Liu Yuan's comfort was exceptionally effective for Furina. Perhaps Liu Yuan had a special effect on her, or perhaps it was simply because it was Liu Yuan.
In any case, imperceptibly, the connection between Liu Yuan and Furina grew deeper.
The time came to six in the evening.
There was still half an hour until Palais Mermonia's fixed dinner time at half past six, meaning Furina had to return to Palais Mermonia within that time, otherwise her absence would be noticed.
Although Liu Yuan could completely seal off Furina's room again, making others believe Furina was still inside, this time Furina didn't want that.
The streets were much less crowded now; after all, six o'clock was also dinner time for most families, and many vendors had already started packing up to go home.
The streets became emptier, but Furina was still enjoying her walk.
The girl walked calmly, not speaking, seemingly savoring the moment.
This outing made Furina exceptionally relaxed. This feeling of freedom was truly ineffable. The restraints on her body seemed to vanish, and she became another free and unburdened person. That feeling made Furina extremely reluctant to let go.
However...
"I am still Furina after all…"
Furina sighed softly. The habit of "restraint" had been cultivated during her five hundred years of solitary acting. Although it wasn't usually needed, at crucial moments like this, Furina could easily "restrain" her desires.
Don't forget why you are playing the Hydro Archon, Furina. You still have your responsibilities, the things you need to do. Don't forget!
Furina walked step by step, and with each step, she wished time could slow down — just a little more.
She felt greedy now, really greedy, but she was also clear-headed, fully aware of why she was.
Sigh…
There's still half an hour, right?
Then let's enjoy these last thirty minutes!
Having made up her mind, Furina was no longer lost. Instead, she quickened her pace, preparing to do her best to enjoy the final half hour.
Liu Yuan followed behind her as always, silently.
"Liu Yuan, there are fewer people on the street…"
Furina chose to chat with her quiet companion for this remaining time.
"Yes, because it's dinner time, I suppose."
Liu Yuan replied softly.
"True, it's almost time."
Furina nodded, her gaze searching the street, trying to find a topic. Then, suddenly, she spotted a place, and her eyes lit up.
"Liu Yuan, Liu Yuan, look over there, it's Chioriya Boutique!"
Furina pointed in a direction. Liu Yuan looked where she pointed and saw a not-too-large shop. The shop's sign read Chioriya Boutique, and various exquisite clothes were displayed in the window.
Chioriya Boutique… Liu Yuan remembered this name, because she also remembered the blue dress Furina once wore for her — that unforgettable sight.
Yes… unforgettable.
Furina changed direction. She, who had originally planned to wander aimlessly and chat with Liu Yuan, now had a clear purpose.
A moment later, Furina arrived at the entrance of Chioriya Boutique and pushed open the door directly.
"Ding~"
The bell hanging on the door rang as Furina pushed it, drawing the attention of the shop assistant, who had been lost in thought while examining fabric.
"Welcome to Chioriya Boutique, how may I help you?"
Eloffe put down what she was holding, then looked up at the customer at the door, a polite smile on her face — a necessary quality for a shop assistant.
"Miss Eloffe…? Isn't Chiori on duty today?"
Furina asked with slight disappointment.
"The boss is not in the shop today due to an engagement and won't be back until very late, so it's just me here all day," Eloffe replied softly. She inexplicably felt a trace of familiarity with the person in front of her — or rather, with this customer's physical data.
Although Eloffe appeared to be just a shop assistant at Chioriya Boutique, she was also a fashion designer and could even be considered Chiori's student.
Besides having various ideas and inspirations for fashion design, Eloffe could also discern a person's approximate measurements at a glance. This was her unique talent, allowing her to directly design well-fitting clothes.
And now, the physical data of the damsel before her felt somewhat familiar.
It seemed the boss had designed a dress based on this data before? But why do I have no impression of this face at all? Strange…
Eloffe didn't voice her doubt. She suppressed it and looked at Furina.
"What would the customer like? Custom-made or just browsing?"
"Custom-made!"
Furina said without hesitation.
Eloffe nodded, then took a measuring tape from the side, ready to measure Furina's figure.
Although approximate data could be obtained by visual estimation, precise data was better — and it would also confirm her guess.
However, Furina waved her hand and said:
"Not for me, not for me. I… I want to custom-make a dress for… um, a friend! Yes, a friend."
"Then where is your friend, customer?"
Eloffe asked patiently.
A friend? A friend wouldn't make her so flustered. Although the girl before her showed no change in expression, her tone gave it away — shyness.
A friend… perhaps it's someone she likes? Coming alone, she probably wants to custom-make a dress as a gift for that special person.
Eloffe guessed inwardly.
"She… um, she's not here, but I remember roughly what her body looks like!"
Furina panicked for a moment, then quickly explained.
"Is that so? But in that case, the clothes might not fit perfectly. You need to be sure your memory isn't wrong."
Eloffe reminded her, further convinced that this girl was indeed preparing a gift for the one she liked.
Hmm… I think I'm shipping them!
Eloffe's eyes sparkled with amusement, awaiting Furina's reaction.
"I remember very clearly!"
Furina said confidently, her gaze subtly glancing at Liu Yuan beside her.
She stepped back, coming behind Liu Yuan, and took the measuring tape from Eloffe's hand.
Furina stood on tiptoe slightly, holding the tape against Liu Yuan, attempting to measure her data directly this way.
However, how could the intangible Liu Yuan be measured by a measuring tape?
From Eloffe's perspective, the damsel was now slightly on tiptoe, as if the young woman was right in front of her. She could even see that the girl's eyes had softened, filled with a gentleness hard to ignore.
Hmm… this is too good to ship!
Please get together already!
Eloffe felt like she had just eaten an incredibly sweet piece of dog food, and her delight only grew stronger…
.
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_