An Unexpected Ascent

Kaguya observed the countdown, which had reset from seven days to twelve, and nodded subtly, a satisfied expression gracing her features.

‘This will serve as compensation for the trouble of saving this young lady!’ she mused. ‘Twelve days is a rather generous amount of time; I can slowly replenish it from Miss Shen later.’

Stealing another glance at Shen Jingyi, whose eyes were tightly shut and lashes quivering, Kaguya’s lips curved into a knowing smile.

‘As expected, the usually aloof Shen Jingyi absolutely cannot tolerate such intimate actions in public,’ she thought.

“Hah, since Teacher Shen says she doesn’t want to do this… I suppose I’ll reluctantly agree.”

“However, Teacher Shen now owes me two favors, you know~”

Kaguya gently released her hands from around Shen Jingyi’s waist.

She then tilted her head, giving the girl before her a playful peek of her tongue.

As the delicate girl released her embrace, Shen Jingyi’s ragged breathing finally began to calm, and the flush on her cheeks gradually receded, returning to their usual fair, unblemished complexion.

Yet, what was difficult to admit was that her legs still trembled slightly, and a soft, powerless sensation lingered around her.

For some inexplicable reason, a faint trace of regret welled up in Shen Jingyi’s heart—though she would never, ever admit it to herself.

However, upon hearing the girl’s teasing words, Shen Jingyi’s heart was once again seized by a subtle apprehension.

‘Owing a favor to Miss Bai is unsettling, no matter how I think about it. What if this person takes the opportunity to make even more outrageous and unspeakable demands?’ she worried.

‘For instance…’

Whatever Shen Jingyi had imagined, the flush that had previously receded quietly crept back onto her cheeks.

‘Yet, while this person typically acted like a self-indulgent rich young miss, at times she could be remarkably mature, and then, inexplicably, she would throw a tantrum like a child.’

Despite her youth, Shen Jingyi, who had experienced her share of life’s ups and downs, simply could not fathom what Miss Bai was truly thinking.

Shen Jingyi’s gaze, tinged with a hint of confusion, fell upon Kaguya, who was now perched on the edge of the rooftop, one leg crossed over the other.

“Hehe, speaking of which, as a good student, Teacher Shen probably hasn’t experienced the feeling of flying, have you?”

Her index finger tapped her chin, a sly smile spreading across her face as she extended her other hand towards Shen Jingyi.

“It’s no fun just staying here. Come on, I’ll take you to experience something thrilling!”

Shen Jingyi lowered her gaze, staring intently at Kaguya’s outstretched hand, and instinctively replied, “…I fly often.”

“If my luck is bad, I have to fly every day.”

This emotionally unintelligent reply made Kaguya wrinkle her small nose, a look of exasperated disappointment etched across her face.

“Oh, that’s not what I meant at all!”

“Don’t talk, just come with me!”

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the last sliver of golden light in the sky illuminated the girl’s back, outlining her delicate features.

Her face, bathed in a golden halo, unexpectedly exuded an indescribable vivacity and cheerfulness.

It was like… a girl in class who loved makeup and dressing up, never paid attention, and enjoyed gossip, but if you became her friend, you’d discover she was surprisingly interesting.

Strangely enough, whenever Miss Bai’s name was mentioned, most people in Wangdu would describe her as young, yet eccentric, self-willed, and possessing a myriad of tormenting tricks.

Yet now… after only a few days of interaction, Shen Jingyi found that her opinion of Kaguya was constantly shifting.

‘Still, this person hasn’t dispelled her transformation; does she simply want to take me… for a flight?’

‘Truly, that is so like Miss Bai.’

Noticing Shen Jingyi’s hesitation, Kaguya impatiently waved her small hand.

“Hey, hey, what’s wrong? Hurry up! Maintaining this transformation also requires magic!”

“Quick, quick! This is part of the agreement.”

Kaguya was indeed correct.

According to the agreement, Shen Jingyi was to obey all of Kaguya’s arrangements when outdoors.

It was clearly written in black and white, signed, and the debt repaid, leaving no room for Shen Jingyi to refuse.

“…”

The girl bit her lip, then slowly stepped forward, gently placing her small hand into Kaguya’s palm.

For some reason, Kaguya’s palm was remarkably cold, like a block of ice radiating chill.

That unusual temperature made Shen Jingyi’s fingertips involuntarily recoil.

‘But she said she’d take me flying… how exactly would she do that?’

‘After all, I’m a full head taller than this person.’

Just as Shen Jingyi’s mind was filled with doubt, Kaguya nodded contentedly, then wrapped her small arms around Shen Jingyi’s legs, effortlessly lifting her into a princess carry.

“Ah?”

Completely caught off guard, Shen Jingyi let out a soft cry and instinctively wrapped her arms around Kaguya’s neck.

Feeling the girl’s unique coolness and softness, she instinctively loosened her grip, but then her body lost balance.

She found herself in an awkward position, unsure whether to hold on or let go, and where to place her hands.

“Y-y-you, what are you doing? Put me down…”

Not to mention… being princess-carried by a seemingly petite girl like Kaguya only amplified the embarrassment.

“Didn’t I say I’d let Teacher Shen experience some real thrills? What’s there to be afraid of~”

At this moment, Kaguya’s tone finally matched her age, carrying her characteristic condescension and bluntness.

Although her lack of height made holding Shen Jingyi in such a manner seem somewhat peculiar, under the setting sun, the girl’s skirt billowed, and a few strands of loose hair brushed casually behind her head, emanating an indescribable sense of freedom and vitality.

“…”

Shen Jingyi bit her lip tightly, tentatively and slowly wrapping her arms around Kaguya’s fair neck.

Still, she maintained a significant distance, hesitant to truly press herself against her.

“If you fall like that later, I won’t be responsible, you know. Hold on tighter.”

Hearing this, Shen Jingyi only moved her hands forward a tiny bit, like a snail.

Kaguya was momentarily speechless.

“Can’t you move up a little more?”

‘What if she really falls? Wouldn’t I have to fly down and save her?’

Upon hearing her, Shen Jingyi’s delicate body stiffened slightly, but she still did not move her hands further up.

Sensing the girl’s stiffness, Kaguya let out a soft chuckle.

“What’s wrong, Teacher Shen? Are you shy?”

She said nothing more, merely shaking her head.

Then, with a soft “Heishoo,” her petite body steadily lifted Shen Jingyi, slowly rising from the ground.

With her feet leaving the ground, Shen Jingyi, experiencing this sensation for the first time without her transformation, trembled with fright and instinctively clung tightly to Kaguya.

Separated only by the thin black fabric of the skirt, the girl and Kaguya pressed tightly together.

The coolness seeped through the material, and Shen Jingyi could even feel the softness of Kaguya’s lower abdomen.

Yet, Kaguya was not as nonchalant as she appeared.

As the two pressed intimately together, she too could feel the softness of Shen Jingyi’s chest against her own.

Feeling the slick, gentle warmth slowly brush against her through their clothes, along with the unique warmth of the girl, a faint blush quietly crept onto her face.

“Hmph… Teacher Shen says she doesn’t want it, but her body is quite honest, isn’t it?”