The sky was clear as if washed, cloudless for miles.
"It seems the weather is nice today."
Ray stood on the gondola, looking up at the blazing sunlight and feeling the sea breeze blowing toward him, suddenly experiencing a fleeting sense that "life should be like this, maybe I should just quit."
Unfortunately, it was just a thought.
Forget how crucial money was for survival; just the matter of the Second Young Miss...
Would she really let him go?
Having just gained her trust, mentioning resignation now, he'd probably be torn apart on the spot.
The sea breeze was gentle, carrying a salty, moist scent as it brushed against their faces. Phoebe sat beside him, one hand lightly holding down her hat, the other excitedly pointing into the distance.
"The sea breeze is mild, the wind is favorable. Mr. Ray, look, a school of fish is ahead!"
A school of fish?
Ray followed her pointing direction and indeed saw a dark shadow moving beneath the water's surface.
He immediately became excited.
On the Riccioli Islands, you could skip doing anything else, but you couldn't not fish!
Besides, his initial reason for coming to these islands was for a vacation.
Though danger lurked everywhere now, taking a moment to relax on the way to their destination didn't seem entirely out of the question.
Fortunately, the gondola was equipped with simple fishing gear.
Ray casually picked up a fishing rod, attached bait, swung his arm, and the fishing line traced a smooth arc, landing precisely where the school of fish was swimming.
He didn't fish often, but he'd often seen many anglers near the docks in Ragunna. Over time, he'd picked up some techniques.
"Watch me catch a few big ones; dinner tonight is settled!"
"Mm, go for it, Mr. Ray!" Phoebe cheered him on from the side.
Phrolova remained quietly seated to one side, legs crossed, chin resting in one hand, her expression indifferent as she watched them, utterly unconcerned with the world around her.
She had long since completely closed off her heart; the clamor of the outside world could no longer stir even the slightest ripple within her.
What once surrounded her, whether kind closeness or indifferent rejection, had long since receded like the tide.
Repeating history, similar words playing out again and again, she had repeatedly slipped from brief warmth back into loneliness.
It wasn't until later that she finally understood that the reliance she craved was ultimately futile.
When fleeting beauty vanished like bubbles, what remained were only those unable to extricate themselves, left to endure prolonged pain.
Gradually, she regained her reason, locking the doors of her heart layer by layer, until finally... she turned into a state of silent numbness.
The sound of his and her conversation and laughter reached her ears, but Phrolova paid no attention, her thoughts still immersed in her own world.
If this truly is the Dark Tide... perhaps remnants from the last eruption. If we could control this power, it might lead to a major breakthrough in the research on the Black Shore.
Phrolova looked up at the sky. It was truly blue.
But the world on the other shore was different.
There, the sun rose as usual, the town's cooking smoke and laughter repeated day after day, day after day... The utter ordinariness of each day was intoxicating.
She had once promised them she would create a perfect, real other shore no, not perfect and real, but to rebuild a "this shore" no different from this one.
To make that place the new reality.
Since both were flowers that couldn't bear fruit, perhaps staying in the dream would be happier than a reality full of cracks.
Because wrapped in this peaceful illusion, the dying flame could persist amidst the turbulence.
Even if such a world was false.
But...
what about him?
Phrolova gently raised her eyes, her gaze falling on Ray.
What would he do, after learning the full truth?
If he hadn't abandoned the past, would he have kept the promise?
Perhaps.
But reality had no "what ifs."
She had long since stopped holding any expectation for his choices and responses. Only occasionally, some untimely thoughts would still surface in her heart,
If back then, she could have walked a little closer to him, could have taken his hand, then what would our relationship be... now?
She sat there, quietly watching him, until the wind ceased to flow, and time, at this moment, lost its meaning.
The world now was like a sinking island.
And she was the girl wandering in the twilight, eventually embraced tenderly and coldly by the eternal night.
"A fish is hooked!"
Of course, Ray didn't notice the girl's emotional shift at this moment.
Or rather, Phrolova never revealed her emotions outwardly.
Even though her heart was currently stormy, her expression appeared no different from usual.
Ray forcefully lifted the fishing rod, trying to reel in the hooked big fish, but clearly underestimated its strength. A sudden force pulled from underwater, causing him to stagger and nearly be dragged into the sea. Luckily, he steadied himself in time, barely avoiding falling in.
"Yo, still got some fight, seems like a big one." Ray's competitive spirit was instantly ignited. He stood up, gripping the rod with both hands, beginning a serious contest with this fish.
Phoebe watched him worriedly. "Mr. Ray, be careful! Don't let it drag you into the sea!"
"It's fine." Ray's tone was light, a bright, handsome smile on his face. "I just underestimated it before; didn't expect it to be this strong. But at the end of the day, it's just a fish. I don't believe I can't handle it! The real battle is just starting!"
After saying this, he took a deep breath and employed techniques he'd seen from the anglers at the dock, sometimes loosening the line, sometimes tightening it, patiently wearing down the fish's stamina.
Joke's on you. I, a fearsome bipedal ape, and you, a mere fish want to compete with me in endurance?
Time slowly passed. Ray could clearly feel the fish's struggles gradually weakening.
It wouldn't be long before it was completely exhausted.
Unfortunately, he seemed to have underestimated this fish's cunning.
The moment he relaxed slightly, the fish made a final desperate struggle,
Ray, off balance, was pulled forward, and the fishing rod flew out of his hands.
Thud—!
Ray fell forward.
Well, more accurately...
he lunged forward.
The expected pain didn't come. Instead, what met him was a soft sensation gently enveloping him. Vaguely, he seemed to catch a faint, delicate fragrance and a hint of milky scent.
This feeling... could it be...
Wait, who's sitting opposite me?
Phoebe? No—it's Phrolova!
Ray slowly lifted his head, pushing himself up from that warm softness, right into Phrolova's lowered gaze.
Their eyes met, silence hanging between them for a moment.