"Firefly, your hair feels so nice."
Inside the room, Clara held up the 'Drying Sphere' in one hand while gently stroking Firefly's hair with the other.
The energy orb spun continuously in Clara's palm, emitting waves of warm air that softly brushed over Firefly's hair, drying every last droplet of water.
Feeling the silky, almost luxurious texture of Firefly's hair beneath her fingers, Clara couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
"I think it's probably because of the shampoo."
"Your hair feels wonderful too, Clara." Feeling Clara's hand gently carding through her strands, a faint blush tinted Firefly's cheeks.
Remembering the sensation of touching Clara's hair before, she offered a compliment of her own.
"By the way, what shampoo do you use? It smells like lilies, and it's really lovely." Each time Clara's hand swept through Firefly's hair, a subtle, delicate fragrance of lilies wafted to her nose.
The scent wasn't overpowering, yet it was distinct—perfectly balanced and soothing. Clara loved it, truly adored this smell.
Mmm... and of course, she adored the person too.
"Huh? Shampoo?" Firefly was momentarily taken aback by Clara's question.
"I've been using your shampoo these past few days."
After saying this, Firefly reached up, grabbed a lock of her own hair, and brought it to her nose for a sniff. She couldn't detect the faint lily scent Clara mentioned.
"I don't smell anything. Clara, are you sure you're not mistaken?"
Not finding the scent, Firefly let her hair fall back, closed her eyes, and simply enjoyed the feeling of Clara drying her hair for her.
"But I'm using your shampoo. Yours has a jasmine scent, right?"
"How could it possibly smell like lilies?"
"But it really does." Clara thought she might have been mistaken at first, so she leaned in closer to Firefly's hair and took a gentle, deliberate sniff.
No mistake. It was definitely the fragrance of lilies.
"Ah well, never mind. Maybe I just think the lily scent suits you so much that my nose is tricking me into smelling it."
Clara continued to gently smooth Firefly's hair, carefully drying every remaining strand.
"Mhm, I see." Firefly kept her eyes closed, thoroughly savoring the comfort of Clara's care.
"Then I'll use lily-scented shampoo from now on~"
Firefly tucked Clara's words deep into her heart. If Clara said it suited her, then from now on, lily-scented shampoo it would be.
"Pfft."
Hearing Firefly's declaration, Clara couldn't help but laugh.
"There's really no need for that. You should use whatever shampoo you like. You don't have to stick to just one kind because of something I said."
"It's not a conflict at all. The shampoo you like is the shampoo I'll like~" Firefly gently shook her head at Clara's words.
If Clara loved that scent, then she would come to love it too.
Clara paused for a moment at Firefly's words, but quickly regained her composure and resumed her task, thoroughly drying Firefly's hair.
Once done, she even ruffled the strands a bit to check for any remaining damp spots.
Satisfied that every lock was dry, Clara dissipated the energy orb.
"So, how does it feel to have a universe-famous celebrity personally dry your hair?"
Clara tossed her own hair lightly, grabbed a few tissues, and walked over to Firefly. She reached out and used the tissues to gently dab Firefly's cheeks.
"Having my wife personally dry my hair... it's a feeling I'll cherish forever, you know~"
Looking at Clara before her, Firefly's eyes were filled with boundless affection.
"Hehe, if you like it, then I'll dry your hair for you every time from now on~"
Firefly's words sent a warm, pleased flutter through Clara's heart.
"Okay~"
Hearing this, Firefly's eyes curved into happy crescents.
"Alright, let's get some sleep."
…
What is Cuteness? I, Am Cuteness!:@Silver Wolf @Kafka
In the room, lying on the bed, Clara turned on her side, picked up her phone, opened the Stellaron Hunters' mission chat group, and tagged both Kafka and Silver Wolf.
Kafka: ?
Silver Wolf: ?
What is Cuteness? I, Am Cuteness!: When are you guys going to lure the Astral Express to the Xianzhou Luofu?
Hope the Script Proceeds Peacefully: What do you want to do?
Hope the Script Proceeds Peacefully: I'm telling you, don't you dare mess around.
Hope the Script Proceeds Peacefully: Your interference would throw the entire script into chaos.
Hope the Script Proceeds Peacefully: @Kafka @Silver Wolf, don't tell her.
The moment Elio saw Clara's message in the group, he didn't hesitate for a second, immediately firing off a rapid string of replies.
What is Cuteness? I, Am Cuteness!: What do you mean by that?
What is Cuteness? I, Am Cuteness!: Can't I even check on my comrades' mission progress?
Silver Wolf: According to the footage from the recorder I planted on the Express, the Astral Express will announce its next destination tomorrow.
Silver Wolf: The Express's current position is very close to the Xianzhou Luofu. They'll probably arrive within one system hour.
Due to various reasons—like the time she eavesdropped at the door and nearly triggered Firefly's dark side, and that unintentional overhearing the next morning that almost got her killed by Clara on the spot…
Silver Wolf felt she was already sentenced to death in the hearts of both Clara and Firefly.
So, for this chance to earn some goodwill points, Silver Wolf absolutely wouldn't let it slip. She spilled everything she knew in one go.
Hope the Script Proceeds Peacefully: ???
(Silver Wolf has gone offline)
After sending her message, Silver Wolf immediately logged off, neatly avoiding the scolding Elio was surely about to unleash.
"Clara, why are you asking about this?"
Firefly, lying beside Clara, had obviously noticed the messages she sent in the group and asked curiously.
"To stir up some trouble, of course." The words slipped out of Clara's mouth before she could think.
"Ahem... I mean, to welcome their arrival, of course."
"Pfft, alright, alright~" Firefly chuckled softly, then took the phone from Clara's hand. She placed it, along with her own phone, on the bedside table, before stretching with a contented sigh.
"Mmm~ Time for sleep~"
"Mmm... Fi... Firefly, I can see everything..." Clara's face flushed slightly as she watched the scene before her. She lifted the edge of the blanket to cover half her face.
"Then... does Clara want to..."
Hearing this, Firefly turned on her side to face Clara and began to ask.
But before she could finish her sentence, Clara cut her off.
"Not allowed, remember? I told you it'd land us in the little black room." Sensing the emotions swirling in Firefly's heart, Clara firmly shook her head.
Firefly: ...
"So what exactly is this 'little black room'?"
"A terrifying thing."
"Okay then..."
Seeing Clara's resolute expression, Firefly found she had no choice but to relent.
Looking at Firefly's dejected appearance, Clara's heart ached with tenderness.
'Damn it, you wretched little black room!'
'Someday, I'll set you on fire!'
"Goodnight, Firefly..." Clara leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on Firefly's forehead.
"Mhm, goodnight." Feeling the warmth on her brow, the emotions in Firefly's heart settled a bit.
Returning a gentle goodnight kiss to Clara's forehead, Firefly closed her eyes and drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep.
Looking back on this day's trip to the Luofu... or rather, this day's date, it had left Firefly feeling just a little weary~
"Firefly... you're so beautiful..." Gazing at Firefly's sleeping face, Clara felt her heart melting once again.
"Damnable little black room..."
Looking at the beautiful girl before her, Clara cursed inwardly once more.
In this boundless darkness, I promise you, I promise him, I promise everyone...
Clara will definitely defeat the little black room!!!
This vow shall never end!
…
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