I changed into the prepared yukata and folded the clothes I took off, tucking them into my waist. I walked outside feeling a bit dizzy and my consciousness wasn't very clear.

This is really bad, it feels just like being drunk. My steps were light, and I felt like I was floating, but in reality, I couldn't even walk steadily. It felt like my body was constantly leaning to one side, and I struggled to maintain my balance.

Just then, someone seemed to come from the left. It was as if we had agreed to collide with each other. The impact was minor, and the other person should be fine. In my current state, I could only describe myself as sluggish. But regardless, I still wanted to apologize first. However, she spoke first,

"What's wrong with you? This lady just had a sacred baptism, and unexpectedly, she is defiled by someone like you, a dirty guy."

In front of me was a girl with golden hair that reached her waist, and she had emerald green pupils that were different from others. At this moment, her gaze felt like being stared at by snake eyes.

I wanted to speak, but she interrupted me again,

"And your attitude is really bad. Clearly, you bumped into this lady, but haven't even apologized. Moreover, you have an arrogant look. How despicable! This lady really hates people like you. It's really unlucky for me to encounter this kind of situation. Ahhh... this must be a catastrophe for me. There's nothing I can do. Since I've encountered such a thing, this lady will just eliminate your dirty existence along the way."

What is she talking to herself about? Is she trying to be a hero who encountered evil and wants to save the world? No, she completely seems self-righteous.

"Encountering this lady means you're unlucky." After saying that, she lifted her jade-like leg and was about to kick me. Although I was a bit confused, I didn't want to endure being beaten by someone. So, I grabbed her leg, but unexpectedly...

"What are you doing? So despicable! You actually grabbed this lady's leg... Disgusting! Quickly remove your dirty hands." She kicked forcefully, trying to make me let go.

The more she struggled, the harder it was for me to handle. Because I couldn't maintain my balance, I could only rely on her leg.

"How despicable! You disgusting worm!" She scolded while trying to use all her strength. Was she planning to perform a fancy side kick with her other leg? Just as I was thinking that, she failed.

"Ohhh!" A flip-flop can't perform such a move, so she fell down gracefully, and I fell down with her because of her fall. It was really a terrible experience, and it was an irresistible force.

Time stood still at that moment, and the air seemed to solidify. Everything around became super quiet, and the only thing I could feel was this soft touch.

"This small but soft touch is..." I rubbed and squeezed it. When I suddenly realized, I abruptly opened my eyes. When did the girl with golden hair... This was such an embarrassing position, and her face turned red.

"Um... I didn't... um..." Smack! Suddenly, my face felt a burning sensation. That loud sound, I realized that she had slapped me.

Then, my stomach was also attacked, and the intense pain made me spasm. I could only lie on the somewhat wet floor, feeling the torment from the pain.

The golden-haired girl stood up, clutching her chest in anger. "You...!"

It seemed like she was very angry, but this was completely an accident. Although I wanted to explain, suddenly there was commotion outside, and many people came out from inside.

Because of that, the golden-haired girl ran away. Was I saved because of this? I stood up with my back against the wall. The dizziness still didn't fade.

"Was it harassment? This guy doesn't seem like that kind of person, right?"

"He probably made some outrageous request. When his girlfriend didn't agree, it turned out like this."

"I think he has ill intentions... hehehe."

The words around me made my face heat up even more. Now, there was no time to worry about feeling dizzy. At least, I needed to leave here quickly.

At the same time, Zhiye came out from inside and saw people pointing and whispering. She looked puzzled but smiled when she saw me.

"Jie." She waved her hand.

"Zhiye..."

"Sorry to keep you waiting..."

"No... it's fine."

"What's wrong, Jie? Oh, why is your left cheek so red?" Zhiye reached out her hand to touch me, but I stopped her."What's going on here? Is this guy cheating? No way!"

"No need to say, he must be a scumbag!" The surrounding gazes started to sting me. It seems like I have been wrongly accused,

"Jie..." Zhiye blushed as I touched her hand.

"Zhiye... let's go back,"

"Go back? Hmm!"

Zhiye nodded, and I held Zhiye's hand as we left, without even looking back. I stopped only when I felt we were far enough away.

"It's really unlucky. There are always some misunderstandings that can't be explained..." I felt so tired,

But Zhiye's face was quite red. Could it be that she also had this reaction because she soaked in the hot springs for too long? This kind of reaction is really uncomfortable, and I understand it deeply.

"Zhiye, are you feeling unwell?" I looked at her face and asked.

"No," Zhiye shook her head,

"But your face is so red."

"Really?" Zhiye didn't show any signs of panic. She just looked at me innocently, which made me feel awkward.

"Ahaha" I tried to ease the awkwardness with a silly laugh, but it didn't seem to work.

Zhiye still maintained that kind of focused gaze on something. What could be the reason?

"Zhiye, I think... we should go back." I wanted to end this awkward feeling. I accidentally let go of her hand, but it felt like Zhiye's hand grabbed mine, which startled me.

"Zhiye!?"

"Is it okay to walk home like this, holding hands?" It was a very gentle request that was hard to refuse.

"It's okay, of course." When I thought that Zhiye was my fiancée, I felt determined. It wasn't something shameful; it should be normal.

Like this, I walked hand in hand with Zhiye on the country road, surrounded by the sounds of insects. In the distance, I could see the shadows of fireflies, but it was still dim.

During the journey, Zhiye and I didn't speak, maintaining silence. It was an uncomfortable feeling, so I initiated a conversation.

"By the way, did you live here since you were born, Zhiye?"

"Yes, my father thought this place was quieter and more suitable for self-cultivation."

"How long have you been living here?"

"Um... about seven years. Oh, Jie also came here back then. I was six years old, and Jie was only four. Jie looked very small and weak, always following behind me."

Zhiye recalled these memories with a shy smile.

"Really? I must have looked ridiculous back then." I had no memory of it at all, just a blank slate. It felt like a sin to forget such seemingly important memories, so I could only go along with it.

"No, Jie was not ridiculous at all. On the contrary, she was very cute."

"Cute?" Being described as cute didn't make me feel happy.

"Jie, who was innocent and pure, said those things... thinking back now, it feels so happy."

"Happiness? What embarrassing things did I say?"

"Jie, are you interested in the things you used to say to yourself?"

"I guess they were embarrassing... but I'm kind of interested." I really wanted to know what I said. It was a strange curiosity.

Jie said that she wanted to protect me and become my bride."

"Ah~" I was almost thunderstruck. That kind of declaration was so naive. How could I have said such things back then?

"But... I didn't fulfill my promise." The current situation seemed like I not only couldn't protect Zhiye but also made her protect me. I was really useless.

"For me, I only need the latter. Jie, I will definitely protect you. No one can hurt you, and no one can stop us from being together." Why did Zhiye's eyes show such a paranoid and creepy look? It sent shivers down my spine.

"I will also work hard to become stronger." Whether this sentence was to comfort my damaged self-esteem or alleviate the fear in my heart, I didn't know.

After that, Zhiye and I returned home. It was a waste for just the two of us to live in such a big house, but this luxurious enjoyment couldn't be obtained casually.

In a large bedroom, Zhiye and I slept on the prepared floor mats separately.

"Goodnight, Jie."

"Goodnight..."After saying goodnight to each other, I drifted off to sleep.

"Feya is in so much pain, her body is shattered," it was as if Feya's body was a bloody mess in front of my eyes, with fragments sticking together.

She dragged herself closer to me.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," I kept repeating.

"What Feya experienced, you will experience twice as much," Feya said as she transformed into a slime made of blood and lunged at me.

"Ah!!!" I woke up abruptly, my forehead covered in sweat, gasping for breath.

"Jie, what's wrong?" My voice woke up Zhiye, she sat up and asked.

"Did you have a nightmare? It's okay, it's okay, I'll always be by Jie's side," Zhiye comforted me.

"It's all my fault. If I hadn't pursued her... she wouldn't have died," I blamed myself deeply, unable to hold back my tears.

"It's not your fault, it's definitely not your fault, Jie," Zhiye said, holding my face.

"But..." I looked up at Zhiye. Zhiye held my face in her hands. "It was an accident, and Feya's death in a car accident has nothing to do with you."

"But if I hadn't pursued her..."

"Jie, don't think too much. You just have to believe that your actions had nothing to do with Feya's death. That's all."

"I..." I fell into silence.

"I'll get you a glass of water," Zhiye got up and went to the kitchen. The bedroom was dark, but moonlight streamed in.

"Jie, here's some water," Zhiye came back with a glass of water. I took it and drank it all in one go.

"Feeling better?"

"Much better... thank you," I handed the empty cup to Zhiye.

"By the way, how about we go shopping tomorrow?"

"Shopping?"

"Yes..."