Story Reader / Event Story / Magpie's Fortune / Story
Hff...
This should be good.
You meet Echo by the park's artificial lake, where Echo straightens her rain boots before cautiously stepping onto a small wooden boat.
Now it's your turn, Commandant.
Waiiit!
The boat lurches, and Echo's expression flashes with panic. She scrambles to steady the rocking vessel.
You've been as cautious as you can, but you notice Echo is still gripping the edge of the boat tightly.
It's evening when you receive Echo's message and make your way to the lakeside.
Even though it's already late, on a day like today—this festival has only just begun.
Small, scattered boats glide across the lake.
Echo is here, waiting patiently. From a distance, she seems to be writing in a small notebook.
Commandant! Over here!
She lifts her gaze and locks eyes with you. The tension on her face fades in an instant.
Good evening, Commandant.
Long time no see.
She turns around to look at the boat behind her.
Even though it's not my first time attending an event like this, I'm still picking up plenty of new knowledge and local customs today.
But... this time, I've found something I really want to do with you, Commandant.
Maybe it fits the Double Seventh Festival theme better... spending time with someone who matters?
Echo explains this with a solemn air.
Echo nods and, looking a little shy, starts to speak.
I may know the basics of rowing, but I'm still a long way from mastering it.
Plus, the instructions in the survival manual aren't exactly clear, so I'd like to learn from you, Commandant.
...
You take hold of the oar, and the armor—absent a moment ago—shows up and gently nudges the boat away from the shore, easing Echo's earlier nervousness.
Good. That's the first step... then...
Echo hunches over her notebook, writing and sketching at lightning speed.
You slow your motions as much as you can, breaking down every paddle stroke into careful, deliberate steps.
Hmm?
You look Echo in the eye, noticing the spark of curiosity gleaming there.
Huh? Right now?
Echo's hand automatically tightens around the edge of the boat again.
Experience it firsthand...
At last, the young Construct musters the courage to grab an oar from the boat's hold.
I'll give it my all!
Echo, eyes fixed with determination, quietly repeats the notes she just recorded and dips the oar into the water, while you help her keep the boat steady.
The boat drifts forward under her careful strokes. It's obvious she hasn't quite found the right rhythm yet, so the progress stays slow and steady.
I did it! ...Ahem.
Echo can't help letting out a quick gasp of joy, then immediately pulls herself together.
Somehow, the small boat has already reached the center of the lake. It's not a full-moon night, but the stars glow brightly, making it feel like you're sailing through a cosmic sea.
These stars... they're so beautiful...
This feeling... Please hold on a second!
Echo takes a finely crafted notebook out of her pocket and sets it on her lap. She flips to a blank page and starts scribbling furiously.
It's just a sudden rush of inspiration... I haven't polished it yet.
Echo doesn't recite her poem right away like she used to. Instead, she hands the notebook over to you.
P-please... don't make it too loud...
This night isn't the moon's birthday,
Like what we imagined.
We're stumbling as we go,
I hope you also pick up a bit of this dirt.
We nurture the heart that grows from the soil.
Reunion
All we can do,
Is give the sun its own light once more.
Or maybe shape a river from the moon's soft glow.
Return our feelings,
In love's purest form...
A sudden undercurrent rocks the small boat, snapping both of you out of your daydream.
Water sprays in all directions as the Construct girl instinctively topples right into your arms.
