Sayu's tone remained flat, devoid of any discernible emotion. She wasn't used to such blunt praise, and even less used to talking about herself in front of a mission target... or rather, a temporary companion. Seeing that she wasn't very interested, Belle changed the subject.
"So, Miss Sayu, is there anything you usually like to do? Like... well, hobbies or things like that?"
"Training, executing commissions." Sayu was concise. Her life was almost a cycle of those two things. Tracking down the evil The Cult that destroyed her hometown was the only motivation she had for living; beyond that, she rarely considered anything else.
"Ah... that sounds so exhausting." A hint of sympathy entered Belle's voice as she asked, "Isn't there ever a time to relax? Like looking at the scenery or eating something delicious? I'm telling you, Ellen really loves sweets—all kinds of lollipops!"
The mentioned Ellen cooperatively fished another new lollipop out of her pocket, skillfully peeled off the wrapper, and popped it into her mouth, causing a small bulge to form on one side of her cheek again.
Sayu fell silent for a moment. Relaxing? Enjoying? Those words were far removed from her life. Occasionally, in the gaps between missions, she would stand on high ground and look down at a city or the wilderness, but that was only to observe the environment and plan routes, not to appreciate the scenery. Food was merely a necessity to maintain her physical strength; how it tasted didn't matter.
She subconsciously touched the inner pocket at her waist that held a small coin pouch, which contained the "mission funds" Katerina had given her. Perhaps... next time she could try buying something other than dry rations? The thought only flashed for an instant, and she didn't say it out loud.
However, Belle didn't seem discouraged by her coldness; instead, she continued talking to herself. "I think life still needs some things that make people happy. Like right now, even though we only met because of a commission, it feels quite nice to walk together like this, chatting and looking at this unusual sky."
She tilted her head back, looking at the sunlight filtering through the layers of branches and leaves, a faint smile appearing on her face. Belle's voice was light and brisk, carrying a natural optimism. She rambled on, from the peculiar plants in the forest to those expressive Slimes earlier, then to her curiosity about the White Thorn City market and her dreams of opening a video store in the future.
Her words didn't contain any profound truths; they were more like a pure sharing of feelings, like a warm and lively stream attempting to bypass the icy barriers Sayu habitually erected. Sayu listened silently without responding, but she didn't show the obvious resistance she had at the beginning. Her violet eyes remained calm, but occasionally... a fleeting, imperceptible flicker would cross them, like ripples stirred on a calm lake by a light breeze.
Ellen had long since half-closed her eyes, leaning against Luna Belle's shoulder as if she could fall asleep at any moment, with only the occasional movement of the lollipop in her mouth proving she was still awake.
As they walked, an open meadow appeared by the roadside, with many unknown small white flowers blooming in the grass, scattered like stars. A breeze blew past, bringing the fresh scent of grass and wildflowers, and fluttering the hair of the three girls. Luna Belle took a deep breath, her face overflowing with pleasure.
"Wow, it smells so good! The air here is wonderful!" As she spoke, she let go of Sayu's arm, took a few quick steps, and squatted beside the flowers, carefully extending a finger to gently touch the delicate petals.
Sunlight spilled onto her blue hair, shimmering with a soft luster, and her dark green eyes curved into beautiful crescents from her smile. Ellen swayed slightly because of her movement and muttered in dissatisfaction, but she still followed her over and sat down lazily beside her, her shark tail unconsciously sweeping across the grass on the ground.
Sayu stood where she was, looking at the blue-haired girl squatting by the flowers, her smile so bright it was almost dazzling. Watching her show such pure, happy expressions over a patch of ordinary wildflowers, just like a child. Watching her reach out, not to pick them, but to stroke them with extreme gentleness, as if afraid of disturbing these fragile little lives.
This scene formed an all-too-vivid contrast with the dark, bloody, and slaughter-filled images in Sayu's memory. She had seen too many people who would do anything for profit, too many faces twisted in despair, and too many souls like herself, bound by the past and walking alone on the path of revenge.
Yet she had rarely... or rather, almost never seen someone like Belle, who could smile so brightly at a patch of wildflowers. She was like... like a beam of light suddenly shining into a dark abyss, clumsily trying to dispel the cold within. An extremely foreign emotion, like the first drop of water seeping into frozen soil as early spring snow melts, silently rippled a trace of imperceptible warmth deep in Sayu's long-frozen heart.
Without even realizing it herself, the corners of her lips—which were always tightly pursed, revealing distance and coldness—actually curled upward into a tiny arc because of the simple and beautiful scene before her. It wasn't an obvious smile, not even a grin. It was like a pebble thrown into a deep pool that was too small, only stirring a ripple that vanished in an instant. She herself was completely unaware of it.
However, Ellen, who had seemed to be dozing, opened her red eyes slightly at this moment, accurately capturing that fleeting, extremely faint softness on Sayu's face. The lollipop in her mouth rolled, making a slight "click" sound, and then she nonchalantly narrowed her eyes again as if she had seen nothing.
And Belle, squatting on the ground, seemed to feel something and turned her head back just at that moment. She saw Sayu standing there, her gaze seemingly fixed on her. Although Sayu's expression had returned to its usual calm and emotionless state, Belle keenly felt that the cold, unapproachable aura around Sayu seemed to have softened just a tiny bit compared to before.
"Miss Sayu!" Belle waved her hand vigorously at her, a brilliant smile on her face. "These little flowers are beautiful, aren't they? Do you want to come and see too?"
Sayu looked at her sun-like smiling face, remained silent for a moment, and finally took a step, walking over slowly. She didn't squat down like Belle, but just stood aside, lowering her eyes to look at the white flowers swaying gently in the wind.
"...Mm." She uttered a barely audible sound as a response.
Belle didn't mind her coldness; instead, she was very happy she had come over. She stood up, brushed off the grass clippings on her hands, and said with a smile, "Shall we continue? Once we're back at the Guild, it'll be just in time for President Katerina to start taking action."
"Okay." Sayu nodded.
The three set off again. The wind in the forest remained gentle, fluttering the small white flowers and the girls' clothes and hair...