“Uh.”
Faced with Celes’ almost blunt words tinged with obvious dependence and possessiveness, Aiden opened his mouth, but in the end, swallowed back what he wanted to say, momentarily at a loss for words.
Such words… didn’t they sound far too ambiguous?
It was almost like she was being coquettish, yet also like she was seeking a promise.
“Well… saying it like that is a bit too absolute, isn’t it? After all… after all, in many places—like the boys’ dormitory or certain specific situations—it’s just not convenient to be together all the time…”
For a moment, Aiden felt his cheeks flush slightly.
He could only clear his throat and try to respond in a tone that sounded objective and rational.
But seeing the slight dimming in Celes’ eyes, he couldn’t help but add a little tenderly.
“But… I’ll try my best to spend more time by your side, to make sure you stay stable.”
Hearing Aiden’s ambiguous and evasive answer, Celes couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment, like a tiny needle pricking her heart.
Why… why wouldn’t Aiden respond directly to her feelings?
Was he really just that oblivious, completely unaware?
Or… had he noticed but was deliberately ignoring and avoiding it?
Could it be… that Aiden really didn’t have that kind of feeling toward her?
This thought made Celes feel a sudden panic.
So… what exactly should she do to make sure Aiden’s gaze would always be locked firmly on her?
In the past, Celes had been extremely repulsed by men, avoiding them like the plague, let alone having any experience with romance.
So she was completely clueless about how to actively pursue a boy or how to express her feelings so they would be accepted.
Now that she thought about it… it seemed like the only person she could consult on such matters was…
Mother?
This thought made her cheeks flush even more.
Asking Mother how to chase a boy… that sounded far too embarrassing.
“Celes, we’ve arrived.”
Just as Celes was lost in her tangled thoughts, Aiden’s voice pulled her back to reality.
She suddenly woke up as if from a dream, and looked up to see that they really had reached the bottom of her apartment building.
But she didn’t want to part with Aiden just yet.
It had been so hard to get him to “exclusively” accompany her, and if they said goodbye so simply, she would feel deeply unwilling.
But… if she directly invited Aiden upstairs to hang out… to her home… wouldn’t that come off as too forward, even frivolous?
At this moment, Celes felt incredibly conflicted.
Would a girl casually invite a boy to her home like that?
Would Aiden think she was too easy or improper?
What could she do to spend more time with him?
Celes urged herself anxiously inside.
Just then, her gaze happened to sweep across the nearby street, where Magic Lamps were lit like stars decorating the night, casting soft, dreamy light that illuminated the bustling streets.
An idea instantly sparked in her mind, like a suddenly lit lamp.
“Aiden… um… could you stay with me a little longer?”
Celes turned around to face Aiden, nervously clasping her hands behind her back, her fingertips intertwining as she spoke with a hint of cautious hope.
“Sure, what’s up? Is there something else?”
Aiden looked at Celes’ slightly uneasy expression, a little puzzled but nodded.
“I… I suddenly want to go stroll around, to relax a bit. So much has happened recently, my mind feels all tangled…”
Celes quickly explained, lifting her eyes to look at Aiden with a pleading gaze.
“Aiden… can you stay with me?”
“No problem.”
Hearing this, Aiden agreed readily.
He really had no objections; after all, returning to that temporary lodging meant nothing to do anyway.
Besides, he hadn’t been in this otherworld city long, immediately caught up in the incident with Rufus.
Most of his energy was spent dealing with Rufus, and he’d never taken the time to observe or experience the city’s scenery properly.
This time, he could consider it familiarizing himself with the environment.
Upon hearing Aiden’s straightforward agreement, Celes’ face instantly blossomed into a bright smile, as if all the lights had converged into her eyes.
So… this must be what a date feels like.
With a heart full of joy, Celes led Aiden toward the nearest bustling street from the apartment.
By now, night had fully fallen, and the Magic Lamps along both sides of the road lit one by one, some like floating spheres of light, others like columns wrapped in glowing vines, illuminating the street as if it were daytime, yet with a fantastical hue.
People jostled shoulder to shoulder, bustling with lively energy.
Among them were couples holding hands, walking the Night Market with affectionate gestures; their laughter and whispers added a layer of sweetness to the night.
Next, Aiden and Celes blended into the lively Night Market.
They passed a stall emitting an inviting aroma, where the vendor was roasting some unknown beast meat over flame magic, sprinkling exotic spices that sizzled enticingly.
Curious, Celes bought two skewers to share with Aiden.
The meat was tender and juicy, with a subtle aftertaste unique to magic.
They stopped before a stall selling simple magical trinkets, watching color-changing little light spheres and Magic Threads that automatically wove simple patterns.
Celes picked up a crystal ball that emitted snowflake illusions and stared at it for a long time before reluctantly putting it back, her face still glowing with wonder.
This was her first time wandering the Night Market like this; she had always feared appearing before others, afraid of crowds and lively places.
This feeling was truly wonderful.
Afterward, the two tried a juice ice slush instantly frozen with ice magic; it melted in the mouth, cool and sweet.
Celes accidentally got some on the corner of her mouth.
Aiden instinctively pointed at his own mouth to remind her, and she blushed deeply, wiping it off with a handkerchief.
Time flew by amid laughter and joy, as if in the blink of an eye, the Magic Timer on the Clock Tower pointed to just past nine in the evening.
Aiden and Celes had a great time, especially Celes, whose face wore a rare, relaxed, and radiant smile.
Her blue eyes shone brightly under the Magic Lamp’s glow, as if filled with starlight.
Walking beside Aiden, Celes secretly stole glances at the young man’s profile, feeling as if her heart was filled with honey.
Indeed, doing anything with someone you like is truly joyful.
She silently prayed in her heart that such days could continue forever.