Noble Heights — Holland Residence
Kite was still blushing as he quietly chewed his dinner. Audrey and Harley ate peacefully. Chu-Chu nibbled on leftover chestnuts, while Ryenne kept glancing at Kite from the corner of her eye with a barely concealed smirk.
She leaned close to his ear and whispered,
"Are you that excited over a little kiss, blockhead~?"
Kite's brain overloaded. He froze mid-bite, steam practically rising from his scalp. Ryenne laughed at the visible effect her teasing had on him.
"Now, now, don't tease the poor boy, Ryenne," Audrey said with a knowing tone. "But judging by his face... something did happen, didn't it?"
"N-No," Kite mumbled, cheeks still burning.
"Riiight," Audrey replied, narrowing her eyes in suspicion.
---
That Night...
Kite lay in bed, wide awake and staring at the ceiling. Sleep refused to come. Then—he heard something downstairs. Faint sounds. Almost like murmuring.
He slipped quietly out of his room and crept down the hallway. As he reached the staircase, the strange voice became clearer—fast, breathy, and emotional. He slowly descended, and then—
He froze.
In the dining room, Ryenne was clutching Chu-Chu like a plush toy, smothering him in kisses.
"Chu! Chu!" Chu-Chu squeaked desperately, begging for mercy.
"I'mnotlettingyougocutieputtotie!" Ryenne babbled in a feverishly affectionate tone even Kite didn't recognize.
He took a step back, but a floorboard creaked loudly.
Ryenne froze.
Kite froze.
Chu-Chu froze.
Slowly, Ryenne turned, her face shadowed like a spirit of vengeance. Her eyes locked onto Kite.
There was only one possible outcome.
"Aaaaahhh!!" Kite's scream echoed through the night.
---
January 27, 1522
Ashenreach District — Route 4
Kite trudged alongside Ryenne, his body sore and posture slumped from last night's "accident." Chu-Chu clung to the inside of his coat, equally traumatized.
"You can't blame me," Ryenne said with a shrug. "I just reacted."
"You mean—beat the life out of me?"
She gave him a dangerous look. "You say something?"
"No."
"Good. If you tell anyone about what you saw last night… I'll shoot you until your body can be used as a flute."
Kite nodded silently. Even Chu-Chu whimpered.
As they walked, they stumbled upon a street alive with color. Decorations draped across windows and balconies. Lanterns hung like stars between buildings. Craftsmen, mostly tan-skinned artisans from the Majapahit Empire, bustled around preparing for something big. The energy was electric with anticipation.
Ryenne tried asking a man in passing, but he brushed past her. She looked at Kite with a questioning gesture. He just shook his head.
---
Ashenreach District — STF Facility
They entered the facility with fierce determination—burning with curiosity. Anyone who crossed their path now risked interrogation.
That unfortunate someone was Ralf Darwin.
He was casually walking through the reception when the doors slammed open. Kite and Ryenne stormed in like a two-headed hound.
"We want to know!" they demanded in unison.
"W—What?!"
"The celebration outside!"
Ralf blinked, then rubbed the back of his head as the realization dawned.
"Ohhh, right! That's for the Majapahit celebration. If I remember correctly, it's called…"
He snapped his fingers. "Yeah—Jyotiksha!"
"Jyotiksha?" they echoed.
"Yep. It's one of the most important festivals for their people—celebrating divine blessings, light, family… all that. Normally it's held back in the subcontinent, but most can't travel until autumn. So they hold it here. The city joins in too."
Kite and Ryenne shared a glance. Their eyes sparkled.
Anticipation had bloomed.