"Xi Xi... What's wrong with you?" Without warning, Merka put down the toiletries in her hand and came to Turing's side, gently touching his head.

"Huh? What's wrong with me..." Tears welled up in Turing's clear eyes, flowing down like sand in an hourglass, continuously dripping, never stopping.

"Run away? Why would I run away?"

"Even if I run away, where can I go?"

For the past two weeks, the fear and pressure that Turing had been trying to forget kept surfacing from his shattered heart, soaking through his whole being.

"In such a small shop, I probably won't get enough votes. It's nothing compared to what Raphael has sacrificed."

"But if I go back now, there will surely be endless training and punishment."

"I shouldn't have done this in the first place! I should have listened to Mom and let her handle everything. Maybe she has secretly helped me qualify for the competition..."

"But, but if that's the case..."

Silently holding Merka's warm hand, Turing took her hand off his head.

Turing's azure pupils circulated quietly like still water, sinking, and finally met Merka's black gem-like eyes.

"I feel like I will lose something."

"Aw, Xi Xi, don't cry." Merka clumsily searched through every pocket on her body, looking for a handkerchief to wipe Turing's tears.

After finding nothing, Merka started rummaging through the drawers on the table.

Unable to find anything, Merka awkwardly stood still, scratching her head helplessly. "I will be with you no matter what, so don't be sad, okay?"

"Merka..."

"But, if we really want to run away, maybe I'm not completely powerless..."

Unconsciously, Turing touched the pocket of his waiter's uniform and found the invitation letter delivered by Raphael's messenger.

"This time, you can't accompany me..." Turing sniffled, wiping away the tears with his hand. He took out the invitation letter and waved it in his hand. "This is a letter of invitation from Lady McNewdeau, inviting me to play the piano at the banquet. It's probably because of Miss Gordon's recommendation last time."

Turing said, "Only I was invited."

"I have to go, leave this place, and try to go somewhere farther away." Turing's expression had already returned to normal, his demeanor calm.

"Is it farther than from Red Port to Kroth?" Merka asked, struggling to squeeze out the weak question.

"Ah... Merka. Red Port is not far, the Central City is not far, even Mr. McNewdeau's mansion is not far enough."

"I will come back soon," Turing said, with lowered eyelids.

"Well, at least let me pick you up. No matter how late the banquet lasts, I will come get you," Merka said.

"Uh..." The uncertain reply made the night of the two feel even lonelier.

Dada, dada

The sound of Van Gogh's horseshoes, the two of them together again.

Merka rode Joseph and carried Turing, heading towards the train station in Three Mountains Street.

Only two weeks remained until the Smoke Blossom Festival competition, and now was the climax of the festive atmosphere.

Today was supposed to be an ordinary day for the people of Acadia, a day for singing and laughter. But Merka couldn't rescue herself from the gloomy mood.

An extreme sense of oppression and lack of freedom choked every nerve in Merka that could feel happiness, causing him to furrow his brow over and over again, then relax it.

"Relax... Merka." Turing sat in the back seat of Joseph, hugging Merka from behind, and reached out to pinch the flesh on Merka's belly."I'll wait for you at the station, no matter when you come back." Merka turned back and looked at Turing, her seemingly lifeless eyes more convincing than any promise.

【It's that feeling again... like the fluctuation of magic, sour and strange.】

A strange palpitation occupied Turing's heart, continuously impacting him with a value system of love that he couldn't quite explain to her.

【Is this what it feels like to like someone?】

Finally, the two arrived at the station.

Turing lifted the invitation letter and confirmed once again, "But I didn't expect the banquet to be held in the city center of Red Port."

"Okay, I'm leaving." Turing and Merka waved goodbye to each other and separated in the crowd's shuffle.

—————————————————————

Life is a fate.

Even if you hide or escape, what is meant to happen will eventually happen.

"Hello, Miss Sisyphus?" The well-mannered and gentlemanly receptionist saw Turing and approached her before Turing even took out the invitation.

Turing was currently wearing formal attire borrowed from the Ccephemani Hotel. However, such attire was clearly insufficient for the magnificent banquet hall.

"We have prepared clothes that are more suitable for the festive atmosphere and more befitting your beauty. Please follow me."

The Mr. Receptionist neither underestimated Turing due to her young age nor used inappropriate language. His actions were filled with the refined etiquette of the McNewthorpe family.

And such excellent attendants, there were at least thirty or forty people still standing in the entrance hall alone.

【Normally, I don't show up among the common people much, so it shouldn't be easy to recognize me.】

【The crown is hidden well, too.】 Turing touched the crown hidden under her sleeve.

【Let's meet Raphael without leaking any information.】

Passing through the folding screen in the hall, Turing ascended the carpeted steps, and two rows of bright aisles were displayed in front of her.

Silver statues, flower vases, and a magnificent golden bridge-like corridor extended all the way to Turing's front, resembling a temple.

The waterfall-like spectacular chandeliers and the smooth handrails resembling water columns, although not much time had passed, made Turing familiar and nostalgic.

"Okay, the clothes are in this cabinet. Find a formal dress that fits you." The receptionist placed a key in Turing's hand and said.

"Oh, okay." Turing agreed.

After the receptionist left, Turing didn't immediately change clothes. The torment of her long-standing identity had made her develop a strong sense of caution.

Turing searched left and right, using magic to detect whether there were any voyeuristic spells or related magical props in the room.

After a while, Turing suddenly felt ridiculous.

【Didn't my mother cast the backdrop spell on me? Even if someone peeks, they won't be able to tell that I'm a boy.】

So, does it become acceptable to be peeked at as a girl? Turing's cute idea would probably make others burst into laughter.

【Let's go find Raphael.】

Turing looked dashing in her formal attire, with the long tails of a lady's coat almost dragging on the ground on her petite figure.

Turing pushed open the door of the dressing room and walked out.

"Ah? Why is it you?" Raphaël exclaimed.

Fatefully, a young man with a half mask followed Raphaël, appearing in front of Turing, as if he was listening to Raphaël's instructions.