I'm in Mota, and they all want me to confess my feelings!

The Kuroshio Current is simply too dangerous.

If the Black Tide were to reappear, encountering it would mean a near-certain death.

He didn't even want Phoebe to come along, let alone Floro.

Some paths can only be explored alone.

"Of course not, I just—"

"One refusal wasn't enough, you want to do it a second time?" Floro frowned slightly, his tone clearly displeased.

Duanmu Yan hesitated, looking at the faint resentment rising in her eyes, and finally sighed softly: "...Alright, whatever you say."

This gondola was slightly larger than a regular boat, more than enough to hold four people, let alone just the few of them.

Hearing his compromise, Floro's expression relaxed slightly. He stepped onto the gondola, hummed an off-key melody, and found a seat to sit down.

Phoebe arrived shortly after.

She came running, still slightly out of breath.

"Mr. Duanmu...I...I've arrived..."

Phoebe was slightly out of breath, her cheeks flushed, and her small, firm chest rose and fell gently with her breath.

Duanmu Yan looked at the lovely girl in front of him and told her the whole story.

Upon hearing that "it might be the Kuroshio Current," the latter's expression immediately turned worried.

"Kuroshio? This... how is this possible?"

"The last Kuroshio Current was twenty years ago."

Duanmu Yan spread his hands and sighed, "Who knows?"

Phoebe gently bit her lip and whispered, "Perhaps... this is what caused the unusually violent behavior of the Ocean Whale. Whether it's the Kuroshio Current or not, we definitely need to go and investigate."

As she spoke, her gaze turned to the gondola on the shore, but she paused slightly when she saw the crimson figure on the boat.

That is……

Miss Floro?

Why is she here?

"Is Miss Floro coming along too?" she asked softly.

"Mmm," Duanmu Yan replied softly.

"Why? That's very dangerous."

"She won't tell me."

Volume 1: Chapter 62 Floro's Facial Cleanser

The sky is clear and clear, cloudless.

"It seems the weather is nice today."

Standing on the gondola, Duanmu Yan looked up at the blazing sun and felt the sea breeze blowing in his face. Suddenly, he had a fleeting thought: "Life should be like this. I might as well quit my job."

Unfortunately, it's just a dream.

Putting aside how important money is for survival, just considering the second young lady's situation...

Will she really let him go?

I finally gained her trust, and now if I resign—I'm afraid she'll tear me to pieces on the spot.

A gentle sea breeze, carrying a salty scent, caressed his face. Phoebe sat beside him, one hand lightly pressing down on her hat, the other pointing excitedly into the distance.

"The sea breeze is gentle, and the wind fills Yinzu. Mr. Duanmu, look! There's a school of fish ahead!"

A school of fish?

Duanmu Yan looked in the direction she pointed and indeed saw a dark shadow moving beneath the surface of the sea.

He immediately became excited.

—In the Rijoli Islands, you can do nothing but fish!

Moreover, he originally came to this island for a vacation.

Although the situation is fraught with danger, it seems reasonable to relax a little on the way to our destination.

Fortunately, the gondolas are equipped with simple fishing gear.

Duanmu Yan casually picked up a fishing rod, baited it, and with a flick of his arm, the fishing line drew a smooth arc, landing precisely where the fish were swimming.

He doesn't usually fish, but he often saw many fishermen near the pier in Laguna, and over time, he learned some techniques from them.

"Look how many big fish I caught! Dinner's all set!"

"Yes, Mr. Duanmu, keep it up!" Phoebe cheered from the side.

Flo remained quietly seated to the side, legs crossed, chin resting on one hand, gazing at them with an indifferent expression, seemingly unconcerned about anything in the world.

She had long since closed herself off completely, and the noise of the outside world could no longer stir even the slightest ripple in her heart.

All that once surrounded her, whether it was friendly closeness or cold rejection, has long since receded like the tide.

History repeats itself, similar words are repeated again and again, and she is repeatedly plunged into loneliness after a brief moment of warmth.

It wasn't until later that she finally understood that the reliance she craved was ultimately in vain.

When fleeting beauty vanishes like a bubble, all that remains are those unable to extricate themselves, continuing to endure prolonged pain.

She gradually regained her senses and locked her heart away, eventually... turning into a silent numbness.

Hearing his and her laughter, Floro paid no attention, her thoughts still lost in her own world.

"If this is truly the Black Tide... perhaps it's a remnant of the last outbreak. If we can control this power, our research into the Lost Shore might make a significant breakthrough."

Floro looked up at the sky, and it was really blue.

But the world on the other side is different.

The sun rises there as usual, and the smoke from the chimneys and laughter in the town continue day after day... The monotony of each day is captivating.

She had promised them that she would create a perfect and real other shore—no, not a perfect and real one, but a "this shore" that was no different from this one.

Let that place become the new reality.

Since they are both flowers that cannot bear fruit, [Lin Eryi Sanlin Baer] will surely be happier in dreams than in a reality full of cracks.

Enveloped in this peaceful illusion, the dying flame was able to survive amidst the turbulence.

Even if such a world is an illusion.

but……

What about him?

Floro gently raised her eyes and her gaze fell on Duanmu Yan.

After learning the whole truth, what will they do?

The midnight bonfires of Trektown, the never-ending Ferris wheel of Scorbunny, and the biting winds of Dolores…

If he hasn't abandoned his past, would he keep the appointment?

Maybe.

But in reality, there are no "what ifs".

Floro had long since given up any expectations regarding his choices or responses. Only occasionally would some inappropriate thoughts still surface in her mind—

If only I had gotten closer to him back then, if only I had held his hand, then we would be like this now...

What kind of relationship could it be?

She sat there, quietly watching him, until the wind stopped flowing, and time itself lost its meaning at that moment.

The world at this moment is like a sinking island.

She was the girl lingering in the twilight, who was eventually embraced by the eternal night, both tenderly and coldly.

"The fish is hooked!"

However, Duanmu Yan naturally did not notice the girl's emotional change at this moment.

Or rather, Floro never reveals her emotions outwardly.

Even though her heart was in turmoil, her expression looked no different from usual.

Duanmu Yan pulled hard on the fishing rod, trying to reel in the big fish, but he clearly underestimated its strength. Suddenly, a force came from underwater, and he stumbled, almost being dragged into the sea. Fortunately, he managed to steady himself in time and barely avoided falling into the water.

"Wow, that's quite a force; looks like a big one." Duanmu Yan's competitive spirit was instantly ignited. He stood up, gripped the fishing rod tightly with both hands, and began to seriously engage in a contest with the fish.

Phoebe looked at him worriedly: "Mr. Duanmu, be careful! Don't let it drag you into the sea!"

"It's nothing." Duanmu Yan said casually, a bright and handsome smile on his face. "I was just careless. I didn't expect this guy to be so strong. But it's just a fish after all. I refuse to believe I can't handle it! The real battle has only just begun!"

After saying that, he took a deep breath and used the technique he had learned from the fishermen at the dock, sometimes loosening the line and sometimes tightening it, patiently wearing down the fish's energy.

Are you kidding me? I'm a mighty, terrifying upright ape, and you're just a fish? You want to compete with me in endurance?

As time slowly passed, Duanmu Yan could clearly feel the fish's struggles gradually weakening.

It shouldn't be long before it's completely exhausted.

Unfortunately, he seemed to have underestimated the fish's cunning.

In the brief moment he relaxed his guard, the fish suddenly launched a final, desperate struggle—

Duanmu Yan lost his balance and was pulled forward, his fishing rod flying out of his hand.

boom--!

Duanmu Yan fell forward.

Uh, to be precise...

He fell down.

The expected pain did not come; instead, he was greeted by a soft touch that gently enveloped him. He could also vaguely smell a faint fragrance and a milky scent.

"This sensation, could it be...?"

"Wait, who's sitting across from me?"

"Phoebe? No—it's Floro!"

Duanmu Yan slowly raised his head, pulling himself up from that soft warmth, and met Floro's lowered gaze.

Their eyes met, and they fell silent for a moment.

Volume 1: Chapter 63 Should we touch it back?

"..."

The atmosphere instantly became incredibly awkward.

Duanmu Yan stared blankly at the expressionless Floro, who seemed completely unfazed by the event.

As always, he remained indifferent and unpredictable.

Even Phoebe, standing to the side, was so startled by this sudden, ambiguous scene that she opened her mouth slightly, unsure of how to react.

"Aren't you... enough touching yet?"

Until, Floro spoke in a calm tone.

Her gaze shifted downwards, moving away from Duanmu Yan's face and landing on the hand that had been pressed against his chest the entire time.

Duanmu Yan snapped back to reality, realizing that his hand was still in the wrong place.

He recoiled as if electrocuted, quickly sat up straight, and coughed lightly, feigning composure: "Since it's already happened, it's too late to say anything now. If you're feeling upset... why don't you try touching me back?"

This sudden "apology" left Floro somewhat bewildered. She widened her eyes slightly and looked at him with great confusion.

Actually, she didn't really take that incident to heart.

Anyway, this wasn't the first time he had done something like this, nor was it the first time they had had intimate contact; in fact, they had had even closer and deeper contact before.