(Walson)
Everything seemed like a scene from a Harry Potter movie. The pillar-shaped spires made of gray, cold marble formed the central transportation building in the academy, the Wright Tower.
The stairs beneath my feet floated in the air. Were they powered by magic? But whose magic was it? There were so many mysteries. After rotating and connecting to another set of stairs, Grace led me, guiding me through this incredibly fantastical structure.
"This, this, this is truly amazing!!!"
It was 9 o'clock in the morning, the appointed time for my date with Grace.
"...Walson, do you like it here?" Grace's question interrupted my daydreaming.
"I've never seen so many things before, it's super fascinating! I really want to take the time to study what powers this place...," I finally turned my head to look at her.
Being so immersed in the world of imagination, I hadn't noticed that Grace was dressed differently than usual.
Perhaps it was for this date. Earlier, when I wasn't paying attention, she and Melinda went off somewhere. I was wondering what was going on, but it turns out they went to buy new clothes.
The black velvet hat she usually wore had been replaced with a fur winter hat, without the brim, adding a touch of allure to her youthful appearance. She wore a light brown hooded cape, paired with thigh-high stockings and a mini skirt. On her feet were fur boots. Wait a minute... she looked just like a model from a typical fashion magazine for girls! The winter fashion in this world is so stylish!
I took Grace's hand and looked at her earnestly, praising her. This made her blush slightly.
Even though we were indoors, the cold air from outside couldn't be completely blocked, and in moments like this, the warmth enveloped in the palm of my hand felt particularly comforting.
The feeling of our fingers interlocking was peculiar, with Grace holding my hand in a way that made me feel her delicate, slender fingers gently moving.
"...Walson, you seem excited, like a child," Grace's tone was calm, but I could sense her happiness.
...It felt like an intimate, teasing tone.
"Even though I'm a child at heart, I'm still your favorite," I said jokingly, trying to imitate the tone of a silent confession.
Unexpectedly, I managed to pull off a line like that without stuttering!
Grace's face, which usually had no expression, bloomed into a rare smile, seemingly delighted by my response.
She took my hand and led me away.
"...Walson, I'll take you to a special place," she said.
I was a bit puzzled, but I let Grace lead me... and we ran towards the storage room next to the women's restroom.
Eh?
Grace opened the door and walked in. Looking at the small space that could only accommodate two people, I stood frozen at the entrance for a moment.
"Come in," she urged when she saw that I wasn't moving.
"Uh..."
This... Could it be that she wants to play that kind of game? Is that right? I never expected Grace to be so bold! Isn't this too exciting… doing it in the school restroom?
"...Walson, are you thinking naughty thoughts?" she said, seeing right through me.
Hmm... I've been easily exposed.
Grace forcefully pulled me in, closed the door, and the two of us squeezed into the narrow utility space. Her body pressed against mine, and I could vaguely feel her curves... Ah, ah, ah, damn it! Winter clothes are so thick!
"Today, I have something special to show you. It's less noticeable to use teleportation in a place without people," she whispered in my ear.
Ah, so that's what it is...
"...But if... if Walson really wants to try it... then, next time," she added.
Huh? Huh? Just as I was about to react, everything flashed before my eyes, and the surroundings and air suddenly became spacious and open.
A bone-chilling cold rushed in, and in an instant, goosebumps covered my body, not because of the cold wind, but because of the view before me.
Grace took me with her and jumped to the top of the Wright Tower, where we could overlook the entire capital city. The bustling pedestrians, the intersecting waterways, and the town covered in swirling snow, everything was so vibrant, but we were isolated from it, as if in another world.
In this otherworldly place where technology is stuck in the medieval European era, there are no vehicles. Even in the capital, horse-drawn carriages are rare, and instead, there are numerous small boats drifting along the waterways.
The capital is adorned with countless large fountains, where water blessed by the Dragon God gushes out, like a heart, and those waterways are like veins, extending throughout the land of Teigitan. That's why the capital is so fertile, and the humans living here naturally receive this blessing.
Water, it is what sustains the people here. That's why it's called the City of Water.
I once read in a book at the orphanage that the author described the capital, Teigitan, like this:
"The Goddess Vantinom once shed tears here, and they made this place even more crystal clear."
It's only today that I realize how true those words were... I've been living here for almost a year.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Grace poked me a few times, bringing me back from my thoughts.
"Ah, yes, it's really spectacular," I replied.
"I stumbled upon this place before. It's quiet, and there are also places to rest and shelter from the snow."
Grace and I were on top of the tower, where it was snowing outside, but above us was a cone-shaped roof structure, just enough to shield us both.
There were several art sculptures at our feet that served as footholds for resting... Although getting to this place without space jumping would require climbing the outer wall.
This is a view that previously are exclusive for Grace
The snow-covered ground in the distance, the grayish sky, my gaze followed the falling snowflakes in the distance.
"For the years to come, I hope we can continue to be together like we used to," Grace said, gazing at the sky with me.
"Yeah. I wish we could always stay just like this..." I responded to her words.
"No...," she suddenly denied.
Before I had time to think about the meaning behind her answer, Grace pushed me against the pillar behind me.
With her gaze locked onto mine from such a close distance, the breath between us formed a faint mist.
She suddenly gave me a wall slam, her cheeks slightly blushing.
As our lips were about to meet, I seemed to hear the lingering words in my ears.
"We need... more... more memories like this…"
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