The streets of Eldale were alive with the excitement of the Saint's visit. Banners fluttered along the avenues, and townsfolk crowded the sides of the roads to catch a glimpse of the new Saint, Alisa Yurica.
Sho walked briskly through the crowd, careful not to get jostled. His eyes scanned the area, partly curious about the Saint, partly searching for Liyana.
"Where did she disappear to this time?" he muttered under his breath.
---
Meanwhile, in the middle of a busy marketplace, Liyana leaned casually against a fruit stall, her silver hair glinting in the sunlight. She held a bright red apple in her hands, slowly biting into it with a faint, mischievous smile.
Sho's eyes caught her immediately. "There she is!" he whispered, his heart racing.
Without thinking, he started weaving through the crowd, dodging merchants and townsfolk, trying not to draw too much attention.
Liyana's eyes twinkled as she noticed him. She finished her bite, wiped her mouth delicately, and began to walk — slowly at first, then deliberately weaving between stalls, almost as if she were daring him to catch her.
---
"Hey! Wait up!" Sho called, picking up speed.
Liyana tilted her head, pretending to be surprised. "Oh? Is someone chasing me?"
Sho groaned, slightly flustered. "I'm not chasing you! I just… need to talk to you!"
She laughed lightly, a melodic sound that drew a few curious glances from nearby shoppers. "Talk to me, huh? Then catch me first!"
Sho's face turned slightly red, but he sprinted faster, dodging a crate of apples and leaping over a small cart. "You're impossible!"
---
Liyana darted down a narrow alley, and Sho followed without hesitation. She giggled softly, glancing back at him. "You're really persistent, aren't you?"
Sho puffed, still running. "Of course! I'm not going to let you disappear on me in the middle of the capital!"
Finally, Liyana stopped near a quiet fountain in a small plaza. She leaned against the stone edge, arms crossed, smirking at him. "You really do get worked up easily," she teased.
Sho slowed to a stop in front of her, hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath. "And you… enjoy making me run like this, don't you?"
Liyana's crimson eyes softened for a moment. "Maybe… a little. But don't flatter yourself too much."
Sho straightened up, a small grin tugging at his lips. "Flattery? I'm just stating the truth. You're tricky and… fun to be around."
For a brief moment, Liyana's playful smirk faded into something warmer, almost shy. She looked away, pretending to adjust her hair. "Hmph… I suppose chasing someone like you isn't completely unpleasant."
Sho's heart skipped a beat at her words, though he tried to hide it. "Good… because I'm not done chasing you yet."
She let out a small, soft laugh, shaking her head. "This is what you get for rizzing me earlier in the crowd, Sho. Consider it… a little revenge."
Sho chuckled, his eyes sparkling. "Noted. But I don't mind."
For a moment, they stood there, the bustling capital around them fading into background noise. Liyana's eyes met Sho's, and for the first time in a long while, she felt a warmth she hadn't expected — a small flicker of happiness at being with him.
Sho, meanwhile, felt a quiet thrill, realizing that the chase — teasing, playful, and warm — was only making him want to stay by her side even more.