"Anming, do I look cute?"
"Even if I gouged out my eyes, you'd still be the cutest in the universe."
"Hmph…"
Firefly puffed her cheeks, leaning in until her crescent-moon eyes filled his vision. "And I adore you~" She rose on tiptoes, planting a soft kiss on his cheek, her face blooming crimson.
Anming wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her back. Firefly's allure was undeniable—whether as a battle-hardened warrior or an affectionate partner. Imagine her撒娇ing in combat mode… A strange fantasy flickered in his mind, one he'd never voice. What if she thinks I'm a pervert?
He also needed to guard his "flanks." Given Firefly's recent… enthusiasm, he might end up a father before reaching Penacony. Pom-Pom as grandpa? Cute, but…
"Thinking something naughty?" Firefly interlaced their fingers, her gaze molten.
"Never."
Just imagining our future. Kids who can ignite oceans at birth? Genetic lottery, here we come.
Firefly feigned sternness. "No lewd thoughts."
"You've been corrupted!"
"Your fault." She blushed. "These… are all the things I regret not doing with you before."
During their separation, Firefly learned one truth: Act, even wrongly, rather than regret inaction. Yet fate granted her a second chance.
If honest, she wanted to lock Anming away—claim every breath, every heartbeat. His gentle eyes, kissable lips, comforting scent… All mine.
"Anming."
"Hmm?"
"What am I to you?"
He ruffled her hair. "Comrade. Girlfriend. Wife. Firefly. I could list titles all night."
Chat Log - Anming & Asta
Anming: "My ID's… creative, right?"
Asta: 😏 "The latter item's ready. Company reps on the Luofu will handle it. The first… tricky."
Asta: 💧 "Even my credits can't buy everything. Try Lady Herta?"
Chat Log - Anming & Herta
Anming: "In a life-or-death crisis! Don't make me hiatus!"
Herta: "Ugh. Speak."
[After explanation]
Herta: "6."
Herta: "Kid, you've always been a simp."
Anming: "It's called romance."
Herta: "Update NOW." 🖕
Anming smirked. With Herta's help, even the Family will bend. Otherwise, he'd flash-ambush Penacony and serenade them with "Birds Break Cages"—guaranteed compliance.
He'd planned a grand farewell surprise for Firefly—a delayed revelation, like aged wine, richer upon reunion.
Firefly's curiosity glowed. Back in Gramr, Anming's surprises—a cake, a plush bear—had lit her darkest days. Love, she realized, was paradoxical: lifetimes to grasp, yet conveyed in a glance.
That starlit night by the lake, when he named her "Firefly," she'd shed her identity as a weapon. Now, she was human—flawed, yearning, alive.