Chapter 104: Eden: I'm drunk~You have to take responsibility~

[Perhaps it was because of the inexplicable thoughts in your heart, or perhaps it was because the Yin you were familiar with was here, or perhaps it was because... that cherry blossom-like girl you seemed to be somewhat familiar with, you stayed in the Far East for a long time, longer than any other place you had been to before.]

[As usual, you stroll along the streets, and choose a suitable place to stop and play, often attracting a large number of people to stop and watch... But most of the time, you prefer to stay in the park. This is the season when cherry blossoms are in full bloom. In the slightly cold wind, your song falls with the pale pink petals and drifts away with the wind.]

[Somehow, you are always lucky enough to have a few complete cherry blossoms fall by your side, and they are all brought to you by the wind by chance, or stay by your side, or stay on your shoulder, with some pale white petals falling on your head, always making people feel that you are about to be drowned by the cherry blossom petals.]

[The faint floral scent lingers around you along with your cheerful mood, and sometimes gives people the illusion that you have walked out of a dream or a painting.]

[Such beautiful scenery was naturally photographed, recorded, and uploaded to the Internet, adding some popularity to you.]

[Come to think of it, you took a photo and sent it to Eden. The way you were covered in flower petals gave Eden some inspiration for the design... At this time, she even sighed that if you were a girl, you would probably be mistaken for the legendary "fairy" by now.]

[Eden's teasing left you speechless. As a counterattack, you told her that if she wanted, it was okay for him to change into women's clothes... Isn't it just a special performance costume? What's there to be shy about?]

[Your words were affirmed by Eden, who said that if you meet again in the future, she could design a set of performance clothes for you. Hmm... you always feel like you were tricked, but it doesn't matter.]

[You stayed in the Far East for a while and met Li who came to visit Yin... Then, as expected, you, the "record player", were caught and made to sing again.]

[You are quite happy, after all, you see them again.]

[It's just… I don't know if Yin did it on purpose, but ever since that day when you showed some interest in the girl named Sakura, she has often brought Sakura with her. Especially when she meets you, you can almost always see Sakura beside her, which makes you feel a little confused.]

[Although the reason given by Yin was that she discovered Sakura's ability and found her very suitable as a personal bodyguard, and she also had good pastry making skills and decent Sakura wine, Yin liked her very much, so she often brought Sakura with her.]

[But when Yin said this, you clearly noticed that Yin's eyes had some subtle "unable to hold back" feeling. Obviously, what Yin said was not entirely true, but you didn't care. Instead, you were more concerned about what kind of snacks she liked.]

[You know, when you were still living under the same roof, you also learned a few tricks from your fellow chefs, so that you could cook some small snacks for everyone... Now, why not learn another trick?]

[Honestly, Yin and Li are both helpless. Although most of what she said just now is true, it is obvious that Yin used words to deal with you. But you took it seriously and even planned to learn it enthusiastically... they really don't know what to say to you.]

[And the reason you gave is quite sufficient - you can secretly send two copies to Yin in the future to test your craftsmanship. When you are good enough, you can go back and make it for Eden.]

[Well... learning to cook for your lover and giving her a surprise after learning it is a normal reason, but you actually treated Yin and Li as food tasters. You are really brave, and they started to play around with them again.]

[However, this gives you a reason to get close to Sakura, and you can act with her... um, in the kitchen.]

[Sakura was a little stunned for a moment. She couldn't figure out why she suddenly went from being a thug at the bottom of the organization to being the personal bodyguard of the "master of the house", and then turned around and became a pastry chef.]

[But she understood one thing - all these changes must be because of you and the care that the "master of the family" gave her was also because of you.]

[She will subconsciously have some respect and fear for you at the beginning, and keep a clear distance from you. After all, no matter what, you are the friend of the "master of the house", and your identities and classes are different, so she should remain humble in front of you.]

[But as you spend more time together, Sakura will always unconsciously let go of that sense of distance, and will unconsciously get closer to you, and do some... um... more presumptuous actions.]

[She doesn't quite understand. She's been very careful and has been telling herself to be respectful to you and at least keep some distance. But… for some reason, she always wants to get closer to you. Sometimes, by the time she realizes what's going on, she's already very close to you.]

[It's so strange, it's as if Sakura's heart and body don't resist being close to you, which is seriously inconsistent with her vigilance as a woman and a warrior. More importantly, Sakura finds that she doesn't resist this feeling.]

[Sakura always feels like something is wrong with her...]

[You didn't react much to this... Just like you said before, you don't want to restrict yourself, and you won't be too restrained in expressing your emotions. You found yourself inexplicably familiar with Sakura, so you simply showed her a friendly attitude, and unconsciously, you also acted close to her, not like you just met, but friends you have known for a long time.]

[Of course, the most important thing is to learn how to make Sakura's desserts... After all, you agreed to make them for Eden, so you can't break your promise.]

[Sakura is best at making a small snack called "Sakura Balls", as well as some cherry blossom cakes, which have a soft and glutinous texture and a light floral fragrance lingering on the lips and teeth. The light sweetness flows into the throat, bringing the brain a unique pleasure of sugar.]

[However, you learned to make such desserts very quickly. You made them quite well without even trying. This surprised Sakura a little because you learned really quickly. It didn't look like you were learning for the first time at all. She also tasted the final result, which was almost exactly the same as what she made, except that it tasted a little sweeter, but that was not a big problem.]

[What's more, the taste is slightly sweet, which is probably because you prefer a sweet taste, so it's not a big problem to make some reasonable modifications]

[However, just when you wanted to tell Eden the good news and give her a little surprise, you found out that Eden had terminated her contract with her agency.]

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At this moment, the sun was gradually setting in the west, and the sunlight was moving slowly from directly above, gradually lengthening the shadows of everyone.

At the seaside, the sea breeze mixed with a slightly salty and humid smell blows gently, dispelling the afternoon heat.

Nozomi and Eden walked side by side along the coastal road, listening to the happy sounds of people playing on the beach, watching the cars slowly passing by, and feeling the sea breeze gently blowing around them.

The seaside... This is the place Nozomi likes, and it is also the place Eden likes because it is here that the distance between her and him is most obviously shortened for the second time... The first time was because of music, which allowed them to meet each other and know each other.

But at this moment, facing such beautiful scenery, there was no joy on their faces. For what happened before, there was no sadness or anger on their faces. They were just calm and quietly enjoying the time with him/her by their side.

"...Nozomi, aren't you curious? I terminated my contract with the agency or something."

Once again, she saw passers-by exclaiming and greeting Nozomi. Obviously, it was another fan who recognized him. Eden asked with some bitterness and helplessness.

"No, because I know that they must not understand your insistence, and then there is a disagreement, right?"

Nozomi first waved politely to the fans, then gestured to Eden beside him, refusing their intention to come forward for a photo. Then he turned around, looked at her beside him with a smile, and said softly.

"Ah... Really, I always feel that sometimes knowing too much is not a good thing. You know a lot of things without even having to say them out loud. It's so difficult to complain even if I want to..."

As Eden spoke, she turned her eyes away, her head towards the sea, not looking at Nozomi, and seemed to be a little angry.

"You can tell me even if it's like this, right? If you tell me about your unhappy things, they'll be half as bad, right~"

Nozomi quietly reached out his hand and lightly touched the palm of Eden's hand with his fingertips. When he saw that her hands behind her back were loosened, he also smiled and moved his fingertips down from her wrist, palm facing hers, and held her hand.

"I'm not particularly unhappy..."

Eden obviously noticed his actions, the corner of her mouth raised slightly, and she returned to the front, slightly adjusted her steps, and subconsciously shortened the distance between him and her, then sighed and said helplessly.

"I just feel a little bit hurt...My manager and seniors all said that no one listens to classical music anymore, and there is no market for opera...No one likes these anymore, but I still insist...They all say I am a little unreasonable."

"Although I can sing pop music, but...compared to that, I would rather continue my persistence."

"Classical music, opera, poetry… these are the unique sedimentation of past events, the crystallization of human civilization through art. We can often get a glimpse of history from them, which are brilliant, dazzling and beautiful… but now it seems that no one likes these."

Eden sighed helplessly, and his golden eyes subconsciously glanced at Nozomi beside him. Seeing that he was still listening quietly, she spoke with a hint of bitterness.

"Sometimes I wonder if I should sing the songs that everyone likes, just like Nozomi..."

"Hmm? Why?"

"It's very simple... because Nozomi, you are now... a big celebrity. There are fans greeting you when you walk on the street..."

There was a hint of jealousy in Eden's words, but it quickly disappeared without a trace.

"You stood on that shining stage before me..."

"Is it on the Internet?"

"That counts, right?"

"So... Eden is a little envious?"

"A little bit, and I always feel that if this continues... my light will be overshadowed by you."

Eden shrugged and said with a little sadness.

"I want to be with you..."

In the end, she lowered her voice again and spoke to herself in a faint voice that only she could hear.

"No, Eden, you are more dazzling than me."

"Please stop teasing me."

"I'm serious."

Nozomi said softly.

"Eden, can you tell me what you think now?"

"Of course I want to keep going, and let everyone know the beauty I see, but..."

Eden's gaze unconsciously fell on Nozomi beside her, but she unexpectedly found that he was also looking at her. Inadvertently, the two of them looked at each other.

Eden was in a state of hesitation. If she were alone, she would probably stick to this matter out of pride as a genius. With youthful vigor and drive, she would want to prove her choice to the world and to prove to the agency that once did not recognize her that the beauty of classical music and opera has always existed, but people just haven't felt it.

And she, Eden, will show this beauty to everyone, and tell everyone about it with the splendor that is unique to art.

She has the confidence to rely on her persistence and talent to step onto the most dazzling stage and become the brightest star in everyone's eyes.

Only now... there was another person by her side, who was very similar to herself, but taking a completely different path, and more importantly... he had already blossomed with his own brilliance, while Eden herself... was still dim in the darkness.

Maybe... this is what "no comparison, no harm" means.

This made Eden hesitate and retreat a little. She wondered whether she should play the songs that the world liked like Nozomi, so that she could step onto the dazzling stage faster and stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

However, Nozomi doesn't seem to think so.

"If you want to keep going, then keep going, Eden."

Nozomi took Eden and gently walked down the steps, walked to the beach, and strolled on the fine sand to the sound of gentle waves.

"Although we are on different paths, we are always similar, aren't we? Besides... I am not playing a song that everyone likes, am I?"

There was a hint of mischief in Nozomi's words.

"That's actually a song I like, but I just happened to meet someone who likes the same song... Actually, I like the stories I hear from others more, just like the different beautiful scenery we see, like the stars we see at night... They always bring me different inspirations and let me write different songs, and these songs happen to be the ones they like, and I just happen to meet other people who like such songs."

"So in reality, there's no difference between me and Eden. We're both just doing what we believe in, and playing the music we like."

"So I also believe that as long as Eden continues to persevere, you will definitely let everyone see the most dazzling you. Yes, you will definitely become the most shining star."

Nozomi smiled and gently squeezed Eden's hand.

"Don't worry, I will stay by your side. you promised me that, didn't you? I will always be by your side, okay?"

"…Yeah, that's true."

Eden was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing.

She remembered the wish she made in front of Nozomi, so... why should she give up now? And in front of him.

'No... maybe I had already made up my mind, I had already made up my mind in my heart, but I just came to him, confided in him, complained to him, and acted hesitant in front of him... I just wanted to get some recognition and support from him.'

'And he naturally gave me support and recognition in return, and I felt happy and blessed because of it... Thinking about it this way, I'm really just an ordinary girl...'

Eden smiled with irrepressible tenderness and happiness.

"Take a short break, Nozomi."

"Okay."

Eden pointed to a seat not far away near the beach, took him closer, sat down immediately, and then...

Carefully and slowly, she moved closer to him, slowly tilting her body and leaning against him.

"Eden?"

"I'm drunk, let me lean on you~"

"How did you get drunk without drinking?"

"You got me drunk~ You have to take responsibility~"

"well..."

Nozomi didn't mind it, but Eden's long brown hair kept rubbing against his neck and cheeks, which made him feel a little itchy.

"Ha ha..."

Eden also realized this. She chuckled twice and even deliberately rubbed against Nozomi, which made him helpless again... Just like that, during their own play, their clasped hands quietly moved and changed, their fingertips intertwined, and then their fingers were interlocked.

"...Eden, let's sing together. It's been a while since we sang together."

"Okay, you go first~"

"Hmm~ Hmm~"

Nozomi did not refuse, but just hummed the melody softly, and Eden just leaned against him, even squeezed into his arms, lowered her eyes slightly, looked at the sparkling sea, and slowly and softly hummed the part that belonged to her.

Hmm~

The moving singing voice floated gently with the sea breeze and was carried away by the wind. On the distant boundary between the sea and the sky, a graceful figure quietly jumped out of the sea. Faintly, one could recognize that it was the shape of a whale.

Is it Skadi...?

Nozomi felt something in his heart. Looking at the blurry figure in the distance, he was stunned for a moment, then smiled... If it really was it... that would be great.

Hmmm~

The two people's singing slowly flowed with time, accompanied by the gentle sound of waves, echoing on the shore.

The sun set in the west and gradually turned into a sunset. The sky also slowly darkened. Even the silver moon seemed to appear in the sky impatiently as if it were a hurried listener.

The golden-red sunlight shines on the orange sea, reflecting the beauty unique to the evening.

The sound of the waves became a little noisy, and the white waves gradually hit their feet, bringing the blue sea water to the side of the seats and wetting their shoes.

"It looks like the tide is coming in."

Nozomi reminded softly.

"Then there are two sunsets."

Eden's gaze stayed in the distance, the sun slowly setting from the sky, and the golden and red reflected on the sea. The beautiful scenery attracted her eyes and made her linger. The warmth and familiar breath beside her made her even more nostalgic.

"We can't go back."

Nozomi said again.

"It doesn't matter."

But Eden just responded like this.

Feeling the blowing ocean breeze, listening to the passing waves, gazing at the beautiful sunset, and most importantly, being able to lean on him - how she wished time could freeze at this moment, how she wished time could stop at this moment.

Eden's gaze remained on the distant skyline as if she didn't care about anything around her.

She just raised the corners of her mouth slightly and spoke softly.

"We're in this together."