The night in the forest was gradually dispelled by the frosty moonlight.

The gentle glow of the moon shrouded the broken altar.

The white crane Fratiss's silver armor was stained with blood.

The feathered sword of the crimson hawk Chloe was pressed against her throat.

"Is this the path you've chosen?"

Fratiss staggered backward, the crane feather cloak flapping in the night wind like a banner.

Her blood-stained fingertips brushed against the enemy's arrow fletching, leaving a winding blood trail on the shaft.

"Watering the seeds of hatred with the blood of your people?"

Chloe's hand holding the bow trembled violently, his crimson gold eyes reflecting a sky full of stars.

The arrowhead, following his rapid breath, carved tiny beads of blood on Fratiss's throat.

The young hawk said nothing, but the struggle on his face grew heavier.

Fratiss suddenly gripped the shaft of the arrow and stepped forward.

As the arrow pierced her skin, the girl's blood-stained palm covered the man's hand holding the bow.

Fingers intertwined, blood and tears mingling scaldingly hot, the bowstring emitted a mournful sound as it was drawn tight.

An audible gasp sounded from the audience.

Fratiss could clearly see the teardrop frozen on Chloe's eyelashes.

His trembling lips almost drew blood from how tightly they were bitten.

According to the script, at this moment, the girl should have pushed away the senior and delivered her farewell lines.

But the warmth in her hands made Fratiss recall the dark circles under the senior's eyes from staying up rehearsing during training.

A soft cough came from Miseria below the stage.

Only then did Fratiss realize that she had forgotten her lines.

Cold sweat instantly soaked through the lining of her suit.

As she panicked somewhat, Chloe suddenly grabbed the front of the girl's bloodstained collar.

At the moment the crimson hawk boy stood on tiptoe, Fratiss caught a faint scent of honey pancakes in his hair.

[The senior had some snacks too!]

This impromptu hug completely deviated from the script.

The girl buried her face in his neck and said "thank you" in a muffled voice.

Sparse applause rose from the audience.

Fratiss felt warm liquid seeping into her costume, unsure if it was blood or tears.

She closed her eyes and tightened her embrace, letting the crane feathers and hawk plumes entwine and fall under the spotlight.

She reached out, holding the man's nape, softly reciting her line:

"Look, our shadows are finally equal under the moonlight."

The warm lighting inside the Fantasy Show venue gradually turned to a golden hue.

As Fratiss lifted her face, Chloe saw the shattered stardust in her eyes.

The short sword that should have pierced the chest dropped, the boy's arrow fell despondently to the ground, replaced by a kiss with a taste of blood.

The kiss was as light as a falling feather.

Chloe had seen this scene countless times in the script.

But when it actually touched, it was the salty bitterness of tears mingling with the sweetness of honey.

Fratiss awkwardly pressed against the corner of his lips, tilting her head as in training, but in her fluster, bumped into his nose.

The audience seats erupted in good-natured laughter.

Chloe took the opportunity to embrace her waist and complete the curtain call spin.

The expansive cloak and crimson gold war shirt spread out, and he whispered in a voice only Fratiss could hear:

"You've been sneaking bites again."

As countless crane feathers floated down, their foreheads touching silhouette was frozen in applause.

The scene gradually grew dark.

Fratiss stealthily tapped the tip of his foot with her shoe.

Chloe retaliated by pinching her flushed ear.

...

At the celebration banquet.

Miseria raised a glass and shouted:

"Cheers!"

By then, Fratiss was already hugging an empty wine glass, starting to count the stars.

She woozily collapsed into Chloe's arms,

"Wine, wine is not tasty at all!"

"That's lemon water."

Chloe helplessly took the wine glass out of the little foodie's hand.

The small foodie, cheeks flushed, lay on his arm, with the white crane accessory atop her head still swaying slightly.

"Three seniors now!"

Miseria, beside her, burst into laughter.

This vice president, usually strictly adhering to noble etiquette, had let down her hair tonight.

Her long hair cascaded over her bare shoulders, the moonlit blue evening gown she wore as the opening person made her like a night-blooming flower.

She leaned in, her high heels lightly tapping the marble floor:

"Little Fratiss, want some hangover medicine?"

"Is there a strawberry flavor?"

Fratiss suddenly perked up.

A group of club members laughed aloud.

"Junior, since when is hangover medicine strawberry flavored?"

"It exists." Miseria chuckled softly, "You can ask your senior, he might have some."

The little foodie, eyes blurred, instinctively looked towards Chloe.

She tried hard to reach for Chloe's sleeve.

But with her senior appearing in triplicate in her eyes, she failed for a while.

Chloe, helpless, had to actively place his sleeve in her hand.

She clutched onto the sleeve, giggling happily.

"Here you go, here you go."

Chloe pulled out a fruit from his space bag and handed it to the little foodie.

"What's this?"

"Edible hangover medicine, a Maze specialty!"

"Yay!"

Fratiss let out a joyous laugh.

But a moment later, she blurrily muttered:

"But how does the senior know the senior has it?"

Chloe: …

Miseria: …

Well, that's a problem.

Drunk Fratiss suddenly turned smart.

At the end of the celebration banquet, the dazed Fratiss was taken away by Lilith.

Chloe followed, whispering beside Lilith:

"How is it going? Is this child's resonance level sufficient?"

"There's been significant improvement."

Lilith couldn't help but smile at the mention of this matter.

Chloe also sighed in relief.

It's good that there's significant improvement. That way, when Fantasy Night begins, Fratiss's resonance level will continue to increase.

By that time, even if Lilith hasn't fully regained her peak strength, she can lend her power to Fratiss to bear any potential crisis.

Thinking of this, both of them showed a relaxed smile.

"I'll take her away first. This girl, if you can't drink, don't force it, what's the point of being stubborn?"

"Take good care of her, and send me a message when you arrive."

"Okay."

...

Later.

The celebration party became even crazier.

Laura, who claimed to be the Wine God, began to affect innocent members on a large scale.

One senior after another toppled over like dominos.

Fortunately, some sober people were left, ready to band together and return to the dormitory.

Laura looked at Miseria and said:

"Miseria, shall I take you back to school?"

"No!" came Miseria's soft, cottony voice, "I want to go home. I have things to handle tomorrow!"

"Then I'll take you home."

Miseria looked up at Laura, then turned her head and leaned on Chloe.

Laura, helpless, looked at Chloe and said:

"I'll give you her home's code. Junior, will you take her back?"

"No need, I know her house code."

"Oh?"

Laura gave a peculiar smile.

Interesting, this is really interesting.

Since when did Miseria even tell someone her house code?

"Alright then." Laura shrugged, lifted Miseria's bangs, and ruffled her hair, saying, "Remember to send me a message when you get home."

"Okay."

...

Chloe supported Miseria through the rain.

Her stilettos tapped out chaotic notes on the stone path.

The streetlights stretched and shortened their shadows, as the muddled Miseria felt a turmoil of emotions inside.

Meanwhile, Chloe found the weight in his arms lighter than expected.

The scent of violets mixed with white wine evoked memories of the vice president's trembling fingertips.

At this moment, the senior clung to Chloe's arm, her falling hair brushing against his chin.

Chloe had never seen the vice president like this—lace blouse with two buttons undone, hair usually neat now tumbling over her shoulders like melted moonlight.

Chloe placed Miseria on the bed and was about to leave.

However, just as the hallway light activated, Miseria seemed to regain some clarity and suddenly tugged at Chloe's clothes:

"Don't go."

The strength was surprising, her sapphire eyes veiled in a watery mist:

"Junior, stay with me a little longer."

Chloe froze in place.

Miseria laid her head on his back.

Chloe sighed and said:

"You've had a lot to drink today."

"I'm, I'm still pretty sober."

"Everyone who drinks says that."

"No, it's fine, nothing will happen."

"Didn't you say you wouldn't get drunk in front of me again?"

Miseria's body trembled a little, then she whispered softly:

"Be-because you're here today, so I'm not afraid, junior is a good person."

Chloe felt helpless.

Is this why Miseria kept drinking one glass after another tonight?

She seemed to realize Chloe's mood and said:

"Because today was indeed very joyous."

Chloe turned and looked at her:

"I'll stay for three more minutes."

"Haha, really?" Miseria said, still somewhat dazed, "I thought you'd stay the night."

She buried half her face in the pillow, staring blankly at Chloe.

"I know I'm good-looking."

Miseria's voice was a bit nasal tonight, she hummed softly and said:

"You performed well today."

"Of course, doesn't it matter who Fratiss and my teacher is, right, Senior Miseria?"

"Hehe~" She giggled coquettishly and then said, "Do-don't say that, back then being around you guys, you had a lot of pressure."

"Hmm?"

"Standing beside you directing back then, you guys felt embarrassed, right?"

Chloe paused for a moment.

Then he quickly realized something, speaking up:

"Senior, did you think that we performed well this time because you weren't disrupting us?"

Miseria paused, speechless,

Chloe sat at the foot of the bed, speaking gently:

"To be honest, neither I nor Fratiss felt pressured because you were there.

On the contrary, it was because you were with us that we did so well."

Chloe turned his head to look at Miseria's misty eyes and said:

"We all know how much effort you put in for us. If you belittle yourself this way, we'll feel hurt."

Miseria slowly leaned closer, somewhat at a loss, and said:

"So-sorry."

"Senior, you have nothing to be sorry for; you didn't do anything wrong."

Miseria gave a lighthearted smile and whispered:

"Junior is truly excellent."

She counted Chloe's strengths with her fingers:

"Since I first met you, you seemed never to slack off."

"You manage relationships with everyone very well."

"And you're reliable, with a sweet mouth… too."

"So, truly..."

"Very attractive."

Chloe paused for a moment, lifted his head, and then Miseria kissed him on the lips:

"This time, it's not a performance."

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