She slowly turned around, her gaze meeting Stelle's. It was as if time itself had stopped at that moment.
"Just like this," Firefly whispered, a hint of apology in her tone, "I'm truly sorry. For certain reasons, there are some things... I can't tell you everything right now. But at the same time, there are some things I feel I should be honest with you about."
"The Clockmaker's Legacy is indeed my goal, but we don't necessarily have to part ways and stand on opposite sides, at least... I don't want that to happen." Firefly's eyes revealed determination and sincerity.
"I think so too," Stelle responded gently.
Firefly gave Stelle a grateful look, then took a deep breath, turning her gaze once more to the distant east, where a brilliant morning sun was rising. She softly chanted:
"'I dreamt of scorched earth, a new bud breaking through, blooming towards the morning sun, whispering to me.'"
"Do you remember the question on the invitation—why does life fall into slumber?" Firefly's voice was as clear and sweet as the morning breeze blowing through wind chimes, like a heavenly melody lingering in the air.
[Himeko: Miss Firefly, I'm very curious about this. The information on the invitation is encrypted, how did you, as a stowaway, know about it?]
[Qingque: Really, Firefly's identity must be extraordinary!]
[Sushang: I read a line in a storybook: The prettier a woman is, the more she'll lie. Maybe this is a hidden villain?]
[Firefly: Sorry... I can't say now, but I hope you believe me, Stelle, I have no ill will towards you.]
[Stelle: I know.]
Following that, she gently spoke: "You see, in this fantastical Land of Dreams, everything is so free and unconstrained. Those painful pasts are like strings of bubbles, quietly breaking and disappearing in the sunlight; and the terrifying future is like a distant star, never to descend upon us."
"So, why do people choose to slumber? I think..."
"They are afraid of waking from the dream."
Firefly's gaze fixed on Stelle, her eyes revealing a hint of contemplation and confusion. However, when she noticed Stelle's stunned expression, a feeling of shyness welled up in her heart, and she quickly shook her head gently.
"Oh dear, the atmosphere seems to have suddenly become heavy, I'm so sorry... I shouldn't have said that... Let me think again, how can I make the atmosphere light and pleasant again?"
Suddenly, an idea sparked, and her eyes lit up as she asked, "Oh right—you must have made many good friends on The Train! What kind of methods do you usually use to adjust the atmosphere when you encounter similar situations?"
"Welt would definitely find a way to change the subject..." Stelle murmured softly.
Firefly, upon hearing this, stammered in response, "I... I'm already trying to change the subject."
Stelle had a sudden idea and suggested, "How about we take a selfie?"
"A selfie, a selfie... You're right, I've been here so many times and never thought of taking a photo as a souvenir."
Firefly suddenly understood, but then showed a hint of difficulty, "But it feels a bit strange to be in front of the camera alone. How about we take it together?"
"Okay!" Stelle readily agreed.
"I'm actually a bit afraid of facing the camera, so please don't laugh at me. Here... you take my phone." Firefly happily handed her phone to Stelle, her eyes full of anticipation.
Stelle skillfully took the phone, quickly opened the camera app, and switched to the front-facing camera. The entire sequence of movements was smooth and natural. Then, she extended her arm, holding the phone a little further away to ensure both of them fit into the frame.
"Wait a moment, let me fix my hair first..." Firefly somewhat clumsily tidied her slightly messy hair. "Okay! We can start now."
"One..."
"Two..."
"Cheese—!"
As Stelle gently pressed the shutter button, Firefly extended three fingers, making a gesture, and their happy moment was captured on the phone screen. In the photo, Firefly's smile was bright and sweet, her eyes revealing immense joy; Stelle's expression was natural and relaxed, with a faint smile on her lips.
[Rocky: Fun fact, Miss Firefly extended three fingers, which in sign language means: I love you]
[Firefly: Eh eh eh... Don't let anyone discover it so quickly!]
[Qingque: There's a feeling of sweet intimacy... It's really nice.]
[Kafka: Your little thoughts can't be hidden, it's not normal to get so close to a stranger so quickly.]
[Kafka: Both of you are very happy, the one-day date... is great, Stelle]
In the scene, after the two chatted for a moment, Stelle's phone suddenly rang with a pleasant chime. She pulled her phone out of her pocket; it was the group chat.
[Astral Express Family]
Himeko: Everyone, are you having fun?
March 7th: Fun is fun, but something feels off.
March 7th: It feels unreal, strange, I can't quite put my finger on it.
March 7th: I met a man with a plaster head at the auction, he just left without doing anything, so suspicious.
Welt: I've also made some unpleasant discoveries. The situation is complicated, it's best if we can discuss it in person.
Himeko: Me too.
Himeko: It seems it's time to return to reality.
Himeko: Gather in my room.
"I have to go..." Stelle's tone revealed a hint of reluctance.
"You're going back? Time really flies..." Firefly sighed softly; "I also plan to return to the real world to rest a bit... Let's go, we'll part ways at the Golden Hour."
Stelle smiled and nodded, then turned with Firefly and walked back the way they came.
Before long, they returned to the Golden Hour, and beside a large Clockie statue, Stelle stopped and asked curiously, "Oh, by the way, to return to the real world, shouldn't we go back to the hotel first?"
Firefly merely shook her head slightly, not directly answering Stelle's question. Her gaze slowly swept around, seemingly observing something. Following that, she murmured to herself, "It's so quiet... Where did all the people on the street go?"
At this moment, the once bustling street had become unusually silent, with only a few lonely billboards still tirelessly playing advertisements. This eerie atmosphere filled both Stelle and Firefly with a sense of unease.