Eloffe couldn't have done that on purpose, could she?!
The clever Furina suddenly realized something, and remembering Eloffe's somewhat strange gaze, she knew Eloffe must have misunderstood something!
"Furina?"
Liu Yuan's voice rang out. She looked at Furina, who was supposed to be measuring her waist but was now just holding onto her without letting go, with visible confusion.
Furina's actions left her somewhat at a loss. The girl's body pressed against hers without any guard, and the distance between them unexpectedly became zero.
Liu Yuan felt herself growing infatuated with this feeling — infatuated with Furina's scent, her warmth, her closeness, the time they spent together.
But she also noticed the difference in Furina compared to usual. The young woman's body seemed a bit stiff, and the color of her emotions had turned into a tangled hue, which made Liu Yuan realize that something was off.
Although she was infatuated with this closeness and wished the moment could last forever, Liu Yuan was more concerned about Furina's state. So she spoke softly to wake her.
However, Furina, upon hearing Liu Yuan's voice, reacted instantly:
"Ah! No... I— Liu Yuan, listen to me!"
Furina's reaction was explosive. Letting out a surprised gasp, she immediately released her hold on Liu Yuan, the soft measuring tape slipping from her trembling hands and falling to the floor.
Furina stumbled back a few steps, her cheeks glowing bright pink, unable to hide her embarrassment — completely visible to Liu Yuan's eyes.
Those deep blue eyes remained calm, but Liu Yuan's heart seemed to skip a beat.
Within her real body, her heart began to pound uncontrollably. Furina's expression, that flustered face, etched itself into her memory — seared there like a secret only she was allowed to keep.
Liu Yuan's heartstrings had been plucked effortlessly.
So simple. So natural.
The one who could stay calm in any situation now stood frozen by this one girl's every movement.
In those deep blue eyes, the world faded.
Only Furina remained.
And Furina was completely flustered.
Before Liu Yuan, she didn't act or wear any masks.
Before Liu Yuan, she was just Furina, not the Hydro Archon — just herself.
She had grown used to Liu Yuan being by her side, used to showing her true self when they were alone.
With Liu Yuan, she was simply herself — no divine titles, no expectations.
Over time, the one who always acted had forgotten how to act at all.
The blush on her cheeks was real.
The dazed crash of her thoughts was real.
The panic flooding through her was real.
The truest version of Furina stood before Liu Yuan, her heart laid bare — because to her, Liu Yuan had become someone she could completely trust.
Right now, Furina wanted to explain herself — anything to stop Liu Yuan from misunderstanding.
But… how?
Explain what?
That hugging Liu Yuan wasn't intentional? That it was just part of the measuring method?
And… what misunderstanding?
Was she worried Liu Yuan would think she meant something by it? That she'd done it on purpose?
That she… liked Liu Yuan?
But was that even a misunderstanding?
Did she not like Liu Yuan?
Did she not already know the answer?
She knew. That was the problem.
Furina completely crashed. She felt like this was the biggest, most terrifying test of her life.
She tried to suppress the wild beating of her heart and glanced at Liu Yuan from the corner of her eye — only to meet that calm, unblinking gaze.
Those deep blue eyes looked straight through her.
Liu Yuan's expression was as composed as always, and that only made Furina panic more.
Her heart rebelled, thrumming wildly out of control.
Ugh… that's so unfair!
Calm down, calm down, Furina! Don't lose it!
Liu Yuan may seem oblivious sometimes, but she was sharp.
Had she noticed?
Would she think Furina's actions were deliberate?
Would she realize… that Furina liked her?
Ughhh... why didn't I notice how suspicious this looks?! Eloffe totally tricked me!!!
Liu Yuan's steady gaze lingered, making Furina want to curl up and vanish into her bedcovers.
"L-Liu Yuan! You… you close your eyes first! Yes, close them!"
Her brain was short-circuiting. It was the only thing she could think to say.
Liu Yuan's gaze was too intense — it made Furina feel utterly seen, every thought, every emotion laid bare.
Her heart wouldn't stop pounding. Her mind screamed: What do I even do now?!
Furina spun around, crouched on the floor, and buried her face in her hands. She didn't want to face the world anymore.
Liu Yuan, hearing Furina's flustered demand, blinked back into reality. She'd been momentarily lost in thought — dazed by the rush of something new stirring inside her.
Memories flickered through her mind one after another—
The first time she appeared in this world, descending by Furina's side.
The time she thought she'd made Furina angry, so she created a blue rose from Hydro energy and offered it as an apology.
The nights Furina fell asleep over her scripts, and she quietly carried her to bed.
Every memory had one thing in common: Furina.
And as they replayed in order, something inside her began to awaken.
No… not awaken — it felt more like grow.
As if something had always been there, a tiny seed deep inside her soul. And these moments — the laughter, the closeness, the quiet companionship — were the sunlight and rain that made it bloom.
It was strange.
But she didn't reject it.
In fact, she felt… whole. Like her soul, once incomplete, was finally finding its missing half.
That feeling— soul completion —enveloped her completely.
Furina's voice snapped her back to the present.
The girl was squatting on the ground, her back turned, her little ahoge standing straight up, faint steam puffing from her head.
Liu Yuan found the sight endearing — adorable, even — and quietly thought she wanted to remember this exact moment forever.
Then, in her usual gentle tone, she said:
"Mm. Okay."
It was the same standard answer as always.
Liu Yuan would grant any request from Furina — unconditionally, without reason or restraint.
Because, for Liu Yuan, Furina was her exception.
.
.
.
_