Under the brilliant fireworks, Cassia looked up at the Ferris Wheel.
The firelight illuminated the two people in the gondola, witnessing the birth of a couple.
That part of her heart was twitching; this time she was certain it wasn’t a calcium deficiency.
Even though she wasn’t physically hurt, she felt the agonizing pain of a giant hole being stabbed into her.
Surrounded by crowds, she was all alone.
It was bad.
Her vision began to blur, and the outline of the Ferris Wheel gradually became hazy, blending into the night.
Her nose began to feel hot, and she couldn’t help but let out a “Wu…” sound.
People in the crowd would occasionally glance her way.
Cassia knew it was time to leave.
She couldn’t help but think, “Sigh, I’m so stupid, this is so embarrassing.”
Hertanid didn’t jump out this time; instead, she felt that her heart had actually grown stronger.
Because she had fantasized about and anticipated this scene and situation; it was just that in reality, she wasn’t the Main Heroine.
She walked aimlessly, wanting only to leave this place, and eventually reached the outside of the park.
“Good Evening, beautiful, all by yourself?”
Three men she didn’t know approached Cassia, speaking to her in a very friendly tone.
However, Cassia had no reaction and silently walked away.
It was as if she hadn’t noticed the men at all.
Then, seemingly angered by being ignored, one of the three men reached out, intending to grab Cassia’s shoulder.
Before he could touch her, Cassia skillfully summoned the Wraithblade, striking the man’s shoulder blade in one blow and then pinning him to the ground.
“I used the back of the blade. Sorry, I don’t feel like talking right now.”
Hertanid still hadn’t woken up.
Cassia longed for her to come out and mock or ridicule her with a few words.
Having a close friend to accompany her during her sadness would have made things a bit better.
She ignored the man lying on the ground and stared ahead with lifeless eyes.
The force of her foot unconsciously increased, and there seemed to be the sound of something hard cracking.
The man felt intense pain and let out a scream through his tears.
As for the man’s companions, they were so frightened they stood frozen in place, unable to move.
At the same time this happened, passersby gradually gathered to watch the commotion.
Finally, the police arrived at the scene and took the men back to the station.
Cassia continued walking forward as if nothing had happened.
What was that smell?
Cassia caught a strange scent of tea mixed with cola.
It felt like she had smelled it somewhere before… it caused her to snap out of her dazed state.
Only then did she realize she had walked to a quiet place.
It was the waiting area of a bus station.
At this time, the tourists were all inside the park watching the fireworks.
Those who needed to arrive had already arrived, so there was naturally no one at the station.
She simply sat down to rest.
For the sake of aesthetics and greenery, the platform was filled with plants and flowers.
The fresh flowers under the night lights brought a different kind of scenery, providing Cassia’s heart with some measure of comfort.
Cassia guessed that the scent might be from an unknown flower, or perhaps the aroma of food from the amusement park vendors drifting over.
The fireworks in the distance gradually ceased.
Siloque and Katy Teacher might return by way of this station, and then Siloque would find me and talk to me.
What are you deluding yourself with?
If you let Siloque recognize you as Cassia, won’t the matter of pretending to be the Brother be exposed?
Cassia gave a lonely smile.
Right, Hill.
Cassia remembered this and sent a location to her.
“Hill, come over here and let’s go back together. It’s a bit dangerous for a girl to be out alone so late.”
“(Unintelligible abstract emoji) Sister Tiya, why did you run to the station? Couldn’t find anyone?–“
“There’s no need anymore. Just now I saw…”
Typing up to this point, Cassia hesitated for a moment, deleted what she had written, and continued:
“If I keep chasing, it won’t change anything.”
She crossed out “it won’t change anything” in the typing box and changed it to “I’d be swallowed by the crowds, it’s hot enough to kill someone.”
Only then did she click send.
She didn’t actually hope that nothing would change.
She was afraid that the words spoken out loud would become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
“Fine, Hill thinks it’s about time too. I’ve been looking for half a day and haven’t seen Brother and the others; they probably went back.”
“Siloque didn’t notice you. Don’t say too much; asking too much will make Siloque suspicious.”
“Sister Tiya, you’re the one who shouldn’t speak too clearly with Brother Cass. Hill is afraid he’ll reveal unnecessary information to Brother. Even if Siloque recognizes Hill, as long as Hill acts a bit spoiled or throws a tantrum, Brother won’t say anything. He might even buy Hill a new Game.”
Cassia gave a bitter smile, somewhat envious of her relationship with Siloque.
If Hill saw that scene, would she think the same way?
At the thought of that image, Cassia’s mood plummeted again.
“It’s so lively. Humans all like lively places; huddling in groups and socializing is human nature.”
A stranger’s voice came from the side.
Cassia looked toward the sound and saw a young man who looked like a college student with his back to her.
He wore glasses, was clean-cut, and was leaning against the railing watching the crowd at the entrance of the amusement park.
The faint smile on his profile revealed a deep sense of powerlessness and helplessness.
“My name is Henson. Looking at you, did you get dumped?”
Cassia hurriedly denied it in her heart.
Was it that obvious?
And besides, Siloque and I haven’t even really started; it’s just my unrequited love…
But Siloque is also in the wrong, right?
He clearly made a Family Pact with me to go out and play together after the duel, but he seems to have completely forgotten about it.
Although I was the one who forced the invitation on him and he only agreed out of helplessness, maybe he wasn’t that willing in the first place.
But I’ve been looking forward to it the whole time!
Cassia began to get angry.
She glanced at the messages on LINE; Siloque hadn’t sent a single message since that afternoon, which made her even angrier.
“People experiencing a broken heart carry a certain aura. I understand. After all, I used to have a girl I liked too, except she married my Childhood Friend.”
Henson seemed to be reminiscing about that time.
“In elementary school, she made a pinky promise with me, saying she would become my bride when she grew up. I liked her for over ten years… On the day I confessed, she told me she liked someone, and that person was my Childhood Friend. He turned out to be a homosexual. This world is truly crazy. Back then, I ran ten kilometers in one go, running until I fainted.”
“Uh…”
Cassia listened to this person, who kept his back turned, finish his monologue, not knowing how to react.
Was his experience a bit like hers?
Having someone you like, but that person can’t sense your feelings.
A sense of sympathy welled up in her heart.
However, she didn’t strike up a conversation; after all, Henson was very suspicious.
Henson didn’t pay attention to Cassia either, continuing to talk to himself.
“Those days were very difficult. I didn’t attend any university classes at all until I joined a Mutual Aid Association.”
He turned around and faced Cassia.
It was a harmless face—neither good-looking nor ugly—in short, a very ordinary face.
“Do you know? I never believed in God before, but after joining, my whole being was transformed! Compared to the future of all humanity, compared to all things in the universe, these troubles of mine living on this tiny Earth are not worth mentioning at all!”
Henson’s face lit up, his eyes shining.
Cassia was stunned by this overly exaggerated posture.
She felt like there was something wrong with his head.
And… God?
A woman wearing revealing clothes and brandishing a Scythe flashed through her mind.
“Pardon me…”
Henson kept his distance and took a step back.
“I just wanted you to know the reason I came here. Our meeting is destined.”
Destined?
The last time Cassia met someone who spoke so grandiosely was Siloque.
“You also have the potential to join us, the qualification to move toward happiness. You shouldn’t be here feeling sad and discouraged.”
His eyes met Cassia’s.
“?”
Cassia turned her head in confusion to check the surroundings, confirming there were only two people at this station.
“Eh? Me?”
Cassia pointed at herself.
Henson nodded slightly.
Join?
Not interested.
Or rather, diving into something else to escape because one thing is painful… I don’t like that feeling.
Only after giving my all and failing can I possibly accept it.
Henson naturally wasn’t clear on Cassia’s thoughts.
He leaned against the platform and reached out his arm, opening his palm—the distance was a bit far, but Cassia could see it very clearly.
What caught her eye was a branch, only the size of a pinky finger, with a pitch-black and deep color.