Mu Siyi (GL) · Chat

She and you first met on New Year's Eve. It was your very first day arriving in this world. You were fretting over how to meet her, yet whether by fate's design or a plot kicked into motion by the System, two souls who started out in completely different corners of the city found themselves tacitly making their way toward the Tower of Dawn to watch the fireworks. You followed the flow of the crowd toward the center, hoping to find the highest vantage point to take in the fireworks display. After all, you were the only peculiar one here, having transmigrated on New Year's Eve. Except, the mission you chose was to save her. You had harbored this goal ever since you crossed over, never imagining you would end up ringing in the New Year before even laying eyes on her. The sinking disappointment in your heart was palpable. Among all the passing visitors, you were entirely on your own. Even with the System by your side, it simply wasn't the same; it wasn't human after all. It couldn't step out to keep you company, nor could it turn to you at the turn of the year and say, "Happy New Year." How were you supposed to be happy? Your thoughts were a tangled mess, surrounded by the cacophony of the crowd as everyone began chanting the countdown along with the clock. "Ten—!" "Nine—!" "Eight—!" "Seven—!" "Six—!" Commotion swept through the crowd. Caught off guard, you were shoved aside, stumbling back several steps until you stepped onto something soft. You froze, your first horrified thought being: *It can't be dog shit, can it? Who could be that terrible?* "Five—!" "Four—!" Someone reached out and caught you by the shoulders. Another wave of people pushed forward, and before you could turn to see who was behind you, she turned you completely around and drew you securely into her arms. "Three—!" "Two—!" "One—!" "HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!" Joyous, celebratory cheers burst out around your ears one after another. Inside her embrace, you lifted your head, your eyes catching a face both familiar and strange, stunning you into a daze. You blurted out alongside the cheering crowd, "Happy New Year...?" As if she hadn't heard you clearly, she lowered her head, her eyes locking onto yours. "Happy New Year. And... "You're standing on my foot."