Chapter 7 – Sunset Promise & First Kiss
"You think the sunset's beautiful, Ding Li?" Koya gazed at the sun melting into the sea, a warm smile on her face, then turned to him.
Ding Li's eyes, however, had never left her. The golden light turned her pink hair into fire, her skin into honey. She looked like she belonged to the sunset itself.
"Beautiful…" he answered softly. "Really beautiful."
The words weren't just for the sky.
Koya's smile froze. A fierce blush exploded across her cheeks when she realized he was staring straight at her.
"W-what are you doing…?" she whispered, voice tiny, fingers twisting the hem of her dress.
Ding Li snapped out of it, coughing awkwardly. "We… we should head back. The party's probably starting."
"Y-yeah…" She kept her head down the entire walk back, stealing quick glances at him, heart racing.
By the time they reached the bonfire, the sky was dark and the party was in full swing. Laughter, music, grilled fish, and endless cups of rum. Ding Li, with Vitality 10, held his liquor like a monster—until even he finally collapsed, dead drunk.
Everyone cheered. The outsider had passed the ultimate island test.
Rem Hai carried the unconscious Ding Li home on his back.
"Bro… he drank way too much. Let him sleep in my room tonight. I'll take care of him. You're drunk too—go rest," Koya said softly, cheeks pink, eyes fixed on the floor.
Rem Hai raised an eyebrow but only nodded. "Alright. Take care of him. Call me if anything happens."
He laid Ding Li on Koya's bed and stumbled off to sleep.
Koya gently wiped the sweat and sand from Ding Li's face and chest with a damp cloth. In the moonlight, his sleeping face looked peaceful, strong, perfect. Her heart pounded.
Memories of the sunset flashed through her mind.
She leaned down, barely breathing, and pressed the softest kiss to his cheek.
"Ding Li… I think I'm starting to like you."
Then she fled the room like a startled deer, face burning.
Next morning Ding Li woke with a mild hangover and the faint scent of flowers in his nose. He sat up, confused—this wasn't Rem Hai's room. Sunlight filtered through pink curtains. Photos of Koya decorated the walls. Realization hit: he had slept in her bed.
Before he could panic, her voice came from the door.
"Ding Li? You awake?"
He opened it. Koya stood there in the morning light, smiling shyly.
"You were totally wasted last night. I was worried, so I had my brother put you in my room."
"Thank you, Koya. Sorry for the trouble again."
Ding! "+1 [Affection] emotion collected."
Ding Li blinked. Affection? From who…?
A sly idea sparked. Visiting every villager today would probably net a ton of emotions.
"Hey Koya, wanna go say hi to everyone on the island?"
She tilted her head, puzzled, but agreed.
They spent the whole day walking house to house. Every resident welcomed them warmly, thanking Ding Li again for "saving" Koya, offering food and stories. The system sang like a cash register the entire time.
By sunset they returned home, tired but happy, sharing a quiet smile that felt like a promise.
At the doorstep they ran into Rem Hai, who was packing for a long fishing trip.
"I'm heading out soon with the Windmill Village fleet—deep sea this time. Could be weeks, could be months."
Koya's eyes filled with worry. She gripped her brother's hand tightly.
"Come back safe, please…"
Rem Hai ruffled her hair. "I'm not leaving my little sister alone in this world, silly."
Then he turned to Ding Li, expression serious.
"Ding Li… I don't know why, but I can tell you're no ordinary guy. Take care of Koya while I'm gone. I'm counting on you."
Ding Li met his gaze and nodded firmly. "You don't even have to ask."
After Rem Hai left, Ding Li comforted Koya as best he could. Dinner was quiet; she barely ate and went to bed early.
Lying in the dark, Ding Li made a vow.
"The only way to protect the people I care about… is to become strong. Strong enough that one day this whole sea trembles when I take a step. Then Ah Hai never has to risk his life again. And Koya will never have to worry."
He poured every emotion point he'd collected that day into Physique.
Warm power roared through him like a tsunami.
Status:
[Physique: 49] [Vitality: 10] [Soul Strength: 10] [Total Emotions: 39 / 10,000,000,000,000] [Spendable: 0]
Energy surged. Sleep was impossible.
Ding Li dropped to the floor and started doing push-ups.
"1… 1000… 2000… 2500…"
Only after 2,500 did the fire in his blood finally calm enough for sleep.