The massive sun sank into the water, yet its afterglow grew even more magnificent. The rolling waves and the layered sea of clouds seemed to burn together, draping the world in a radiant crimson light, making everything look like a splendid apocalypse.
It was the kind of scenery anyone would be immersed in, unable to stop marveling at their own smallness before natureâs sublime craftsmanship.
Not to mention what Senior Sister Anna had just saidâher words were like a set of military punches delivered straight into Muenâs chest, leaving him still stirred and restless even now.
But in the middle of this breathtaking view, Muen suddenly turned his head to look at Anna.
âWhatâs wrong?â
Anna asked with some unease.
âIsnât it pretty?â
âNo, itâs very beautiful.â
Muen praised sincerely.
âItâs just... I think I may have found scenery even more beautiful than that sunset.â
His gaze burned as he looked seriously at Annaâs lovely face.
Hearing Muenâs words, Anna froze for a second. Then, realizing his meaning, her cheeks flushed a rosy red, like blossoms bursting into bloom, dazzling beyond measure.
Her cherry lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something, yet nothing came out.
Muenâs eyes fixed on her lips. They looked as though they were coated in honey, glistening faintly, crystal clear, so sweet he wanted to take a bite.
His heartbeat suddenly accelerated again, and without knowing when, his hands had naturally come to rest on the girlâs shoulders.
At that moment, a vast silence enveloped the world.
The wind ceased, the waves ceased, even the fishermenâs chants ceased.
Only the uneven, urgent heartbeats of the boy and girl could be heard.
The boy waitedâanxious, yet patientâuntil the girl seemed unable to withstand the heat of his gaze any longer and shyly turned her eyes aside.
Her glance brushed across the breathtaking sunset, her eyes flickering for an instant, before returning quickly to him.
She lifted her gaze, glanced shyly at the boy, then closed her beautiful eyes, her lashes trembling lightly.
A gesture half-refusal, half-invitation.
Muen no longer hesitated. He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.
The contact of their moist lips set his senses ablaze, making his body tremble as though struck by lightning. In his arms, the girlâoffering her first kissâcouldnât help but shudder as well.
Her lips were softer, more exquisite than he had imagined. The sweet fragrance of her breath seeped into his nose, and in an instant, his brain seemed to sink into a warm sea, rocking along with the waves.
But Muen wasnât satisfied. Gently prying open the girlâs pearly teeth, the tip of his tongue slipped into the warm cavern, hooking that shy little serpent, intertwining and twining, greedily sucking the sweet nectar.
Naturally, Muen had far more experience than Anna, kissing for the first time. Very soon, everything fell into his rhythm. Annaâs conscious attempts to resist a few times were easily dissolved, and instead, Muen seized the chance to go deeper... step by step...
Annaâs beautiful eyes half-opened, hazy and dazed.
Muenâs hands were not idle either. As his invasion deepened, they roamed restlessly over her delicate body, finally slipping beneath her dress. His palm caressed smooth skin, and thenâcoldness.
Hm?
Coldness?
Suddenly, Muen felt a sting in his arm.
Somehow, Anna had awakened from her haze. She caught his arm and gently pushed him away.
Their lips parted, a lewd strand of saliva stretching between them.
âThatâs enough.â
Panting softly, Anna brushed back her sweat-damp bangs, her voice gentle:
âNow is... not the right time.â
â...Sorry.â
His eyes flicked toward the black scales exposed beneath her disheveled dress, and the heart that had just soared felt a stab of pain.
âI was too impatient.â
âThis has nothing to do with you, junior.â
Anna straightened suddenly, her still-soft arms wrapping around Muenâs neck, smiling as she asked:
âSo, junior, are you moved now?â
âAbout that question...â
Gazing at the charming Anna, Muen suddenly dipped his head again and pecked her lips. Then, catching the girl in her dazed, shyly indignant moment, he seized her hand and placed it against his chest.
âNow, do you feel it, senior?â
â...Mm.â
Annaâs expression froze slightly.
There was no need to ask. She already had her answer.
Even through flesh and cloth, she could clearly feel the furious pounding of Muenâs heart.
Then, Anna suddenly smiled brightly. She brushed lightly at the corner of Muenâs eye.
On her fingertip glistened a single clear tear.
âThe book said that during a first kiss with the one you love, youâll unconsciously shed tears. I never thought it would really be true.â
âIs that so?â
Only then did Muen realize there really was wetness at the corner of his eye.
But when he secretly glanced at Annaâs, he saw only faint eyeshadow and joyâno trace of tears.
Muen didnât think too much of it. Instead, he looked happily at # NĐŸvĐ”light # the tear in Annaâs palm.
âHurry and try it.â He hadnât forgotten the real purpose of this date.
âMm.â
Anna nodded gently. She took out the prepared potion and was about to drip the tear into it when Muen stopped her.
âWhatâs that potion for?â
âItâs a universal enhancerâit magnifies medicinal effect. I thought, with just one tear, maybe...â
âThe Serpentine Disease isnât some ordinary illness. If the tear canât cure it, magnifying the effect wonât help. And if the dose isnât enoughâam I not right here?â
Muen persuaded her:
âUsing potions carelessly might actually interfere with the result.â
â...Thatâs true.â
Anna thought for a moment, then put the potion away.
She raised her hand, staring at the crystalline drop at her fingertip, and couldnât help asking softly:
âJunior... will this really work?â
âIt will. Iâm sure of it.â Muen nodded firmly.
â...Alright then.â
Annaâs eyes shone with light as she smiled. âI believe you, junior.â
Then she carefully placed the tear in her mouth.
As though seeking the best effect, Anna meticulously sucked her fingertip. To Muen, the scene seemed a little indecent.
But now wasnât the time for such thoughts. He watched her lovely face intently, waiting nervously for the result.
Time ticked by, minute by minute.
The sunset sank lower and lower, its last glow falling into Annaâs eyes, making them shine even brighter.
Sensing something, Anna suddenly rolled up her sleeve. For the first time, she actively revealed the hideous scales before Muen.
On her pale arm, the black scales looked all the more sinister.
Butâthankfullyâthey began to fade.
Before their growing delight, the black scales dulled, softened, and then sank into the flesh, inch by inch, revealing once more that alluring whiteness.
âIt... it worked!â
Seeing this, Muen was ecstatic. He lifted his senior sister into his arms, spinning her around as though in a goddessâs palm.
âSenior, we did it!â
âMm!â
Anna allowed herself to be held so intimately. The torment that had plagued nearly her entire life was finally lifted, and in that moment, she too couldnât help but weep for joyâ
Weep?
Wait.
Annaâs lovely face suddenly stiffened.
Weep?
What is... weeping?