“Hmm~.” Zahara hummed as she slowly opened her eyes, revealing her crimson crystal-like eyes, only to have them widen the moment she saw the dimly lit sky.

‘Shit!’ She hurriedly sat up straight, her palm moving to her forehead as she realized that, unknowingly, she had slept longer than she had hoped for.

“You’re awake?” It was then that she heard a voice—gentle and endearing—calling out to her and looking at her side. She saw Alex. His back against the same tree, looking at her with a smile.

“I’m sorry—” She quickly tried to apologize for sleeping so long and almost wasting the date, but before she could complete her words, she was cut off.

“Hm? Why are you still sitting on the ground even though you’re awake?” Alex questioned as he was already standing, looking at Zahara with a playful smile.

He knew that she must be exhausted to sleep this long—more than 5 hours—but it was fine. There was still time, and it was not like he was just wasting his time. He had cleared some dungeons in the dream world in this time, amassing some more system points.

“Um…” Zahara, on the other hand, hesitated, stuck between wanting to apologize and feeling that she had wasted her time alone with Alex before she saw him extending his hand for her to take.

“Come,” he spoke, his eyes gently locked into hers, and she knew at that moment that she didn’t need to worry. She just had to go with the flow, so, with a smile, she held his hand and got up.

The forest air grew cooler as the sun dipped lower, casting a fiery orange glow over the treetops, and Alex, unbothered by that, walked just ahead of Zahara, his hand gently pulling hers as they made their way through the thick underbrush.

The trees above swayed softly while Zahara clung to Alex’s arm, her steps light with wonder.

“Where are we going?” Zahara suddenly whispered, though her voice was more playful than curious. Her amber eyes glimmered, reflecting the deepening twilight around them.

“You’ll see,” Alex replied softly, his lips curling into a faint smile. “Just a little further.”

She pouted slightly but said nothing more, letting him lead her deeper into the forest. Though the path was uneven, Zahara kept pace effortlessly, her beast-like instincts making her movements fluid and graceful.

And finally, they emerged into a clearing.

It was breathtaking.

Before them was a massive lake, its surface smooth like clear glass. It reflected the treetops and sky in perfect symmetry, catching the glow of the first evening stars. The wind sighed gently across the water, rippling the reflections, but even the air seemed reverent, careful not to disturb the peace.

“Alex…” Zahara breathed, her voice trailing off as her eyes widened.

It was beautiful scenery—she wanted to say that but was too absorbed by the surroundings.

Alex, on the other hand, said nothing, merely watching her reaction with a soft gaze. He reached out and gently pulled her closer, his arm coiling around her waist. “Just wait. It’s about to begin.”

As he said that, he raised his finger, and just like before, a flare was shot. It was the signal.

Woosh—Boom!

Zahara, although feeling jumpy due to all this gentleness and care from Alex, still turned to him, her brow furrowed in confusion as she saw him doing the same thing he had done before. “What do you mean—”

But before she could finish, the forest came to life.

It started with a gentle flicker—small, delicate lights appearing between the trees like tiny stars come to rest on Earth. Fireflies. Hundreds of them, their soft golden light flickering in perfect harmony, made Zahara gasp, her breath catching in wonder.

But again, before she could even absorb the scene, more fireflies drifted out from the shadows, floating upward like rising stars.

It was as if the forest itself had come alive with magic, and the air was thick with their glow.

“Wow…” That was all Zahara could say as she felt her body relax under the show.

Soon, from between the bushes, small squirrel-like creatures and foxes appeared, each carrying bioluminescent petals in their mouths, leaving a luminous trail in their wake.

“They’re… dancing,” Zahara whispered, her voice trembling with awe as she saw them jumping lightly as they walked, their small crystal-like eyes bright with mischief.

The fireflies also moved in coordinated waves, swirling into spirals above the lake before birds with luminescent features took to the air, their feathers falling down like a rain of stars as they twirled and turned in the sky.

And then, the real magic began. The fireflies gathered in a great arc, their lights merging to form shapes—a glowing heart, an outline of two figures holding hands, making it look just like Alex and Zahara’s reflection.

That scene stunned Zahara. It was as if the forest was showing their love in the purest way possible—something she had never imagined.

She didn’t know how, but she was sure that it was Alex’s work. He was the one responsible for this—she just knew it.

“Did you…?” Zahara, unable to take it anymore, turned to Alex, tears threatening to well in her eyes.

This was the best thing she had ever seen, the best moment of her life. Zahara didn’t even know what to say to this. She felt like she was alive more than ever.

Alex gave her a small, sheepish shrug, though his smirk betrayed his satisfaction. “Maybe.”

Zahara, hearing his reply, stared at him for a while but didn’t say anything more. She simply turned back to the show, not wanting to miss anything, as her hand found Alex’s and squeezed it tightly.

Soon, the fireflies drifted higher, scattering like stars across the clearing. A deep, melodic hum resonated through the forest—low and primal, like the earth itself was speaking.

Zahara blinked as a chorus of sounds followed: birds trilled, their notes bright and joyous, while the rustle of wind through the leaves became a soothing harmony.

A pack of wolves stepped into the clearing, their heads tilted back as they released soft, haunting howls that threaded seamlessly into the melody.

Zahara, initially alarmed by the wolves, soon relaxed as she felt Alex’s fingers clenching hers and watched, mesmerized, as the lake reflected the sky above—golden fireflies mirrored different formations below.

“It’s like the forest is singing,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

“It is,” Alex replied, smiling as he tapped the ground twice. “This is their way of welcoming you.”

As if in agreement, a massive green-gold stag emerged from the treeline, its antlers glowing faintly with the same soft light. Its gaze fixed on Alex, and seeing him nod, it moved forward.

It stepped to the water’s edge, bowing its head as though acknowledging Zahara’s presence. Around its hooves, flowers began to bloom, their petals glowing just like the luminescence flowers carried by the small beasts.

The symphony swelled—the cries of birds, the wolves’ deep howls, the wind’s whisper, and the gentle chorus of insects weaving together in perfect harmony. The light of the fireflies grew brighter until it seemed as though the lake itself was made of gold.

Zahara clutched Alex’s hand, her other arm coiling around his. “It’s perfect,” she murmured.

“I’m glad you think so,” Alex said, his voice low and gentle. “You deserve moments like this.” The scene of her always playing the dumb yet strict Rule Keeper, being made fun of and always going through embarrassing moments only so that she could talk to him flashed in front of his eyes.

Before, Alex was never able to see it, but now, as he recalled those scenes, he could see the bittersweet light in her eyes. It was as if she was always happy that she could talk to him, yet sad that the only way to do it was getting her image worsened.

Zahara, on the other hand, looked up at him then, her expression soft. “Thank you,” she whispered, a drop of tears slipping down her eyes, which was soon wiped off by Alex.

“Don’t thank me,” he whispered, holding her cheeks and looking into her eyes sincerely. “I promised your father to not let a single drop of tear fall off your eyes. So, just let your smile light the world, and I’ll know that my efforts today were not in vain.”

With another drop of tears, this time one of pure happiness, Zahara nodded her head and turned back to look at the show.

‘You as well, love.’ Looking at Zahara resting her head on his arm, he then spoke inwardly, knowing full well that his first love, the one who was there in his past life as well, was also looking at this breathtaking scene.

He could tell that she was smiling. He could feel her emotions, so he added, ‘Just keep smiling like you’re right now, and I will feel fulfilled.’

[I love you, Alex.]

Sophie, with a warm smile on her face, clutching the pillow in the dream space, muttered lightly, making Alex smile as he replied, ‘I love you more, Sophie.’

After that was done, with one of his women in his head and one physically connected to him, Alex, looking at the scene in front of him, smiled again. ‘This is what I want for all of my loved ones…’

With those words, he pulled Zahara closer to himself, feeling the warmth of her body, and Zahara, not a bit averse to it, just hugged him tighter, pressing her modest chest on his arm, rubbing her head on his shoulder, and enjoying the scene.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep