The bright moon hung high in the sky, the night air as cool as water. The serene moonlight flowed through the balcony, spilling onto the bedroom floor, creating a peaceful, dim ambiance. Faint chirping of insects could be heard, playing a unique night melody, accompanying the profound silence.
Sephiroth held Scarlett's delicate body close, both of them embracing on the long sofa, feeling each other's warmth and heartbeats. Sephiroth gently caressed Scarlett's face, as beautiful as a flower, and a wave of emotion flooded him. Although they hadn't known each other long, their relationship had blossomed to this point—an unexpected, yet natural bond. He liked the girl, and she liked him; all their feelings for each other had been clearly revealed, without reservation. Therefore, the gazes they exchanged were filled with sincere, burning love, unspoken promises in their eyes.
Tomorrow morning, Sephiroth would return to the Marine Academy at Marine Headquarters, while Scarlett would remain in the Dressrosa Kingdom. At that point, they would be separated by a thousand miles, a bitter reality. Therefore, they cherished every moment they could spend together, as if each second were a precious gem. The night felt long, sleep far from their minds.
Sephiroth gazed at the bright moon in the night sky, while whispering a gentle story to the girl in his soothing, magnetic voice.
"Once upon a time..." he began, his voice deep and calming.
"There was a farmer..."
"The work of plowing the land was very arduous..."
"Ah!" When Scarlett heard the tragedy unfolding in the story, she immediately gasped, feeling deep sympathy for the farmer's suffering. She couldn't help but cover her mouth with her hand and began to sob softly, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Don't cry! Don't cry! There's still another story..." Sephiroth reached out and gently wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes, softly comforting her as he continued his narrative. He hadn't expected the girl to be so sensitive and fragile! Helpless, he could only temporarily change the direction of the story, deciding not to tell the tragic, heartbreaking ending. Otherwise, he was worried the girl would continue to be sad and harm herself, and that was the last thing he wanted.
"In the following days..." After quickly concluding his story, Sephiroth turned to look at Scarlett.
"I have many other wonderful stories... Do you want to hear them?" Sephiroth reached out and gently brushed the pink-haired girl's slightly messy long hair from her face, a remarkably tender smile gracing his features. After the recent interlude, he also understood that the girl disliked tragic, heartbreaking stories. Therefore, Sephiroth prepared to tell a warm and sweet fairy tale next, to make up for the distress he had just caused the girl...
"This..." A slight hesitation appeared on Scarlett's face.
"We clearly agreed that you would sit and listen to my stories, sit all night, sit until morning... Not one hour less, not one minute less, not one second less!" Sephiroth teased her gently, trying to lighten the mood.
"Alright!" Scarlett smiled faintly, wiping the last tears from her eyes.
"How about I tell you a fairy tale about ten brothers who defeated a witch?"
"It won't be another tragic story, will it?" Scarlett asked tentatively, her tone filled with anticipation and a touch of apprehension. If Sephiroth were to tell another sad and heartbreaking tale, she would definitely shake her head and firmly refuse.
Sephiroth smiled and shook his head gently, saying: "Of course not, this is a warm, slow-paced, touching, and soul-healing story... Would you like to hear it?"
"Alright!" Scarlett nodded slightly, agreeing to his suggestion, her eyes radiating a new light. If she felt the content wasn't right, she would firmly tell Sephiroth to stop telling the story; she didn't want to cry uncontrollably again...