"Fireworks... they really are quite beautiful."
Zane murmured softly, his gaze returning to the dazzling display filling the sky as he smiled gently.
He raised his hand and made a slight hooking motion. Space before him rippled outward in gentle waves, like a calm, still surface disturbed by a ripple. Two crystalline butterflies, radiating a faint glow, emerged from the ripples and settled quietly upon Zane's fingers.
They were the very butterflies that had resided within the twin hollows.
"Fireworks like these are truly something not to be missed."
As Zane finished speaking, the butterflies' wings fluttered slightly, shimmering brilliantly in the light of the fireworks.
"Such beautiful butterflies! Did you mold them yourself?"
Half of Qingyi's attention was fixed on Zane, so she naturally noticed the situation on his hand. Unaware of the truth, she assumed the butterflies were simply creations formed from ether crystals. Since Zane manipulated ether crystals as freely as modeling clay, she had used the word "mold."
"Heh, just think of it that way."
Zane offered a faint smile, his words slightly indistinct.
The booming echoes of fireworks exploding over the river reached everyone's ears. Qingyi hadn't quite caught Zane's reply and was about to ask again when he suddenly pointed skyward.
"Look. This moment belongs to us now."
Our moment?
Qingyi raised an eyebrow, setting aside the unheard words as she lifted her gaze toward the night sky.
The afterglow of the earlier fireworks lingered, but soon, several dazzling bursts shot straight up from the river surface, blooming against the pitch-black backdrop. Unlike the previous fireworks, these didn't explode outward. Instead, they spread like ink splashed onto paper, painting the night sky with vibrant strokes.
Similar effects appeared elsewhere in the sky, yet this small patch of night sky now belonged solely to them.
As the dazzling colors fell, Qingyi's eyes widened slightly. The others nearby also fell silent, all gazing at these extraordinary fireworks.
"He may not be good at other things, but he sure knows how to create special fireworks..."
Zane nodded with satisfaction. Hearing his words, Belle realized this was something Zane had prepared. She spoke up,
"Originally, we just wanted to watch the fireworks display. But now, it feels as if this entire show was put on just for us."
Belle sighed softly, a faint smile touching her lips. Her gaze fixed on the unfolding "painting" in the sky, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.
How long had it been since she first met Zane?
Quite some time, it seemed. During that period, so much had changed. They had experienced much, grown much, and shared many adventures. Perhaps it could be called a splendid journey...
A distant look flickered in Belle's eyes. The fireworks above the night sky had faded, but the moment belonging to their group was far from over. The scenes of their journey continued to unfold.
Unlike Belle's reminiscences, the members of Hare's House didn't dwell on the past. Billy excitedly pointed at the fireworks shaped like himself, Anby silently admired them, and Nicole grew quiet.
As she watched the "group photo" fireworks of the Hare's House, Nicole couldn't help but glance at Zane. She knew the others wouldn't have prepared such things. Only he would.
"Nicole!"
Just then, a familiar voice suddenly rang out beside her. Nicole froze for a moment before turning to look.
"Hey, be careful, don't rush."
Siena called out to Nicole first, then pulled Pixie up. Once they reached the top, Pixie seemed to want to say something, but remembering not to disturb the others, she closed her mouth. She just blinked her bright, watery eyes at the group.
"How did you two get here..."
Nicole was surprised. She hadn't expected to run into the two of them here, especially since the orphanage was quite a distance away.
"It's not just the two of us, you know."
Siena smiled, then released Pixie's hand and walked over to Nicole's side.
"Not just the two of you?"
"Look over there."
Siena pointed toward the riverbank. Nicole followed her gesture and immediately spotted the orphanage children gathered together.
Seeing Nicole looking their way, Ellen, standing nearby among the children, waved reassuringly, signaling Nicole not to worry. Lycaon, Rina, and Corin were all present.
For certain reasons, Nicole was familiar with Victoria Housekeeping, so she wasn't worried—only utterly delighted.
"Is that Brother Zane..."
Pixie stood behind, uncertainly watching Zane's back. Zhu Yuan, who had brought the two up, smiled faintly before bending down to say,
"That's right. He's your Brother Zane."
The aftermath of the Lamia Hollow incident had been handed over to New Eridu Public Security, so she still knew a bit about the orphanage's affairs.
"What? Forgotten me already?"
Zane had naturally sensed their arrival. His gaze fell on Pixie, and he smiled lightly.