"What do you want, Kisaragi?" she asked, her voice calm but sharp as I kept holding her hand.
I scratched the back of my head, trying to figure out what to say. "Umm… Akari isn't back yet," I finally blurted out.
"So?" she replied, acting like she didn't care at all.
"You… what if you attack them before they even get home? This has to be your plan, right?" I accused, narrowing my eyes at her.
"Oh?" she said, raising an eyebrow. Then she stepped right through my window into my room, even though I was still holding her hand. She snapped her fingers, and her huge dragon vanished into thin air like smoke.
"Wow… that's new," I mumbled under my breath, still staring at where the dragon used to be.
"Since you still think I'll hurt your precious lovers, I'll wait here until Akari gets back," she said coolly. Then she looked down at my hand still gripping hers.
"Can you let go now? It's… uncomfortable," she added, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Oh! Sorry!" I yelped, letting go so fast I almost fell over. My face felt hot, and I turned away nervously.
I could feel her gaze on me as she slowly walked around my room, examining everything. She finally sat down on the bed, crossing one leg over the other like she owned the place.
"Okay," she said, patting the bed beside her. "How do you entertain your guests?"
Entertain? My brain froze. First of all, I've never had a guest before. Second, you're a villain! Why would I entertain you?
"Oh… this is just my room. There's nothing here but… um…" I stammered, waving my arms awkwardly.
"Fine," she interrupted, smirking. "Then you can entertain me properly on my second visit."
Second visit? No way. Please let this be your first and last visit here, I silently begged the heavens.
"Why are you still standing? You're not a maid. Come," she said, patting the bed again, harder this time. "Sit here."
My stomach twisted, and my heart was beating way too fast. Why is the villainess acting like this? She's supposed to be cold and scary, not… this.
"Ah— no, no, no. I like standing! Don't worry, feel at home," I said quickly, backing up a little.
Then, just as things were getting even more awkward, there was a knock at the door.
"Yes! Akari must be back!" I shouted, running to the door like it was my escape.
But when I opened it… it wasn't Akari.
It was Shion.
"Uh… hun, cousin Shion, what are you doing here?" I asked nervously, my hand shooting out to block the doorway before she could step in. My heart started hammering in my chest, and my mouth went dry. Please, not another awkward moment tonight.
She tilted her head slightly, looking a little surprised but still graceful, her robes swaying behind her. "I came to see you," she said softly, her voice almost shy. "I wanted to… talk about what happened earlier today."
"Ahhh— ahhh, it was nothing!" I blurted, waving my arms and forcing an awkward laugh. "That meant nothing. Just a mistake! Ahhh ahhh… hahaha…" I rubbed the back of my neck and tried to act casual, though my cheeks were probably burning red.
Her eyes widened at my words. "What? Are you saying our kiss… was a mistake?" she asked, her tone sharper now. Without waiting for me to answer, she pushed past my hand and slipped inside the room.
"H-Hey! Cousin Shion, wait! I can explain!" I stumbled after her, nearly slipping on the slick wooden floor. My arms flailed as I barely caught myself.
Oh no. This is a total disaster. How am I even supposed to explain why she's here?
Shion stopped in the middle of the room, glancing around curiously. Her delicate brows furrowed as she hugged her arms to herself. "Why… is the room so cold?" she murmured, turning to look at me just as I caught up.
I froze. My eyes darted around quickly. Selene was… gone. Completely gone, like she was never even here. Not a single trace of her remained.
Thank goodness.
"Ahhh— ahhh! I just… I like it cold! Love the… AC!" I stammered, pointing at the ceiling and grinning like an idiot.
"AC?" she repeated, tilting her head, confused. "What is… an AC?"
I swallowed hard and waved my hands. "Ahhh nothing! Nothing! I was just… saying nonsense! Ha, ignore that!"
Her gaze sharpened as she stepped closer, her dark eyes locking on mine. "Do you really think… kissing me was a mistake?" she asked quietly. Her voice was low but heavy, and for the first time I noticed her hands were trembling slightly.
She took another step, her expression softening. "That kiss… it was stolen from me," she continued. "And it was my first kiss. So no… I don't see it as a mistake."
My breath caught in my throat.
Her first kiss…?
I stared at her, words stuck in my chest, my mind blank. I couldn't say anything — because I didn't even know what to say.
Shion stood there for a few long seconds, watching me silently. Then her lips pressed into a thin line. She finally spun on her heel, her robes swishing sharply, and she stormed out of the room without another word.
I stood frozen, still staring at the door she disappeared through.
"…Sorry, Shion," I whispered under my breath. "I… don't deserve to be loved. I'm sorry."
I collapsed onto my bed, lying flat, completely drained. The soft fabric swallowed me as I let out a deep, heavy sigh.
Finally… some peace.
"Wow. So you're a heartbreaker," a familiar voice teased from right next to me.
I flinched, bolting upright. My eyes went wide as I turned and—there she was.
Selene.
She was sitting cross-legged at the edge of my bed, smirking slightly, her silver hair spilling over the sheets like moonlight.
"Ahhhhhhh!" I screamed, practically falling off the bed. "Wait— you're still here?! When did you even—"
She blinked at me calmly. "You told me to wait until Akari got back, remember?"
I froze mid-panic, my mouth hanging open. "…Oh. Yeah. I… I did say that."
For a moment, her silver eyes met mine. I couldn't look away. Something strange and heavy settled in my chest. My heartbeat started racing, just like last time.
I quickly jumped to my feet to shake it off. "Okay! Great. Well—time to go now!" I said, forcing a laugh and motioning toward the window.
Her eyebrow arched slightly, but she stayed seated. "What about Akari?"
"She's… probably in her room by now! So—no need to wait anymore. You may leave!" I added, still pointing awkwardly at the window.
Selene rose gracefully, her long hair following like a wave behind her.
"Oh, wait!" I suddenly remembered and rushed to the closet. I grabbed the robe she'd given me the other night and held it out to her.
"Here! Thanks. You can have it back now," I said, trying to shove it into her hands.
She glanced at the robe, then pushed it gently back toward me.
"It's yours now. Keep it," she said simply.
"But… I don't want it," I said stubbornly, trying to give it back again.
She just smirked faintly and stepped toward the window. "I said keep it," she replied, her tone soft but final.
Before I could argue more, she snapped her fingers and her ice dragon shimmered back into existence outside the window, its wings sparkling in the moonlight.
She turned to look at me one last time, her silver gaze narrowing just a little.
"Wait. Before I go," she said, her lips curling into the faintest of smiles. "Hope you're ready… for my biggest plan."
I stiffened. "What? You're… still planning to kill them? Aren't you done already?"
Her smirk widened slightly as she climbed onto her dragon's back.
"Tomorrow… you'll see," she answered, her voice almost playful as the dragon's wings spread and she vanished into the night.
I stood there at the window, clutching the robe in my hands, staring into the empty sky where she'd just disappeared.
"What is this…? Do I still have to figure out how to protect those lovers?" I muttered to myself, sinking back onto the bed with a groan.
"I thought she gave up…"