They returned home.
After taking a shower, Xia Jiuwei started cooking in the kitchen. Steam rose from the pot, carrying a faint aroma that slowly filled the entire space.
Outside the window, the sky was already dimming. After the sunset faded, the edges of the city were dyed in a soft purple-blue hue.
Clack—
“I’m home.”
The door opened. Lu Nian’an stood at the entrance, still wearing a tailored suit that fit her perfectly. Her expression was as cool and distant as always.
But the moment her gaze landed on Xia Jiuwei, that sharpness quietly melted away, and a faint, genuine smile surfaced in her eyes.
“Finally done with the board meeting?” Xia Jiuwei glanced back at her, her tone light.
“Go take a shower. Dinner will be ready soon.”
“Mm.”
Lu Nian’an responded briefly, hung up her coat, and walked into the bathroom.
When the shower stopped, the kitchen lights were already on.
She stepped out wearing cotton loungewear, bunny slippers, and a single strand of hair stubbornly sticking up.
She walked to the dining table and naturally helped bring out the dishes one by one, her movements were so practiced it was obvious she was used to this.
They sat facing each other.
Lu Nian’an took a bite of food but didn’t eat right away. Instead, she narrowed her eyes slightly, staring across the table.
“…?”
Xia Jiuwei paused. “What?”
“Your eyes,” Lu Nian’an leaned in a little, sounding curious. “They’re really pretty. They turned purple.”
“Huh?” Xia Jiuwei blinked and instinctively turned toward the reflective surface nearby.
“…They really did.”
“Probably because I fused with an S-rank ‘Domain,’” she explained casually.
“Hehe, am I getting prettier and prettier?” Xia Jiuwei grinned mischievously. “If you want to chase me, you’d better hurry.”
Her tone sounded like a joke, but it softened slightly at the end.
Lu Nian’an’s movement paused.
“…I will,” she said quietly, her voice so soft it was swallowed by the sound of cutlery.
Xia Jiuwei didn’t hear it and didn’t ask again.
“By the way, want to go to Akihabara tomorrow?”
Halfway through the meal, Xia Jiuwei suddenly spoke, her eyes lighting up.
“Sure.” Lu Nian’an agreed almost immediately. “Let’s check the route later.”
They moved to the living room and sat close together, studying maps and stores.
Arcades, anime merchandise shops, maid cafés—one by one, they marked them down.
Their shoulders brushed now and then, but neither of them moved away.
Before they knew it, it was already past midnight.
Nights like this had gone on for half a year.
Late at night, they said little more.
The lights were turned off, and they naturally lay down on the same bed.
Xia Jiuwei turned over and instinctively curled into Lu Nian’an’s arms.
It felt like that place had always been reserved for her.
She took a soft breath. The faint scent from the other person was calming in a way that felt almost excessive.
Lu Nian’an’s hand paused behind her for a moment, then gently settled, holding her.
Neither of them spoke.
And both of them understood—this kind of companionship had long surpassed “friendship.”
But as long as no one said it out loud,
it seemed they had not yet touched that forbidden line.
The next morning, they woke up earlier than usual.
“Get up, get up!” Xia Jiuwei was unusually energetic, pushing the still-drowsy Lu Nian’an toward the dressing room.
“Today I’m definitely picking you something more casual!”
“…Am I not normal usually?” Lu Nian’an murmured.
“You’re too formal and proper!” Xia Jiuwei laughed.
She rummaged through clothes one by one.
“This jacket with wide pants—no, maybe this works better…”
She stood nearby, seriously comparing outfits, her gaze barely leaving Lu Nian’an.
In the end, Lu Nian’an chose one herself.
A white cotton top paired with a black pleated long skirt.
It had originally been bought for Xia Jiuwei, but she had found it too demure and only worn it a few times before putting it away.
“This one,” Lu Nian’an said calmly.
Xia Jiuwei froze for a moment.
Then, for some reason, a quiet sense of satisfaction rose in her chest.
After getting ready, they stood by the door.
Xia Jiuwei reached out and took Lu Nian’an’s hand.
The movement was natural, as if it had always been that way.
Lu Nian’an paused slightly—but didn’t let go.
In the next instant, space distorted.
They entered the Otherworld, and in a blink, were transported to Japan.
—Saotome’s apartment.
“Ah!”
Saotome flinched as she opened the door.
“Hehe, my bad,” Xia Jiuwei said casually.
“Wait here, I’ll get the money,” Saotome sighed and walked back into the room.
“I have something to say to her,” Lu Nian’an exchanged a glance with Xia Jiuwei and followed her inside.
The door closed.
Time passed quickly—but for Xia Jiuwei waiting outside, it somehow felt unusually long.
The door opened again.
The two of them walked out together.
Saotome raised her head and immediately met Xia Jiuwei’s gaze, which carried a faint pressure. A chill ran down her spine.
“What did you two talk about?” Xia Jiuwei asked, staring at Lu Nian’an, her tone slightly sharper than usual.
“Secret,” Lu Nian’an smiled.
“I don’t care. Tell me.” She puffed out her cheeks, sounding sulky.
Lu Nian’an reached out and gently patted her head.
“I’ll tell you tonight, okay?”
Xia Jiuwei paused.
Her tension melted away without her noticing.
“…Fine.”
After leaving Saotome’s place, they headed straight to Akihabara.
First stop: the arcade—GiGO Akihabara Building.
Lu Nian’an stopped at the coin exchange machine and changed 10,000 yen into 100-yen coins.
The sound of coins dropping was crisp and dense.
“Let’s go,” she said naturally, taking Xia Jiuwei’s hand.
They walked toward the game area together.