Lin Yun knew then that she probably lost interest in the conversation.
Having been friends and teammates for so many years, he had come to understand her personality quite well. Margaret always spoke with measure, which was very relaxing. But beneath the gentle words was a frank soul, never hiding her likes and dislikes.
Clearly, she found this conversation somewhat boring.
Yet, Lin Yun himself didn't know what else they had to talk about now that they were no longer Magical Girls. It seemed too early to be nostalgic at their age, and eventually, the topics they had in common had been worn away.
But as he watched her figure growing distant, his thoughts suddenly traveled through time, back to the moment when they first met, to the scene of orange light descending from the sky.
Is this where it ends? he asked himself.
A friendship filled with countless memories, a segment of time now golden and precious upon reflection, the brilliant memories they had made around being "Magical Girls" during their youth, only to end quietly on this silent snowy night?
Even though they had given up the powers of Magical Girls and had lived as ordinary people for many years, he knew this was not right.
He and Asou Haruka both knew very well that the glow of their friendship was still there in their hearts; it was just that various grievances prevented them from expressing their feelings forthrightly.
He should convey this feeling.
Realizing this, Lin Yun knew what he had to do next. Suddenly, he called out to the woman whose back was all that remained:
"Thank you! Asou! Thank you for helping me back then, for being my friend! The days we fought side by side were truly joyful! No matter what you want to do next, just remember, keep it up!"
The cold wind carried his voice, not allowing it to travel too far, but it was enough to reach her ears.
He saw Margaret's figure suddenly stop against the night sky, and then, the woman dragging her suitcase turned her head back. Perhaps out of some childish sentiment, she made a funny face at him.
"You'll definitely regret not choosing me!" she said.
He couldn't describe the mix of confidence, satisfaction, and unwillingness on Margaret's face at that moment, but before he could respond, she quickened her pace, disappearing into the night as if fleeing.
That funny face, as the last expression she showed in front of him, remained fixed for thirteen years.
It wasn't until the vibrant figure appeared on stage that this frozen expression began to thaw with the flow of time, regaining its rightful vitality.
Watching the dazzling figure on stage, Emerald Sparrow felt a flood of emotions washing over her.
Of course, she held no specific thoughts about the other's current situation; it was more that the identity of "old teammate" brought back too many memories, and the memories between her and Margaret were inseparable from An Ya's presence.
With An Ya gone, seeing an old friend stirred up this longing once more, blending with a myriad of emotions to become quite complex.
As she was lost in these thoughts, she suddenly noticed a special gesture from Margaret on stage: she took the floral decoration from her hair.
Then, amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the fans, she threw it with a swift movement, tossing it toward the audience.
In the densely packed crowd, it seemed countless hands reached out, trying to intercept this gift from their idol. Yet, the casually thrown hair ornament, as if with eyes of its own, slipped through the fingers, eluding everyone's grasp.
It headed straight for Emerald Sparrow, landing deftly in the palm of her hand.
And almost at the same moment the flower landed in her hand, the song reached its climax. Amidst the waves of rhythm, the loud and clear singing voice unmistakably entered her ears.
—"Lonely encounters, the migratory bird does not fly south for winter."
"You'll definitely regret not choosing me."
Hearing these two lyrics, the memories that had just flickered through Emerald Sparrow's mind made her look up electrified, gazing once more toward the stage.
Then, her eyes met with the singer's onstage.
At that moment, consciousness seemed to stretch indefinitely, movements lost their strength, and the barriers between them and the stage seemed to vanish, while only the song continued.
"Year after year, sweat is shed in earnest."
"Look at me, the brightest star on stage, returning with a scintillating light!"