Soft Light, Radiance, Reality

Slowly, I lowered my head after gazing upward for so long. Before my eyes, the world appeared, mingled with an unfamiliar, simple scent.

I walked on the sandy path, flattened as if by heavy weights. A strange sense of groundedness settled in my heart.

Vine-like plants twined around the roadside fences, making them seem sturdier.

Near a giant tree shaped like a broom, fantastical crops called "Tree Mai" grew.

Like me, they shared this land’s firmness, the air’s nourishment, and the grace of dew.

This village and farmland, carved from the forest, gave me a fresh, never-felt rural charm.

Villagers carrying farming tools passed us by. They nodded faintly in greeting, but I was slow to react.

Seventh Ju: *yawns*

Seventh Ju: Hah…

Poppy: That person just said "hello."

Seventh Ju: Oh…

Poppy: Mm, hehe.

Poppy chuckled slyly, as if she’d completely seen through my dazed state.

Walking the main road, Poppy and I gradually left the earth-yellow, matchbox-like buildings behind.

I glanced back at Poppy. My gaze was once again drawn to her attire.

Seventh Ju: Hey… your outfit stands out a lot in that village.

Poppy: This?

Poppy spread her arms slightly. But her robe-like oversized top barely opened. Combined with the hooded cloak covering her head completely, her look was wildly unconventional compared to the farmers’ practical wear.

Poppy: This has a special name: the "Hide-the-Boobs Cloak"!

Seventh Ju: Give me a break… that’s dumb.

Still, my eyes lingered on Poppy’s chest. The coat created space, hiding what lay beneath. I couldn’t judge her figure. True, Poppy had lain on me the second day I woke—but her upper body stayed raised. No contact.

Hey… what irrelevant memories am I digging up?

Poppy: Ho… that look. Don’t you trust what’s under the clothes?

Seventh Ju: Bluffing won’t work. "Hiding" itself shows insecurity.

Poppy: Nonsense. Followers of Xiv don’t expose their bodies carelessly.

Poppy: Want to verify personally? I swear it’s "beautiful."

Seventh Ju: …Don’t remind me of that sphincter incident. Where are we headed anyway?

Poppy: Ah, almost there. Just ahead.

As we walked, the air’s scent shifted unnoticed. Moisture thickened. A new aroma—like spices soaked in water—replaced the plain fragrance.

The dense forest ended. Open space stretched before us.

Seventh Ju: Ohhh———

The lake lay mirror-calm, a flawless jade. Forests ringed it, their colors blending like an artist’s palette into the distance. Beyond, misty clouds veiled mountain peaks like a fairyland. In my old world, only Jiuzhai Valley could rival this.

Poppy: This is where you arrived in this world, Xiao Ju.

Seventh Ju: Eh? Ah…

So Poppy rescued me here?

Seventh Ju: Miss Poppy… thank you.

Poppy: Mm-hmm! You’d better thank me properly!

Seventh Ju: Ho… not an ounce of modesty…

Repay her? I had no means. Still, a place like this could make even city-dwellers stay forever. If I were sure my strength was back, I’d dive into the lake now. Even walking its shores would fill a whole day. Poppy did just that with me.

When I looked up again, the sun was two-thirds swallowed by darkness.

Seventh Ju: I didn’t realize it was so late… won’t we get lost?

Poppy: No. The light-dark boundary on the sun is fixed. We use it to navigate.

Finally, we returned to our starting road. Walking fast and slow all day, I lasted without issue—thanks to Poppy’s careful care. We sat down, weary, eating our packed food.

Poppy: The darkened sun is beautiful tonight.

Seventh Ju: Mm. In this world, I could die without regrets.

…Eh? In some cultures, that line’s dangerously significant.

Poppy: Really? Then I can say goodbye with peace of mind.

Seventh Ju: …—!?

…………

I’d been about to praise the food. My chewing stopped mid-bite.

Seventh Ju: …What?

Poppy: Sorry, Xiao Ju. It’s time we parted.

Poppy: I’m not from here. My stay has ended.

Seventh Ju: Then I’ll go with you.

The words spilled out before I thought. Miss Poppy was my savior—gentle, guiding me through this world after I arrived. Our bickering never lessened my need to rely on her. If anything, it deepened it.

Poppy: No. You can’t follow me.

Seventh Ju: Why??

Poppy: Because…

Poppy: Um… my old workplace thinks I didn’t take enough blame. They’re still chasing me. They’ll track me here soon.

Seventh Ju: So you resigned in disgrace!!

Poppy: So—you know what you just said? Following me means sharing my burden. We’d face all consequences together.

Poppy: That’s practically a marriage proposal!! Are you sure you’ll marry me?? Are you serious??

Seventh Ju: Wait, wait—why did this suddenly turn romantic!?

Poppy: Ah, that reaction. No resolve at all.

Seventh Ju: It’s not resolve—it’s too many plot holes…

Poppy: You’d suffer following me. And you have your own dreams, right?

Poppy: Do you want… to return to your old world?

The old world…

Shaking, shattered earth.

Miserable ruins, plague-ridden.

The sea’s giant hand, sweeping everything away…

My parents were lost there. Returning meant nothing.

Other relatives? Annual meetings, then silence.

Friends? People clinging to my grades, distant.

Dreams? Only studying and exams.

Seventh Ju: No… I don’t want to go back.

Seventh Ju: Right now, all I want is to stay with you.

I was slightly shocked—I’d said something so cheesy naturally. This wasn’t like relying on parents. For the first time, I craved staying by someone’s side.

Did I… like Miss Poppy?

I didn’t know. I only knew I couldn’t bear parting.

Poppy: Xiao Ju…

Poppy drew me into her arms, holding me gently.

Poppy: Can you trust me?

Seventh Ju: Mm. Of course. Definitely.

Poppy: I’ll leave guidance—how to survive here, how to chase your dreams.

Seventh Ju: Miss Poppy!!

Poppy: Don’t… Xiao Ju.

Poppy: Do you think I truly want to leave you…?

Her voice trembled slightly. Poppy tilted her head back, looking up. Why look up?

Poppy: After quitting my old job, this mostly solitary life feels freer, happier.

Poppy: And you, Xiao Ju—you made me love this life. I can’t abandon it.

Poppy: So… trust me. Once I handle my burdens alone, I’ll reclaim this life.

Poppy: Trust me, okay?

Poppy: I swear by Xiv’s name—this isn’t forever. I’m waiting for you to repay me.

Seventh Ju: ………

Her selfish words, so sincere.

Was my selfishness weaker than hers?

Seventh Ju: …Mm. I trust you.

Seventh Ju: Of course. Definitely. I believe.

Seventh Ju: I know nothing about you, Miss Poppy. But if trusting you grants my wish… I believe.

Poppy: Mm… mm.

Seventh Ju: If we must part… can’t you leave a way to contact you?

Poppy: Mm. Of course.

I pulled gently from her embrace. She cupped my face tenderly.

My tongue met warm, moist warmth.

…Eh? Strange…

Why did my body feel this familiar?

Eyes wide with surprise, I saw the same warm moisture in Poppy’s sparkling gaze—right before me.

This rippling light, like the lake’s sole ripple, stirred by the last glow of tonight’s sun—a firefly’s candle.