The formalwear shop wasn't far away. Once Firefly and Sylvia arrived, they didn't even ask for a clerk. They shut themselves inside a private room and browsed the store's catalog alone.
Since they were in the Dreamscape, there weren't any problems with sizes or stock. Once they picked something from the menu, they could change with a single tap. Anyone who wanted a more realistic experience could still put it on by hand.
"Which kind do you like, Sylvia?"
"…You're asking me?"
Sylvia had only just sat down when Firefly shoved the display panel into her arms.
The first item on the home page was a wedding gown with a rather daring design, and Sylvia tapped the screen without thinking. A full display stand carrying the dress appeared before them.
The gown had bare shoulders and a plunging neckline. Diamond-shaped cutouts beneath the bust were covered with lace, while more lace ran upward and joined a bow at the neck.
Whoever had designed the waist had cut out the midriff too, then covered it with such sheer fabric that it barely counted as cover at all.
The skirt was long, but one side had been cut much shorter and paired with clever white stockings and high heels. Apparently, the wearer's legs had to be shown off too.
It was a little suggestive, and it demanded the right figure. Firefly could probably carry it off, though. Sylvia glanced at her top. Her current outfit hid it well, but Firefly was far more full-figured than she looked.
Sylvia was about to switch to the next design when Firefly seemed to misunderstand her. She stood, reached over, and selected the instant-change option.
In the next moment, the full wedding ensemble replaced her clothes.
The fitted bodice brought out Firefly's curves, while the seemingly modest skirt had a high side cut that left her long, lovely legs in full view. Her black gradient thigh-highs had become white stockings, and the finer heels gave her a little more height, making her look even taller.
A delicate bouquet appeared in Firefly's hands. She held it over her exposed navel, then seemed to remember the open neckline and moved it upward.
Sylvia watched her shift the bouquet up and down several times before she finally chose to cover her chest.
With such an unusual design, Firefly was glad she only had to show it to Sylvia. Thank goodness nobody else was there. How had this thing made it onto the front page?
She complained in silence, then asked Sylvia for her opinion.
"Um… d-does it look good?"
"You look beautiful! And very charming!"
Sylvia didn't hold back. She openly admired Firefly's beauty, whether the gown made her look alluring or pure. The two moods blended together and brought out her charm.
The glimpses of skin through the cutouts and the uneven skirt pushed the dress right to the line between modest and revealing. It felt less like something for a public ceremony and more like something meant for one person in private.
Still, who cared? There wasn't anyone else here.
Firefly's face lit up under Sylvia's endless praise. Much of her shyness faded, and she cried out in her heart, 'I don't know anything about design. This dress really does deserve to be on the front page!'
Sylvia carefully took Firefly's hand and led her to the mirror.
"Look. You're beautiful, and you've got so much charm."
"Mm… The chest and stomach are a little too exposed."
After seeing herself in the mirror, Firefly still felt sure the designer had been up to no good.
"It's not that bad. Doesn't it look pretty? I'm more worried about the skirt. That slit goes way too high."
"Huh? Really? I think it's convenient. I'd be scared to walk if the whole skirt dragged across the floor."
"Wait, really?"
Sylvia and Firefly stared at each other, each confused by the other's strange standards.
Sylvia thought the high slit was too much, yet Firefly had accepted it at once. Meanwhile, Sylvia thought the cutouts on top were fine, but Firefly found them far too suggestive.
Maybe people were simply built differently.
"Shall we look at the others?"
Sylvia had no plans to debate their tastes. She called the menu back and started browsing other styles instead.
Every gown had its own appeal. Some were traditional, while others were bold and open. After looking through enough of them, Sylvia guessed the designs were meant to suit customers from different cultures, customs, and tastes.
She even found one that used about as much fabric as a swimsuit. Somehow, it still counted as wedding attire. At least it broadened their horizons.
Sadly, Firefly was too shy to try that one on, no matter how Sylvia asked. Sylvia couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.
They spent a long time choosing outfits, but Firefly's excitement never faded. When she tried on a red bridal robe, Sylvia quietly added that set to the cart as well.
Then she spoke without warning.
"Firefly."
"Mm? What do you think of this one? Isn't it closer to the customs of your homeland?"
Firefly spread her arms to show off the robe. The golden embroidery wasn't quite the same, but it was one of the closest designs they'd found.
"Yes. It's beautiful too."
Sylvia nodded, then walked up to her.
"Firefly, the deal the Stellaron Hunters made with me… are you willing to accept it?"
Firefly's face went scarlet in an instant. She shot Sylvia a wounded look. Why would she bring that up now, after waiting until Firefly had nearly forgotten about it while trying on dresses?
Still, they'd come this far. Firefly met Sylvia's eyes despite her burning cheeks and gave a firm nod.
"Of course! And… I'm serious about this. You gave me hope. You made my life into something more than a medical pod."
Firefly took Sylvia's hand and continued.
"I don't know how to put these feelings into words. Even if it's only an ordinary contract, I still want to show you that I mean it."
"…Ah. Right."
When had Firefly become this direct? Sylvia covered her warming face with one hand, but there was no hiding her embarrassment from Firefly.
"Oh? Are you blushing?"
Firefly laughed, tugged on Sylvia's hand, and leaned closer on purpose. Sylvia glared back at her.
"…How could I not blush when you say something like that out of nowhere? Aren't you embarrassed too?"
"A little, but I still have to say it."
Firefly shook her head and smiled.
"Someone like me can't keep putting things off. If I don't say what I want to say, there might come a day when it's too late."
Three deaths were written into the script. By the end, she might truly die.
The script didn't say how Firefly's trip to Penacony would end or when she'd leave the stage. That meant every day here could be her last.
Well, based on the script, the first few days should be safe. After the auction, though, there were no guarantees.
Neither Firefly nor Silver Wolf had told Sylvia any of this.
--+--
On Firefly's first day in Penacony, she'd struck Sylvia with several brutally direct confessions. Even so, they didn't rush straight off to register their marriage.
Just as Sylvia had expected, Firefly was thrilled, but the struggle of entering the dream had left her drained. By dinner, once her excitement began to settle, even Sylvia could see the fatigue on her face.
"…Let's find somewhere to rest for the night first, all right?"
Firefly could tell Sylvia's concern was real. She wanted to fulfill their promise at once, but she didn't want Sylvia worrying too much, so she nodded and accepted the offer.
"All right… You're right. I probably do need a proper rest."
As soon as Firefly agreed, Sylvia thought of something and hurried to ask.
"Wait. Let me check one thing first. You can sleep inside the dream, right? You won't have to leave the Dreamscape before you can rest?"
Firefly covered her mouth and laughed at the way Sylvia suddenly looked ready to face a great enemy. Still smiling, she shook her head.
"There's no need. Don't worry. I can rest perfectly well inside the sweet dream."
"That's good. Otherwise…"
Sylvia almost said she'd send Firefly home and tell her never to come back. Halfway through, she remembered she couldn't change the Stellaron Hunters' decisions.
Forcing Elio to revise the script had only ever been a passive ability. Sylvia couldn't make the script unfold according to her wishes. Any promise or threat she made on that level would only sound childish.
"Otherwise what?"
"Nothing. Let's find somewhere to rest."
"Speaking of good places, I heard about one~ It should be perfect for relaxing."
As Sylvia tried to change the subject, Firefly put one hand on her hip and raised a finger with a proud little grin.
"Where? The Moment of Oasis?"
"Nope. Just follow me~"
Firefly shook her head and refused to reveal their destination. She only took Sylvia's hand and started walking.
They returned to Golden Hour first, then twisted through so many streets that Sylvia lost all sense of where they were. Before she knew it, Firefly had led her onto the rooftop of a tall building.
"This is Dream's Edge. Look over there. Those areas are still unfinished, so The Family hasn't opened them to the public."
Dream's Edge was much quieter than the rest of Penacony. Most people who came here were Dreamweavers or workers tied to the construction. Ordinary tourists had little reason to visit.
Compared with the heart of the sweet dream, the area felt barren. There were no shops on every corner or lively crowds, only plain rooftops beneath a sky forever frozen just before dawn, when the first edge of the sun had begun to rise.
Sylvia remembered the place now. She'd seen it in the game, but this was her first time visiting it in reality. There wasn't much here, and little news ever came from it.
If Firefly hadn't brought her today, Sylvia might've forgotten the whole district existed.
"This place… I've been in Penacony for so long, but I've never heard anyone mention it. Who told you about it?"
Firefly casually studied the Bloodhound guards stationed around the restricted zones. When Sylvia questioned her, she jumped and answered with obvious awkwardness.
"Huh? Oh, um… Silver Wolf told me. We originally planned to sneak into Penacony, remember? She said places like this would make good hideouts."
"Uh… You don't need to sneak in anymore, so why come here?"
"Hmm…"
Firefly tilted her head and thought for a moment before turning back.
"Maybe I just like the view."
Through the gaps between the towers, they could glimpse the instant dawn had been frozen in place, with the sun only just peeking over the horizon.
"The problem is, we'll have to get past those Bloodhounds if we want to reach the outermost edge."
Firefly memorized every path and every guard position she'd seen along the way. It didn't take her long to find a route they could slip through unnoticed.
"Follow me. This way~"
The Family had closed the area only because construction wasn't complete and tourists could easily get lost. There weren't any secrets inside, and it wasn't especially dangerous, so the guards were sparse.
The Family had also pulled many of its people away to investigate stowaways and deal with security problems. That made slipping inside even easier.
As Sylvia followed Firefly, she felt as though they were strolling openly into an abandoned zone. They made it all the way to the outermost rooftop without anyone stopping them.
Once every wall and tower had fallen behind them, the frozen dawn finally spread before their eyes in full. Unlike the dim instant before sunrise, this moment was brilliant and overflowing with light.
"Wow—this is perfect! After I heard about Golden Hour, I started wondering whether a place like this might exist at the edge of the sweet dream. I was right!"
Firefly braced both hands on the rooftop wall and leaned forward to gaze into the distance. Then she turned back and delivered her victory speech to Sylvia.
Bathed in the rising light, Firefly seemed to shine with the dawn.
"It's beautiful."
Sylvia stared at the girl before her and let the words slip out.
"Right? Isn't it wonderful~?"
Firefly thought Sylvia meant the scenery behind her. She nodded eagerly and moved aside to make room.
Sylvia only smiled. She was too embarrassed to explain the misunderstanding, so she stepped forward and leaned against the rooftop edge beside her.
Sylvia raised her phone, aimed it at the view, and pressed the shutter. Firefly seemed to remember something and brought out her own phone.
"I want a picture with you too, Sylvia. I've got group photos with everyone else. You're the only one missing."
As she spoke, she naturally linked her arm through Sylvia's. They turned their backs to the dawn and fit both their faces into the frame.
The shutter clicked, preserving their smiles.
After Firefly sent the picture to Sylvia, she quietly opened her gallery and set the image of Sylvia as her wallpaper.
When Sylvia glanced over in curiosity, Firefly darted into another app and covered the screen before the embarrassing sight could be discovered.
--+--
T/N: If you want advance chapters, you can find it at [email protected]/AspenTL