Just when Lin Shuang was wondering whether she'd be going on a date with Firefly first, or heading to Penacony with Robin—
It was Kafka who showed up at her door before either.
A gentle afternoon.
Lin Shuang had been lying in the yard with Bella, soaking in the sun, when Kafka arrived unannounced.
Her eyes widened slightly.
She stood and walked over, welcoming Kafka into the house.
Today, Kafka wore a corseted dress, its hem stopping above the thighs, showing off her elegant, sculpted legs.
The coat and heels she paired it with added a mature edge to her look.
Her once-tied-up hair was now in a single ponytail, and the makeup on her face had clearly changed as well.
As she passed by Lin Shuang, Kafka smiled and leaned close, whispering into her ear.
"Hi, dear. Been a few days. Did you miss me?"
The soft breath tickled her ear, making her flinch slightly.
Lin Shuang rubbed at her ear, resisting the urge to smile. At that distance, she could even catch the scent of Kafka's perfume.
She looked at Kafka and said, lightly:
"You seem to be in a good mood?"
She didn't answer Kafka's question directly—mostly because it was clear Kafka was teasing her again.
No need to follow her pace.
Kafka didn't mind. She walked with Lin Shuang to the chairs in the yard and sat. Her eyes briefly landed on Bella, lounging nearby.
"This the Doomsday Beast you've tamed? Looks stronger than before."
"Yeah. But aside from practice matches, we haven't really fought. I'm not sure how strong he actually is."
Lin Shuang poured her a cup of herbal tea, sat down across from her, and offered a disposable lipstick tube to keep her lipstick from smudging the cup.
Kafka took the straw, rested her cheek on one hand, and twirled the straw with the other. Her smile didn't fade as she looked back at Lin Shuang.
"The tailored clothes are finished, dear. Today's the day we get our marriage certificate."
"…"
Even if she said it so casually, it was still…
Lin Shuang had no words and simply nodded while sipping her tea.
Kafka wasn't surprised. She continued as though nothing had happened:
"Come on, let's take a walk first."
"You can still walk around like this? There's a bounty on the Stellaron Hunters all over The Blue."
Lin Shuang gave Kafka a curious look. Her disguise was effective—someone who hadn't met her probably wouldn't recognize her.
But considering this was Herta's home turf, with The Blue's level of tech, tracking one person shouldn't be hard.
Unless Silver Wolf was back to doing all the dirty work again?
"It's fine. Silver Wolf's already hacked the city's surveillance and left a virus. Any footage of me'll be replaced."
Of course it was Silver Wolf.
That little punk's hacking really came in handy.
"…Makes sense. I'll bring her some snacks later."
"Haha~ Then I'll thank you on her behalf."
Kafka seemed in no rush. It looked like she had no other plans for the day.
They relaxed in the yard for a while before heading out.
Their destination was the same clothing store from before.
As soon as the door opened, the store manager greeted them warmly.
It was Lin Shuang's first look at Kafka's new outfit.
The coat was simple, but the dress beneath it was far from ordinary.
As for Lin Shuang, she was dressed in a mostly white dress—hardly worth mentioning.
They changed together and checked the final look.
Lin Shuang was a bit slower. When she stepped out, Kafka was already waiting outside.
The design of the violet dress matched Kafka's hair, and it looked even better on her than Lin Shuang had expected.
If memory served right, it resembled the one Kafka wore in that promotional concert.
The high-slit skirt was embellished with unique decorations, and beneath it, leather garters outlined the curves of her thighs—drawing Lin Shuang's gaze almost against her will.
"How is it, dear? Do I look good?"
Kafka looked pleased, the joy from getting new clothes softening her already striking smile.
"Beautiful. So beautiful you should be performing in a concert hall, violin in hand, not shopping here with me."
Kafka laughed softly, then picked up a small box and opened it, revealing a pair of earrings that shimmered like pearls and gemstones.
A gloved hand held out the box to Lin Shuang.
She gently pressed it into Lin Shuang's palm.
Even through the silk gloves, Lin Shuang could feel Kafka's faint body heat.
As she looked up, her eyes met Kafka's. Her voice followed, soft as magic:
"Then, dear, help me finish the final touch."
Looking at her ears, Lin Shuang realized Kafka wasn't wearing earrings today.
She hadn't noticed earlier.
"…All right."
Even if Kafka was teasing her, there was no reason not to help.
Lin Shuang picked up an earring and stepped in closer, closing the distance between them to less than half a meter.
Kafka's features came into sharp focus—her tilted head revealing a graceful jawline and skin so smooth Lin Shuang had the sudden urge to reach out.
She didn't know what kind of perfume Kafka wore, but there was something dangerous beneath its sweetness.
If every girl had a unique signature, then Kafka's was clear—undeniably the most "dangerous" of them all.
Lin Shuang lifted her hand and brushed Kafka's long hair aside. To avoid slipping, she instinctively leaned in closer.
While putting on the earrings, it was inevitable she'd touch Kafka's cheek, her neck, even her shoulder.
Kafka allowed it. Her gaze lingered on Lin Shuang's face, soft yet intense.
Her eyes never strayed, and though they weren't heated, they made Lin Shuang feel like she might melt under them.
As Lin Shuang stepped back, Kafka raised a hand and touched the earring gently.
"The ring still looks fine. But it's a little plain with this outfit. Can I get you a new one to match?"
As she spoke, Kafka lifted Lin Shuang's left hand and caressed the ring through her glove.
The one she had given her.