My Instant Death Doomed Firefly to a Lifetime of Regret

[Age 18]

You've become a seasoned Molten Knight, routinely undertaking perilous missions alongside Liuying. Yet the Swarm's shadow looms unshakable over Gramr.

The illusion of peace lies in tatters. Citizens whisper unease, their faith in the knights crumbling like ash.

Another summer arrives—the seventh year since you and Liuying began sharing a life. Seven years to meet her. Seven more to walk beside her. The number feels fateful.

Familiar hands covered his eyes. Warm breath tickled his ear.

"3… 2… 1~"

"Happy birthday!"

Liuying released her grip. Eighteen flickering candles illuminated her glittering eyes.

"Stop staring! Make a wish!"

Candlelight danced across her flushed cheeks—shyness and sincerity intertwined.

"Thank you." An Ming knew gratitude was unnecessary, yet spoke it anyway. He closed his eyes.

Let me stay with Liuying. Forever.

Whoosh.

Darkness reclaimed the room, save for her luminous gaze and crescent-moon smile.

Lights flickered on. Liuying shoved a gift box into his face. "Congratulations, Adult An Ming!"

"Thought I'd always be your 'little guy'?"

"Hmm… But adults get to do grown-up things~" She tapped her lips, mischief sparkling.

An Ming broke into cold sweat. Which trashy novel taught her that phrase? The author deserves execution!

"Pfft—what're you imagining?" Liuying giggled. "Grown-up things like piloting the Molten Knight together!"

"Can it seat two?"

"…Probably not." Her pout deflated.

An Ming sliced her a berry-laden cake piece. "You've celebrated my birthdays all these years. When's yours?"

Her fork hesitated. "Didn't anyone teach you not to ask a lady's age?"

Firefly-bright eyes dimmed briefly. She fed him a strawberry. "I don't remember my birth. But I remember rebirth—the day I met you. That's when I… lived."

"Funny." He savored the fruit, gaze soft. "That's my rebirth too. Let's share that day."

"Mm!"

She lunged into his arms, tears held at bay.

Moonlight bathed their facing pillows.

"An Ming… What does 'like' mean?"

Blush painted Liuying's cheeks. Warmth enveloped her hand as he answered:

"Wanting to share cake. Memorizing your face before sleep. Holding your hand through life's road."

"That's 'like'."

Crimson flooded her face. "Cheater! That's a confession!"

Burying her face in his chest, she muffled: "Bully! You're teasing jie-jie!"

"Just honesty."

His arm circled her waist, igniting her cheeks nuclear.

"I… don't know if this is 'like'," she whispered.

Gene-Hacks weren't meant to feel. Yet she'd memorized his sleeping face. Guarded him with her body. Savored shared sweets.

"But I think…" Courage surged. She met his eyes—summer nights reflected in amber.

"I definitely like An Ming!"

Her hands twisted nervously behind her back.

He pulled her close, breathing in jasmine. "That stormy morning… When you descended like sunlight, I was reborn."

"Dummy!" Tears glimmered as she cupped his face. "You yelled 'Don't die!' You made me Liuying!"

That day—their shared genesis—remained etched in starlight.

She gave him life. He gave her a soul.