S-2878 • L3 Sintoluna • D02 Silenli
"Sintoluna refines sky and tide. Silenli ignites the glow of a living beginning. The air becomes a thread of resonance. The narrative moves lightly, luminous."
I spent the afternoon reading, accompanied by the Witch's lingering presence.
Then the time came.
I put on a long black skirt and headed to Centrália.
The air was bright, colorful—
infectious.
Music overlapped from every direction.
Vibrant sounds filled the district.
A playful melody.
People laughed in the streets.
Nightlife was rising.
Maia appeared shortly after.
Her white hair reflected the surrounding lights—
making her even more…
"Did I keep you waiting?"
Her voice broke through my thoughts.
"No. I just got here."
"Let's go."
We walked.
A loud group of young people passed by, voices echoing down the street.
With gentle firmness, Maia pulled me closer—
her arm wrapping around my shoulder.
My heart raced.
So aware of her.
Of every movement.
I tried to distract myself.
The illuminated district—
beautiful.
But…
inescapable.
Her presence filled everything.
We arrived at Bar&Pub Centro.
A purple neon sign flickered at the entrance.
A holoreceptionist appeared:
"Miss Relaisse, your requested floor is available.
Please take the elevator at the end of the corridor."
Relaisse?
Was that her last name?
We went up.
The floor was empty.
Violet lights bathed the space,
casting soft reflections over our skin.
A vast window stretched across the walls—
even part of the floor.
Centrália unfolded below us.
Holograms and LEDs floated like a pixelated veil over the airways.
Vehicles sped past,
leaving trails of light.
The entire city—
a living symphony of color.
I stepped onto the transparent floor.
A wave of dizziness hit me.
Maia, attentive, held my arm.
Her touch—soft.
A sudden sense of safety.
"It's… beautiful."
I tilted my head to look down.
Breathtaking.
Her eyes stayed on me.
"Yes. Beautiful."
My face warmed.
I smiled shyly.
"Come."
We sat.
The floor was set with a white cloth.
Tarts, cupcakes, cream pastries, hot dishes, pasta, fries, breaded fish.
Steam rose gently.
A comforting, homemade aroma.
She was so… soft.
So surreal.
Hard to believe that when we first met,
I thought she might kill me.
"Wow… this is amazing.
It smells so good."
I smiled, enchanted.
"Let's eat."
Each bite—a delight.
I tasted the fish.
Closed my eyes.
The flavor unfolded like care itself—
as if it carried a story.
Had she made all this?
"The buildings block the sky," I said softly, wiping my fingers.
"Even so… pollution is all we'd see."
"Maybe. But there's a place in Brazil
where they say you can see the night sky.
Full of stars…"
Her voice turned distant. Dreamlike.
"That must be incredible."
She cleared her throat slightly.
As if returning from somewhere far away.
My eyes softened without meaning to.
I had heard of it.
A place called Where the Sky is Touched.
A mountain, nearly three thousand meters high.
Where sky and earth seemed to merge.
I imagined her there.
Under a sky full of stars.
Maybe… her walls would fall completely.
"Do you like music?" she asked suddenly.
Breaking the silence.
"Hmm… I don't listen often, but I do."
"This moment calls for music."
I raised an eyebrow.
She pulled out a phone.
Wired earphones.
So old.
I was surprised they still existed.
"How does she even have this?"
"Want to listen with me?"
Her voice carried hesitation.
I nodded, slightly embarrassed.
"Then come closer."
I swallowed.
Stepped closer.
Took one earbud.
The music began.
A soft, pulsing rhythm.
It drew me in immediately.
Then a woman's voice—
rich, emotional:
♪ Ah, oh, ah, oh We want more Ah, oh, ah, oh A life that's worth living ♪
The melody filled the air.
Centrália pulsed below us.
Lights flickered.
Pixels danced.
In sync.
I closed my eyes.
Maia's scent—subtle, woody.
Our arms brushed lightly.
Her head rested against mine.
Maybe… her eyes were closed too.
Sharing that same intensity.
A thought surfaced:
The best sensations in life are invisible.
That's why we close our eyes to feel them.
I smiled.
Letting myself drift inside that moment.
The song ended.
I returned.
Opened my eyes—
Maia was close.
Too close.
Freckles.
Messy white hair.
Amber eyes searching mine.
I removed the earbud.
"Beautiful song."
My voice barely a whisper.
My face burned.
I lowered my gaze.
Silence stretched.
My breathing faltered.
My heart pounded hard enough
that she might hear it.
Her closeness awakened something.
Nameless—
yet as real as the city below.
Maia let out a quiet laugh.
A sound that sent a shiver down my spine.
Silence again.
But not empty—
full of unspoken words.
Questions hovered.
Neither of us brave enough to ask.
Her presence beside me—
like a magnetic field.
Irresistible.
Time to leave
Maia stayed with me until the bus arrived.
Her presence was both unsettling
and familiar.
Why was she like this?
I fidgeted.
Looked at the ground.
Trying to calm the storm inside me.
The bus arrived.
I started walking toward it—
Maia gently held my arm.
Turned me back to face her.
I frowned, confused.
She just smiled.
A soft smile.
I said nothing.
She leaned in—
and kissed my forehead.
Warm. Gentle.
My eyes widened.
One second more—
and I would've closed them.
"See you, Akiko."
She turned before I could react.
My mouth opened—
my body wanted to call her back—
but no words came.
Maia walked away.
Disappeared into the crowd.
Leaving me frozen.
"W-what…?" I whispered.
"What just… happened?"
My body burned.
My cheeks—
I wanted to laugh.
Or scream.
Or rewind time.
My mind—completely blank.
Inside—
a whirlwind of joy and confusion.
Something I could only call happiness.
As if my body itself was dancing.
That kiss—
still glowing on my skin.
The loud music nearby snapped me back—
otherwise I might have stood there for hours.
Reliving every second.
Before finally…
going home.