CHAPTER 119: CH 119: THE VISIT - PART 3

The soft light of dusk filtered through the temple windows, painting the marble floors in gentle shades of gold and rose.

High Priestess Jenna sat at her desk, her posture composed, her expression carefully serene—but inside, her thoughts churned.

She had stalled as much as she could.

She had found every excuse to keep Kana by her side—offering her tea, inviting her into idle conversation, even suggesting they walk the temple gardens together—but there was only so long she could stretch this fragile moment.

Kana sat across from her, legs swinging lightly, a faint smile on her lips.

She seemed unaware of Jenna’s internal struggle, but Jenna knew she couldn’t delay this any longer. Finally, she sighed softly and looked at Kana with eyes full of quiet worry.

"Kana, it’s time you head home. But... please, be careful in the future."

Jenna began, her voice steady despite the weight behind it.

Kana tilted her head, sensing the unspoken tension, and smiled gently.

"I will. And I’ll try to visit as much as I can. But... I can’t promise anything."

She said honestly, though she hesitated before adding.

Jenna forced a small smile and nodded, hiding the slight sting those words carried.

"That’s all I ask."

Evaya, who had been standing silently by the doorway, stepped forward and gestured toward the exit.

"I’ll accompany you home."

She said simply.

Kana rose to her feet, bowing politely to Jenna one last time before leaving the quiet chamber.

Outside, the air was cooler, and the path back home felt strangely longer than usual.

The walk was mostly silent, though Evaya occasionally glanced at Kana from the corner of her eye.

She didn’t say much, but her subtle watchfulness didn’t escape Kana’s notice.

When they finally arrived, Kana’s front door swung open, and Lysera stepped out, her expression tense the moment she spotted Evaya.

"You should at least inform me beforehand if you’re going to take Kana to the temple."

Lysera said sharply, folding her arms.

Evaya met her gaze evenly, unbothered by her tone.

"You need to stop being so protective of a grown woman like Kana. If you keep this up, she’ll never be able to breathe freely."

Lysera’s jaw tightened, ready to snap back, but before she could unleash a tirade, Kana quickly stepped between them, hands raised in a calming gesture.

"Lysera, it’s fine. Really."

Kana said softly, forcing a small smile.

The tension lingered for a moment longer, but Kana’s intervention worked well enough to keep it from boiling over.

With one last sharp look, Evaya turned and left without another word.

Irielle, who had been watching from the doorway, hooked her arm around Kana and pulled her inside, deliberately changing the subject.

"Kanaaa, come in already! I bought so much stuff for your vacation, you won’t believe it!"

Kana blinked in surprise, letting herself be dragged inside as Lysera followed behind them, still visibly annoyed but choosing not to argue further.

The rest of the evening was filled with chatter and laughter as Irielle proudly displayed the new clothes, accessories, and items she had picked out for Kana’s trip.

Even Lysera eventually softened, adding her own suggestions for what Kana should do to relax.

The three spent hours talking about potential plans, imagining sunsets over distant waters, and Kana couldn’t help but feel the bubbling excitement for what lay ahead.

Days passed quickly in this cheerful haze until, at last, the morning of Kana’s departure arrived.

She packed her bags carefully, double-checking everything while Lysera and Irielle fussed over last-minute details.

When they finally reached the docks, the salty breeze carried the sound of waves gently crashing against the wooden pier.

Waiting there was the modest cruise boat that would take Kana to her vacation destination.

Kana turned to her two companions, who were both visibly reluctant to let her go.

Smiling reassuringly, she waved and stepped aboard, her heart beating with both anticipation and a faint, inexplicable unease.

The boat’s horn sounded softly, and as it began to drift away from the pier, Kana watched Lysera and Irielle grow smaller in the distance, lifting her hand one last time in farewell.

Her vacation had begun. But something deep within whispered that peace rarely lasted long.

______

Kana leaned against the railing, her eyes sparkling as the breeze carried the salty scent of the sea.

The gentle sway of the boat and the distant cries of seagulls filled her with anticipation, her thoughts already racing ahead to warm sands, soft waves, and days of blissful relaxation.

It wasn’t until much later that she noticed something odd.

The deck was strangely quiet. Aside from a handful of scattered passengers, there were no lively groups, no families laughing, no crowds bustling about as she had expected.

Everyone seemed detached, moving with purpose toward their own cabins or seated quietly, as though they weren’t heading to the same place at all.

Kana frowned slightly, scanning the scene around her. Before she could dwell on it, a uniformed worker approached, clipboard in hand.

"Excuse me, miss, just confirming—what’s your destination?"

He said politely.

"Ah, I’m heading to Happy Summer Memories Resort."

Kana smiled, handing him her ticket.

The worker blinked, frozen for a moment before his brows furrowed in confusion.

"...Happy Summer Memories? Wait, did they reopen that place?"

He repeated slowly.

Kana tilted her head.

"...Reopen?"

"Yeah. Last I heard, that place was haunted... and shut down for repairs after several incidents."

The worker said, lowering his voice slightly.

Her smile stiffened. A small chill ran down Kana’s spine, her excitement faltering. She hesitated, glancing back toward the pier now far behind them.

Turning back wasn’t an option anymore—not without drawing attention, not without answers.

She forced herself to relax, but unease prickled beneath her skin.

Maybe it was nothing.

Maybe it was a misunderstanding.

...Or maybe she was sailing straight into danger.

Kana gripped the railing a little tighter, her knuckles pale as the ocean breeze brushed past her.

She glanced around at the quiet, sparse passengers again, an unsettling weight settling in her chest. Something wasn’t right about this trip.

Still, with the boat already moving, she had no choice but to continue forward.