The Federal Republic of Sorg, Red Sky

Seiyu walked behind Reina with his hands in his pockets, both of them making their way along a narrow path overgrown with weeds toward the abandoned train station. The rusty tracks stretched into the distance, as unclear and inevitable as their future.

"The movie today was intense," Seiyu broke the silence, his voice low but carrying a faint hint of amusement.

Reina glanced over, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I told you—don't cheat."

Seiyu paused for a moment, caught off guard, then his mouth twitched in a half-smile. "Would you leave me for your dreams?"

Reina stopped in her tracks, turned to face him, and squinted, pretending to think. "Probably not."

"Huh?" Seiyu chuckled, his eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and amusement. Reina glanced at him, and soon, a light, playful laugh echoed along the empty rails.

"Aren't you afraid I might trick you?" She teased, her tone mischievous.

Seiyu looked down at her, his voice calm but with a playful undertone. "Would you trick me?"

Reina pretended to think deeply. "Maybe I'll take all your money one day, spend it on good-looking guys."

"I'm not good enough?" Seiyu exaggerated a frown, clearly playing along.

Reina tilted her head up, eyes sparkling with laughter. "Who wouldn't love a rich, handsome fool?"

Seiyu sighed softly but couldn't hide the smile on his face. "Then love me forever."

Reina took a step closer, looking up into his eyes, her voice softening. "Of course, I'll love you forever. You're the only one I love."

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"Really?"

Reina nodded, feigning seriousness. "Really. And then I'll secretly use your money to date handsome guys. With my looks, they'll all want me. You're just a fling."

"You're so annoying." Seiyu laughed, reaching out to mess with her hair. Reina playfully batted his hand away.

The abandoned train station stood silent under the night sky, its walls covered in vines, and the old tracks rusted and worn.

Reina jumped onto the platform, waving at Seiyu. "How about we run away from here? Catch a ghost train straight to Yamato."

Leaning against a pillar, Seiyu nodded seriously. "Sounds nice, but you're forgetting there's an ocean between Sorg and Yamato."

Reina playfully nudged his shoulder. "Then we get a boat, cross the sea, and we're free once we reach Yamato."

"That simple, huh?" Seiyu's tone carried a trace of irony.

"What else do you suggest? Stay in this place forever?" Reina shot back with a grin.

The wind stirred, carrying the scent of rust and dust through the empty station, a chill creeping into the night air. They sat on an old wooden crate by the tracks, Reina thumbing through the bills in her hand.

"113,972 Sorg," she announced. "I did the math."

"If we go to Yamato, studying is the safest way. You got into university, which is a big advantage for you."

Seiyu stared at the tracks. "But you don't have the documents to leave the country. Studying isn't an option. Even if I get in, how long can we last? Tuition, living expenses, housing... It's not cheap. And Sorg has banned emigration. We don't have time."

Reina thought for a moment. "Then we'll smuggle ourselves out." Seiyu looked shocked. "Are you sure?"

Reina's tone grew impatient. "If we don't, how else do we get there?"

Seiyu sighed, the weight of reality settling in. "Couldn't we find more options before we go? Maybe through some connections, or at least find a trustworthy smuggling group?"

Reina raised an eyebrow, teasing him again. "Smuggling group? Are you crazy? We're not mafia bosses, and we don't have friends in high places—we're on our own. But I've heard about the smugglers; they take your money, but no one guarantees your safety. If we get caught, it could be worse than just getting sent back."

The pressure weighed heavy on Seiyu. He knew that leaving this country wasn't going to be as simple as their childhood fantasies. The reality in front of them was a tangled web of invisible chains, limiting their choices.

"Have you thought about what happens if we get caught...?" Seiyu trailed off, his voice carrying a hint of dread.

Reina was silent for a moment, then spoke with quiet confidence. "We won't get caught."

She smiled, breaking the tension. "I don't want to live off instant noodles forever. You'd better get me a decent job under the radar, so I don't starve."

Seiyu finally smiled too. "As long as you promise not to spend all my money on those 'dates.'"

Reina nudged him playfully. "I'll think about it."