Rin, Akari, and Rei sat together in a small food shop, bowls steaming in front of them. The smell of grilled fish and spiced broth filled the air. Rei and Akari were busy eating, chopsticks clicking against their plates, but Rin hadn't touched hers. She sat slumped, lost in thought, absently stirring her rice without taking a bite.
Rei noticed first. She leaned over, snapping her fingers in front of Rin's face.
"Hey, what's wrong with you? You haven't touched your plate."
Rin blinked, forcing a weak smile. "No, nothing's bothering me."
Rei shrugged and went back to eating, but before she could take another bite Rin's voice cut through the clatter.
"I mean… she could have just told me she was looking for something. Maybe even asked for my help. Instead, she leaves me to babysit her dragon and disappears without a single word. Not even a letter. Just one letter!" Rin grumbled, half to herself, half to the table. "In my world we had smartphones—you could just send a text."
Akari paused mid-bite, narrowing her eyes. "Still going on about being from another world... But are you talking about your fiancee?"
Rin tilted her head toward her lazily, twirling a grain of rice with her chopsticks. "Yes."
Her voice softened as she stared down at the untouched food. "It just doesn't feel right not seeing her for days. I'm even starting to forget her smile. If I had my phone, I'd just look at her picture. I don't know why I'm feeling like this, but… it's not a complete day without seeing that ugly face."
Rei's grin spread wide. "Oooohhh, somebody's missing someone."
"What, missing?!" Rin shot up, face flushing bright red. "I'm not missing Selene. I'm just… curious why she hasn't shown up yet. Why would I miss her? She's nothing to me—nothing!"
Rei laughed so hard she nearly choked. "You are such a weird one, Rin. You just don't want to admit it. Stop beating around the bush and accept your feelings already, huh?" She poked Rin's nose with her chopsticks, smirking.
"Stop it. Stop it!" Rin snapped, swatting at her, but Rei kept poking. With a sharp spark of frustration, Rin grabbed the chopsticks and released a jolt of lightning.
ZAP!
Rei's hair frizzed and stuck out in every direction, smoke curling from the tips.
"Hey! Do you want to kill my girlfriend?!" Akari shouted, leaping up. She formed the water from her cup and splashed it straight at Rin.
"Me? She started it!" Rin argued, standing up as sparks still flickered around her hands.
But before either of them could continue, Rei slammed her hands on the table—literally. Flames burst out, engulfing the wood.
"What the—?!" Rin yelped, stumbling back as the blaze spread.
Akari's eyes widened as she scrambled to draw water from nearby bowls and cups. "Where's more water?!" she shouted, searching desperately to put out the fire.
The entire food shop had fallen into chaos, customers backing away in shock as smoke and fire filled the air. Rin stood frozen for a moment, staring at the burning table.
"This is bad…" she muttered.
---
"We're really sorry! So sorry!" the three girls chorused, bowing their heads low to the furious shop owner.
The woman's face was red with anger as she pointed at them. "How dare you bring an Akarawa into my shop! All they do is create chaos!"
Rei lifted her head just slightly, glaring with one eye. Akari quickly pushed Rei's head back down with her hand.
"We're sorry!" Rei blurted out, her tone instantly switching to apologetic.
"My shop is ruined—ruined—thanks to her!" the woman snapped.
"Almost ruined," Rei muttered under her breath.
Akari pinched her side. "Just accept whatever she says, don't make this worse!" she hissed in a low voice.
"I'm trying! But she keeps putting it all on me like I set the fire on purpose," Rei whispered back.
"Well, you're the one with fire powers," Akari shot back.
Rei turned her head sharply. "It was you and Rin who started the spark in the first place!"
"Will you two stop whispering? She's getting madder," Rin whispered nervously, sweat dripping down her forehead.
The shop owner slammed her hands on the counter. "How is the Akarawa going to pay for this?!"
"You can put it on Master Akarawa's account," Rei said quickly.
"Split the bill and put it on Master Hoshino's account," Akari added without missing a beat.
Rin's jaw dropped. "Are you two serious right now? Your parents hate each other. What do you think will happen when they find out their daughters wrecked a shop together? Do you want another war to start over this?"
Akari shrugged. "Whatever I buy in the market is always on my father's account."
"Me too," Rei said casually.
Rin slapped her forehead. "Unbelievable… Fine. Don't worry, I'll pay. Involving your parents will only make things worse."
Both Rei and Akari tilted their heads, clearly doubting her.
"How exactly are you going to pay for this?" Rei asked.
Rin smirked faintly. "I've got a job, remember? The Golden Queen pays me daily. I'm technically a merchant now."
"Ohhh, right," Rei and Akari said in unison, finally remembering.
"Will you three stop whispering and pay up for this disaster?!" the woman barked, making them stand upright immediately.
Rin exhaled and waved her hand. "Ice, please pay the woman so we can leave."
From the corner, Ice—who had been silently sitting in his human form the whole time—rose to his feet. His tall figure and cold presence made the entire shop go quiet. He walked up to the counter, placed a heavy pouch of coins down, and pushed it forward without a word.
The woman's anger faltered as she looked up at him. Her eyes darted between his icy gaze and the money in her hands. For a moment, it seemed as though the fire of her fury had been doused by the chill in his aura.
"Oh my…" she breathed, clutching the pouch tightly.
Ice turned away without sparing the woman another glance, his expression unreadable. Rin and the others quickly followed him out of the shop, the tension trailing behind them like smoke.
Once they were a safe distance from the shop, Akari suddenly spoke up.
"Oh, Cousin Rin—tomorrow Rei and I won't be helping you with the distributing of honeydew."
Rin blinked, almost tripping over her own feet. "What?! Why! I have a mountain of dews to distribute tomorrow!"
Akari smiled slyly, lacing her fingers with Rei's. "Because tomorrow we're going on a date. Just the two of us."
"That's the payment I deserve," Rei added smugly, tossing her hair. "For helping you these past few days, I get one proper date anywhere I want."
Rin stared at them for a moment, then let out a soft laugh. "A date, huh…" she muttered, her mind flickering back to her own seven-date deal. She could almost hear Selene's words. 'no matter how busy I am, I'll always make time for us.'
"Yes! It's a date!" Rin suddenly declared with a grin, the memory bringing warmth to her chest. She spun toward Ice, who had been walking a few steps ahead in his calm, cold manner.
"Hey, Ice! Tell Selene Kurosuki that we're having our third date tomorrow!"
Ice stopped, his head turning slightly toward her. He gave a small, silent nod.
"And you two," Rin said, pointing at Akari and Rei, "you're helping me plan the worst date ever!"
Both girls leaned closer to each other, their eyes narrowing before they grinned in unison.
"We're having our date tomorrow," Rei and Akari chimed together, deliberately rubbing it in.
Rin puffed her cheeks, crossing her arms. "Fine! Tell her next tomorrow then!" she snapped, glaring at Ice as if it were his fault.
Ice only raised a brow slightly, his face still unreadable, before continuing to walk as though the matter was settled.