'Let Mr. Ray become new family?
This... how could this be?
As a priest of the Order of the Deep, I carry the duty of spreading the word of the Sentinel to the world. How could I forget my mission for selfish desires?
Moreover...
Mr. Ray and Miss Carlotta's relationship...
It's probably not ordinary, right?
So how could I...'
Even as she admonished herself internally, when she heard Mr. Ray's words, her heart still felt like it had been pricked by a fine needle.
Not exactly painful, yet it stirred a nameless unwillingness within her.
That's why, almost as if possessed, she had...
said those words.
She didn't want to give up on this small miracle that belonged to her.
Perhaps, to others, Ray was a special existence, one that couldn't be replaced.
But in the young woman's eyes, Ray was simply Ray. Just seeing him once every day was already enough.
She dared not harbor more selfishness, dared not hope for anything further.
Just... letting things stay as they are now would be fine.
"So, does Phoebe actually want me to become your family or not?" Ray tilted his head, taking in the young woman's shyness and fluster.
When the Second Young Miss talked about romantic matters, though she also showed shyness, she still maintained the elegance belonging to 'Carlotta Montelli.'
But Phoebe was different. She completely exposed her vulnerability before you, making you want to defile this pure little lily.
"Mmm..."
The young woman let out an ambiguous whimper.
Her eyes blinked in a fluster. She still hadn't turned around, nor had she chosen to answer directly. Instead, she filled her mouth with pizza to escape Ray's persistent questioning.
Anby and the other three Echoes didn't choose to join in.
They contentedly enjoyed the pizza feast, leaving the stage entirely to him and her.
Ray watched Phoebe's fragile back, then stood up and sat down in front of her. "Phoebe?"
The young woman flusteredly tried to turn her face away, but he beat her to it, he reached out, gently cupped her cheeks, and started squeezing.
He'd wanted to try squishing Phoebe's round little face for a while, but never found the right opportunity.
Now that he finally had the chance, how could he let it slip by?
"Mmm... Mr. Ray, st-stop squishing my face..."
The young woman's voice was muffled. She wrinkled her little nose, trying to break free, but it was futile.
Phoebe's face was like soft, chewy rice cake, once you started squishing, you couldn't stop.
After quite a while, the young woman finally cupped her slightly warm cheeks and carefully scooted back a little.
"Mr. Ray..." Her voice carried a trace of small grievance and playful reproach.
"Sorry about that." Ray's tone held a hint of laughter. "It's all Phoebe's fault for being so cute. I just couldn't help myself."
"Don't say such embarrassing things!" Phoebe quickly picked up a slice of pizza, trying to change the subject. "Oh, right, we're here to eat pizza. If Mr. Ray doesn't eat soon, the pizza will get cold. Here, this tomato cheese slice is for you. It's really good, try it."
Ray looked at the pizza, then glanced at Phoebe, beneath the young woman's eyes flickered some subtle emotion.
She was deliberately changing the subject.
He knew this full well.
But he didn't expose it. Instead, he played along.
"Yeah, time to eat pizza." Ray suddenly suggested, "How about... Phoebe feeds me?"
"Huh? You want me to feed you?" Phoebe's hand, holding the pizza, froze mid-air. Her cheeks grew even redder. "Wh-why?"
"I have a feeling that pizza that's passed through Phoebe's hands tastes better than what I take myself."
"Th-that's not even a reason!"
Ray still sat there, looking at the pizza unmoved. "So, Phoebe doesn't want to? Sigh... guess I was being presumptuous. Thought I might be accepted by Phoebe, become new family. Sorry for making things awkward. I'll go now."
He deliberately put on a disappointed expression and made as if to stand and leave.
If it were Luno or Carlotta, they'd see through his little trick at a glance.
But Phoebe was different.
In her innocence, she took his words at face value. Panic immediately seized her. She hastily grabbed the corner of his clothes, her delicate body trembling slightly in the sea breeze. It seemed as if a watery mist passed through her violet eyes.
"I... I understand. I'll do it. I'll feed you the pizza."
"P-please don't leave me..."
Looking at the young woman's pitifully charming expression, a wave of guilt suddenly washed over Ray oh no, Phoebe... she'd taken it seriously.
'Sigh, I'm really something.'
Even so, he had no intention of stopping now.
If it were you, could you refuse Phoebe feeding you—no, hand-feeding you?
Even if you could resist, he couldn't.
So Ray sat back down in front of Phoebe and opened his mouth slightly.
Phoebe blushed, her hand holding the pizza trembling slightly.
He leaned down and took a small bite.
"D-does it taste good?" Phoebe asked softly.
"Mm," Ray nodded with a smile. "The pizza itself is delicious, and with Phoebe feeding me, it's even better."
"Really?" Phoebe's cheeks grew even redder. She looked away, unconsciously playing with her hair. "Then Mr. Ray should eat more. There's plenty here... Huh? You want me to keep feeding you? Th-then okay..."
At first, Phoebe was quite reserved.
But gradually...
when she saw Ray's smile, her own mood became light and airy without her even realizing it.
Faith springs from love; love creates sharing; and sharing returns love.
The true meaning of Pizza Day was, after all, sharing and the transmission of love.
At this moment, she was slowly sharing her past and her secrets with this small miracle that belonged to her.
And so, her feeding movements became more practiced, the frequency increasing.
Before Ray could even swallow one bite, another slice of pizza was already at his lips.
"This flavor is delicious too, Mr. Ray try it!"
"And this one!"
"This one too!"
"Here, Mr. Ray, open wide ah~"
Ray was gradually overwhelmed, nearly choking on the endless stream of pizza. He hastily gulped down a big mouthful of green branch juice to catch his breath.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Mr. Ray! Are you okay?" Phoebe covered her mouth with her hand, her face full of apology.
"I'm fine. I got carried away." Ray took a deep breath, waiting until the food in his throat smoothly slid into his stomach before finally recovering.
"Need to rest for a bit?" Phoebe asked with concern.
Ray looked up at the boundless starry sky. "I am full. Time to take a break."
"Perfect, I brought—" The young woman bent down to rummage through her small bag. "Huh? Where's my travel pillow? Did I forget it?"
Ray chuckled softly. "A pillow? Isn't there a perfect one right here?"
"Where?" Phoebe looked around in confusion.
Aside from the scattered rocks and gravel, what could possibly serve as a pillow?
"Right here."
Before his words had even faded, Ray had naturally laid his head down on the young woman's lap. The back of his head met a soft, warm sensation, and he let out a satisfied sigh.
"Mr., Mr. Ray!?"
Even the usually gentle Phoebe was startled by his sudden, bold move, completely at a loss.
She lowered her head, her body frozen, not daring to move. Her hands hung helplessly in the air as she stared blankly at Ray, now resting on her lap.
In her heart, the young woman did harbor a vague, subtle affection. She had secretly wished they could be closer.
But now that the moment had actually arrived, she was left with only fluster and confusion, not knowing how to respond.
"Relax, relax. This is from my homeland, Huanglong. A lap pillow is actually a very normal thing there." Ray spoke with a perfectly straight face, spouting nonsense.
"R-really?" Phoebe's voice trembled slightly.
"Of course it's true." Ray's expression didn't change. "It's perfectly normal between friends."
"Then... then I..." Phoebe unconsciously rubbed her cool fingertips together. "Well... if Mr. Ray finds it comfortable..."
She gently adjusted her position, making her soft thighs more comfortable so Ray could rest better.
Ray gazed at the young woman's profile under the starlight, the smile at the corners of his mouth growing warmer. "Phoebe."
"Yes?"
"From now on, you can rely a little more on your new family."
The sound of the tide on the shore swayed gently, rising and falling softly, rustling.
In the young woman's violet eyes, a brilliant spark of light now reflected. The glow grew gradually brighter, spreading tenderly.
Memories of the past flowed silently behind her eyes like a fading black-and-white silent film.
Until, at last, they were all gently enveloped by this warm light.
"Mm."
She looked up at the starry sky and nodded softly.