The third stop on Noah and Helena's best-friend date was the ornate fountain near the clan square.
"This place is even prettier at night," Noah explained, gesturing to the cascading water. "The underwater lights and the synchronized fountain patterns make it look truly magical."
"Then let us come back tonight! We have plenty of time during this long break," Helena suggested eagerly.
Noah nodded in agreement. "That is a good idea. Let us take some photos for now while the light is still good."
"Sure!"
Noah pulled out a small, sleek camera from her pocket, carefully adjusting the angle and the settings. She and Helena posed in various ways against the scenic backdrop, striking playful and friendly gestures.
Noah's expression remained characteristically calm and controlled—a skill honed over years of managing her naturally stoic personality—but Helena's inherently cheerful demeanor added a necessary, lively touch to their pictures.
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Meanwhile, the two tails of the covert duo peeked out from behind a large oak tree.
Muen was perched on a low-hanging branch, and Aurora stood directly below her, their heads stacked vertically like a curious totem pole.
"Did you hear that, Aurora?" Muen whispered urgently.
"Hear what, Second Sister?"
"Helena said she is staying with us for several more days! Did you hear that?" Muen's voice was a mix of panic and indignation.
Aurora rolled her eyes skyward. "Wow, you cannot hear teachers when they ask you questions in class, but now you can hear Helena's conversation perfectly from this far away?"
Muen lowered her chin onto the top of Aurora's head and whispered conspiratorially, "I pretend not to hear in class. That way, the teacher gives up and moves on to someone else to answer."
Aurora tilted her head up as much as she could to look at Muen's soft, round face looming above her. "Second Sister, you are a genuine genius at academic evasion."
Muen huffed, her breath disturbing Aurora's hair. "Ugh, it is the weekend, and tomorrow we have to go back to the academy. I am terrified to think what Helena will do while we are gone! She will have Big Sister all to herself!"
"So what is your grand plan? Skip school?" Aurora asked, a teasing lilt in her voice. "Your excuse will be 'I need to stay home to protect my sister from being stolen?'"
"I am not that dumb," Muen retorted, slightly offended. "Even Dad would not believe that excuse, let alone the teachers!"
Aurora smirked. "So you admit Dad is kind of dumb?"
"I do not know if Dad is dumb," Muen stated matter-of-factly, "but his cooking is definitely delicious."
[Leon, overhearing nothing but feeling a sudden surge of paternal pride: 🥹🥹]
The little dragonettes continued their hushed bickering behind the tree, completely oblivious to the fact that Noah had caught sight of their distinctive silver and pink tails clearly reflected in the shimmering surface of the fountain.
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"Noah, look! How about this one?" Helena asked, showing Noah the camera's preview screen.
Noah glanced at the photo, where Helena was gently holding her own chin in a pose that made her look like a content, purring kitten. It was an adorably composed shot—worthy of being printed and framed.
But Noah's sharp eyes quickly focused on the background of the image. Two small tails were clearly visible, peeking out from behind a tree: one a common silver, the other a much rarer pale pinkish-silver.
Silver tails were common enough in the Silver Dragon Clan, but a pink hue? Very rare. And for both distinct colors to appear together in one hiding spot? It could only mean one thing: her sisters.
"What is wrong, Noah?" Helena tilted her head in concern, noticing her friend's focused expression. "Does the photo look bad?"
"No, it is fine," Noah replied casually, choosing not to turn around and confront them. When she had not seen Muen or Aurora all morning, she had already suspected her mischievous sisters were up to something. Now, having confirmed that they were tailing her and Helena's outing, Noah decided not to call them out. In fact, she saw their antics as a perfect, harmless way to let Muen feel involved and maintain balance.
"Noah, let us take some more photos under the cherry blossoms!" Helena suggested, pointing to a nearby grove.
"Sure."
As the two friends walked toward the blooming trees, the covert duo naturally shifted to follow.
But Muen suddenly stopped mid-step, clutching her stomach with a strange, pained expression.
"What is wrong, Second Sister?" Aurora asked, turning back to look at her.
"It is... nothing," Muen grumbled, her face paling slightly. "Let us keep going."
"Uh... okay?" Aurora replied, not entirely convinced.
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The rest of the date passed with similarly lighthearted activities: taking more photos, sipping cold fruit drinks from a vendor, and feeding nuts to the friendly, fluffy squirrels. There were no overly intimate moments or dramatic romantic confessions—much to Muen's secret relief. No declarations of "You are mine, Noah!" or "I am happiest when it is just the two of us!" Instead, their interactions remained pure, comfortable, and effortlessly friendly, reflecting the genuine, uncomplicated bond between best friends.
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By evening, the sun had dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the entire park. Noah and Helena sat side by side on a polished stone bench by the lake, enjoying the cool, gentle breeze coming off the water.
Helena swayed gently with the wind, humming a soft, unfamiliar tune as her legs dangled playfully over the edge of the bench.
"Today was so much fun, Noah."
"Mm," Noah agreed softly, her gaze falling on Helena's noticeably bulging satchel. "Why did you buy so many snacks?"
"They are for Muen and Aurora," Helena replied without hesitation.
Noah blinked in surprise. "You knew they were following us?"
"Of course I did. Their disguises were not exactly subtle," Helena said with a light, musical laugh. "I figured you had noticed too but chose not to say anything, so I decided to follow your lead."
Helena unzipped the satchel and began pulling out an impressive array of snacks—sweet rolls, salted nuts, dried fruits, and even some smoked meat sticks. "They have been trailing us all day, probably without stopping to eat properly. I grabbed these for them when we passed by the food stalls earlier."
Helena then hopped off the bench.
"What are you doing?" Noah asked.
"Creating a 'coincidental' encounter," Helena replied with a wink.
Noah offered a faint, knowing smile, watching as Helena strolled with purpose toward a large, familiar-looking tree.
Sure enough, Helena stopped just short of it, peeked around the trunk dramatically, and gasped in feigned surprise, "Muen! Aurora! What a coincidence running into you two here!"
The tailing duo froze, caught completely off guard. Unable to feign ignorance any longer, they sheepishly emerged from behind the tree.
Muen nervously fiddled with the hem of her dress. "Oh... what a coincidence! We were just, um, passing by. Right, Aurora?"
Aurora nodded a little too quickly. "Yup, just passing through! Totally not here for anything else!"
Helena chuckled warmly. "Well, since you are here, you must have some of these snacks! I bought too many."
"Uh, no thank you! We are not hungry—" Muen started to protest.
Growl~
Before she could finish her sentence, a loud, unmistakable rumble erupted from her stomach.
She turned to Aurora for backup, only for the same mortifying sound to emanate from her younger sister.
Growl~
Helena laughed, a kind, understanding sound. "Come on, do not be shy. I bought plenty for everyone! Let us eat together!"
Without waiting for further protest, she gently grabbed their hands and led them back to the bench where Noah sat, watching the scene with amused affection.
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"Good evening, Muen," Noah greeted with a soft smile as her sisters approached.
Muen turned her head away, a light pout on her lips. "Good evening, Sister... We really were just passing by."
"Sure, just passing by," Noah echoed, playing along. "Since we are all here now, let us eat. Helena bought these especially for you two."
Muen hesitated, her pride warring violently with her gnawing hunger. But before she could make a decision, Aurora had already dove into the pile of snacks, happily munching on a sweet pastry.
"...Traitor," Muen muttered under her breath.
"Eat up," Helena coaxed, handing Muen a packet of savory beef jerky. "I know my presence might make you uncomfortable sometimes, but please understand: Noah is your sister. She loves you more than anything, and no one will ever, ever take her away from you."
Muen's ears twitched and perked up at the words. Helena's voice was soft and reassuring, her blue eyes filled with nothing but sincere warmth.
"You are unique to her, Muen. No one can replace you. I am just a friend, here to bring Noah some fun companionship outside the family."
Helena reached out and gently pinched Muen's cheek, relieved when the younger dragoness did not pull away. "Do not overthink it, okay? You are an amazing little dragoness, and your sister adores you."
Muen's face flushed a bright pink. "T-Thank you... Helena," she stammered, utterly disarmed.
"Good girl. Now, please eat something."
Just as Muen's resolve broke and she reached for the offered jerky, her stomach erupted in another loud, painful-sounding rumble.
GRROOWWL~
"...Seven ice creams..." Muen moaned, clutching her belly in sudden, acute distress.
"What did you say?" Helena asked, leaning closer.
"Seven ice creams... I am done for!" Muen whined, her face now pale with discomfort. The vengeful consumption of frozen treats had finally exacted its toll.