The crimson sun sank below the dark coastline, its last rays of twilight flickering like a candle in the wind.
The undulating cries of late autumn cicadas echoed through the mottled dusk.
Inside the coffee shop, the light was dim and the air was thick.
Elysia propped up her exhausted body and slowly stood. The moment the sole of her foot made contact with the floor—
A faint "squish~" could be heard.
It felt as though the bottom of her foot was coated in lubricant. She nearly slipped, and when she tried to walk, her balance was unsteady.
So slippery~
But the flawless Pink Elf did not find this pleasant; instead, she felt repulsion and disgust.
'What is this... it smells awful, too...'
The soles of her feet were slick, as if she were treading on greased glass.
She reached out to steady herself on a nearby table.
Her forearm was covered by a long white glove, the silky fabric also soaked through with... fluids.
Jingle jingle jingle~~
The evening breeze blew in, swaying a small bell hanging on the window.
Elysia felt a sudden chill.
It was only then that she realized her entire body was drenched. The light breeze made her shiver.
This was especially true for her white thigh-high stockings and long silk gloves. They were incredibly thin, clinging tightly to her skin and turning semi-transparent, revealing the color of her flesh beneath.
A wave of dizziness washed over Elysia.
Even a pure elf as inexperienced as she was could probably guess what had happened.
"...To do something like this to a beautiful and lovely young maiden... No matter who you are, I will never forgive you!"
Even a girl as pure as an elf could get angry.
Elysia took three seconds to compose herself. When she opened her eyes again, her face had mostly returned to a state of calm.
The most important thing right now... was to find some clothes.
She scanned her surroundings. In the dim space, rows of tables and chairs were neatly arranged, but the area immediately around her was a complete mess.
"Mmm..." Elysia hummed, gently pressing a hand to her forehead. The reality of the situation had turned her brain to mush: Who am I? Where am I?
In any case, the first step was to change into some clean clothes. A beautiful girl's day begins with a tidy appearance.
But this was a coffee shop. Where would there be... huh? It seems there are some.
But they were nothing more than torn stockings, thigh-high boots, and some other silk scraps.
It seemed... none of them were wearable.
"It appears... I was treated rather roughly... How could they."
No wonder her wrists and ankles were faintly aching.
Elysia's gaze fell on the center of the room, where there was an enclosed counter. The wall behind it had hollowed-out shelves displaying jars of coffee beans.
"Hm?"
But there was also a set of clothes hanging there.
Elysia lifted her elegant foot, then frowned with her delicate, shapely brows.
Her small foot was encased in a crystal high heel, enveloped by a mass of viscous liquid. It was incredibly uncomfortable.
If she had to compare it to something, the only thing Elysia could think of... was honey.
Golden, viscous honey.
But honey was sweet, while this was filled with a bitter taste.
How did Elysia know?
Because that was the taste currently in her mouth.
And not just her mouth, but her nasal cavity as well.
Although Elysia tried her best to ignore it, walking with these on was extremely difficult.
Elysia had no choice but to lean on a table and painstakingly bend over. She pressed her fingers against the crystal high heel to hold it in place, then slowly lifted her calf, gradually freeing her elegant foot.
As her foot slid out, she could hear a squelching sound that made her tremble to her core.
The shoe was completely full!
This sound, the friction of the viscous liquid inside the crystal heel, wasn't sharp. Instead, it was a soft, strangely slick noise.
In the dark and murky coffee shop, Elysia fought back a shiver. Finally, the tip of her foot cleared the opening of the crystal shoe.
But "countless threads" still connected her white-stockinged foot to the high heel, creating the image of a "stringy, white-stockinged jade foot."
Seeing this scene, the pure and flawless Elysia felt another wave of dizziness and thought she might faint.
Despite her intense discomfort, she endured it and removed the other crystal high heel as well.
"Hah~~"
Just the act of taking off her shoes felt like she had fought a long, arduous battle.
Pat~
Her white-stockinged feet, saturated with moisture, made a soft sound as they touched the wooden floor.
She walked to the counter, placed her hands on it, and stood on the tips of her white-stockinged feet, which showed the color of her skin through the fabric. Stretching her arms, she was finally able to grab the clothes.
"These clothes... are so strange..."
Elysia held them in her hands but didn't immediately put them on.
The outfit somewhat resembled a nun's habit, as it featured several cross-like patterns.
But even though it was a serious, holy uniform with a religious feel, Elysia couldn't help but think there was something distinctly improper about it.
"Whatever. It's better than nothing."
She would change her clothes and get out of here quickly.
The air in the enclosed coffee shop was simply too thick.
Elysia found it hard to bear.
---o---
"Qingque, I'll play with you again next time?"
Ye Feng tossed Qingque onto the sofa like a dirty rag.
"??"
A million question marks popped up in Qingque's head.
She blinked in confusion, then let out an angry roar:
"Seriously, you're doing this again!?!"
It was the same as last time. He just up and left in the middle of things.
You have to understand, it took a great deal of resolve for Qingque to convince herself to "enjoy life."
"Heeey, it's not like I want to."
Ye Feng said, "But she just has to be this conveniently timed."
Last time it was Ye Feng's favorite, Seele. This time it was Ye Feng's favorite, Elysia.
Although he liked Qingque too, when they showed up, she really had to take a backseat.
"Conveniently what...? Huh? Where'd he go? Damn it!"
Before Qingque could finish her question, Ye Feng vanished on the spot.
Leaving a high-and-dry Qingque to sulk on the sofa.
But Old Ye was still very considerate. He sent over a red string.
"Here, you can use this for now. I just took it off Fu Xuan's back."
Qingque: "..."
Qingque's mouth twitched. Although she wanted to pin Ye Feng down and beat him senseless, it was just a fantasy.
She looked at the red string Ye Feng had left behind and tilted her head.
"Whatever. I'll just go find Master Diviner Fu Xuan."
"Another day of being exploited. You were unjust first, so don't blame me for being unrighteous, Master Diviner."
---o---
At that moment.
Ye Feng was sitting on a bench across from the coffee shop.
From the moment Elysia had opened her eyes, he had been sitting here, admiring the beautiful elf's every move.
Ye Feng was in no hurry, savoring the moment like a fine wine.
He waited until Elysia had changed her clothes and opened the oak door.
Ye Feng saw Elysia, and Elysia noticed Ye Feng at the same time.
Outside the coffee shop, as night was about to fall, dusk began to settle, and the streetlights flickered on one by one.
Across the asphalt road, their eyes met.
Ye Feng looked at Elysia in her new clothes, and his eyes lit up.
He spread his arms wide, leaning back against the bench. His lips slowly curved into a smile. On the street, caught between light and dark, his voice was warm and intimate.
"As expected, you look beautiful in anything, my good Ely!"