Isle-Lu, the Vacation Planet.
A tourist world composed of over 95% ocean and scattered islands dotting its surface.
This planet caters to the theme of tropical island getaways.
You can choose the bustling, popular large islands, teeming with visitors and packed with all sorts of facilities.
There are also small, uninhabited islets provided for the exclusive use of a single client.
This was the location Firefly had chosen for their date.
Sylvia met Firefly again at the spaceport on The Blue.
It seemed she had directly booked the most luxurious travel package available.
Even the provided starship was the top-tier luxury private vessel one could find on the market.
The entire ship was managed by an intelligent AI, with service robots dedicated to making every guest feel right at home.
The ship was equipped with virtually every indoor leisure and entertainment facility one could imagine.
Including a bar, swimming pool, hot spring, cinema, and more…
All facilities operated around the clock, ready to welcome passengers at any time.
Boarding was guided entirely by the AI.
Just the boarding area alone was decorated so lavishly it hardly seemed like a starship.
Sylvia walked inward along the corridor, and just as she turned a corner, a silver-haired girl came darting out.
She flailed her arms and let out a playful shriek, seemingly trying to startle Sylvia.
"Wah—woah?!"
Unfortunately, Firefly's cry cut short halfway as she caught sight of the horns on Sylvia's forehead and the tail swishing behind her.
The trailing note trembled, transforming into an even stranger squeal.
In the end, it was Firefly who got startled by Sylvia.
"Sylvia, you… what happened to you? Why didn't Elio tell me anything? Honestly!"
Forgetting to even greet her properly, Firefly zipped forward, practically pressing into Sylvia's arms, her eyes wide as she carefully examined the draconic horns on Sylvia's forehead.
The scent unique to Firefly enveloped her.
It was the fragrance of the shampoo Firefly had used at her home last time.
A smile touched Sylvia's lips as she steadied Firefly by the shoulders.
"The Path of Permanence seems a little… different. Anyway, there don't seem to be any side effects so far, and Madam Herta is helping me study it, so no need to worry."
"Permanence? And a Path that looks like this?"
Firefly looked genuinely astonished; it was her first time hearing that the power of a Path could alter one's appearance.
"I'm not sure either. But ever since these horns and tail grew, my affinity with the Path of Permanence has increased."
"Oh… that's really quite something."
Upon learning it wasn't a negative effect, Firefly's reaction was almost identical to everyone else who had seen Sylvia before.
Her gaze immediately drifted toward Sylvia's tail.
She looked at it as if it were some rare artifact, clearly itching to reach out and touch it.
Though Sylvia herself thought her tail was quite beautiful, surely it wasn't that fascinating.
"Can I touch it?"
Firefly asked eagerly, her eyes wide with a curiosity that seemed ready to spill over.
"...Go ahead, you're not the first anyway."
With a flick, Sylvia's tail landed precisely against Firefly's chest, only to be promptly and tightly hugged against her.
Hmm…
It had to be said, Firefly was really the type who looked unassuming but actually had an incredibly nice figure.
Just who designed that dress of hers, so modest it hid all her curves?
Hugging Sylvia's tail, Firefly touched it here and there, chatting as she did.
"Oh, right, right! Let me show you around the ship. It's super luxurious!"
Seeing Firefly's expression, as if she were introducing a 'fun new toy,' Sylvia couldn't help but laugh.
"So, do you think it's fun?"
"Of course! I boarded a day earlier than you. The food on the ship is delicious, and the hot spring is so comfortable! Ah! Right, come with me—"
As she spoke, Firefly suddenly seemed to remember something. Still holding Sylvia's tail, she enthusiastically pulled her toward the ship's bar.
Being dragged along by the tail felt a bit odd.
Sylvia considered pulling her tail free, but seeing Firefly's enthusiastic, utterly captivated expression, she thought better of it.
This girl had only recently gained the freedom to move about; better to let her have her fun.
Only when they reached the bar counter did Firefly turn to speak to Sylvia, her eyes finally registering what she had been clutching to her chest the whole time.
"Eep—Sorry! I got too excited, I thought it was your arm…"
Firefly quickly released her hands, letting go of Sylvia.
She'd only just realized she had been dragging Sylvia by the tail, not by the hand.
"...No wonder the texture felt strange the whole time."
Scratching her head sheepishly, Firefly gave Sylvia a goofy grin.
Her fair cheeks flushed a bright red, utterly adorable.
Her cute eyes darted about, refusing to meet Sylvia's gaze directly.
Sylvia had initially wanted to tease her a little, but seeing Firefly's adorable, flustered state, she didn't have the heart to push it further.
"Did you bring me here to have a drink?"
"Mhm, mhm! I only started drinking recently myself. Not sure if you'll like it, wait a moment~"
As she spoke, Firefly took off her outer coat and handed it to Sylvia, then scampered off, disappearing into a room behind the bar.
When she returned, she even nudged aside the robotic bartender stationed inside.
Now wearing a bartender's outfit, Firefly had tied her silver hair into a high ponytail.
Holding a cocktail shaker, she struck a pose she clearly thought was cool.
"Ta-da—Bartender Firefly, making her entrance!"
It was clear Firefly was a playful girl, with a touch of chuunibyou about her.
If it were Sylvia, she'd definitely be too embarrassed to strike poses and deliver lines like that.
But since there were no outsiders here, and she was just playing along with Firefly, she could relax a bit.
So Sylvia sat at the bar, propping her head on one hand, smiling up at Firefly.
"So, Miss Bartender, any recommended drinks today?"
"Heh heh~ Today's special: Firefly's Special Blend! Care for a glass, customer?"
Naming a drink after herself? She really was brimming with enthusiasm.
Sylvia's smile widened even further.
"I'll have one, then."
"Coming right up~"
Firefly called out in a cadence she must have picked up from somewhere.
Then she set down the shaker, took out a glass, added ice, and… two unidentified types of liquor.
After that, she simply mixed them together.
The result was a cocktail of a clear, crystalline wine-red.
Hmm… At least the color had nothing to do with Firefly.
Sylvia blinked, amused, as she accepted the glass.
Though it held absolutely no technical flair, it clearly was Firefly's confident creation.
She had no idea how it would taste, but she'd make sure to praise the girl later.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.