"Pray, what do you think we should do?" On the rooftop, Cai Ya and Inori Yuzuriha stood by the railing, gazing out at the scenery beyond as they talked.
"Let Lian decide," Inori blinked, not answering directly. This was something that concerned her. It was better to leave the decision to Lian. No matter what she chose on her behalf, it would not be appropriate.
"If she wants to build a cultural and entertainment media empire of her own, there are far too many things that need to be done. We can't rely on her alone to think of everything, nor can we only depend on ourselves to figure it out. We need more help. She doesn't want funding, so we'll find talent. We have to do this properly." Leaning slightly forward with her chin resting in her hand, Cai Ya looked at the distant neon lights, her voice carrying a faintly dreamy tone.
"We're supposed to stand by her side, supporting each other and working together with one heart. But in reality, we depend on her for everything, letting her make all the decisions. And whenever danger comes, she's the one protecting us." Her mood dipped at that. During the last school trip, if they hadn't become burdens, Chu Lian surely wouldn't have been so exhausted.
"To Lian, it may not be a burden." Inori understood Chu Lian's personality well. The more she carried on her shoulders, the stronger her drive became. The faster she progressed.
Not only that, at times she could also be extremely stubborn and possessive. As long as someone she cared about stood beside her, she would treat them as a friend, as a lover. Without realizing it, she would use her own judgment to decide what they should do, what they shouldn't do, how she herself should act, and so on.
In some ways, that was a good thing. In others, it was bad. The troubling part was that she still hadn't realized this about herself.
"I know. Staying by her side will only make her stronger. But at the same time, we'll grow weaker—so weak that we'll have no presence at all, unable to help her in any way." Straightening up, Cai Ya turned and leaned back against the railing, letting the wind lift her long hair as she spoke softly.
"Yes, she'll only become more and more formidable. But that kind of her... also makes people worry even more." Inori had long thought about this, though she still didn't know how to solve it.
"If we were stronger, if we could think through more things for her, would that help?" The girl was proud. Even if she wanted to help, she would never bring it up in front of her. At most, she would discuss it with others in private, figure out what to do, accomplish it first, and only then stand before her with a proud expression as if to say, "I helped you. Why aren't you thanking me yet?"
This time, the person she sought out was the one closest to Chu Lian—Inori. This perceptive girl knew many of Chu Lian's thoughts and plans. With her involved, Cai Ya could be almost certain that whatever she chose to do would not stray from Chu Lian's path.
"That's only one aspect." Inori nodded, then shook her head. "What she needs more is emotional support. In other areas, she doesn't place as much importance."
"That's because she doesn't value it. That doesn't mean we should follow suit." Cai Ya tilted her head slightly, her tone tinged with faint melancholy. "In any case, I refuse to be her burden again. If there's another trip, or another battle, and I don't have sufficient strength, I won't go along."
"In this world, none of us owes anyone anything. But now, I owe Chu Lian my life. That's not something I can repay just by saying so, nor is it easily done. The only thing I can do is work harder—hard enough to become one of the people who push her forward as she grows." Cai Ya had always been a girl with complicated thoughts, yet she was calm and composed.
Since she had begun to consider Chu Lian's future, she would undoubtedly form a complete plan before carrying it out step by step.
"In truth, what Lian would prefer is simply for you to stay with her." How could Inori not understand that flirtatious girl's heart? Though she had never stated it openly, Inori knew she loved having a group of people around her.
Perhaps with others by her side, she would no longer feel lonely. Perhaps it helped her feel at ease. Or perhaps fate itself decreed that from now on, she would share inseparable bonds with a group of people.
Whatever the reason, as long as those she felt should never leave remained by her side, that would be best.
"I want that too. But I can't just be a vase." She reached up to smooth her wind-tousled hair, her gaze drifting as she looked at the sky slowly being swallowed by heavy clouds. "If all I can be beside her is a decorative vase, then I would rather never stand at her side at all."
"I like her. I like her very much—so much that I want to walk alongside her for the rest of the journey." Cai Ya smiled softly. "But I will never give up who I am because of that. First and foremost, I am an independent person. Only then am I someone who loves her. I think she wouldn't want me to lose myself and become a featureless ornament either."
"I will be beautiful, live beautifully, act beautifully—even complement her beautifully. But that isn't a reason to become a vase, nor is it an excuse to avoid striving."
"No matter how much my heart leans toward her, no matter how intense my feelings are, if I choose not to act, I will suppress them." A ripple seemed to stir in her eyes.
"Perhaps I'll regret it. Perhaps it will leave me with regrets. But I want to become someone worthy of her. I want to stand beside her and proudly say, 'Having me is your good fortune.' Not lose my nature and become someone who merely clings like a delicate little bird."
Realizing she might have misspoken, Cai Ya hurried to explain, "Inori, I didn't mean you..."
"I know." Inori glanced back at her, her expression calm, showing no sign of offense.
"By her side, I'm also striving to become the best version of myself." Inori twirled a strand of hair that fell to her waist and spoke softly. "No one wants to be her burden. Everyone is working hard. They're just not as bold as you—willing to say it aloud, even choosing to leave if necessary to achieve it."
"They'll improve themselves and grow, then stand beside her with enough confidence and strength."
"She stands at the center like a king. The others around her should also be people worthy of standing shoulder to shoulder with a king."
"I'm working toward that too. For now, only Chu Chu has barely managed it. It used to be me, but after Lian's power surged, I couldn't keep up. Even if I recover soon... what about the next time?"
"Don't think they aren't trying. Perhaps in secret, they're working even harder than you."
"Perhaps..." Cai Ya nodded. Then she looked up at the sky and said, "It's raining. Let's head down and see what Chu Lian is doing."
Inori agreed. There were indeed signs of rain tonight. If they stayed any longer, they would likely get drenched, so she followed Cai Ya and left.
Not long after they went downstairs, lightning flashed and rain began to pour...
Sitting by the window and watching the shifting weather, Li Xiu'er let out a soft sigh. "Why is it that these past few days, I've been missing Chu Lian more and more?"
"Her figure keeps appearing in my mind... and then that scene in the bathroom replays itself..."
"It's so embarrassing... but the feeling in my body was unexpectedly wonderful. After seeing her today, I keep feeling like she's the one I'll rely on for the rest of my life."
"I already had that sense before... but it's never been this strong."
"Maybe it's because we haven't seen each other for a few days, so the longing has grown deeper?"
"Ah, what kind of word am I using? 'Longing'... isn't that something more suited for lovers? Though it can be used for family and friends, it always feels like it's most beautiful when used between lovers."
"Where has my mind wandered off to? Xiu'er, stop thinking nonsense. If you keep this up, you're going to break."
Her face flushed red as she tried desperately to drive away the images of what they had done in the bathroom. Yet strange thoughts continued to flood her mind, one after another.
"Forget it. If I can't forget, then I might as well enjoy it. Chu Lian... for me, as her cousin, to be thinking about her like this... am I terrible?"
"But I can't control it... I can't control it... I can't control it... just like the last two times..."
The shameful feelings grew stronger and stronger. Yet she had no idea how to get rid of them. All she could do was lower her head, her face as red as a boiled shrimp.
Rumble— A sudden clap of thunder jolted Li Xiu'er back to her senses. Feeling the lingering strangeness in her body, she turned to look at the rain curtain blanketing the entire city. After a moment of hesitation, she made up her mind.
"I'll go check on her. She just finished eating not long ago, so she's probably bored. I'll go chat with her for a bit. As long as I don't let those strange feelings take over, it'll be fine. Really, why was everything normal before, but the moment I saw her today, I became so sentimental?"
"Whatever. As long as I don't actually do anything, it'll be fine. And with the rain like this, she's probably feeling down. Going over now is perfect timing."
"It's decided then. But... I should change first..." She had come to this house two days ago and stayed overnight, so she naturally had her own clothes here.
Since she had stayed the night and the weather was warm, most of what she had here were various styles of sleepwear.
Opening the wardrobe, she picked out a blue-green camisole nightdress with intricate patterns. Standing in front of the mirror, she removed her clothes and put it on, reassuring herself, "I'm just going to find inspiration... inspiration. I definitely won't do anything excessive."
"Alright, Xiu'er, be brave. This is a rare chance to be alone with her..." Encouraging herself, the girl opened the door and walked toward Chu Lian's room not far away.
But the closer she got, the stranger it felt. There seemed to be some unusual sounds coming from inside... soft, sticky, and oddly alluring.
"Huh? Inori and Cai Ya are here too..." She was still looking at Chu Lian's half-open door when she ran into Inori and Cai Ya coming down from upstairs.
Seeing her like this, the two girls understood immediately but didn't point it out. Instead, they asked, "Xiu'er, are you here to chat with Chu Lian?"
Hearing Cai Ya's words, she felt relieved. As long as they didn't think in a strange direction, everything would be fine. So she quickly replied, "Yes, I felt a bit bored, so I came to talk with her."
"Why isn't the door closed?" There were strange sounds coming from inside, and the door hadn't been shut. Could Chu Lian be doing something embarrassing?
As if sharing the same thought, the three girls exchanged a glance. Then, together, they pushed open the half-closed door and looked inside—only to freeze in place...