After a long moment, their lips parted.
An enchanting flush surfaced on Shermie's pretty face. She extended her tongue to lightly lick her lips, saying with lingering satisfaction: "Boss, that reward... I really liked it. Next time, you can give me more of those~"
This vixen!
Cloud chuckled inwardly. Ignoring her teasing, he walked straight toward the white lotus maiden who had been staring at him blankly since he entered.
"Goniko, it's been a while." Cloud sat down across from her, his voice unconsciously softening.
"...Mr. Cloud."
Only then did Goniko snap back to awareness. She nervously gripped her milk cup tighter, responding in a small voice.
Her cheeks had also turned pink from witnessing that "restricted" scene just now—utterly adorable.
"You were looking for me?" Cloud asked.
"...Mm." Goniko nodded. In her pure eyes, a flash of confusion and helplessness appeared. "I... I want to find my father."
"Goenitz?"
"Yes." Goniko's voice carried a hint of childlike longing. "Father... he adopted me when I was very young. He taught me knowledge, taught me etiquette, and taught me... how to control the power of wind. But he was always busy, often disappearing for years at a time."
"Recently, I heard he appeared in Japan. So... I wanted to come find him. But... I've searched for so long without success. Someone told me you... were the last person to see him."
She raised her head, looking at Cloud with an almost pleading gaze.
"Mr. Cloud, do you... do you know where my father went?"
Looking at her pure, innocent eyes filled with hope, Cloud's heart stirred slightly.
He knew the truth.
Her "father" wasn't some wandering missionary.
He was the leader of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Divine Tribe who had attempted to purify humanity and destroy the world.
He knew that her "father" was currently sealed within the Yata Mirror's mirror dimension, undergoing eternal "repentance" for his past actions.
But could he tell these cruel truths to this pure, kind-hearted girl who viewed Goenitz as her only family?
No.
Cloud made his decision instantly.
Sometimes, a kind lie was far gentler than a cruel truth.
"I did see him," Cloud said slowly, meeting Goniko's eyes. "It was after... a great storm. He told me he had grown weary of worldly conflicts and was going to a place very far away to find true peace."
"He also said..." A gentle smile appeared on Cloud's face. "He has a very lovely daughter. He hopes she can properly see the beauty of this world, rather than being bound by the wind."
Goniko listened quietly, her eyes gradually reddening.
Crystal tears slid down her snow-white cheeks.
"Is... is that so?" she choked out tearfully. "Father... so that's... what he thought?"
"Yes." Cloud nodded. "So he hopes you won't search for him anymore. Instead, find your own life."
"I..." Goniko wiped her tears, her eyes still full of confusion. "But the world is so big... I don't know where to go."
"Then stay here." Cloud's voice was filled with gentle authority. "South Town may be chaotic, but under my protection, no one will dare touch you. Mr. Big will arrange everything."
Mr. Big, who had been pretending to polish glasses, immediately understood and turned around, speaking respectfully: "Indeed, Miss Goniko. From today forward, you are Big Shot bar's most honored guest. All your needs will be our responsibility."
"Also," Cloud continued, "the wind power within you is still unstable. Without proper guidance, it could harm you. I can help with that."
"Help me?"
"Yes." Cloud extended his hand. In his palm, a gentle cyan airflow slowly formed.
It was the purest "Wind Power"—inherited from Goenitz himself!
When Goniko sensed that power of the same origin, her own bloodline resonated violently!
Her eyes widened in surprise.
"...How do you have..."
"That's a long story." Cloud smiled. "You can understand it as your father entrusting the task of guiding you to me."
...
And so, in the days that followed, Cloud stayed in South Town.
During the day, he trained Goniko in the top-floor practice room of "Big Shot" bar, teaching her hands-on how to sense the wind, control the wind, how to... become friends with the wind.
"Close your eyes, Goniko."
In the training room, Cloud stood behind Goniko, his hands resting gently on her shoulders.
"Don't try to command the wind. Listen to it. Feel its flow, its breath, its joys and sorrows."
His voice echoed in Goniko's ears like a spell.
Goniko followed his instructions, slowly closing her eyes.
At first, she felt nothing.
But gradually, guided by Cloud's power of the same origin, she seemed to truly "hear" it.
She heard the rustle of the breeze passing through leaves outside the window.
She heard the distant moan of sea winds sweeping through the harbor.
She even heard the faint currents of air stirred by each of her own breaths.
"Can you feel it?"
"...Mm."
"Now try to resonate with it. Merge your will into it. Let it become part of your body."
As he spoke, Cloud's hands slowly slid from her shoulders downward, finally resting on her flat abdomen.
A gentle yet refined "Wind Power" flowed slowly from his palm into her.
"Mm..."
The pure, innocent maiden—how could she withstand such stimulation?
Goniko's body trembled sensitively, her cheeks instantly flushing red as if blood might drip from them.
...
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