Lin Shuang left the square without hesitation and ran into Robin and her brother, Sunday, on the way.
"Lin Shuang, are you alright? I saw an explosion in the sky and someone falling…"
Robin didn't spell it out, but the meaning was clear.
Lin Shuang glanced back. Sparkle's flashy figure wasn't in sight—looked like she hadn't caught up.
She had no idea what their next encounter would bring.
"It was my first time dreaming, and I wasn't used to it, so I fell straight down. But in dreams, falling doesn't hurt much."
She scratched her head awkwardly as she spoke to Robin.
Robin let out a laugh, covering her mouth with a hand.
Sunday, beside her, gave a small, ambiguous look.
It was Lin Shuang's first time in the Asdana Galaxy, and the memories were still fresh. Her first dream, and she fell straight from the sky.
She didn't look like someone who could fight enemies—just a normal girl.
But still…
"Ms. Lin Shuang, can you explain the fireworks and explosions? That doesn't usually happen in dreams."
As the head of the Oak family, Sunday asked for a proper explanation.
"Well, after I fell asleep, I met a girl from The Tavern. She pulled out a bomb and asked me to guess which button to press."
Lin Shuang chuckled.
"Do I look like someone who guesses? I just pressed it. Then the button exploded—and boom, there were fireworks."
"…The Tavern is here too?"
Sunday frowned. He didn't question how the Masked Fool slipped in—the family's security could handle normal threats.
But Pathstriders with strange methods were another matter.
He then bowed politely to Lin Shuang.
"I apologize that your first dream experience as our guest turned out this way."
Lin Shuang wasn't used to Sunday's formal tone. Honestly, she preferred the relaxed air around Jing Yuan and Uncle Yang.
This level of courtesy made her stiff.
"No, it's fine. I think it's more fun this way. Dreams are supposed to be imaginative."
Lin Shuang had already started thinking about how to deal with Sparkle if they met again. That girl seemed like the type to tie a knot in someone's hair just for fun.
Considering how the Masked Fool enjoyed games, it wouldn't be surprising.
As for Sparkle's real intentions, Lin Shuang wasn't sure. The Tavern had a terrible reputation in the galaxy.
Mostly because they did anything for entertainment. Their sense of morality was personal at best.
Some playful ones, like Sampo, still had a bottom line.
Sparkle, though… she seemed like the type who'd blow up Penacony just to see what happened.
Even if the family had invited major factions to the Charmony Festival, The Tavern shouldn't have been on that list.
And the person behind the special invitations—who asked questions like "Why does life slumber"—probably didn't like groups like The Tavern either.
So Sparkle's reason for coming was unclear. Was it just for fun?
It wasn't out of the question.
Maybe next time, Lin Shuang could ask her. Sparkle might actually answer for the fun of it.
"Ms. Lin Shuang, you're quite open-minded."
Sunday turned to Robin.
"Robin, will you stay in Penacony for now or come back with me?"
Robin had been invited to sing at the Charmony Festival, and that came with responsibilities.
Even if her brother was Sunday.
But since she just returned, he figured she could rest for a bit.
"I'll walk around with Lin Shuang first. I'll return tomorrow."
Robin knew Lin Shuang had just arrived today. As a host and a friend, she had to stay with her.
"Very well. Miss Lin Shuang is your esteemed guest. Show her around. And… if you need to investigate anything, stay within your limits. If needed, use my name to borrow Bloodhound resources."
Sunday didn't seem like he was watching Lin Shuang or trying to test her.
Whatever he really thought didn't show on his face.
"Got it, brother. I'll be careful."
Robin answered earnestly. With Lin Shuang around, she felt much safer than investigating alone.
Sunday had duties, so he left.
Robin changed her clothes, hid her halo, and walked with Lin Shuang through the streets of Golden Hour, showing her around.
"Oh wow—it's been forever since I could walk freely like this."
After changing outfits, Robin looked much more relaxed.
Lin Shuang watched her stretch with both arms high in the air.
Because she stood on tiptoe, she almost lost her balance and had to lean against Lin Shuang's shoulder.
"You're a big star, but do fans chase after you here in Penacony too?"
As far as Lin Shuang could tell, no one had crowded Robin back in the square earlier.
"My albums sell well in Penacony. Not as crazy as elsewhere, but it's still noticeable. After all…"
Robin paused and pointed at a massive billboard in the sky.
A cosmetics commercial played there—and Robin was the face of it.
"My brother arranged a ton of ads for me… I just wish he'd ease up a little."
Robin sighed. Most visitors in Penacony were either rich or noble—celebrity ads weren't their thing.
Still, with Sunday's help and her family's investment, her name had spread far, even here.
"Ahaha~"
Lin Shuang burst into laughter, completely unfiltered.
…
After walking for a while, the two found a quiet park.
"By the way, Lin Shuang, where are you planning to start your investigation?"
After spending time together on various systems, Robin brought up business again.
"I have a lead, but I'm not sure it'll work. A Memokeeper gave it to me."
"Memokeeper… from the Garden of Recollection? They're here in Penacony too? I didn't think you'd made it that far already…"
Robin blinked in surprise. Lin Shuang had moved faster than expected.
Her first steps in Penacony, and she'd already met both the Masked Fool and the Garden of Recollection.
--+--