Neon lights stretched across the road in long, blurred streaks. A biting wind howled past as pedestrians rushed by on either side.

Lys leaned heavily against Ashe's shoulder, clinging to him like a little girl clutching her favorite toy. She murmured, "So fast." 

It was true. The crowd was moving at such a frantic pace that it felt like being swept along by a rushing current.

In truth, Lys hadn't thought any of this through. She had only realized she needed a chance to be alone with Ashe, which was why she had impulsively ordered him to take her away. But the moment he lifted her, all her worries vanished. Her mood fizzed open like a shaken soda, bubbling over with pure delight. For a child who loved relying on adults, even causing trouble felt entirely justified.

When they finally came to a halt, she heard Ashe say, "Two… oh, alright. Lys, take this!"

Turning around, she realized they were standing in front of an ice cream shop. The clerk had already prepared their order, handing over a plain cone for Ashe and an over-the-top masterpiece piled high with milk, melon, chocolate, vanilla, and pineapple flavors for her. Carefully taking...