Al De Baran was a beautiful town. Sure, there are random explosions that happened here and there but it's only because Al De Baran houses The Alchemist Guild and that thoroughly explains it.

"That stupid knight you were gushing about to me the other day stood you up, huh?" a black-haired monk suddenly appeared and sat on of the vacant chairs near the priestess. He tried fixing his messy excuse for a hair with his hand to at least look presentable but he knew it would just be an exercise in futility.

"I guess." a brown-haired priestess sighed. "Getting all dolled up for nothing sucks. Empty promises! It's all empty promises. I don't know why I still hope that love will come and finally fetch me in a splendid chariot and stuff", she lamented.

"There, there. Wipe your tears.", the monk said as he handed a clean white handkerchief to the jaded priestess. "You just met that dude for like, a day anyway."

"I was hoping he may be it. He's charming and kind of cute."

"I am charming and also kind of cute! But what the heck, why don't I be the one to take you out tonight, Lila? You look all pretty and everything with your hair down like that. We don't let this afternoon go to waste now, will we?

"Huh? Where are you taking me?" the priestess asked, the first statement uttered by the monk not fully sinking in.

"Wherever! Comodo, Amatsu, Lutie, Pronte- No, not Prontera it's too cramped there!" the monk winked.

He then grabbed a blue gemstone from his pocket and cast a portal.

"Hop in!"

"Whatever you say, Eug" as she hopped in the portal.

"Oh my goodness! I.. I've never been here. This is so breathtaking! ", she said, her green eyes sparkling in awe at the grandeur of Juno. "The view, the books, the everything! Why did you bring me here?"

"Because..." the monk replied, not quite sure what he should say next.

"...I never want to see you unhappy. "

"I really thought he might be the one, Eug." A sigh escaped her lips.

"Come on now! Fate has something better in store for you, I'm sure. "

Lila immediately hugged her best friend, Eugene.

"Hey.. easy there. You might crush me or something" the monk laughed.

"You have always been there for me. You probably know me more than I know myself by now. After all, it's been a lifetime we'd been together." she said, as she was still hugging the monk.

The monk suddenly looked straight to her eyes and kissed her gently on the lips.

"I have always wanted to do that.", the monk grinned.

"Why.. did you do that?" obviously surprised by her best friend's daring move.

"Because I have always been in love with you. Madly, even." Kissing her again on the forehead.

There was one thing Eugene never told Lila. It's that the sunset in Juno was simply incomparable to anything. It gave the mountains of Schwarzlad its momentary brilliance and allure. As the sun was bidding goodbye to the world to make way for the moon, there were two best friends near the edge of the city, holding hands, with glimmering eyes casting hopes for brighter times ahead.