Sunlight filtered through the display windows bit by bit, bringing a touch of warmth to the originally somewhat chilly café. The faint scent of wood that had been emanating from the wooden furniture was only now being noticed by the busy staff, as if the gentle light had awakened their five senses.
The decorative bookshelves had always been stocked with books carefully selected by Bai Cha, though the customers who came here to eat rarely had enough leisure time to appreciate them. Consequently, she took to reading them during her own spare time. Sometimes, news from afar or unrealistic stories could help relieve one's mental stress.
“Sister Li Yue... it’s been so long since we last saw her,” Xiao Lin said suddenly while wiping the dishes. She was staring at the book in Bai Cha’s hand, titled 《STORYTELLER》. The book’s cover had a strong visual impact, with a vibrant, vivid red being obscured by a vast expanse of deathly pale white.
Perhaps this color scheme reminded her of Li Yue, who hadn't appeared in quite some time.
“I heard she hasn't been feeling well lately, which is why she hasn't come. Maybe in a few more days, we’ll see her again.” Bai Cha looked at the cover of the book and felt a surge of thought. Inexplicably, she felt a sense of affinity for this somewhat frightening color palette.
“Maybe she won’t be coming back,” Zijing murmured unconsciously. Then, as if realizing she had misspoken, she covered her mouth and tried to hide her abrupt behavior with a smile.
“Miss Li Yue is a Great Mage. Working here was just to hide her identity,” she said softly, her plain words carrying a powerful impact.
“Really? A Great Mage would come here to wear a maid outfit and work as a server?” Bai Cha closed the book, not taking it seriously at all.
“After the Pope fell, the academy hired her as a professor for a new magic branch.” Zijing briefly explained the recent situation. The Pope's death didn't actually have much of an impact on ordinary people, especially non-believers. The most frequent spokesperson for the Church was the Saintess, Daylight.
“The Pope... I really haven't bought a newspaper lately.” Bai Cha put down the book and looked around, seemingly searching for a cup of tea to soothe her extremely dry mouth. “He was such a major figure; how did he just pass away?”
“It’s said that a ritual failed and he suffered a backlash. The Church held a grand funeral for him, but it has nothing to do with us.” Zijing thought for a moment and yawned, straightening her clothes. She looked toward her colleagues in the kitchen who were preparing ingredients, unconcerned with their conversation.
“I really didn't expect it... or rather, I should have seen it coming.” Bai Cha mused. “The first time I met her, I felt she was quite extraordinary.”
“In what way?”
“She’s incredibly beautiful. It’s a pity I won’t be seeing her anymore.” Bai Cha sighed with feigned disappointment, though she was actually quite happy in her heart.
“I still want to see Sister Li Yue. Is there any way...?” Xiao Lin looked a bit sad, swinging her legs as she stared at the main door, hoping that figure would arrive as promised.
“She probably... won’t be opening any public courses,” Zijing thought to herself, feeling a strange sense of regret as well. Her impression of that person was fixed on that blood-red figure from that day, as well as the reliable and considerate back she showed during ordinary times.
“Ding-ling~” The bell on the door rang cheerfully. A figure walked in, skillfully putting down her shoulder bag and hanging her hat on the coat rack to the side.
“There were too many trifles at home. Am I too late?” Li Yue asked, holding a hair tie in her mouth as she reorganized her hair. She looked much more energetic, perhaps due to having rested for a while.
“You... why are you here?” Zijing’s mouth hung slightly open.
“Because I’m in a good mood today, and I have plenty of time.” Li Yue recalled their conversation from two days ago and confirmed that she hadn't said she wouldn't be coming back.
“I mean... you have a respectable job and a high income now. Why still come here?” Zijing asked, puzzled.
“What about you?” Li Yue countered. “You’ve returned to your club now, and there are no longer restrictions on your use of magic. Why do you stay here?”
“Because...” Zijing couldn't quite say. Her face reddened as she looked at Bai Cha and then at Xiao Lin. Perhaps she had already come to view the job as part of her daily life, and everyone in this routine was extremely important to her.
Li Yue tilted her head. She didn't have such complex emotions or much nostalgia for daily life. If they had met the original Li Yue, she might have felt a bit more.
So, did she really have no feelings for these people? Li Yue believed so, but as for the truth, only she knew.
“As a Great Mage, why come here?” Bai Cha put down her book and helped Li Yue straighten her slightly wrinkled skirt. “Wouldn’t it be better to go to the Royal Court?”
“Or rather, why not stay in the Royal Court?”
“I’ve never been to the Royal Court. Well... not since last autumn,” Li Yue thought for a moment. “Becoming a Great Mage was just an accident. Originally, I only wanted to live a peaceful life.”
“Just like now, a very relaxed and pleasant life. No need to think about who I should kill in the next moment, or how to kill those who try to bypass the path of ‘fate.’ No need to harvest the souls of the deceased or guide the surges of the River of the Dead.”
“Of course, my life is very easy now.” Li Yue let out a sigh.
“I came here to find my lover; she is a professor here, and now we live together.” Li Yue spoke naturally, not knowing why her cheeks flushed for a moment while stating the facts.
“Ah... I see. So, wouldn't he mind? Mind you dressing like this?” Bai Cha interlaced her fingers, barely digesting the massive amount of information.
“No, she had a great time when she came to visit last time. That blue-haired lady, you should remember her—the one who spent a fortune.” Li Yue’s expression was calm, though her tone carried a hint of plaintive resentment for some reason.
“From the way you talk, it sounds like you’ll be leaving before long. If that day really comes, will we see each other again?” Bai Cha tapped her finger on the table, her tone carrying a touch of sadness. She was someone who hated goodbyes.
“We will, I promise.” Li Yue’s voice suddenly became very gentle. “Even if we never meet again during your living years, at your final moment, by the banks of the River of the Dead, I will recognize you—all of you.”
“Is that so... Thinking that we’ll meet again will make the future parting a bit easier on the heart.” Bai Cha smiled. “But to achieve that, I’m afraid you’d have to become the God of Death.”
“Perhaps so.”
Li Yue smiled faintly and tied her apron tight. Amidst the black and white of her skirt, the sunlight emitted a soft, gentle glow.
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