Throughout the journey, Cloud was like an omnipotent Doraemon, fulfilling all of Athena's wildest fantasies, turning each of her concerts into a unique, history-making miracle.
Together they tossed coins at Rome's Trevi Fountain.
Together they watched the sunset by the Aegean Sea in Greece.
Together on China's Great Wall, hand in hand, they welcomed the first rays of dawn.
Every night after the concert ended and they returned to the hotel, Athena would blushingly fulfill her "payment agreement"—wearing that day's sexy, cute, or gorgeous performance outfit, standing on tiptoe to press a kiss fragrant with maiden sweetness upon Cloud's lips.
And Cloud, the "unscrupulous creditor," would always complain that her kisses were "not sincere enough" or "too short," then turn the tables, transforming that innocent kiss into a long, breathless, invasive deep kiss.
Every time, he would kiss Athena until her whole body went weak, her eyes glazed, like an oxygen-deprived kitten, melting limply into his arms.
Finally, the tour reached its last stop—Tokyo.
The venue was the central plaza of the rebuilt "City of Divine Grace."
Gathered here were hundreds of millions of viewers from around the world. Among them were ordinary citizens, fighters, government officials, and even some "non-human existences" who had snuck in to watch.
Everyone knew this would be the ultimate curtain call of this "Miracle Concert," the most magnificent celebration of the peaceful era.
The concert's atmosphere reached its peak from the very start.
Athena wore a pure white goddess gown designed by Shermie herself, studded with crushed star diamonds, standing on a stage Cloud had condensed from moonlight, like the true Goddess Athena descending to the mortal realm.
She sang song after song, her voice—blessed by divine power—purifying souls and touching everyone present.
People laughed with her, cried with her, sang with her.
Yet when the final song ended and it came time for the "encore," Athena didn't choose her classic signature song as usual.
She stood center stage, under the spotlight, and the entire world fell silent, waiting for her final confession.
"Thank you all."
Athena bowed deeply to the audience, her voice carrying through microphones to every corner of the world.
"This world tour has been an unforgettable journey for me."
"I've seen healed homelands, seen smiles returning to people's faces. All of this fills me with gratitude—gratitude for this hard-won peace."
Her gaze cut through the sea of hundreds of millions, landing precisely on the man leaning against a pillar at the side of the stage, wearing a relaxed "finally clocking out" expression.
Her eyes instantly became infinitely tender, infinitely radiant.
"But the person I most want to thank is one man."
"Without him, none of this would exist. We might have long since become cosmic dust along with this world."
"He is a hero, a savior who saved the world. But in my heart..."
Two touching blushes rose on her cheeks, yet her gaze was more resolute than ever.
"...he's also an ordinary man who likes sleeping in, likes drinking cola, likes playing mean pranks."
"He is also... the person I like most, love most deeply."
BOOM—!
This sudden "love declaration" was like dropping a nuclear bomb on a calm lake!
The entire world instantly exploded!
"My youth... is over!"
"Savior? Could it be... that Merciful God, Mr. Cloud?!"
Under the shocked, curious, jealous, gossiping gazes of hundreds of millions, Athena slowly raised her microphone.
"This next song has no fancy arrangement, no complex lyrics. It contains only my simplest, most sincere feelings."
"This song is sung for only one person."
"Cloud..."
"Can you hear me?"
She closed her eyes and began to sing softly.
It was a brand-new song, never before released. The melody was simple and pure, like a mountain spring, like a forest breeze.
The lyrics were plain to the extreme:
"The first time I met you, on a noisy street corner."
"You stood against the light, smiling at me."
"The world is big, dangers abound."
"But as long as I'm by your side, I fear nothing."
"I only want to give you a hug when you're tired."
"I only want to be the only sparkle in your eyes."
No psychic enhancement, no divine blessing.
This was simply a girl's purest, most clumsy confession to the one she loved.
But this purity held power stronger than any divine force.
It touched everyone present.
People stopped chattering, stopped gossiping, simply listened quietly, feeling that overflowing, sweet love.
At the side of the stage, Cloud was stunned too.
Looking at that girl on stage singing just for him, shining brilliantly, hearing those lyrics that struck at his heartstrings, that "Sovereign's heart" which had long been as still as an ancient well was deeply moved.
He smiled with pure joy, pure brilliance.
Under the gaze of hundreds of millions, he walked step by step onto the stage.
He said nothing. The moment the song ended, he walked to Athena, and before the entire world, gently drew her into his embrace.
Then he lowered his head and kissed her softly trembling lips.
The entire world boiled over at that moment!
Camera flashes, screams, blessings merged into an ocean of joy.
And at the center of that ocean, the two figures holding each other tightly had eyes only for each other.
The psychic idol's "sweet encore" was sealed with that kiss into the most perfect finale.
And the never-ending love song between Cloud and Athena, filled with love and music, had only just... begun.
...
Ever since Athena "officially announced" her claim to the world with a love song and a deep kiss at that "Miracle Concert," the atmosphere at KOF Mansion had become... subtly "delicate."
The ladies' gazes at Cloud now carried hints of resentment and competition.
Why does Athena get such a romantic global confession?
What about us? Where's our "official recognition"?
This sentiment was especially obvious in a certain voluptuous ninja with an equally fiery personality.
These past few days, Cloud had clearly noticed the rate of "accidents" at home skyrocketing.
...
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