Chapter Fifty-One: Cotton Candy

"Qiong... Are you ready yet?" Standing at the doorway to Qiong's room, Aoki Tsukasa glanced helplessly at the time displayed on his phone.

He had asked Qiong to start getting ready shortly after two in the afternoon, yet it was now nearly three, and still she hadn't emerged. He wondered what preparations she could possibly be making in there.

"...Almost." Qiong's cold voice drifted from within.

Aoki Tsukasa sighed, prepared to return to his own room for a bit of reading. But before he could turn away, Qiong's door swung open with a soft snap.

Qiong appeared, dressed in a white, long-sleeved floral dress. Her silver hair was tied into adorable twin ponytails, highlighted by black lace ribbons. Beneath the hem, her straight, slender legs were wrapped in white tights, and her face, pure and exquisite, shone like a little angel.

Aoki Tsukasa couldn't help but praise her, "Qiong... You're truly beautiful!"

Qiong pursed her lips. Though her expression didn’t change much, the corners of her mouth curled ever so slightly in a barely noticeable smile.

"Well then... Shall we be off?" Aoki Tsukasa wanted to ruffle her hair, but, not wishing to ruin her carefully styled look, he let his hand fall and smiled, nodding at her. "Is there anywhere you’d especially like to go this afternoon?"

Qiong lowered her head, following him step by step down the stairs. She sat by the entryway to slip on her little black leather shoes, thinking for a long moment before replying softly, "No."

Aoki Tsukasa smiled wryly, put on his somewhat worn sneakers, stood up, and said gently, "Then I'll plan out the afternoon for us."

"Mm." Qiong watched as Aoki Tsukasa opened the door, followed him, drew a deep breath, and stepped outside.

The sunlight beyond the door... was dazzling.

Qiong squinted, her fair skin catching the light, making her look like a delicate porcelain doll. She could no longer recall the last time she had willingly gone out.

A bit anxious, she clasped her hands behind her back, staying close to Aoki Tsukasa, her large, watery eyes nervously glancing at the passersby.

Seeing her unease, Aoki Tsukasa sighed inwardly, and offered his hand to her with a gentle smile. "Qiong, you don't need to be afraid."

Qiong looked at his outstretched hand, paused, her gaze shifting in confusion, then shyly extended her own.

Aoki Tsukasa grasped her cool, delicate hand in his warm palm and led her slowly down the street.

Qiong remained silent, staring at her shoes, unknowingly matching her stride to Aoki Tsukasa’s.

"Taxi!" Aoki Tsukasa hailed a cab, opened the door for Qiong, and sat with her in the back seat. "To the entrance of the shopping mall downtown, please."

"Alright." The taxi driver glanced at the mismatched pair—a bald man and a frail girl—in the rearview mirror, and said nothing more.

Aoki Tsukasa didn’t mind the driver's wary look; he was used to it. He just smiled, watching Qiong’s peaceful profile as she gazed out the window, and made up his mind: today, he would make sure Qiong had a wonderful time.

But he still had no idea what she liked.

He patted his reasonably full wallet, determined not to hold back on spending today.

After a bumpy ride, the car finally stopped at their destination.

Paying the fare, Aoki Tsukasa got out first and once again offered his hand to Qiong.

Qiong eyed the bustling crowd at the shopping center, gripping Aoki Tsukasa’s hand tightly, her small face tense with unease.

Aoki Tsukasa spoke softly, "It’s alright, Qiong. Don’t be afraid. I’m here, so relax."

Qiong’s lips moved, but she said nothing. She simply bowed her head, clutching his hand so tightly that she nearly pressed herself against him.

Seeing her distress, Aoki Tsukasa felt a pang of sympathy.

But psychological wounds are not healed in a day. The fact that Qiong had chosen to leave her room today was already a considerable step.

All he could do was try to keep the mood lively. Pretending to be cheerful, he exclaimed, "Qiong, look over there!"

Qiong lifted her head. Not far away, two promoters in mascot costumes were distributing flyers, their antics charming the passing crowd.

"There’s a cart selling cotton candy over there. Qiong, do you want some?" Aoki Tsukasa pointed at a food cart near the noisy plaza, its colorful cotton candy on display, and glanced at her.

Qiong responded with a timid affirmative.

Aoki Tsukasa led her to the cart, smiling at the boisterous vendor before turning to Qiong, "What color would you like?"

Qiong looked at him, then pointed at the rainbow-colored cotton candy sample on the cart.

Aoki Tsukasa quickly told the vendor, "One rainbow cotton candy, please."

"Coming right up!" Perhaps because Aoki Tsukasa always wore a warm smile when with Qiong, the cotton candy vendor spoke familiarly, "Is this your little sister? She’s so adorable! Haha, I hope my daughter grows up to be as pretty as her."

Aoki Tsukasa squeezed Qiong’s hand and replied with a smile, "Yes, I must have done some good deeds in a past life to have such a lovely sister."

Qiong blushed faintly, leaning closer, nearly hiding behind him.

Watching this, the vendor sighed enviously, "If only my kids were as close as you two. My son won’t even take his sister out for a stroll, let alone fetch her snacks..."

"Your children are still young. I was the same at their age. When they grow up, they’ll understand the value of family. Don’t worry, it’ll get better." Aoki Tsukasa accepted the rainbow cotton candy and handed it to Qiong.

Qiong stared at the beautiful, cloud-like treat, unsure where to start. After hesitating, she took a small bite from the edge—so sweet it almost hurt her teeth.

"Tsukasa..." she called softly.

Aoki Tsukasa, having paid, looked down to find Qiong carefully holding the cotton candy up to him. "Tsukasa, you too..."

He bent down, smiling.

Hand in hand, the two shared bites of cotton candy as they wandered through the lively shopping plaza. With Aoki Tsukasa chatting away incessantly, Qiong gradually began to respond more and more.