Meeting Ella
On a late autumn night, moonlight spilled like water onto the tree-lined paths of Yumenosaki Academy. Xinyu and Yingzhi, hand in hand, had just finished rehearsing in the music room. Yingzhi's light blue shirt shimmered softly in the moonlight, while Xinyu clutched the creases of his cuff tightly—this intimate physical contact had become the norm between them ever since Yingzhi discovered her secret as a time traveler.
"I heard there's a moonlight concert on the ginkgo avenue behind the mountain tonight, shall we go?" Yingzhi suddenly suggested, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. Xinyu was about to nod when she heard a clear laugh coming from ahead. A girl in a silver dress was standing under a ginkgo tree, the moonlight shining on her as if she were draped in a silver veil.
"It's Aila!" Yingzhi's voice suddenly softened. "She always comes to school on the night of the full moon."
Xin Yu followed his gaze and noticed that the girl called "senior" had a head of silver hair as smooth as moonlight.
After speaking, she disappeared into the moonlight, leaving the two of them staring at each other in bewilderment. Xinyu's fingertips unconsciously traced the maple leaf necklace.
That evening, while searching for information in Yingzhi's dormitory, Xinyu suddenly discovered a yellowed map of the starry sky.
"This map seems to have clues that lead me back, but there's no need," Xin Yu thought to herself.
It's still more reassuring to stay here; there aren't so many people outside.
The starry sky of that concert night flashed through Xin Yu's mind, and she suddenly realized that her senior might have been observing them from the very beginning. The maple leaf necklace that Ying Zhi had given her now shimmered with an eerie luster under the moonlight, as if echoing the legend of Hoshino.
"We need to be careful." Yingzhi put the map away, his gaze firm. "Whatever Aila is looking for, I will protect you." He gently kissed Xinyu's forehead, his gesture tender yet carrying an undeniable resolve.
Outside the window, the moon gradually rose higher, casting a silvery light. Xin Yu knew that beneath the peaceful campus life at Yumenosaki lurked dangers they had never imagined. And Aila's appearance was like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating ripples.
The next morning, Xinyu ran into Aila again on campus.
"What are you looking for?" Ella asked softly, a hint of barely perceptible expectation in her voice.
Xinyu hesitated for a moment, but finally decided to be honest: "We are looking for our way home."
Just then, Yingzhi rushed over. He saw Aila and Xinyu standing together, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. But quickly, he regained his composure and walked to Xinyu's side: "No matter what happens, we'll face it together."
Aila looked at them, a hint of envy flashing in her eyes: "How wonderful, to have someone willing to give up everything for you." She turned to leave, but then suddenly turned back, "Meet me on the night of the full moon, behind the mountain. Then, I will tell you everything about Hoshino and the Moon Spirit."
After saying that, she disappeared into the morning light, leaving the two of them standing there. Xinyu held Yingzhi's hand tightly. She knew that the road ahead would not be smooth, but as long as she was with him, she would have the courage to face anything.
Their story continues to unfold at Yumenosaki's school. From their initial encounter to facing challenges together, each challenge deepens their bond. Aira's arrival acts like a mirror, reflecting their deepest desires and fears.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com