"Heh."
"Mine's strawberry flavor."
Ur smiled helplessly. They had been living together for nearly a year, yet she hadn't realized Ide had such a sweet tooth.
Just as Ur was distracted by his comment, Ide launched his offensive. He didn't hesitate—he went straight for the attack.
"Let me have a taste."
Ide grabbed Ur's chin, tilted her head up, and kissed her without a second thought.
Ide wasn't the type to be dense or shy when it came to romance. If he liked someone, he made his move. He was bold like that.
"Eh?"
Ur's pupils trembled. She hadn't expected him to be this forward.
Before she could even react, she melted under his intensifying assault, her gaze losing focus as she gave in.
The moon was beautiful tonight.
But the romance between Ide and Ur was even more beautiful.
"Here, have a taste of mine too."
After the deep kiss ended, Ide cupped her small face and launched round two.
He didn't stop until Ur was dizzy, breathless, and seeing stars.
Under the rising moon, Ide and Ur's hands naturally intertwined. Their relationship was officially confirmed.
After spending a year together, their chemistry was undeniable; words were hardly necessary.
Besides, the moonlight was perfect.
At first, their grip was light, a bit awkward and unskilled.
But as they walked, it became natural.
After all, they had literally been sleeping in the same room for a year. Holding hands was nothing compared to that.
---
"Susan."
"We came to hang out."
By the time they reached Susan's fruit stall, they could hold hands in front of people without even blinking.
"So... is it official?"
Susan looked at their tightly clasped hands and couldn't help but ask.
She had originally planned to play matchmaker tonight and give them a push, but it looked like her help wasn't needed.
"It's official."
Ide turned to look at Ur, whose cheeks were flushed a lovely pink. The corners of his mouth turned up as he nodded.
Ideally, their relationship was just like their magic power—steadily increasing over the past year until it reached a natural breakthrough.
"Congrats, you two!"
"Tonight, we drink until we drop!"
Susan laughed, looking genuinely relieved.
She was truly happy that her best friend had found a good man. After all, among all her friends, Ur was the only one who had remained single.
More importantly, before Ide showed up, Ur had seemed destined to be alone forever.
Gulp, gulp, gulp!
And so, at Susan's insistence, Ide and Ur didn't return to the cabin on the mountain. Instead, they stayed at Susan's place.
Susan was the town's only fruit shop owner, which made her the undisputed local tycoon. Her house was huge.
The three of them drank the night away under the full moon.
---
The Next Morning.
When Susan woke up and walked into the living room, she found Ide and Ur asleep on the couch, wrapped in each other's arms.
"Hey, hey, hey!"
"You two just made it official yesterday, and you're already sleeping together? Isn't that moving a little too fast?"
Susan immediately went into protective mode, worried her best friend might be getting taken advantage of.
Even though she always teased Ur about being a "little virgin," she wouldn't actually let Ur throw herself at a man so easily.
"Hmm?"
Hearing Susan's interrogation, Ide slowly opened his eyes. He looked up at her and yawned. "Is it weird? Actually, Ur and I have been sleeping together for over a year."
"Yeah."
"Ever since I picked Ide up from the snow, we've slept together. You know my house is tiny, Susan. There's only one bed," Ur added, opening her eyes and explaining drowsily.
"..."
Susan was thunderstruck.
She had always thought she was the open-minded, wild one in town. Turns out, Ur was the one playing the long game.
After a moment of stunned silence, Susan pointed at the door and shouted at the couple hogging her living room. "Get out! Get out of my house, you two deviants!"
"Alright."
Ur and Ide exchanged a knowing look. They realized Susan had misunderstood, but they didn't bother explaining.
They borrowed her bathroom to wash up, then left.
As they walked away, Susan stood in her doorway and shouted, "Ur! You better be happy, you hear me?!"
"Don't worry."
"I will be."
Ur turned back, flashing a brilliant smile and nodding.
---
Ice Crystal Festival: Day 2.
The festival lasted for three days. The second night was the bonfire party.
Nightfall.
In the Town Square.
Ide and Ur sat by the bonfire, cuddling close as they watched people dancing around the flames. They both wore content smiles.
This peaceful, vibrant world was intoxicating.
"Ur, in the world I lived in before, there were many different races."
"Besides humans, there were Giants living on Elbaf, Merfolk and Fishmen living on Fish-Man Island, and the Mink Tribe living on the back of a giant elephant that walked the ocean for a thousand years."
Ide sat beside her, softly recounting the wonders of the One Piece world.
"Ide's hometown sounds like a truly epic world."
"You're making me want to go see it for myself."
Ur was captivated. If it were possible, she really wanted to see that world.
"Come with me then, Ur."
"Whenever I find the passage back to that world."
Ide took the opportunity to formally invite her.
"..."
Ur looked at his outstretched hand. There was no hesitation in her eyes, only determination and certainty.
She gripped his hand tightly. "I will."
Under the glow of the bonfire, their faces drew closer.
When they were less than two inches apart, Ide suddenly whispered, "In that case... let's go do it."
"I'm with you all the way!"
Ur's eyes sharpened with intensity as she nodded.
BOOM!
And so, in the latter half of the festival night, Ide and Ur returned to the mountain and fought all night long.
Yes, literally fought.