Boom!

In the pitch-black sky, a thunderclap tore like a ragged banner.

An acid-laced storm crept in, a sour tide rolling toward the timeworn city.

Streetlights on both sides had gone dark; ownerless billboards, goaded by wind, hammered the walls like mad fists.

Woof! The downpour’s coming!

Mm! We just need to reinforce the bedroom, then we’re okay!

With worry warm and quick in her chest, Yue Liuyi nodded and pressed resin—amber-thick—into the window’s seams, so wind-whipped rain wouldn’t seep through.

Ah… If I weren’t hurt, I’d really want to help Little Yue and Kaka.

Dixue lay on the sickbed, silver hair pooling; curiosity lifted her head like a cat at the window.

While Yue Liuyi and Kaka worked, Dixue had woken; she’d slept all day, yet the silver-haired girl caught on fast, and greeted Kaka with eyes like clear springs.

LittleSnow, just focus on healing! Leave this to me; it’s no problem.

Ehehe~ My Little Yue’s gotten so capable!

Of course I have!

Though the storm’s breath cooled the night below ten degrees, warmth pooled in Yue Liuyi’s heart like a lit hearth.

She wasn’t facing the rain alone this time—LittleSnow and Kaka were at her side, two small flames in the dark. It felt wonderful.

Woof! Kaka has fin-woof-ished!

Kaka drove the last nail, a sharp star pinning the wooden frame.

That’s everything done! The bedroom should be tight as a sealed jar now!

Satisfaction softened Yue Liuyi’s gaze as she took in the fortified room; with Kaka’s help, it had gone smoothly. The frame was crossed with slats and nails, the seams resin-sealed. The knife-edged wind stayed outside, its bite no longer able to reach the girls.

You all did well—how splendid, how worthy of celebration.

Dixue patted the mattress in encouragement, her left hand light as falling snow; her right arm lay splinted and still.

Woof~

The golden-haired little maiden bounced back and forth, tail joy flickering. Since the work’s done, Kaka will head downstairs first!

Eh… no need. Kaka, bring your mat up; sleep in the bedroom.

Woof? If I sleep in the same room as my masters, it’ll be harder to keep watch on the first floor!

In weather like this, no bad guys are coming. Besides, the first floor may catch blown-in spray; it’s not comfy.

Woof… Kaka understands~

…

…

The rainstorm came at last, a curtain dropping over the world.

As if to drown the earth, endless rain poured from the pitch-black vault; crosswinds slashed sideways, battering the seemingly solid ground like an unrelenting tide.

The city’s old drains couldn’t carry so much water; muddy runoff spun wild at the grates, pooling the low blocks into a drowned plain, a wide sheet of gray.

Fortunately, Winter Leaf Road, home to the Moon Post Bookstore, was spared—for now.

An old riverbed ran straight behind the shop; the excess water sluiced into it, the rush roaring like hooves, and the long-dry channel flowed again.

…

While we wait, let’s hold a story circle!

After a simple supper, with a little time before sleep, Yue Liuyi offered it, voice bright as a candle in rain.

Eh? Little Yue, looks like you planned this.

Just waiting would be too boring~

Woof? What’s a story circle—is it a little car?

The golden-haired little maiden curled up on her mat, tail wagging like a metronome of rain.

It’s not about driving… (Some circles do go on “drives,” but the girls’ circle is perfectly wholesome.)

Yue Liuyi shook her head and drew a book from behind her back. A story circle’s a little evening where each of us tells a tale. We share our stories or our wandering.

Oh… So Little Yue wants ghost stories…? But big sis is hurt; if you get scared and cry, I won’t even be able to hug you~

G-ghost stories?

At that word, the golden-haired little maiden froze, like a fox caught in moonlight.

LittleSnow, no ghost stories! Kaka’s kinda afraid of ghosts… And besides! I won’t cry at ghost tales, because I’m a—uh—brave World Tree Maiden!

Little Yue, so brave… Then what do you and Kaka want to hear?

Woof! Kaka’s fine with anything, as long as it’s not ghosts! Woof!

I… want to hear LittleSnow’s past stories.

Eh? My old stories?

Dixue blinked her big green eyes in mild surprise, like leaves catching a drop.

Mm! Like your adventures, the ups and downs.

Then I’ll lift the curtain on that one.