After a while, the opening ceremony of the resort also officially came to an end, and the crowd slowly left the plaza along with the flow of people.
"I didn't expect to actually win a mysterious grand prize at the end!" Kiana excitedly leaned over to Van and said, "Van, your luck is too good, right!"
Upon hearing this, Sirin snorted coldly and said with implied meaning, "Of course, compared to someone who drew for half a day and only got a lousy keychain, Van is way more impressive, one draw and it's a grand prize!"
Kiana immediately refuted, "Hey! That was just a warm-up, okay! Besides, aren't we part of the same body? If Van won, doesn't that mean I won too?"
At this point, Kiana suddenly leaned in closer to Van, blinking as she spoke, "Speaking of... Van, Miss Pardofelis, she..."
Van lightly nodded, lowered his voice and said, "Mm, her past is the same as mine, but she probably doesn't remember those things anymore..."
"I see." Kiana suddenly understood, "But still, for Miss Pardofelis to be the boss behind the resort, I'm honestly a bit surprised..."
Hearing this, Van suddenly recalled the scene when he first met Pardo, and couldn't help but laugh.
"Hey! What are you two whispering about!" Sirin squeezed between the two with dissatisfaction, "Kiana, you're not allowed to monopolize Van!"
After being 'interrupted by a third party' by Sirin, Kiana didn't get angry. Instead, she skillfully circled around to Van's other side and grabbed his arm.
After doing this, she continued chatting with Van.
Sirin, seeing this, stomped her foot in anger and immediately squeezed back between them.
Just like that, the two girls began playing a game around Van, fighting for the best position.
Van got dizzy from being spun around and helplessly raised both hands in a surrender gesture.
"Hey hey, you two calm down a bit..."
On the side, Raiden Mei watched the scene, unable to hold back her smile as she commented, "They're really full of energy."
Fu Hua pushed up her glasses, and behind the lenses her gaze thoughtfully shifted between Van and the two girls.
After a round of playful chaos, Van looked at the two girls hanging onto either side of him and helplessly said, "How am I supposed to walk like this?"
"Hmph~ I don't care! Unless Kiana lets go first!" Sirin buried her face into Van's shoulder and muttered.
Seeing that, Kiana mimicked her and leaned in as well, "I won't let go either, unless Sirin lets go first~"
Van sighed and looked to Raiden Mei and Fu Hua for help, only to receive two helpless gazes in return.
Just then, Ivana suddenly popped up from behind and hooked an arm around Van's neck.
"Say, old geezer~ looks like your old comrade has a special fondness for you~ even arranged a mysterious grand prize just for you!"
"Don't talk nonsense." Van took the opportunity to free his hands from Kiana and Sirin's embrace, then patted Ivana's arm, "It was just a coincidence."
"Oh? Really just a coincidence?" Ivana grinned mischievously, "I don't buy it~ From what I remember, that little kitty has received your help more than once~ and she seems to..."
Hearing this, Sirin frowned and asked, "Seems to what, about Van?"
Seeing this, Van cleared his throat and quickly changed the subject, "Ahem... by the way, where do we go to claim that mysterious prize?"
Raiden Mei timely pulled out the resort guide and said, "I just asked a staff member. The prize claim location is at the 'Empty Dream Hall' in the center of the resort. It's also where Eden's performance will be tonight."
Kiana was immediately distracted by this and excitedly said, "Then let's watch the performance first and claim the prize afterward! That way, even if the mysterious prize doesn't meet expectations, at least we can still enjoy Eden's concert!"
"Then here's the question, why not claim the prize first and watch the performance after?" Ivana deliberately countered.
"That's where you don't get it~" Kiana spoke with a serious face, "If we claim the prize first and it turns out to be lame, it'll ruin the mood for the concert. But if we go the other way around, that won't happen!"
"It's the same reason I used to play games before exams, better to have fun beforehand than to fail and have no mood to play after~"
Everyone looked at each other upon hearing this and couldn't find a way to refute Kiana's odd logic.
"Then it's settled!" Kiana grabbed Raiden Mei with one hand and Van with the other, "Let's go eat first! I just found a barbecue place that looks pretty good!"
Sirin immediately squeezed to Van's other side and tightly hugged his arm, "I want to go too!"
Fu Hua stood to the side, subconsciously pushing her glasses, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Ivana cheerfully pulled out his phone behind them and snapped a photo of the scene.
———
Time moved to the evening.
Even though the group arrived at the performance venue half an hour early, they were still stunned by the sea of people outside.
"Wow~ so many people..." Kiana exclaimed, "As expected of Eden, her popularity is really something!"
After a long wait, the group finally arrived at the ticket checkpoint at the main entrance.
When the staff checked their number plates, their expression suddenly changed, and they spoke softly into an earpiece.
Soon, a supervisor in uniform came walking quickly and bowed respectfully, "Honored guests, please follow me."
Under the group's puzzled gazes, they were led to a round table directly in front of the stage.
This VIP area was slightly elevated compared to the regular seats, with delicate snacks and drinks set on the table.
"This is... for us?" Kiana said excitedly, "Can't believe we get to watch Eden's performance from this close, this is amazing!"
Even Sirin showed a rare expression of surprise, but quickly forced herself to stay cool, "Hmph, this... this isn't that big of a deal..."
Ivana nudged Van with his elbow and grinned, "Old geezer, what do you have to say now?"
Van didn't respond. He looked around and felt something wasn't quite right deep down.
All of this was just a bit too perfect...
At that moment, he heard a familiar voice not far away.
Turning to look, he saw Kevin leading Mei to their seats.
Not far away, Bianca and others were helping Griseo find a spot. The little girl had wide eyes and looked around curiously.
Seeing this, Van instinctively began scanning the area.
After all, if they were here, then Mobius was very likely nearby too.
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