The sun had already disappeared from the sky a long time ago. Now the Lunaris Haven city was covered with the soft light of the night's moon. The city was blinking and shimmering with light. Streets bustling with people.

The group had already eaten a lot of street food that they didn't need to have dinner now.

Aisha, Eliana, and Marcus walked ahead while Seraphina and Amon stayed just behind them.

Amon looked at Seraphina. She was walking calmly beside him. Her long golden-blonde hair shimmered under the city lights, each step making the strands sway like liquid gold. Her golden eyes were focused on the path ahead, reflecting lantern lights like polished amber.

Tonight, she was dressed casually for once. A soft white-colored top with loose sleeves, tucked neatly into a short black skirt. The skirt fluttered lightly with the breeze. A thin white cardigan hung loosely over her shoulders, giving her a gentle, almost serene presence. Even her footwear. Simple white sandals, made her look more relaxed than usual. Yet, despite the simplicity, she still looked elegant, like someone who naturally stood out no matter what she wore.

Amon cleared his throat. "You look… different today."

Seraphina glanced at him. "Different?" She questioned him in same expression. Well no expression.

"I mean not in a bad way." He scratched his cheek. "Just… you look relaxed."

She blinked once, as if processing the statement. "Is it because of my casual clothes? It is not special."

"Yeah, but on you it looks special," Amon said honestly before he realized.

Seraphina paused for half a second. "…Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

Amon coughed. "Obviously."

She turned her gaze forward again. "I see."

Amon stared at her profile. Calm, composed, unreadable as always. But there was something softer about her tonight. Maybe it was the moonlight… or maybe she really was more relaxed outside the academy.

"Are you enjoying the trip?" Amon asked.

"Yes." She answered immediately. There was no paused in it. A straightforward response.

"That was fast. You usually think before answering." Even Amon pointed it out.

"There was no need to think," Seraphina said. "The city is lively. The food is interesting. And…" She looked at him briefly, "…the company is tolerable."

Amon raised an eyebrow. "Tolerable? Well you are not wrong. Aisha, Eliana and Marcus might be weird but they are tolerable."

Amon nodded in understanding.

Seraphina looked at Amon with a deadpan expression.

But then, Seraphina's lips twitched. Almost, almost forming a smile. "…Yes. I am enjoying it."

Amon felt a small warmth in his chest. "Good to hear."

They continued walking under the lantern-lit street. The moonlight reflected on the water channels running beside the roads, making the whole place look like something straight out of a fantasy painting.

After a moment, Seraphina spoke again. "Amon."

"Hm?"

"You seem… happier today. I mean, you always look happy. But today feels different. As if you stumbled upon some precious treasure."

Amon nearly choked. "W-What? Happier? Treasure?"

"Yes." She looked at him directly this time. "Did something good happen earlier?"

He stiffened. 'Damn. Even she noticed…'

"I mean… uh, nothing big. Just… tomorrow is going to be a good day, I guess."

'Damn! I am always happy. How did she notice any change in me?'

Seraphina observed him, her golden eyes calm but sharp. "If you say so."

Amon looked away quickly. "Yep. Definitely nothing suspicious."

Seraphina didn't press further. Instead, she let her gaze drift back to the glowing city.

"You know," Amon said after a moment, "Walking like this feels nice. Not fighting, not training, just… this."

Seraphina nodded. "Yes. It is peaceful."

Amon smiled. "You should dress casually more often. You look less like an untouchable goddess and more like…" He stopped.

"More like what?" she asked.

"A normal girl."

Seraphina blinked at him.

Then she looked forward again, voice quiet. "…I do not mind that."

Amon looked at her, surprised.

She didn't explain further. She simply kept walking beside him, the faintest hint of softness in her expression.

"But you… you still approach me more than anyone… despite looking like some unapproachable goddess." She asked with amusement.

Well, it was the truth. Amon was shameless in this matter.

He didn't answer and looked forward.

"Hey… it seems we lost those three in the crowd while talking."

Just then Seraphina also noticed. Yes, those three were not visible anymore.

"Wait. I will call Eliana—" but before she could take out her pager, Amon held her wrist.

She looked at him with a confused look, questioning what he was doing. Amon smiled at her widely.

"Let them be. We can enjoy ourselves. Let's go." He didn't let her talk and pulled her with him. His hand holding her wrist as he walked her through the crowd.

"Let's keep holding hands so we won't get separated." Seraphina's eyes fell on her hand. Which was held by Amon. For the first time she felt something different. Had any man held her hand before? She didn't remember such a thing. For some reason it felt wrong. Yet she didn't pull away from Amon.

Rather, she slid her fingers between his. Breaking his hold on her wrist. Gently guiding their hands together. Their palms touched, warm against warm. Their fingers intertwined, locking with a natural ease that felt as if it had always been meant to happen.

Amon guided her as his voice grew excited.

She looked at his face. Oddly, she felt warm.

Amon's eyes fell on one of the machines at the side of the road, just beside a soft toys shop. The machine for some reason looked familiar. Amon narrowed his eyes.

"Seraphina, there. Let's go." Of course he was in charge. She followed him as he guided. Was there even any need for saying let's go?

They stood in front of that machine, their hands still locked, their fingers intertwined.

The glowing machine, staring through the glass at the mountain of plush toys crammed inside. Bright lights shimmered off the glass, reflecting faintly on his dark clothes. The machine hummed, cheerful and colorful.

On the right side of the machine was a shiny metal slot where players inserted their coins. Just above it, a small digital screen blinked "PLAY" in bold red numbers, waiting for someone to take the challenge. In front of the glass was a joystick to play.

'This! Isn't this similar to my last world? I don't remember much. But this kind of game was always played by couples in anime or novels. A cliché setting.' How could he don't know this famous troupe. In every romance novel there is at least a date scene about how male leads win a toy for female lead.

There above the play button was a crystal. It looked similar to a recording one. Something that can click photos or record something.

Amon gazed at Seraphina, who was looking at soft toys with the same expressionless face. "…A clawed machine?" She muttered.

'It's my chance!' He thought to himself.

Finally he could show off...is that even possible in front of someone like Seraphina.

"Cough! I will play this one," Amon declared, drawing Seraphina's attention.

He had decided to play this game.

---

[Author's Note: Guys I wanted to tell you now in advance that mostly, the next chapters will be more focus of slice of life and little bit romance. There is reason because after this trip is over you won't see such romantic scenes for a long time. So enjoy it for now!]

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.