. Without hesitation, she picked up a pen and began recording Okote's advice.
Perhaps because Furina's demeanor resembled that of a student eager to learn, Okote unconsciously slipped into a dual state of both teaching and creating.
His speaking pace fluctuated, making it difficult for Furina to keep up. At that moment, Liu Yuan stepped in.
Her talent — its limits still unknown — allowed her to easily follow Okote's rhythm, recording his words swiftly while also organizing them with precision.
When Okote finally paused and emerged from his creative state, he noticed a cluster of Hydro appearing beside Furina, enveloping a pen and notebook that had recorded everything he said.
Momentarily surprised by this method, Okote quickly returned to normal.
After all, it was only natural for the Hydro Archon to manipulate water in such a way, was it not?
Ordinary people would never realize it was Liu Yuan controlling the element, and so the credit naturally fell to Furina.
After a final brief discussion, Okote did not linger. He departed with a smile, expressing his hope to one day see Furina's script performed at the Opera Epiclese.
---
After seeing Okote off, Furina eagerly took the notebook Liu Yuan had prepared.
Her memory remained sharp — a small benefit of five centuries of life. She remembered most of Okote's advice, but not all. She knew better than to interrupt him once he entered his creative flow, for inspiration was always fleeting.
Thus, to avoid forgetting, Furina chose to write things down. Unfortunately, she had overestimated her own writing speed and underestimated Okote's when inspiration struck.
But… hmph! Who told me I have Liu Yuan!
With a hint of tsundere pride, Furina flipped open the notebook.
The handwriting was neat, the structure clear, and every detail Okote had spoken was recorded without omission.
Holding Liu Yuan's notebook in one hand and gathering her own scattered notes from the table with the other, Furina returned to her room.
Outside, the sky remained gray and heavy, the weather mirroring someone's mood.
She sat at the desk by the bookshelf and spread her notes out across the table.
This desk wasn't often used. Though Furina had once frantically searched for information, that period had been brief. With no official duties to handle, the desk had remained idle — until Liu Yuan appeared. Since then, it had mostly been occupied by her.
Now, full of creative energy, Furina claimed the seat for herself.
She carefully read through Liu Yuan's notebook. With each suggestion, she adjusted her draft.
Okote's reputation as a "great playwright" was well earned. His advice was concise, not only identifying flaws but pointing toward improvement.
Guided by his notes, Furina let her imagination flow and began shaping the plot anew.
Liu Yuan stood quietly nearby, a book in hand.
Though her eyes appeared to be on the pages, her attention was fixed entirely on Furina. Between the book and the damsel, her choice was obvious. Still, remembering that such a gaze might irritate Furina, the book served as her cover.
Had Furina looked up from her work, she would have found a pair of deep blue eyes silently watching her.
She had seen that kind of gaze before — back when the Ghost had watched Namiya.
Liu Yuan herself did not yet understand the emotions hidden in her stare. She only knew that Furina's focused, serious expression made it impossible to look away.
Time slipped by beneath that gaze. The discussion with Okote had lasted just over an hour, yet Furina's revisions stretched on for three without her noticing.
Then, her pen suddenly paused.
The story's ending could be tragic or happy. At first, Furina had leaned toward a happy ending, but now doubt crept in.
She had drafted both, and now she only needed to choose. But hesitation held her hand still.
Her eyes drifted toward the window, yet the gray sky outside offered no inspiration.
Gurgle...
Her stomach betrayed her. Hours of mental work had drained her, and she had eaten little that morning, her focus consumed by Okote.
The rumbling ended her inspiration completely. Furina sighed and considered fetching something to eat — when suddenly, a cake wrapped in a hydro orb appeared on the table before her.
"Are you hungry?"
Liu Yuan's voice came softly from her side. At some point, she had put her book down, and several hydro orbs now floated in her hands, each holding food.
She had already thought ahead — knowing Furina would forget lunch, she'd kept the maids' preparations warm in this way.
The thoughtfulness warmed Furina's heart.
The hydro orb dissolved, revealing the cake. Liu Yuan gently moved Furina's notes aside and set down a knife and fork in front of her.
"Eat something, or you'll be hungry later," Liu Yuan murmured, her voice carrying a tenderness she herself had yet to notice.
.
.
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_