Chapter 26: All Of Them

"Waaah~ I want candy apples!"

"Oh, oh! Chocolate-dipped bananas too!"

"Wow, cotton candy!"

"Lillie-chan, let's buy some masks!"

Lillie let Haruka drag her through the bustling festival, hands already full of sweets.

This girl had lived in Japan her entire life, yet she was acting like it was her first time at a festival. Shouldn't Lillie and Ethan—as foreigners—be the ones excited?

Those two? Never.

Ethan followed behind them, effortlessly balancing a box of steaming takoyaki. Lillie had bought them earlier but had passed them off to him when Haruka pulled her toward another vendor.

The sight of the three together didn't go unnoticed. Their striking features and refined aura made them stand out among the crowd, drawing admiring glances. Especially Lillie and Ethan—they looked like deities who had descended to the mortal world for a rare night of leisure.

Finally stopping in front of a mask vendor, Haruka eagerly picked out three masks. She handed a fox mask to Lillie, an oni mask to Ethan, and chose the hannya mask for herself.

She picked hannya on purpose—it perfectly captured her mood right now.

Just you wait, Lillie-chan, I'll find myself a man soon!

Ethan set the takoyaki box aside and turned toward Lillie. With quiet ease, he adjusted her fox mask, securing it gently over her face.

"Click!"

Someone in the crowd discreetly took a photo.

"It suits you," Ethan murmured.

"Thank you." Lillie's reply was short, but there was a softness in her tone.

Satisfied, Ethan handed the box of takoyaki back to her, letting her finally enjoy her snack.

"Let's go find a good spot," Haruka chirped, clapping her hands. "The fireworks will start soon!"

She grabbed Lillie's hand and pulled her along, much to Ethan's quiet dismay.

He sighed. He was grateful to Haruka for inviting him, but he could not stand how she kept monopolizing his wife's time.

After some searching, they found an ideal spot beneath a cherry tree. Sadly, the blossoms had already peaked back in May, leaving the branches bare.

Ethan, ever the gentleman, slipped off his haori and spread it over the grass so Lillie wouldn't soil her yukata.

Lillie gave him an approving nod before elegantly taking a seat. Ethan immediately settled beside her—closely.

Haruka, watching the whole scene, felt a deep pang of regret. Why did she invite Ethan again? She should've brought another friend so she wouldn't be stuck playing third wheel.

"I forgot to buy drinks. What do you two want?" she asked.

"Warm green tea," Lillie said.

"Coffee," Ethan added.

Haruka blinked. For two cold-blooded people, they sure like warm drinks.

"Roger that! Wait for me, okay? And no funny business!" she warned, narrowing her eyes at Ethan.

Ethan held back a smirk. No promises.

The moment the 'third wheel' disappeared into the crowd, Ethan finally had Lillie to himself. Even if just for a little while.

Lillie had her eyes closed, letting the cool evening breeze wash over her. The soft flickering lights of festival lanterns reflected on her delicate features, casting a warm glow on her skin.

Ethan noticed how her body subtly swayed, only for her to correct herself before swaying again.

His gaze softened.

Without a word, he reached out and gently pulled her against him, letting her head rest on his lap.

Lillie barely reacted. The moment she felt his warmth, she surrendered to exhaustion and drifted off completely.

Ethan swallowed hard. His heart pounded so fast it was almost painful.

Up close, Lillie's sleeping face looked so… gentle. The sharp edges of her usual demeanor melted away, leaving behind something impossibly soft and delicate. Unlike the fierce woman who always had her claws out when awake, she seemed so innocent, so trusting like this.

His ears burned red.

Damn it, she's too cute.

Click, click, click!

Bzz, bzz!

His phone vibrated. Unlocking it, he found dozens of photos flooding his inbox.

[Sir, here are the photos you wanted. Should I take more?]

[Yes. Also, have all of them framed. Big ones.]

[A-All of them?]

[All of them.]

The photographer hesitated.

210 framed photos… Sir, where exactly are you going to put them all?!