Seeing Hati’s ears droop back, leaving an open space on her head, Lin Shu couldn’t help but recall what she had said last time: “Don’t you think this spot is perfect for a hand?”
‘It should still be suitable now, right?’
It was a reward, and also a comfort.
Thinking this, Lin Shu silently raised her hand and stroked her. Hati’s body trembled. Her drooping wolf ears instinctively tried to stand up but suddenly stopped and flattened again. She buried her face in Lin Shu’s arms, her body shaking.
A muffled sob came from her. Lin Shu was stunned.
‘Is Hati crying? No way…’
Lin Shu’s hands moved flusteredly. “Wh-what’s wrong? Why are you sad?”
“Waaaah, Lin Shu, I’m sorry.” Hati looked up, tears overflowing her eyes, and sniffled. “I didn’t want you to get hurt. If I had known, I wouldn’t have rushed down with you. It’s my fault. After you fainted, I was so worried you’d never wake up. I didn’t want that!”
Lin Shu’s words caught in her throat. Knowing Hati was crying because of her made Lin Shu feel complicated. A few angel nuns looked over with curious, searching gazes but quickly looked away.
“Don’t blame yourself. Although I sustained some small injuries, aren’t I fine now?” Lin Shu comforted her. “Besides, it wouldn’t be good for the nuns to see you crying like a baby, would it?”
Hati wiped her face with her hand. “It’s fine. I don’t care. I’m not the type of person who suffers just to save face.”
Lin Shu reached out both hands, her index fingers poking the corners of Hati’s mouth. She pulled them upward, helping her force a stiff, awkward smile. “Then smile. After we get back to the village, let’s go eat barbecue.”
This suggestion clearly hit the mark for Hati. She quickly adjusted her mood and naturally broke into a bright smile. “Okay! Let’s go eat a whole, thick-cut grilled thigh!”
The atmosphere became relaxed again. Lin Shu adjusted her sitting position. Feeling a bit cold, she instinctively looked up at the sky. The group happened to be passing by the rocky beach where they had set the ambush. The sky was still a gloomy gray.
“Oh, hasn’t the magic worn off yet?” Lin Shu asked in surprise. The range and duration were longer than she had expected.
“It was high-level magic, after all.” Hati also looked up. “It started snowing just now. Maybe snow has already piled up there.”
“It feels like… I haven’t seen snow in a long time…” Lin Shu murmured.
During her time with the Demonic Race, even if the weather was cold, she hadn’t seen a single snowflake fall.
“Want to go take a look?” Hati suggested excitedly. She sat up straight, looking ready to go.
“Huh? But wouldn’t it be bad to leave the group?”
Hati had already leaned in. “We’ll just take a look. It’ll be quick. Plus, we can check if any enemies escaped.”
Despite knowing it was just an excuse, Hati picked Lin Shu up gently without waiting for an answer. Her movements were careful, fearing she might touch the wound on the back of Lin Shu’s head.
“Captain, Lin Shu and I are going to check the rocky beach. We’ll catch up soon!” Hati shouted to the front of the group and then leaped toward the distance.
—
To reduce the bouncing and ensure she wouldn’t fall, Lin Shu wrapped her arms around Hati’s neck. Before long, they returned to the rocky beach. Hati stopped and her nose twitched as she sniffed in every direction. “Mm, the scent of those monsters is gone. Great.”
Before them, the rugged stones were covered in pure white snow, creating a landscape of gray and white. The distant woods were also piled with snow, wrapped in silver.
“Hoo — ” Hati intentionally exhaled, watching it turn into white mist in the air. The whole world was quiet.
Lin Shu’s mood couldn’t help but relax. Fine snowflakes drifted from the sky, scattering in Hati’s hair. Because of the low temperature, Hati’s cheeks were frozen a rosy red. Lin Shu watched her.
Red hair paired with green eyes.
‘Like an apple dusted with powdered sugar?’
“What are you laughing at?” Hati noticed the curve of Lin Shu’s lips.
“Nothing.”
“Lin Shu.” Hati suddenly called her name, her voice much more serious than usual.
Lin Shu turned back, meeting Hati’s earnest gaze.
“In the past, they always said you shouldn’t say certain things before a mission because it would be a flag and bring bad luck. But now that the mission is over, it should be fine!” She grinned, her eyes curving into crescents. “I don’t know why, but I suddenly remembered the first time I met you. Back then in the Demon Capital, I wanted to take you away. I thought you were just an ordinary Human in need of help. I didn’t expect it to be such a coincidence that the target I was looking for was you. It feels like fate!”
Hati reminisced about the past, her eyes looking toward the snowy landscape, her green pupils sparkling. “Lin Shu, once we reach the Sacred Race’s Imperial City and dissolve the Contract, at that time I want…”
As she spoke, her ears twitched back. She seemed to notice someone coming. Lin Shu saw from the corner of her eye that two nuns were walking toward them. She reminded Hati, “Someone’s looking for us. It wouldn’t be good to stay too long.”
“Alright, let’s head back first. We’ll talk about it then.”
—
The group returned to the village. The villagers gathered at the entrance and immediately crowded around them.
“Captain Hati! How did it go?”
“Is everyone okay? Any injuries?”
“What about the monsters?”
The nun leader stepped forward and announced loudly, “The mission was successfully completed. We found the monsters’ nest. The monsters near the village have been completely cleared, and the protection effect of the stone tablet has been strengthened. You can all rest easy for now.”
A loud cheer erupted from the crowd.
“Great!!”
“Thank you! Thank you, Sacred Church!”
“Don’t just thank me. There’s them, and…” Hati reached out and pulled Lin Shu into her side. “Lin Shu!”
Suddenly pushed into the center of attention, Lin Shu gave an embarrassed smile. She was surrounded by the people’s sincere gratitude and recognition. The older women she had chatted with at the banquet also gathered around.
“Oh my, you two are always together. You have such a good relationship!”
“Of course!” Hati replied brightly. She turned her head and met Lin Shu’s gaze. Those clear eyes seemed full of starlight and tenderness. “In the snowy field just now, I didn’t get to finish…”
While Lin Shu was confused, Hati leaned in. She moved quickly, pressing a light kiss onto Lin Shu’s cheek. It landed right at the edge of the corner of Lin Shu’s lips.
“?!”
Lin Shu instinctively raised a hand to touch the spot. Amidst the rising laughter and teasing of the crowd, Hati raised a hand to block the view from the outside and whispered, “I like you, Lin Shu.”
—
Outside the crowd, in an unnoticed corner, Sophia stood silently. She had seen with her own eyes as Hati kissed the corner of Lin Shu’s lips. In that instant, her expression froze on her face, and her body couldn’t help but tremble.