Myriad Dreams slept far more deeply and much longer than she had imagined.
The sheer physical exhaustion combined with a total mental release allowed her to sink into a deep, dreamless slumber.
Throughout the two hours she was out, Seiun Sky remained in the exact same position, staying perfectly still for fear of disturbing her rest.
The sunlight gradually grew warmer, dancing upon the shimmering ripples of the river.
Occasionally, a fish would leap from the water, but Sky would only watch with a smile before her gaze inevitably returned to the quiet, sleeping face on her shoulder.
Seeing Myriad so defenseless, sleeping as soundly as a child, Seiun Sky's heart turned exceptionally soft.
She couldn't resist raising her free hand to stroke Myriad Dreams' smooth, long blue hair with extreme gentleness.
Her fingertips moved through the strands, feeling the delicate texture, her eyes filled with a sense of treasuring what she held.
Time flowed slowly in the silence.
It wasn't until more than two hours later that Myriad Dreams' eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes.
The moment her consciousness returned, the first things she felt were the warmth of the body beside her and the faint, refreshing scent belonging to Seiun Sky.
She suddenly realized she had been sleeping in her friend's embrace for so long.
She sat up abruptly, a bashful blush creeping across her face.
"Ah! Sky! I... I actually fell asleep, and for so long..."
She hurriedly fixed her messy hair, her voice thick with apology.
Seiun Sky was finally able to move her stiff shoulder, but there wasn't a hint of impatience on her face. Instead, she waved her hand with a bright smile.
"No worries, no worries~ After all, we're best friends, right?"
She intentionally emphasized the words "best friends," as if highlighting the fact, or perhaps carrying a trace of imperceptible self-mockery.
Then, she nudged Myriad Dreams in the side with her elbow, her tone turning mischievous as she winked.
"But speaking of which, Myriad, you really are popular! Not just me..."
She paused, continuing pointedly, "...and Muteki-san. You were only in America for a month, and you somehow managed to capture the heart of that silver-haired girl~ Tsk, tsk."
As she spoke, she draped her arms intimately around Myriad Dreams' neck and leaned forward, bringing her face close.
She let out a long, exaggeratedly helpless sigh:
"You really are... deeply sinful—!"
Her tone was full of banter, but if one listened closely, it seemed mixed with a complex, indescribable emotion. Perhaps a bit of envy, a bit of jealousy, and a certain helplessness regarding Myriad's boundless charm.
Myriad Dreams' ears burned at the words, especially when Silver Charm was mentioned, which brought back memories of that chaotic victory night and the "punishment" that followed.
She gave a helpless smile and reached out to gently rub Seiun Sky's head, as if soothing a cranky kitten.
"Alright, alright, stop teasing me..."
Her voice was husky from sleep and filled with resignation.
"I've already got enough on my plate, please have mercy on me."
Feeling the gentle petting on her head, Seiun Sky giggled twice and finally let her off the hook.
She sat back properly and picked up her fishing rod, though that meaningful smile lingered on her lips for a long time.
They continued to fish for a long while that day.