“ht. I haven't properly introduced myself,” I said, regaining a bit of prabbing the edge of my tattered, frilly dress, I gave a slight bow, mimig the elegaure Yuzu always did in Luminous Dream. It felt awkward, but at least I looked the part. “My name is Mashiro Shimizu Mikan. You call me Mashiro.”As I straightened up, I tried to maintain a refined air, but the bination of my disheveled appearand the still-rumbling stomach probably ruined any sense of grace I was aiming for.

  “So I’ve heard from the kids,” S said with a smile that somehow mao be both charmingly cute and ulingly perfect at the same time. His expression was so dazzling it felt like it belonged on the cover of a romanovel—or perhaps a warning bel for dangerously handsome individuals.I bli him, unsure whether to be impressed or creeped out. “Uh… right. Well, o officially meet you, I guess.”I gave a half-hearted smile back at S before turning my attention to the ground, sing for Elise's wooden doll—the one I’d dropped when the vines had ensnared my legs. It didn’t take long to spot it a few steps away, lying sadly in the dirt like it had been abandoned for years.With a sigh, I bent over and picked up the doll. It was in worse shape than I remembered—its once delicate wooden frame was now scratched and staihe tiny fabric clothes ripped and tattered. Dirt g to every crevice, and it looked as if it had gohrough its own mini-war alongside me.

  “Ah, the doll I gave to Elise,” S said, his voice tinged with sadness as he noticed the state of the poor thing in my hands. For a brief moment, his expression softened, a flicker of guilt crossing his face.But just as quickly as the sadness appeared, he straightened up, his signature knightley smile returning. “No worries!” he said, his tone lighter and more optimistic. “I always fix it. Elise won’t even notice it was damaged. Leave it to me!”I couldn’t help but smile at his unwavering positivity. There was something oddly f about it, even if I didn’t feel like sharing the same optimism.Standing up straight, brushing off the remnants of dirt from my hands, I held the doll for a moment longer before closing my eyes and fog. With a soft swoosh, the wooden doll vanished instantly, disappearing into the strae space tied to my will. It was a trick I hadn’t quite figured out yet, but one I was grateful for heless.

  “That’s…” S’s voice trailed off, his eyes widening slightly as they shifted to my tail and ears. The realization seemed to hit him all at once, and he gave me an uanding look. “I see…”I watched him for a moment as his eyes lingered on my tail and ears, but I quickly shifted my focus back to the topic at hand.“The doll…” I muttered, my gaze falling to the spot where it had vanished. “ you really fix it?”

  “Of course, my maid used to teach—” S paused abruptly, a loud cough esg him, cutting off his senteh impressive dramatic fir. “A bodyguard’s job doesn’t stop at swinging a sword, my dy. Sometimes it involves patg up clothes, tents, and, apparently, dolls.”

  I raised an eyebrow at him, not sure if I should be impressed by his versatility or if I should just shake my head at his antics. “I didn’t know bodyguards had such… diverse skills.”I stretched my hand outward, feeling the cool breeze against my skin as I walked, the soft e glow of the sun barely peeking through the opy above. The afternoon was creeping closer, but the light was still soft and warm.“Let's hurry. I 't wait to taste Lisa's cooking.” I started pig up my pace. “I’ll give you the doll ter, I don’t want Elise to see me holding her wooden doll in such a state. If she asks, just tell her that the doll is safe ihe children's secret base, okay?”

  S nodded enthusiastically, his smile never fading as he fell into step beside me. His footsteps were light and quick, keeping up with my brisk walk. "Ah, Lisa, the inn girl? What a ce. I’m also pnning to stay there for a few days."“So I’ve heard from Elise,” I muttered, recalling the versation with the kids earlier. “Heh, guess it’s really such a ce, almost like fate. Though, I don’t believe in such a thing.”S’s smile widened, his eyes sparkling with an unreadable glint. “Fate… Yes, it truly is.”

  ? ? ?

  “Miss Mashiro!” Elise’s cheerful voice rang out as she bolted toward me, her tiny arms ing tightly around my waist. Her face lit up with a bright smile, radiating pure joy.Standing in front of what I assumed was Lisa’s house—apparently an inn, acc to S—I g the sign above the entrance. Unfortunately, the intricate letteri nothing to me, so I had to take his word for it.I returned Elise’s hug with a soft pat on her head, her silky hair brushing against my fingers. “Sorry, Elise,” I said with a geone. “I fot t your doll. It’s still in the secret hideout.”Fet about Maribel!” Elise excimed, waving her hands dismissively before cirg me like a curious little cat. Her eyes sed me from head to toe, her expression shifting to one of . “Your outfit is so tattered! Are you hurt anywhere, Miss?”Her genuine worry tugged at my heartstrings. I smiled softly and shook my head. “I’m fine, just a bit tired. But thank you for cheg on me, Elise. You’re so thoughtful.”S, standing beside me, coughed loudly to grab attention. “Ahem, little dy. Is it ready yet?” he asked, his tone polite but ced with pyful impatience.

  Elise turned her bright smile toward him before tugging on my hand. “e on, Miss Mashiro!” she said, ign S’s questioirely as she guided me into the inn.This time, I took a moment to look around. The first floor resembled a cozy restaurant more than anything else. Circur wooden tables filled the space, each surrounded by four stools that looked sturdy but well-used. The faint aroma of cooking wafted through the air, making my stomach grumble audibly—muy embarrassment.Against one side of the room, a staircase that spiraled upward, likely leading to the inn’s guest rooms. The whole pce had a warm, rustic charm to it, as though it had been standing here feions, hosting tless travelers and locals alike. It felt… oddly f.The room bustled with activity, the low hum of chatter blending with the occasional k of utensils. Other patrons were scattered around the tables, sitting oools and enjoying their lunch. Among them were a few elderly vilgers I reized from earlier, their smiles warm and familiar as they exged quiet pleasantries.Elise tightened her grip on my hand, practically boung with excitement as she led me to a table tucked away in the er. The moment roached, my nose was assaulted by the rich, savory aroma of the food. Oable sat a pte of steaming, fvorful meat, its fragrance so tantalizing it felt like it could travel for miles. My mouth watered instinctively.“Miss Mashiro! Over here!” Lisa’s cheerful voice broke through my thoughts. I turo see her sitting casually on a nearby stool, waving her hand with a bright smile. She looked as if she’d been waiting for this exaent, her energy as weling as the meal that awaited me.“Lisa!” I smiled as I walked towards her and sat oool close to her, while Elise and S followed. “Are you okay? Do you still feel pain somewhere?Lisa smiled as she flexed her biceps, reassuring me how strong she was. Before I could eve, she grabbed a pte piled high with food and slid it across the table toward me with a flourish. The aroma hit me like a wave, and my stomach growled loudly in protest, muy embarrassment.“I’m fine!” Lisa said with her usual cheerful attitude, her voice full of energy. “Elise helped me out anyway, so I’m super fine right now! Nothing stop me!”I couldn’t help but smile at Lisa’s iious energy. Without a word, I picked up the wooden spooing oe and reached for the bowl of vegetable soup that sat steaming in front of me. The warm aroma of fresh herbs ay vegetables wafted up, making my stomach growl louder than before.S followed suit, pig up his spoon as well, while Elise and Lisa both watched us with wide, expet eyes. I took a cautious sip of the soup, letting the fvors settle on my to was incredible—rich, savory, and f.“This… tastes better than cabbage,” I said softly, gng up to see Lisa’s beaming fad Elise g her hands iement.“Because this is your first time eating here, and you helped me and Elise, you eat for free,” Lisa said with a wink, her smile widening. “But the meal? That’ll cost double.”Just as I was about to retort, the soft sound of footsteps caught my attention. A cloaked figure ehe restaurant, and Lisa immediately sprang into a, leaving me behind as she greeted them with a wide smile."You ordered two boxes of boar meat without spice, right?" Lisa asked. The figure gave a subtle nod, and without missing a beat, Lisa darted to the ter, grabbing two wooden boxes and handing them over. "That'll be 6 silver."

  The figure took the boxes in hand, and in a swift motion, they were gone, leaving behind 6 silver s on the ter. Lisa quickly snatched them up with a polite smile.

  "Thank you," the figure said quietly, before leaving the restaurant.I shot up from my seat as soon as I heard that unmistakable voice—the voice of a rich dy from my favorite gacha game. My heart skipped a beat as I dashed out of the restaurant, sing the area. But the street was empty, as though the person I’d just heard had never been there at all.“Yuzu…”