Episode 8

In the evening, after Leanor returned home from her new house, Raina contacted her through their mind link and inquired about her whereabouts.

"Hey you home? I'm less busy now.."

Leanor quickly came up with an excuse to dissuade Raina, fearing that she would ask more questions and found it she's with Rufus.

"There's no need for you to visit me. I've already found a house and a roommate."

Raina hesitated for a moment before asking, "Are you sure? No need at all?"

Leanor nodded confidently, even though Raina couldn't physically see her.

"Yes, I'm sure."

Raina ended the conversation with doubt, and Leanor let out a sigh of relief.

However, she remained wide awake until two o'clock in the morning, unable to find sleep. Eventually, she decided to get out of bed and take a walk.

For some reason, Rufus turned on all the lights on the first floor, including the ones on the balcony. This prevented Leanor from facing complete darkness when she stepped outside, ensuring that she wouldn't be frightened.

Before she could gather her thoughts, a voice came from behind her.

"Why are you awake in the middle of the night?"

Leanor's expression froze, and she held her breath. Slowly, she turned around to face Rufus, her body stiff with surprise.

"Hey. You scared me."

Rufus leaned against the door. In reality, he had noticed Leanor shortly after she left the house. Intrigued, he followed her as she walked towards the balcony, talking to herself.

Rufus asked once again, "Why aren't you sleeping? What are you doing?"

Glancing at his phone, Rufus noted that it was only twenty minutes before half past one.

"I'm making a wish," Leanor replied, surprised by the sudden question.

"A wish?" Rufus repeated.

Leanor nodded in confirmation.

Rufus stood on the balcony, feeling the wind brush against his face. His gaze was deep and intense, as if he could silence the entire night with his eyes. He stared at Leanor's profile, as if he wanted to etch every detail of her face into his memory. There was a possessiveness in his eyes, as if he feared that everything would vanish along with the starlight, and that Leanor would disappear once again.

After Leanor made her wish, she opened her eyes and glanced at Rufus, her curiosity evident in her voice as she asked, "Why didn't you make a wish?" Rufus turned away, his demeanor calm and detached as he replied, "I have nothing to wish for..." Leanor let out a sigh, expressing her envy.

She looked up at the sky and spoke earnestly, "I just made a wish, hoping to avoid any reckless actions that could lead me to bankruptcy."

She clasped her hands together, a pious gesture, and added, "May the Moon goddess grant my wish." Just as she finished speaking, her arm accidentally knocked over Rufus' camera, causing it to collide with a flowerpot and shatter.

A flock of black crows flew across the sky. Trembling, Leanor knelt down to pick up the camera, silently praying to the Moon goddess.

When she examined it, she discovered that the camera lens was broken. Leanor felt her breath catch in her throat.

Lenses were expensive, and Rufus' lenses were likely even more so. Holding the broken camera, she looked at Rufus with a devastated expression.

Rufus, who had initially kept his hand in his pocket, now enthusiastically gave her a thumbs up. "Fascinating," he remarked, his handsome face displaying only indifference.

Calmly, Rufus extended his hand and said, "Is it really that bad? Let me see." Leanor handed him the camera, her face filled with sadness.

Rufus took a casual glance and set the camera aside. "It's just the UV lens that's broken," he explained.

Leanor, feeling perplexed, wanted to draw a circle on the ground as she asked, "What is a UV lens?" Rufus squatted down and spoke warmly, "It's just a part.

You can replace it for a few dollars." Leanor looked up, hesitating in disbelief. "Really?" she questioned.

Rufus nodded, assuring her, "Absolutely."

Leanor let out a couple of frustrated hums, saying, "It scared me to death." Rufus couldn't help but chuckle as he watched her squatting in a circle-like posture. Picking up the camera with the broken lens, he teased, " I'm leaving. You can wish for the moon goddess to give you a mate like me.."

Leanor turned away from him, suppressing the urge to let out a growl.