New Year’s Festival.
Literally, it is a grand celebration to commemorate the New Year.
Interestingly, the style of this festival varies from country to country.
In the Holy Kingdom, all believers gather in the Pantheon to simultaneously hold the last worship service of the year and the first service of the New Year in praise of the gods.
The Great Clans celebrate by rejoicing in the year’s harvest, throwing parties where they eat up the remaining food supplies together.
So, how about in the Magic Empire?
The festival in the Magic Empire, which boasts the most advanced technological development on the continent thanks to magic, is filled with all sorts of wondrous sights, and it’s considered the most popular out of the three representative festivals.
Of course, I was aware of that fact…
“But I didn’t expect to see something this amazing.”
I was pedaling hard with my feet to keep the bicycle, which Lily and I were riding, moving.
And this bicycle was surprisingly…
Riding through the sky.
“Wow…”
With the rise to a considerable height, the bustling downtown area where the festival was taking place came into full view. The noisy streets, shops adorned with beautiful lights, the people who appeared even smaller than ants from the high vantage point… even though the sun hadn’t set, the cityscape was dazzlingly illuminated.
Watching this made me wish I could see the night view as well.
What would it be like to watch the night view with Lily? Of course, Lily would be even more beautiful than the night view…
“…Lily?”
Since the sky bicycles were available as both single or tandem models naturally, we had opted for the tandem one. Thus, there were two pedals. Initially, Lily was also pedaling enthusiastically with her feet, but…
“Hmm?”
Turning around, I saw Lily sitting back and relaxing. The pedals were somehow turning on their own.
I was dumbfounded at the scene until Lily gave a sheepish smile.
“I’m tired.”
Well, if Lily is tired, nothing else matters.
The smooth and slender legs beneath her fluttering dress, occasionally moved by the wind, showed signs of fatigue—resting would be appropriate, hmm.
While I gazed at my own legs, Lily snapped her fingers, and my pedals began to move on their own too.
“Isn’t this hard to call a bicycle anymore?”
Nonetheless, with my legs now at rest, I could comfortably enjoy the view of the city.
“What a good decision it was to ride this. I wonder how such a flying bicycle was created?”
It couldn’t be flight magic.
That would be outrageously inefficient and far too costly. Using that kind of magic for a bicycle like this would be extravagant nonsense. Thus, Lily looked slightly troubled and said:
“Um… well, this is slightly disappointing, but… do you still want to know?”
“Yes, please tell me.”
I can’t resist curiosity.
“This bicycle, in fact, isn’t flying.”
“Huh? What do you mean…?”
Looking around immediately, there was nothing around us except the tallest tower of the royal palace in the capital. Moreover, there was nothing beneath the bicycle.
And yet, the wheels were rolling…
“Hmm? Now that you mention it, why are there wheels at all?”
If it truly flew, there wouldn’t be a need for wheels. Additionally, flying magic is highly affected by weight; such an inefficient design couldn’t function.
I thought for a while and soon came to a realization.
“The presence of wheels indicates the existence of ground, so right now we are…”
“Riding along an invisible rail.”
“Of course.”
Understanding the truth left an odd sensation…
“Is this a letdown?”
Lily accurately guessed my feelings.
“Yes, it is a bit disappointing.”
After all, if actual flight magic were involved, this bicycle would only be accessible to the royal family.
“So, we’re riding along a set rail right now?”
“Yes, it may seem free with all the branching paths, but ultimately, the start and end points are the same.”
Really, they could have just called it a “sky-running” bicycle rather than a “sky-flying” one. And after paying such an expensive price, is this not a scam?
‘Nevertheless… it is pretty.’
That much has to be acknowledged.
As I looked down below, Lily tapped my shoulder.
Just as I turned to look at her…
Puck
Our lips met right there.
Lily smiled sweetly, and her lips lingered on my cheek before wrapping her arms around my neck.
“We still have some time before we land.”
Lily trailed off and looked meaningfully at my lips.
She really was an irresistible outsider.
I slowly leaned in as Lily gently closed her eyes. Just as our lips were about to meet, I slightly adjusted the direction and gave a kiss on her cheek.
Puck
“That’s my revenge.”
“You… uhh…”
Immediately after, we shared a kiss.
That way, we kept exchanging breaths until moments before the bicycle descended.
—
After stepping off the bicycle and strolling through the streets, I occasionally felt the gazes of others.
This was due to the slightly weaker disguise magic I’d cast this time.
Lily insisted on wanting to flaunt her impeccably dressed self and me. Since if the magic were completely removed, our date might not proceed at all, we compromised on this slightly weaker setting.
This degree of attention was bearable enough.
We walked around and enjoyed various wonders.
Strange items from the East, the latest magic tools, and thrilling rides like the sky bicycle we’d just taken.
I understood why it was so popular—there were things I’d never seen before despite living in the Magic Empire all my life.
Foreigners wouldn’t be able to resist being dazzled.
While we continued our enjoyable sightseeing, the gurgle from my stomach prompted us to decide on having a meal.
“Where should we eat? Shall we go back to the nearby park?”
“Hmm… It’ll probably be crowded there…”
It was evening now. People who’d brought their own boxed lunches weren’t the only ones. Most people would head to the park.
So I whispered to Lily,
“Shall we go somewhere quieter?”
“…Quieter?”
Lily’s face curiously turned slightly red, but I assumed it was due to the lighting, dismissing it.
“This way.”
I made my way through the crowd and slipped off the main street. With everyone out on the streets, the residential area was eerily quiet.
A bit further, we arrived at a park smaller than the one we’d visited before.
This place, away from the festival grounds, wasn’t crowded with many people.
“Wow~ Is there such a place here?”
“Yes, it’s where I often come.”
It was a place I retreated to during times of exhaustion from studying and bullying.
Nestled between civilian residential areas, the surrounding buildings weren’t excessively tall. As a result, this was a prime spot to see the beautiful sunset.
Sitting on a park bench, we opened the boxed lunch.
“Wow~”
A magnificent lunch presentation filled with wonder—grilled chicken, fried old-school wings, white rice, and… something slightly reddish.
“…Lily, isn’t this the same thing as before?”
“Yes, but this time I’ve significantly reduced the spiciness. It’ll be delicious.”
I hesitated, recalling a painful memory.
“A~”
Lily then poured the red item over the rice and offered it to me. Resisting was impossible.
After putting the spoonful into my mouth…
“…?!”
My eyes widened.
“…Huh? This tastes like this?”
“How is it?”
“Extremely delicious!”
“Right?”
Lily then placed a bit of the red condiment on the chicken and handed it to me. Upon tasting it, I couldn’t help but marvel.
“Huh, it’s incredibly delicious.”
Having been too spicy last time, I hadn’t recognized the combination of crunchy yet tangy and savory flavors that made it so delectable.
“What’s this called?”
“This? It’s called ‘Kimchi,’ which I learned from another dimension.”
“Kim… Chi?”
“Kimchi.”
“Ki-moo… It’s hard to pronounce.”
“Anyway, I’m glad you find it delicious.”
Lily continued offering bite-sized portions, and I gladly accepted them. In between bites, Lily would instead offer her lips, and I happily kissed her back.
Our happy meal was a harmonious cycle of eating and kissing, Lily smiling sweetly afterward.
After finishing our meal, we sipped on a honeyed wine Lily conjured up, watching as the sunset was setting. Quite a late sunset for winter.
The reddish twilight reflected off the falling snowflakes, shimmering beautifully.
Lost in the stunning sight, I turned my gaze toward Lily. I felt my breath catch.
Drenched in the sunset’s glow, Lily’s profile turned rosy, her glimmering eyes more beautiful than ever, and I absentmindedly murmured under my breath…
“…Pretty.”
“Hmm?”
As Lily turned her head to look at me, I resisted no longer and kissed her.
“Hmm…”
Lily initially seemed surprised but soon reciprocated the kiss gracefully.
“Hmph… Why so suddenly?”
“…Because you’re too pretty…”
“Hmm~ You’re giving a lot of compliments today.”
I felt my heart racing.
‘Now? Is this the moment?’
With the perfectly quiet surroundings, the pleasant ambiance, and the stunning environment—there could be no better moment.
The ring was surely in my inner pocket.
Shall I…
I slowly raised my hand and reached into my inner pocket…
…and pulled out the case…
…only to find…
??
“Huh?”
“What…?”
I frantically patted my chest.
Then I checked my pants pocket.
“Did I somehow not take it when I changed clothes?”
“No…I clearly brought it along. Then…”
My heart sank.
My hands and feet trembled, and my vision blurred.
“Uh…”
I slowly raised my hand to cover my face and muttered under my breath:
“…Shit.”
There were still six hours before midnight.
I’d lost the ring.
