"So, why aren't we flying?" I asked, glancing up at the sky while Selene, Ice, and I walked through the crowded marketplace. My feet already ached a little from walking, and the sun was glaring right at my face like it was part of the conspiracy to ruin my first-ever date.
"Ice doesn't fly during the day," Selene replied casually, like that was the most obvious thing in the world. She reached out and gently took my hand as we walked. "And besides, this is a date—we're supposed to walk and enjoy the view."
Whoa. That spark again. I don't know what's up with this girl, but every time she touches me, it's like someone plugged my nerves into an electric socket. Why does her hand feel so… warm? Too warm. Dangerous warm. Like I'm walking beside a ticking heart-shaped bomb.
"So," she asked, squeezing my hand softly, "what do you want to do, Kisaragi?"
"Huh? Me?" I blinked. "You're the one who wanted this date. You should be the one planning the surprise activities or whatever people do on dates."
She laughed, and it was that cute, teasing kind of laugh that made it impossible to get mad at her. "Like you know so much about dating," she said, grinning at me.
"What?! No! I've never been on a date before—ever!" I said without thinking. Then my eyes widened. "I mean—uh—I just don't do this kind of stuff!"
"Oh, please. You're lying," she said with a knowing smirk that sent shivers down my spine.
"No, I'm not!" I insisted, puffing my cheeks a little, like that would somehow make me look more believable.
"Kisaragi's dated a lot. So many girls. Your last girlfriend was Rei Akarawa," she said casually, like she was reading out my report card.
"What… I dated so many girls?" I mumbled under my breath. Wait, what? The real Rin was a player?! Since when? I only knew she dated Rei, but multiple girls? That part wasn't in the book. Not in the manga. Not even in the fan theories. But now something else was making my brain go fuzzy—how did Selene know all this stuff?
I turned toward her. "Okay, how do you know so much about me, Selene?"
She looked at me with a soft expression. "You told me yourself," she said. "The night before I was supposed to marry Rei. You said you hated them. And then the next day, you were willing to risk your life for them."
I stared at her. "Well… that's because I care about them. They're my favorites," I said, hoping that would make sense.
"Favorites?!" she repeated, almost shouting. Her eyes widened. "I want to be your only favorite!" she declared dramatically, then suddenly hugged me tight like a plush toy.
"What? Stop that—we're in public!" I said, trying to act tough, even though my heart was beating like it was trying to run a marathon. "You should really learn when to—" But I stopped.
Because… it actually felt kind of nice. Warm. Safe. Familiar.
No. No! This isn't right. I can't fall for this.
"Stop this," I said again, trying to sound serious, but I think I was smiling. People around the market were starting to stare, but instead of embarrassment, I felt… calm? Maybe even happy. Uh oh.
…
"Wow, this soba smells amazing. I can't believe they make it this good here," I said, slurping up a mouthful. The noodles were perfect—springy, soft, flavorful. The broth warmed my whole body like a soft blanket on a cold day. "Mmm… seriously, Selene, you have to try this."
I glanced at her, but she hadn't moved. Didn't blink. She just stared at me from across the table like a cat watching a fish tank.
"Okay, seriously—stop looking at me like that. I don't look like food. Order something, will you? You're creeping me out."
She didn't say anything. Just kept smiling at me like I was the only thing that existed in her universe.
"I don't need anything else, Kisaragi," she said, resting both hands on her cheeks with a dreamy sigh. "You're all I need."
I nearly choked on my noodles.
This is getting out of hand. She's acting like someone spiked her tea with love potion. Or maybe Cupid was just bored and decided to hit her with a hundred arrows for fun.
I blinked at her. "If you don't order something in the next five seconds, I'm calling this date off," I said, half-joking, half-desperate for her to stop staring at me like I was dipped in chocolate.
"I don't eat out," she said with a smile. "All my meals are homemade. I don't want to get poisoned."
I raised an eyebrow. "Says the girl who tried to poison Akari at the party."
"I wasn't trying to kill Akari," she replied, waving her hand casually. "I just wanted to see how you'd react. You were all panicked and flustered, waiting to see what I'd do next. That was fun."
"You call that fun? I was poisoned! I coughed up blood. I literally died, Selene."
"Well… you didn't stay dead," she said with a sweet smile like it was no big deal.
"Wow," I muttered, shaking my head. "A villainess will always be a villainess."
She just hummed contentedly, still gazing at me like I was the star of her favorite drama.
"Anyway," I said, trying to focus on the noodles again, "you're missing out. This soba is insane."
Then, a lightbulb lit up in my head.
"Oh, Selene," I said, trying to sound casual but also a little mischievous.
"Yes, Kisaragi?" she replied with that same sweet tone that always made me nervous.
I picked up a few noodles with my chopsticks and held them out to her. "Just one bite. I promise you'll love it. You won't regret it."
But she turned her head away like a five-year-old who didn't want their medicine.
"If you taste it, I'll give you a kiss," I said with a grin.
That got her attention. She turned back to me with a big smile on her face. Her eyes lit up like fireworks on festival night.
"I get to kiss you whenever I want," she said with a playful pout.
Oh no, she flipped it on me.
"Yes! Anytime, anywhere, Selene," I said quickly, raising both hands like I was surrendering.
She leaned forward and took the noodles into her mouth. At first, she looked unsure. Then her eyes lit up like she just discovered treasure.
"Wow, this is so good! How do they even make this?" she said, grabbing the chopsticks from my hand and taking another bite before I could stop her.
"Mmm, this tastes like heaven! I'm going to buy the chef!" she declared with sparkles in her eyes, now eating like someone who hadn't had food in a week.
"Hey, slow down! You'll choke!" I laughed, watching her scarf it down like a happy kid at a snack shop.
"More! More! More!" she cheered like a child at a candy stall, completely in love with the soba.