Her consciousness was hazy. Occasionally, she could see a magnificent but crumbling grand hall, which then slowly dissolved into nothingness, vanishing bit by bit. Finally, only an unfamiliar ceiling remained, along with a familiar, warm sensation.
The pain didn't seem so intense anymore, leaving behind only a lingering exhaustion. While it tormented her body, it also gave her mind a sense of relaxation, as if she had reclaimed a small part of her former self.
“How long was I asleep?” Li Yue’s vision was blurry. She looked at the girl sitting by her bed and turned her head with difficulty, accompanied by waves of pain and a feverish heat.
“About... fifteen minutes?” Clo thought for a moment and gently stroked Li Yue’s cheek, feeling her scorching temperature. “Does it still hurt much?”
“Mhm... but I am fine.” Li Yue turned her head back, as if she didn't want Clo to see her in such a pathetic state.
“In the past, whenever I woke up, I would see you sitting by the bed. Sometimes I woke up too late and you were reading beside me; other times, you were changing clothes.” Clo leaned against the headboard and spoke slowly, as if reminiscing. “No matter which it was, I would always hug you.”
“I don't have the slightest memory of that.” Li Yue thought about it. There seemed to be a tiny fragment of a memory, but she just couldn't recall it, as if something were blocking her.
She simply gave up on thinking, closed her eyes, and shifted her body toward Clo, not stopping until she was pressed against her.
Despite saying she was fine and didn't need care, her body honestly leaned toward Clo.
“I'll go get the medicine.” Clo touched Li Yue’s forehead and prepared to get up, but she felt something tugging at the corner of her clothes. Though the strength was minimal, it felt as if the girl were gripping with all her might.
“Wait a moment...” Li Yue turned her face away. For some reason, her face seemed to grow even redder.
Truly a stubborn child. Clo slowly sat back down and took Li Yue’s hand. The small hand was ice-cold; even though it was tucked under the covers, it seemed to be shivering from the cold.
“Are you cold?”
“No.”
Very well then... Clo slowly took off her coat and outer garments, tossed her tights onto a nearby chair, and remained in her chemise. Although she preferred wearing pajamas to bed, given the situation, there was no need for the extra step.
She slipped under the covers, nudged Li Yue’s body to the side, and rested her legs against the girl’s icy thighs. Li Yue was very cold, but Clo’s body was warm. As they leaned against each other, Li Yue felt waves of warmth.
“There, there. This way, I won't leave,” Clo said with a smile. “If you're afraid I'll run away, you can hug me.”
“I am not a child...” Li Yue’s body slowly entwined around her. Clo gave Li Yue a gentle kiss on the forehead, signaling for her to ease her mind.
“By the way.” Clo felt the sensation of being held and remembered something from not long ago. “Can I secretly kiss you while you're asleep?”
“No.” Li Yue, buried in Clo’s embrace, protested softly.
“It's fine as long as you don't find out, right?” Clo poked Li Yue’s slightly pouting cheek.
“No...” Though Li Yue was stubborn with her words, her hold tightened slightly. Clo smiled tenderly. Looking at the currently dazed and innocent Li Yue, she felt a sudden surge of sadness.
She has really changed... she's different from before... no longer so cold... She has never hugged me this tightly before... Can I really... truly be this happy?
“Hey, A Yue, are you asleep?”
“...” Li Yue didn't speak, her eyes remaining closed as if she had truly fallen asleep.
“Are you really asleep?” Clo asked in a whisper. Seeing Li Yue’s eyelashes trembling, she gave a shallow smile and secretly kissed the girl's cheek again, though Li Yue still didn't offer any response.
“Then... I am going to whisper some secrets to you, A Yue.”
“A Yue... A Yue... I love you,” Clo whispered softly into Li Yue’s ear. “I cannot live without loving you, A Yue.”
“I know you have always loved the dusk. I don't like the dusk, but I like you... so I will wait for you every evening, accompanying you as we run through the streets bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun.”
“I cannot say why I love you, but I know that you are the reason I cannot love anyone else...”
That one afternoon, after a light rain, the two of us ran home soaking wet. Even though we were drenched, our hearts were warm.
That morning, we had an argument. I remember your face looked terrible, yet it was filled with sorrow. I forgot why we fought; I only remember that we both ended up crying.
I remember you holding me, saying nothing. I leaned down to kiss you and saw your face covered in tears. In that instant, my entire life was decided.
Li Yue’s breathing quickened slightly, whether because she had actually heard her or because she was having a beautiful dream—a dream she didn't want to wake from.
Clo gently stroked Li Yue’s face, not feeling the slightest bit sleepy. Her eyes were filled first with tenderness, then with sorrow and pain.
You might not remember those days anymore—the days when I loved you so deeply. I would secretly kiss you, brush back your hair, knit scarves for you, play your heartstrings, and accompany you through dangerous and painful years, watching you struggle and drifting along with you.
You don't remember, but in the flower fields of Favina Town, I personally wove a flower crown for you. It was actually made from the Cecilia flowers I had always been sending you. In Sandolivia, we agreed to have a grand wedding, but unfortunately, it seemed time no longer left us the chance to act so recklessly...
Those were the times I spent with you. They were all brilliant. Because the weather was good, because the weather was bad, because the weather was just right—because of you, every day was beautiful.
Now, the things you remember are likely only the days without me. You might have grown used to it, but for me, every one of those days is a painful ordeal.
I am tired, A Yue. I no longer want to fly alone like a solitary bird. I am weary of the days without you. I don't want to see the world's deceptions anymore, and I don't want to endure the world's pain every day. There is simply too much suffering in this world, piercing me like shards of glass at every moment...
Only you, my beloved... You are the name that makes my heart tremble just by calling it.
Now, the sky has darkened, and I am weary. Goodnight... A Yue.
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