Kevin, "..."
Fu Lin glanced at Kevin, who was still keeping a stiff face, then turned his attention to Su, who exuded a gentle and refreshing presence.
"You were discussing me? Whatever, I don't really care. But if we could take a photo together, that would be even better."
Su agreed readily. Seeing Su agree, Kevin crossed his arms, turned his head, and remained silent, but he did not refuse.
------------------------------
"Only Mobius, Kalpas, Griseo, and Aponia are left... Where am I supposed to find them?"
"Griseo should be with Aponia right now... And I don't know if Kalpas has run into Mobius."
"That is... Kosma! Oh right, how could I forget about Kosma? He can definitely find Griseo."
After waving goodbye to Kevin and Su, Fu Lin walked down a deserted path, recalling the plot.
When he saw Kosma in the distance, his eyes lit up, and he quickly followed.
Kosma looked down at the hand on his shoulder, then turned his head to see Fu Lin grinning at him, looking puzzled, "..." Why is he here...?
Fu Lin let go and instead wrapped an arm around Kosma's shoulders, grinning widely, "Hahaha, don't overthink it, Kosma. Fate has brought us together! Take me to find Griseo!"
Kosma scratched the back of his head, looking at Fu Lin's beaming face, and forced a smile.
"Heh... Why are you looking for Griseo?"
'Why can't I bring myself to be wary of this person... Even though this is only our second meeting...'
'Oh well... I suppose he wouldn't do anything to Griseo… I'll just go along with it.'
Fu Lin shook the camera in his hand. "Of course, for a photo! Now I just need Griseo, Aponia, Kalpas, and Mobius."
".....Griseo is currently with Aponia in the garden maze. I was just about to go find them..."
Kosma looked toward the garden maze ahead, then advised Fu Lin, "As for Kalpas and Mobius... You'd better not go looking for those two."
Fu Lin patted his chest confidently. "No worries, I believe they'll be happy to take a picture with me."
Kosma looked into Fu Lin's determined eyes and, in the end, let out a sigh.
"....Fine."
....
Kosma crossed his arms, silently watching Aponia talking with Griseo.
"...Enough, Aponia."
Aponia turned at the sound of his voice, looking at Kosma with some confusion. ".....Kosma?"
Kosma frowned, pressing a hand to his forehead. "'Stop here'... That's what you should be doing right now."
"...Forget it, I don't want to say it again."
Aponia crossed her arms, looking at Kosma. "If you insist, I naturally won't object. But sometimes, letting the truth fade away... may be the better choice."
Kosma rejected that outright. "It would only be a mistake."
Aponia's gaze deepened with seriousness. "I used the word 'better'... What if this is what Griseo wants?"
Kosma's eyes darkened. "..."
"How can you prove this isn't just an excuse?"
"....And how can you prove you haven't unknowingly pressured her?"
"Ugh..." Griseo stood there, uncertain and overwhelmed by the tense atmosphere.
"You've all been through life and death together, don't be so distant~ Little Griseo doesn't like seeing you this way."
Fu Lin glanced at Griseo, then reached out to press his hand on Kosma's head, ruffling his dark green hair and even taking the opportunity to touch his devil-like horns.
Kosma grabbed Fu Lin's wrist and 'glared fiercely', "Hmph... Take your hand... off."
Fu Lin rubbed his nose, letting out an awkward laugh. ".....I just didn't want you to lose an argument to Aponia. That wouldn't be good, especially with Griseo watching."
Kosma glanced at Griseo and sighed. "...Aponia, let's end this topic here."
Aponia held her hands together in front of her chest, glancing at Fu Lin standing so close to Kosma, but still nodded. "Alright... Kosma, who is this gentleman?"
Fu Lin let go of Kosma and quickly moved to stand before Aponia and Griseo. "I'm Fu Lin. Nice to meet you, Aponia-mom and little Griseo."
Kosma, "..."
Aponia looked at the young man in front of her, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. "Hello... Just call me Aponia." The fate of the Elysian Realm has changed...
Griseo blinked, staring blankly at Fu Lin, a trace of confusion in her eyes.
Fu Lin mimicked Elysia's tone, reaching out to pat Griseo's head. "What's wrong, little Griseo? Am I not welcome? If so, I might just cry."
Griseo lowered her head in thought for a moment, then looked up at Fu Lin in confusion. "Fu Lin-uncle's color... feels familiar, but I can't remember."
"Little Griseo, you call Mei 'big sister,' so you should call me 'big brother' instead. Mei and I aren't that far apart in age." Fu Lin's mouth twitched, a vein slightly bulging on his forehead. He took out a strawberry-flavored filled candy, smiling at Griseo.
"Little Griseo, call me 'big brother' and you'll get a candy~"
At this moment, Fu Lin looked exactly like a shady uncle luring kids with candy, to the point where even Kosma turned his head away, unable to watch.
Griseo stared at the candy in Fu Lin's hand, lightly biting her fingertip, eyes filled with longing as she looked at Aponia. "Understood, Fu Lin-uncle, I'll remember."
"But Aponia-mom said eating too much candy is bad for teeth."
Aponia remained calm. "It's fine to have some occasionally, but don't eat too much, Griseo."
Griseo nodded, then turned back to look at the candy in Fu Lin's hand, speaking softly. "Understood, Aponia-mom."
"Fu Lin-uncle, Griseo wants a candy."
Fu Lin's expression didn't change (^_^), but he gripped the candy tightly, gritting his teeth internally. "Call me 'big brother Fu Lin.'"
Griseo, "...."