"Oh, right." Natsui suddenly remembered something else. "As for the instigator of this incident, that crazy collector, I'm not sure if he's dead or alive. I'll have to trouble you to go to Lightning Island and check on the situation."
"I understand. Leave it to us."
After Carol left, perhaps to thank Natsui and the others for everything they had done, the mayor called over several musicians to play for them. Even Melody took the stage and performed a song for them on her ocarina.
Melody had changed back into her festival attire, looking elegant and beautiful under the white veil. After going through so much with Natsui and the others, her perspective had already changed.
At the very least, she now considered them her friends.
Listening to this piece, it was completely different from Lugia's Song. The rhythm was light and cheerful, leaving one in a very pleasant mood.
In such an atmosphere, Professor Ivy found it inappropriate to discuss academic papers and instead raised her glass to enjoy the mood.
Her tolerance for alcohol was quite good. After drinking several glasses by herself, her expression remained unchanged. Seeing Natsui and Sabrina sipping wine nearby, she joined them and started chatting casually.
Natsui took a sip and savored the taste.
How to describe it? The wine wasn't made from grain; it seemed to be a fruit wine brewed on Shamouti Island. The taste wasn't harsh, and the alcohol content probably wasn't very high. Instead, it had a sweet, fruity flavor.
Sabrina also took a few small sips, but after less than half a glass, a blush had already spread across her face.
It was clear she had rarely, if ever, drunk alcohol before and was obviously not accustomed to the taste.
"Why are you two drinking one sip at a time? It seems your tolerance isn't very good!" Seeing this, Professor Ivy laughed. "That won't do. There will be many more occasions like this in the future. If you get drunk so easily, won't you miss out on a lot of fun? Come on, let's toast!"
Without another word, she raised her glass and clinked it against Natsui's. Seeing this, Natsui sighed helplessly and had no choice but to down the entire glass.
However, before he could put his glass down, Professor Ivy picked up the wine pot and immediately refilled it.
"Professor Ivy…" Natsui shook his head with a wry smile. "My tolerance really isn't that good. Drinking this fast is a bit too much…"
But Professor Ivy wouldn't let him refuse. She clinked their glasses again and smiled, "Didn't I say you need to keep training your tolerance? Alright, let's have another toast!"
Sigh…
Natsui knew she just wanted a drinking buddy, but there was nothing he could do. He had to drain his glass again. This time, however, he learned his lesson and covered the top of his glass with his hand as soon as he set it down.
Seeing this, Professor Ivy gave him a sideways glance but didn't press him further.
On the other side, watching everyone laughing and talking, Ash was extremely envious. Especially after hearing that the fruit wine wasn't strong, he wanted to sneak a sip.
But just as he made his move, he was spotted by Delia, who strictly forbade it. He could only put down his glass in disappointment.
"A little boy has to listen to his mommy~"
Misty mocked him without any care for her image. Then, when no one was looking, she also secretly took a few sips. In an instant, her face turned as red as an apple.
Unfortunately, this scene was witnessed by Melody, who had just walked over. The two began to bicker over the topic of 'at what age one should start drinking.'
His ears were filled with noisy chatter, but Natsui quite enjoyed this kind of life. He looked around the table and realized that the only person not fitting in at the moment was Tracey!
Because he greatly admired Professor Oak, he was behaving like a model student, diligently taking notes in a small notebook and humbly asking Professor Oak all sorts of questions.
From Professor Oak's expression, Natsui could clearly tell that he also wanted to taste the fruit wine, but in front of Tracey, he had to maintain his grand image. So, he could only patiently answer all of Tracey's questions…
Perhaps this was the trouble that came with being famous…
Natsui offered a moment of silent sympathy for Professor Oak, wondering if he himself would ever face such an awkward situation in the future.
As dinner continued, the sky outside was already dotted with stars.
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, a wave of drowsiness washed over them.
Fortunately, at that moment, Melody had already arranged rooms for them.
Natsui left first and went to his room. He took a quick, cool shower in the bathroom to wash away the day's fatigue. Just as he changed into his pajamas and was about to get into bed, there was a knock on the door.
"Natsui, are you asleep?"
It was Misty's voice.
"Not yet. What's up?" Natsui opened the door and saw Misty standing outside.
Misty said hopefully, "Ash and I were just talking. We plan to leave tomorrow at noon for the next place. I was wondering when you'll be leaving. Do you want to come with us?"
"I can't." Natsui thought for a moment but still shook his head in refusal. "Our destinations are different. It's better if we go our separate ways. But I believe that with the bond between us, we'll surely meet again soon."
"...Alright." Misty sighed, her disappointment written all over her face.
As she turned to leave, Natsui was about to close the door when he saw Sabrina leaning against the wall not far away.
Because the hallway was dimly lit, he hadn't noticed her standing there. Without a doubt, she must have heard his entire conversation with Misty.
Watching Misty disappear around the corner, Sabrina said softly, "It seems that little girl really likes you."
Alarm bells went off in Natsui's mind. He paused for a moment, organizing his thoughts, "Um… maybe so. But I only see her as a little sister. I don't have any other intentions."
"Is that so."
Sabrina glanced at him, then unlocked the door next to his, about to return to her room.
Seeing her about to leave, Natsui's head grew hot, and as if possessed, he said, "Uh… do you want to come in and sit for a while?"
Sabrina looked back at him, wondering why he would invite her into his room so late at night.
But given their relationship, Sabrina would never refuse.
"Okay."
When Sabrina walked into Natsui's room, as if guided by an unseen force, Natsui couldn't explain why he casually closed the door!
From her damp hair, it was clear that she had also just taken a shower. But because she had been drinking, there was still a faint scent of wine on her.
Her graceful figure, her exquisite face… bathed in the moonlight, she looked more and more beautiful the longer he looked!
Seeing Natsui remain silent for a long time, staring at her with a burning gaze, Sabrina couldn't help but smile. "What are you looking at?"
"I… The moon tonight… is so beautiful…"
Sabrina turned to look out the window, only to see the moon had long been obscured by a dark cloud.
What moon…?
Clearly, Natsui had just made a random excuse.
But with her powerful psychic abilities, her unique sixth sense told her that the atmosphere tonight was different. Even Natsui seemed different from his usual self.
It felt like… something was about to happen…
For a moment, she too fell silent.
In front of her, Natsui continued to stare at her face.
Even though he had just had water, his mouth felt dry.
Perhaps it was the effect of the alcohol that made him stop thinking. His head grew hot, and he slowly moved closer to Sabrina.
Sabrina didn't dodge or move away, neither resisting nor refusing, simply watching him calmly.
And this seemed to give Natsui immense courage. They say alcohol gives courage to the timid, and besides, he was not a timid person to begin with.
Finally, impulse triumphed over reason. He walked up to Sabrina, getting closer and closer, until his breath brushed against her face.
He stared at Sabrina for a long moment, then lowered his head, aimed for her lips, and gently pressed his own against them…
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