Streets of Wuling - Arknights Endfield& Vocaloid

💜💗💜💗💜 Story 💗💜💗💜💗 After rounding the first bend, the four gradually settled into a steady pace. Chen Qianyu slowed a little and looked back at Luka. “We were so busy signing up that I never got to ask—what were you doing before you suddenly appeared here?” “Singing,” Luka replied, keeping her breathing even. “Our performance had just ended when that light appeared.” “A performance?” Chen Qianyu’s eyes lit up. “Was there a big audience?” “Quite a few people,” Gakupo said with a smile. “Though I doubt they expected us to disappear right after taking our bows.” Luka turned toward him. “We’ll probably have a lot of explaining to do when we get back.” “Hopefully, they thought it was a stage effect.” “One we won’t be able to repeat next time.” Chen Qianyu laughed, while Lifeng gave the matter serious thought. “Do you have to prepare that kind of light for every performance?” “No,” Gakupo quickly explained. “Ordinary stage lights don’t send people into another world.” “I see.” Lifeng nodded as though he had finally cleared up an important question. Chen Qianyu glanced at him. “Were you just trying to figure out how the performers keep themselves from being transported away?” Lifeng looked slightly embarrassed. “There would have to be a way.” “If we find one, you’ll be the first to know,” Luka said with a smile. The breeze carried their voices away. They continued along the street, and once the crowd thinned a little, Lifeng asked another question. “When you sing, do you have to control your breathing the way you do when running?” “Yes,” Luka answered. “Running out of breath before you finish a phrase makes things difficult.” Lifeng instinctively paid closer attention to his own breathing. “Then you must be good at running.” “Not necessarily,” Gakupo said. “Finishing a song and finishing this route are two different things.” “And you can still joke right now,” Luka added. “Who knows about later?” He smiled at her. “Then I’d better say everything while I can.” Chen Qianyu grinned. “No need to rush. There’s another flat stretch ahead. Save some breath when we reach the bridge.” She moved half a step forward to check the road beyond the next turn. Watching their two guides, Luka asked, “Do you usually run together?” “If we happen to meet up,” Chen Qianyu replied. “But he takes it seriously every time.” Lifeng turned toward her. “You’re supposed to take training seriously.” “I didn’t say that was a bad thing.” She smiled. “It’s just that even on a run together, you keep track of every hill and water station, as though you’re preparing to lead an entire team.” “There are four of us today.” Chen Qianyu opened her mouth, then laughed and nodded. “All right. You have a point this time.” Gakupo looked at Lifeng. “Have you always lived in Wuling?” “Yes. It’s my hometown.” Lifeng sounded more relaxed now. He glanced toward a familiar intersection ahead. “I used to pass through these places without ever imagining I’d someday be running here with people from another world.” “We never imagined our first activity in another world would be a road race either,” Luka said. “What did you think you’d do?” Chen Qianyu asked. Gakupo considered it. “Find someone and ask for directions first.” “Already done.” “Then find a way home.” “We’re working on it.” “And then…” He looked at Luka just as she raised her eyes to his. “See what this place is like,” she finished. Chen Qianyu smiled and pointed ahead. “Then you’re doing exactly the right thing. Run with us, and you won’t miss the sights.” Cheers rose from the roadside. Luka turned to look, unconsciously slowing for a moment. Gakupo shortened his stride with her. Lifeng noticed and eased his pace too, bringing the four together again. “Are you tired?” he asked. “I’m all right. I just wanted a better look.” “Then we can slow down,” Lifeng said. “There’s still more road ahead. No need to hurry.” Chen Qianyu glanced back to check Luka’s expression, then nodded. “Exactly. Talking, sightseeing, and running all at once—you’re doing a lot for your first visit.” Luka laughed. “You’re the one who started asking questions.” “So I’m the one who’ll slow down with you.” Chen Qianyu answered without hesitation and dropped back beside her. Watching them, Gakupo suddenly said, “When we get home, if there’s a chance, we’d like to invite you both to one of our performances.” Lifeng immediately turned toward him. “Really?” “Really.” “What would we need to prepare beforehand?” Chen Qianyu answered first. “You can leave the stage’s slope out of your notes.” Luka laughed hard enough to nearly lose her breathing rhythm, and Gakupo joined her. Lifeng paused, then laughed too. “I only wanted to know whether we should bring anything.” “Just yourselves,” Luka said. “Next time, we’ll be the guides.” The bridge drew closer. Chen Qianyu reminded everyone to shorten their strides, while Lifeng indicated the less crowded side. They jogged slowly uphill. Conversation paused, leaving only their breathing and footsteps. After a while, Gakupo quietly asked Luka, “Still keeping up?” She nodded, then smiled toward their two guides. “I am. And I still have plenty of questions.” Chen Qianyu looked back. “Once we’re over the bridge, we’ll keep talking!” Lifeng nodded as well. “I’d like to hear your music too.” Luka and Gakupo exchanged a glance. She softly hummed a short melody, keeping the notes brief and letting the tune fall naturally with her steps. Gakupo soon joined in, their voices meeting for a moment in the river breeze. Chen Qianyu eased back half a step, and Lifeng listened quietly. When the melody ended, she smiled. “All right, it’s a promise. Today, we show you Wuling on a run. Next time, you take us to hear the whole song.” “It’s a promise,” Gakupo replied. The four ran down the other side of the bridge and returned together to the level street. They had only just met, yet they were already looking forward to seeing one another again.