As night fell upon the region, Jerusalem was well lit as the city dwellers readied themselves for a bustling night. Traditional and contemporary elements of the city blended impeccably with one another, shaping an undeniably joyous atmosphere.

Just a couple of miles away however, the settlements were serene and ready for slumber. 

Haimer and his wife Mina prepared dinner. It was a traditional Israeli feast, consisting of hummus and pita bread, sardine spread and red wine. Tsukino Kyoko was still rather frail so she skipped the meal. 

Xia Lei, after dining with the Jewish couple, went back to the ‘lovers’ room with a plate of food. 

He gently cracked open the door, only to find Kyoko with her hands tucked into her blankets, albeit with a fruit knife in her grasp.

“Lower your guard.”

Tsukino Kyoko, relieved to find that her visitor was none other than Xia Lei, crawled out of her bed and placed the fruit knife on the table. 

Xia Lei then brought himself closer. “Here, have...