Chapter Thirty-Five: Waltz in the

Back in a military camp in Israel, Narukawa lay alone on a deck chair, letting the sea breeze wash over him.

“Did I make a mistake? Everyone’s so cautious, but all I wanted was to end this war that never should have happened as quickly as possible!”

“Ugh, so frustrating!” Narukawa suddenly sat up, grabbed the drink beside him, and downed it. Then, with a sigh, he slumped back into the chair in defeat.

“Hey, hey! That was my drink! How can you just take it without asking?” Wenxin feigned a pouty anger as she scolded him. “And to think I even changed into a new swimsuit just to cheer you up!”

Narukawa glanced at Wenxin indifferently. “Heh, no matter how you dress up a runway, it’s still just a runway.”

Humiliated, Wenxin grew furious. She jumped straight into the water, sending up a spray of droplets.

“Ah! You still have the mood to play in the water! Hey—” Suddenly, a wave splashed over Narukawa, jerking him awake and making him leap from the chair.

“Wenxin!” Narukawa shouted angrily.

“That’s what you get for insulting me and drinking my drink. Go get me another, and change into swim trunks—come swim with me!”

“Fine, fine, you win. I’ll go get it for you!” Narukawa turned back to the room, prepared the drink, and returned.

But after setting the drink down, he promptly lay back on the chair and dozed off again.

“Narukawa, why are you lying there again? Come swim with me!”

“Don’t bother me, I’m contemplating life.”

“How can you be like this? Let me help wake you up!” Wenxin said mischievously, “Don’t splash me again! Hey, what are you doing? Ah!” Suddenly, Wenxin emerged from the water, grabbed Narukawa, and pulled him in.

Narukawa sputtered, coughing. “What are you doing, Wenxin? Now I’m drenched!”

“I’m waking you up! You looked so listless—I have another method, too!”

“Awake? Uh—” All at once, Wenxin pressed Narukawa beneath the water, holding him close, greedily savoring a kiss.

Narukawa, still dazed from the abruptness, didn’t react at first. Gradually, however, he wrapped his arms around Wenxin.

“Ah! I’m suffocating, it’s so uncomfortable!”

“If you’re uncomfortable, why do you enjoy it so much? No regrets afterwards, you hear?”

“Narukawa, you…”

“Alright, Tianlong, your real debut isn’t until several hundred chapters later. Rest up for now!”

“Are you two practicing fancy kissing? I’m honestly jealous!” Suddenly, laughter rang out from the neighboring room.

“Joey? Why are you staying here?”

“Why? Is that a problem? Looks like you two are more than just friends, huh!” Narukawa hesitated, but Wenxin replied, “Just figuring it out now? Isn’t your situation with Enert much the same?”

“Not at all! You think Enert has high emotional intelligence? I’ve confessed multiple times, and he’s never responded!”

“He probably knows, though, right? Maybe he has his own reasons—just as I do…” Narukawa stopped, his gaze growing grave.

Joey, though an outsider, sensed that there was a barrier between Narukawa and Wenxin—a mutual secrecy, as if both were hiding something unspeakable from each other.

“Narukawa! Come out, I’m challenging you to a duel!” Suddenly, Colt’s voice echoed from outside the door.

“What an infuriating guy! You girls keep chatting. If you want, I can try probing Enert for you, but first I need to deal with this annoying fellow…”

— Side Note —

October 1st, holiday time again, and it’s time to collect another big bundle of homework!

Why am I updating this novel when I already announced its hiatus? I just happened to write a bit at school, so, if possible, “Mecha Dynasty” might resume updates!