NOVEL NEXT Chapter 346: "Happy Birthday, Marionette"?
"Lillian... I'm aware you wish to make this day as perfect as it can be... But truly, just having you spend the day with me is already perfect enough. Especially on a day I'm usually alone on."
The cold air that ventilated the cart through the broken window became oddly warm as the two ladies inside stared into each other's eyes.
The wind then listened and carried the words that slipped from the Rabbit's lips—
"I'm sorry..."
—And carried it into the Assassin's ears.
The Assassin then slowly shook their head before uttering:
"Then prove it..."
As these words were uttered, the scattered stars in the sky that overlooked the entire city moved their gaze to a single cart in a Ferris wheel and watched as a loving couple leaned in and kissed under their brilliance.
But that was quickly overshadowed by fireworks shot into the sky, lighting up the area as they made out.
Marionette disconnected their kiss as she looked towards the fireworks with a curious look.
"Is... Today a special day for fireworks?"
But she was quickly pulled back into another kiss.
Chu~...
Lillian, pulling away, smiled warmly.
"I may or may not have ordered them beforehand~... They cost a lot."
Marionette, hearing the word 'cost', couldn't help but show a sad expression.
"Oh... My apologies—"
But right as she was about to finish, Lillian placed a finger on her lips. Marionette then heard the girl giggle and mutter:
"Hey, hey... Cost isn't something to worry about between us, alright~? And also, today is a special day. So, why don't you enjoy it?"
Lillian then tightly clutched the collar of the woman's turtle neck, startling them for a brief moment before bringing them back in again.
Chu~...
Eventually, they were soon left off the ride. However, to avoid any trouble, Marionette dropped a stack of Semis into one of the seats before escaping with Lillian through a dark puddle.
And once they reached a safe enough distance away, they popped out, shocking those passing by and causing them to quicken their steps as they moved past them.
Lillian sighed, "Did you really had to break the window?"
She then turned to the Assassin and found them holding a rather familiar-looking notebook. She widened her eyes and exclaimed:
"Hold up! Isn't that the notebook you threw out the window?!"
Marionette, turning back to Lillian, caused the notebook to suddenly disappear. She then feigned an odd look and asked:
"Hm? What notebook?"
Lillian gave the Assassin a deadpan look before giving a crooked smile. She sighed and just hooked her right arm around the woman's left and pulled them forward.
"So, if I recall, where we are going will be our last destination, right?"
Marionette nodded slowly, tightening her hold around Lillian's arm.
"Yes... I was told about this place by someone and found I hadn't experienced the activity before."
Lillian chuckled, staring at the woman's lips, before noticing a small mist forming.
She looked up towards the sky and felt the passing winds brush against her skin. She shivered and scrutinised the small mist that formed from her own breath.
Marionette, who was looking around at the streetlights, felt a pull. Looking down to her side, she found Lillian pointing across the street, towards what she believed to be a clothing store.
She tilted her head, "Is there something you wish to buy?"
"Mhm! I think you'll look much more beautiful with a scarf!"
"Hm? But I'm not cold—"
"Bah! It's a bonding thing!"
And before the Assassin could even respond to that compliment, she was immediately pulled across the street and into the store.
Upon entering the store, they found each other scarves.
Lillian chose a dark red scarf for the Assassin, while Marionette chose a soft blue for the Rabbit.
"There we go~..."
Upon feeling the scarf wrapped around her neck, Marionette couldn't help but feel warmer. But she wasn't able to discern whether it was because Lillian had bought and wrapped it around her neck, or it was the scarf itself.
By the time Lillian was finished, it was her turn to wrap it around the girl's neck.
"You... Have you ever done this before?" Lillian asked, watching as the scarf was wrapped around her neck from behind. She couldn't help but feel that the woman was a lot more skilled at this particular... Action.
Marionette, who was wrapping the scarf around the girl's neck, asked in a quiet voice:
"Plenty. But... Not for the reason you may want to hear."
Upon exiting the store with their new scarves, they held each other's hands. And soon enough, they made it to their destination.
Lillian, taking off her denim jacket and tossing it towards a black-leather couch, picked up a microphone before snickering.
"To think you wanted to have karaoke as our last place in our date."
Marionette, who was taking off her scarf, answered in a plain voice:
"I wish to listen to music played by my favourite voice."
Hearing this, Lillian let out another giggle, "For two hours?"
"... We can increase it if you'd like." Marionette muttered, downloading something on her phone before placing it on a table with the screen facing down.
Lillian gave an exasperated sigh, sitting beside the woman and leaning against her.
"I'm horrible at singing. How about you?"
Marionette's eyes slowly drifted to the side, "I'm... Not particularly skilled."
"Ehh~... Even with that gorgeous voice?" Lillian teased.
She then watched as the Assassin slowly turned towards her with a subtle, hungry look in her eyes.
Lillian gulped and raised her hand, "H-hold on! We just made out in the Ferris wheel! Let's actually use up our time here singing."
Marionette smiled softly:
"Sure."
And that was what they did. They scrolled through countless songs as sung.
Although at the start, it was mainly Lillian, and as she had stated, she wasn't good at it. However, her inability to sing well was, without a doubt, ignored by the woman sitting next to her.
And soon enough, she joined in as well.
While Lillian sang the more energetic and higher-pitched notes, Marionette sang the calmer and lower tones. All in all, they fit well together.
"Thank you!" Lillian waved, closing the door as she walked with a tray of beverages. Mainly alcohol, which Marionette narrowed her eyes on.
The Assassin lowered her microphone and asked:
"Are you planning on being intoxicated?"
Lillian, smirking at this, answered:
"Hm? Perhaps~..."
Lowering the tray on the table, she then opened her hands and summoned what could only be described as a cake from her storage ring.
Marionette widened her eyes at the cake covered with white frosting and red frosting on top, which spelt out:
[Happy 19th Birthday, Marionette!]
Albeit the letters were very clumsy.
Lillian then pulled out three items. Two candles, each being a '1' and a '9'. And the last was a lighter.
Marionette, who was watching Lillian stick the candles inside the cake, couldn't help but open her eyes.
"When did you buy that?" Before narrowing her eyes, "Did you leave to buy them while I was out?"
Lillian, ignoring the look she was getting, answered:
"Nah. I just got them when we were walking around the City Centre."
After lighting the candles, she leaned back and looked towards the Assassin, who stared at the cake with an almost emotional look in her eyes.
Lillian smiled softly:
"Happy birthday, Marionette... Blow out your candles and make a wish!"
The Assassin gulped slightly, her fingers fidgeting before stopping. Her lips then curled into an uncontrollable smile as the light of the candle brightened her face.
She then leaned in and blew out the candles before whispering:
"Thank you..."
As for what she wished for?
...
She wished for this moment to never end...