Dave stared at Shui Xinxue like he’d just discovered so mythical beast sipping jasmine tea in the middle of a sacred lake.
She, anwhile, remained utterly composed—still gazing into her cup like it held an answer the heavens had forgotten to deliver.
"It didn’t feel unpleasant..."
The words repeated again in her mind, like a pebble skipping across the surface of a still lake.
She looked up slowly, catching Dave’s expression. The amused disbelief. The curiosity. The faintest smile tugging at the corner of his lips, like he was holding back laughter—and failing.
"What?" she asked, deadpan.
Dave blinked. "I’m just... processing. You know, you say things with the sa tone most people use when describing the weather."
"I’m being honest," she replied.
"That’s what makes it hilarious."
She tilted her head slightly, frowning. "You’re laughing at ?"
"I’m in awe," he said, raising both hands in surrender. "No jokes. No mockery. Just trying to understand how the most stoic woman I’ve ever t just admitted almost kissing wasn’t unpleasant... and then went back to drinking tea like nothing happened."
"I don’t see what else I was supposed to do," she said simply. "Panic?"
"...Yes? Maybe blush a little?"
"I’m not you," she said flatly. "I don’t... blush."
Dave shook his head with a quiet chuckle. "You really are sothing else."
She looked at him, and for a mont, her eyes softened just a little. "And yet you keep looking at like I’m so rare creature."
"That’s because you are," he said without hesitation. "You’re like... a Spirit Ice Phoenix pretending to be a librarian."
"I’m a Headmistress," she corrected.
"Exactly."
They shared a mont of silence.
Then, Shui Xinxue exhaled slowly and rose from her seat. Her layered robes rippled like water as she stepped forward, closing the small distance between them until they stood face to face once again.
"I may not understand... feelings like others do," she said, her voice quieter now. "But I do understand power. Connection. Instinct."
Dave t her eyes. "And what do your instincts say now?"
She stared into him for a long mont.
"...They say I should trust you."
Dave blinked, just once.
"I don’t know where this will go," she continued, "but I’d like to follow it. Slowly."
He smiled. "That’s fine. Slow is good. Gives us ti to figure things out."
She gave a tiny nod, then turned with quiet grace and began to walk away.
"Where are you going?" Dave called after her.
"To change into sothing warr," she replied. "If I’m going to walk with you around the city, I’d rather not freeze halfway."
Dave grinned. "You sure you’re not warming up a little already?"
"I’m just not immune to wind," she said coolly over her shoulder.
Dave chuckled and followed.
Sowhere deep inside, a wall of ice had cracked. Not shattered. Not lted. But shifted—just enough to let a sliver of sothing new inside.
By the ti Shui Xinxue returned, the light in the garden had changed—afternoon sun now stread golden through the pavilion’s arches. She had changed into a deep blue outer robe lined with faint silver, her long hair tied into a loose knot that swayed with each step. A subtle flush colored her pale cheeks now, whether from the breeze or sothing else entirely.
Dave looked up and gave a low whistle. "You clean up well."
She raised an eyebrow. "I always look like this."
"Right," he replied with a smirk. "But now you’re trying. That’s new."
She shot him a side glance, then walked past him. "Co. You wanted to see the city."
Dave fell into step beside her as they exited the garden, the academy grounds giving way to the graceful lower district of Tianshui City. The streets were lined with elegant canals, soft mist curling upward as spirit beasts pulled gondolas past arching stone bridges. The air slled of lotus, grilled fish, and inked scrolls.
"It’s beautiful," Dave murmured, taking it all in. "Peaceful too."
"This district is reserved for scholars and spirit artists," Xinxue explained. "Violence is forbidden here by contract seal. Even Titled Douluo must obey."
He nodded. "A perfect place to hide in plain sight."
She glanced at him. "Is that what you do?"
"Sotis. Depends who’s looking for ."
They passed a group of young disciples practicing water whips and flow-forms in synchronized grace. The gentle splashes and soft laughter echoed through the mist.
One of the students paused mid-motion, blinking. "Is that the Headmistress... walking with a man?"
Another gasped. "And smiling??"
Dave smirked as whispers rippled around them. "We’re getting attention."
"They’ll stop eventually," she said calmly, though her steps slowed just a little. This was new for her—being seen with soone.
Dave glanced sideways. "Regretting it already?"
"No," she replied softly, not looking at him. "Just... adjusting."
They reached a quiet stone bridge arched over a crystal-clear canal. Xinxue paused at the edge, gazing down into the water where koi and silverfin darted between lily pads.
For a long mont, neither spoke.
Then she said, "There’s a tradition here. If two people drop a coin in this water together, it binds a wish between them."
Dave looked down with interest. "Superstition?"
"Perhaps. But Tianshui thrives on belief. Many things here take shape from it."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out two spirit coins, handing one to her.
"So," he said, holding his over the water, "what are you wishing for?"
She didn’t answer imdiately.
Then, quietly, she said, "That I’ll learn how to not be alone... even when I don’t understand the feelings involved."
Dave looked at her, the weight of those words settling softly between them.
"Sounds like a good wish," he said, and dropped his coin.
She followed a second later. The two coins struck the water with soft plinks, sending ripples outward across the surface. The circles widened, t, and intertwined.
Xinxue allowed herself a small smile.
"Thank you," she said. Not just for the walk. Not just for the coin. But for not pushing her. For not rushing. For being the first person who saw her—truly saw her—without demanding more.
Dave reached out and gently took her hand.
"I’ll walk beside you," he said. "Take as much ti as you need to figure things out."
Shui Xinxue nodded softly.
They continued walking, hand in hand—quietly, comfortably—along the mist-shrouded stone path of Tianshui, as if even ti had decided to slow down just for them.
Even Dave, who had faced gods and demons, who had won throw themselves at him like petals in a storm... felt sothing different now.
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