Chapter Nine: The Halo of Dawn and the Unspoken Words

Time seemed to freeze in that instant.

I could clearly hear my own heart pounding like a drum, each beat heavy in the silent studio. Outside, the morning light, fresh after the rain, streamed in through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm, soft golden hue over the cold, industrial space. Tiny dust particles floated in the air, dancing lazily in the beams of light.

All my senses were focused on the lingering warmth on my cheek.

It was a kiss more dazzling than the fireworks of a summer festival, more intoxicating than the sweetest candied apple. Though it was as light as a feather and as fleeting as an illusion.

Xiaoya seemed to realize what she had done immediately. She let out a soft "Ah!" and released her grip as if she had been electrocuted, taking a step back. Her cheeks flushed red at an alarming speed, from her ears all the way to her neck, like a boiled shrimp.

"I...I didn't mean that...I was just...too excited..." she stammered, nervously rubbing her hands on her work pants, her eyes darting around anxiously, avoiding my gaze.

Seeing her adorably flustered expression, my brain, which had stalled due to shock, finally started working again. An irrepressible joy welled up inside me, like a hot spring bubbling and warming my entire body.

I laughed. Not a polite, courteous smile, but a genuine, uncontrollable, wide-eyed grin.

"I know." I heard my own voice, hoarse from not having slept all night, yet unusually gentle and firm.

I didn't press her for an answer, nor did I make fun of her. I simply gave her a way out with the simplest words, and we also shared a tacit understanding.

My calmness seemed to affect her as well. Xiaoya's panic gradually subsided, and although her cheeks were still flushed, she dared to raise her head and secretly glance at me out of the corner of her eye.

The atmosphere in the studio became somewhat subtle. In addition to the smell of resin and paint, there seemed to be a sweet scent in the air, carrying the warmth of the morning sun.

“Um…” she pointed to the perfectly repaired skull, trying to change the subject, “Thank you so much, Zhe. I really don’t know what I would have done without you.”

“We’re partners, aren’t we?” I looked at her, a smile in my eyes.

“Partner…” she repeated the word softly, her cheeks flushing even more.

We smiled at each other, everything understood without words.

The exhaustion from not sleeping all night finally washed over us like a tidal wave. We quickly tidied up the messy workbench and packed the precious skull into a specially made box.

"You...you should go back and rest," Xiaoya said with some heartache, looking at the dark circles under my eyes. "It's all my fault, I made you stay up all night with me."

“It’s okay,” I shook my head. “I’m happy to see it back to normal. It’s very rewarding.”

"Let's go, I'll see you out."

We walked out of the studio side by side. The morning air, carrying the unique freshness and coolness after the rain, rushed towards us, invigorating us. The entire creative park was still shrouded in tranquility, broken only by a few crisp birdsongs.

We walked on the wet stone path in silence, simply enjoying the tranquility that felt like surviving a disaster.

I stopped at the entrance of the park.

"Then I'm leaving."

"Mm." She nodded, but remained standing still.

The atmosphere became somewhat heavy again. I felt like I had so much to say, but I didn't know where to begin.

Finally, I mustered up my courage, looked into her eyes, and said earnestly, "Xiaoya."

"Um?"

"Next time... if you encounter any trouble again, no matter what it is, you can tell me immediately." I paused, then added, "I... will always be there for you."

This is the closest thing to a confession I can think of.

Xiaoya's eyes were slightly red. She nodded vigorously, her voice carrying a barely perceptible nasal tone: "Okay."

I turned around, ready to leave.

"Ah Zhe!" she called out to me from behind.

I turned around and saw her with her head down, her hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, as if she were making a major decision. After several seconds, she seemed to have made up her mind, and suddenly raised her head to look at me.

"Next week...next Saturday, my master...would like to invite you to dinner." She said quickly in one breath, "It's...it's to thank you for your help this time...I...I'll go too."

"Invite me to dinner?"

"Yes! She said she wants to formally... meet her 'dream fulfiller'." Xiaoya's eyes were full of anticipation.

My heart was filled with joy. This was undoubtedly a positive sign.

"Okay," I agreed without hesitation.

After receiving my affirmative answer, Xiaoya finally showed a bright smile of relief.

"Then it's settled! I'll contact you again later!"

She waved vigorously at me, then turned around and skipped back to the studio like a happy little bird.

I stood there, watching her figure disappear behind the iron gate, a silly smile still lingering on my face. I raised my hand and gently touched the cheek she had just kissed; there, I could still feel a soft touch and a warm trace.

***

When I got home, I fell asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow.

I slept exceptionally well that night. In my dream, there were no terrified crowds in the mall, no shattered masks. There was only a girl in a pale purple yukata, smiling back at me amidst a sky full of dazzling fireworks.

When I woke up, it was already afternoon. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting dappled shadows on the floor.

I picked up my phone and saw that Xiaoya had sent me a WeChat message a few hours earlier.

Ya: "Ah Zhe, I successfully delivered the head to the client! He's extremely satisfied; he can't tell there's any trace of repair work at all! [Sprinkling flowers][Sprinkling flowers]"

Ya: "This is all thanks to you! [Sending you a little heart]"

Ya: "Are you home yet? Remember to rest well and don't skip meals!"

Looking at her words, which were full of concern and joy, the corners of my mouth unconsciously turned up.

I replied, "That's good. I just woke up and am about to go find something to eat. What about you? Are you done with your work?"

He replied almost instantly.

Ya: "Yeah! I'm on the bus back to school now. Today was...like a dream."

Me: "Yes, it feels like a dream."

We chatted for a few more minutes, then she said she had arrived at her stop and ended the conversation.

I got out of bed, walked to the wardrobe, and opened the long-forgotten bag containing "Sakurajima Mai".

I took out the "parts" one by one. The black bunny girl outfit, the deadly high heels, the flesh-colored Kigurumi leather... they lay there quietly, as if waiting for something.

My gaze finally fell on the empty cushion that was specifically used to place the skull.

I suddenly realized that it shouldn't be empty anymore.

I picked up my phone and opened a QQ group I hadn't opened in a long time—the Kig enthusiast group that had once encouraged me and witnessed my "social ****".

The group chat was still lively, with everyone discussing the latest equipment and technology.

I took a deep breath and typed a line.

Ah Zhe: "Everyone, I'd like to... customize a new skull."