As Yuki and March 7th vanished from that place, deep within a nearby Memory Zone—a shimmering, mirror-like space filled with flowing light—Fuli's figure slowly materialized.
He sat in serene meditation at the center of this pure realm, observing and recording all things in the universe.
A woman appeared before him, her form ethereal and translucent. She bowed respectfully before stepping to one side.
"Should I dispatch Memokeepers to protect the Princess on her journey?" she inquired softly.
Fuli replied calmly, "Even without your explicit command, the Memokeepers of the Garden of Recollection will board the train of their own accord. It is fated—a result written into the flow of destiny."
The woman nodded. She was Fuli's most trusted subordinate, the one who had personally overseen March 7th's sealing and placement within the cosmos—the one who had encased her in crystallized memory and set her adrift among the stars.
"But... the one beside the Princess now," she continued, her gaze turning toward some distant point, "you did not foresee him."
Fuli was silent for a moment. He offered no excuse for this miscalculation. Finally, he spoke.
"He is... unique."
"Unique how?" the woman pressed.
"He is the one being I have never been able to perceive clearly. In him, I glimpse the beginning and the end of all things. Within him lies everything—a presence vaster, more profound, more enigmatic than the universe itself."
Though Fuli's tone remained calm, those who knew him well would have recognized the subtle undercurrent of wonder in his voice.
The woman was taken aback. "Compared to IX—the embodiment of Nihility, the end of all things—how does he measure?"
"Nihility is merely one facet of existence. That man... represents something that transcends all things entirely. He exists beyond everything. In his eyes, even Aeons are but fleeting specks adrift in the cosmos."
Fuli's words were measured, weighty—each syllable carrying the gravity of undeniable truth.
The woman was visibly shaken. "You hold him in such high regard... Then the Princess's encounter with him may well be a blessing."
Fuli offered no reply. He simply resumed his eternal task—observing, recording, preserving the memories of all that was, is, and ever would be.
Sensing the audience was over, the woman's form gradually faded, dissolving into the shimmering light until she was gone.
Somewhere in a distant galaxy, on a vast, verdant planet, within a dense forest...
Yuki and March 7th materialized out of thin air.
March 7th found herself pressed against Yuki's side, his arm encircling her waist. She turned her head slightly and was immediately overwhelmed by the intensity of his presence—the sheer masculinity radiating from him.
Her heart pounded. A deep blush crept across her cheeks.
"B-big pervert... this is way too fast!" she stammered, flustered. "I mean, sure, you're really handsome, but we just met!"
"Shouldn't we... take things a little slower...?"
She lowered her head, ears burning red, muttering incoherently.
Yuki just stared at her, utterly speechless.
Then he let go.
"Huh?!"
March 7th's eyes flew open. She looked up to find Yuki staring at her with an expression of mild disgust. And when she glanced around—they were no longer in space.
"Where...?"
"A planet. Somewhere in the universe," Yuki said flatly.
"I can see that! But why are we here? And why were you holding me like—" She faltered, her cheeks flushing again.
"To find the Astral Express, obviously. I was just teleporting us. What did you think was happening?"
A smirk tugged at the corner of Yuki's mouth.
March 7th's face went scarlet. She averted her gaze, scrambling for a recovery.
"I-I knew that! Obviously! I'm the universe's smartest, most gorgeous girl! Of course I knew!"
She turned abruptly and started marching off in a random direction. "Come on! Let's go find the Astral Express!"
Yuki watched her go for a moment, then shook his head.
"Hey, genius. That's the wrong way. You're heading deeper into the forest. The city's this way."
March 7th froze mid-step. Then, without a word, she pivoted and started walking in the correct direction, face burning with embarrassment. If a hole had opened up in the ground, she would have gladly crawled into it.
Side by side, they walked toward the city.
This planet wasn't the Earth Yuki remembered, but it was similar enough—urban centers, civilization, life much like any modern world.
Still, this planet was far larger and more massive than Earth. Its civilization was predominantly human as well, but technologically, it was leaps and bounds ahead.
After walking barely three minutes, the city came into view on the horizon.
Towering space elevators stretched toward the sky. Gleaming, futuristic architecture gleamed under the sun. Aerial vehicles zipped back and forth through the air, weaving between structures.
It was a vision of a high-tech future brought to life.
Once inside the city, they encountered not only humans but countless robots roaming the streets. Holographic advertisements flickered everywhere. Public facilities hummed with advanced technology. Everything was new, dazzling, and strange.
March 7th's eyes sparkled with curiosity. She darted her gaze from one thing to the next, exclaiming constantly.
"Wow! This place is amazing!"
"What's that on the holographic screen?"
"Ooh, what's this shop selling?"
"Aww! Look at that adorable mechanical puppy!"
She chattered endlessly beside Yuki, occasionally stopping in front of stores to peer curiously at the merchandise.
Her wide-eyed wonder drew glances from passersby. Some found her amusing. Others thought she was cute. A few sneered.
March 7th paid them no mind. She continued exploring, oblivious to everything else.
Yuki walked quietly beside her, watching over her in silence.
But his presence didn't go unnoticed.
His striking features soon caught the attention of nearby women. Whispers spread. Eyes turned his way. One by one, they shifted their focus from March 7th to the impossibly handsome man accompanying her.
Some bold ones approached him directly—offering invitations, asking for contact info.
The commotion grew.
Finally, March 7th snapped out of her own little world. She turned and saw the scene unfolding around Yuki.
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Read advance chapters on [email protected]/Lost_moon