The trio arrived at Lysera's home just as the sun dipped beneath the horizon, casting the village in a soft orange glow.
Lysera pushed open the front door with a sigh, stepping aside to let the other two in.
"Pick a room. There are three upstairs. You'll each take one."
She said curtly, brushing her hair back as she locked the door behind them.
Kana looked around, taking in the quiet, modest house. It felt warmer than she expected, more lived-in.
With a small nod, she murmured a quiet "thank you" before heading up the wooden staircase to choose a room for herself.
Irielle made to follow her without hesitation, but Lysera's hand shot out, catching the elf by the arm.
"Pick your own room."
Lysera said sharply.
Irielle blinked, surprised, before her expression slipped into a pout.
"Aww, Lysera, don't be like that. Don't tell me you're jealous. You know I still like you just the same."
"That's not the point. Kana needs privacy. She doesn't need you clinging to her all night."
Lysera said with a scowl.
"But I cling so well."
Irielle mumbled, clearly unhappy with the directive.
"Space."
Lysera repeated firmly.
Irielle sighed, clearly reluctant, but finally pulled away.
"Fine. But only for now."
Irielle's footsteps were exaggeratedly slow as she made her way up the stairs behind Kana.
She kept glancing back at Lysera, who stood at the base of the staircase with her arms crossed and an unreadable expression on her face.
"Don't look at me like that."
Lysera muttered.
"I'm not looking. Just mourning all the missed opportunities for nighttime bonding."
Irielle replied, sticking out her tongue childishly.
Lysera rolled her eyes and turned away, but her shoulders remained tense.
Upstairs, Kana opened the door to the room at the far end of the hall. It was simple—clean, sparsely decorated, with a small bed by the window and a wooden dresser beside it.
She stepped in quietly, pressing the door shut behind her and exhaling a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
It had been a long day. Between the ID ordeal, the awkward attention from Irielle, and the simmering suspicion from Lysera, her head was spinning.
She sat on the edge of the bed, resting her elbows on her knees and letting her head fall into her hands.
The system's interface shimmered faintly in her vision, waiting silently. She dismissed it. She was too tired to look at stats or skills or charm ratings.
A soft knock came at the door.
"It's me. Just wanted to say goodnight."
Irielle's voice chimed from the other side.
Kana hesitated, then stood and opened the door slightly.
"Night."
She said, offering a small smile.
Irielle leaned against the frame, arms crossed under her chest.
"You sure you don't want company tonight? We could have girl talk. I'm very good at those."
Kana let out a small laugh, shaking her head.
"Thanks, but I think I need some alone time."
Irielle pretended to sulk.
"Lysera wins this round, huh?"
"She didn't win anything. I just need time to think. Everything's… been a lot."
Kana said, her voice gentler.
Irielle stared at her for a long moment, then smiled more softly than Kana had expected.
"Alright. But if you change your mind, I'm two doors down. You can knock or just throw a pillow at my door. Either one works."
Kana nodded, and after another beat, Irielle turned and walked away.
Once the door was closed again, Kana leaned back against it. The room was quiet, but her thoughts weren't.
Downstairs, Lysera stood in the kitchen, arms still crossed, staring at the empty teapot on the counter.
When she finally moved, she poured herself a glass of water and leaned on the counter with a sigh.
No matter how Irielle played it off, things were shifting—and Lysera wasn't sure she liked the direction they were going.
______
Kana finally found herself alone. The quiet was jarring at first, but not unwelcome. She let out a long breath as she lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
The soft mattress and clean sheets offered a comfort she hadn't realized she needed until now.
Her limbs ached—not from physical exertion, but from the sheer emotional fatigue of the day.
So much had happened. Too much. Getting an ID, dealing with Irielle's chaotic energy, Lysera's cold scrutiny, and the constant worry that someone might see through her lie.
It was exhausting. She rubbed her temples, trying to slow the racing of her thoughts.
With a sigh, she summoned her system interface.
A clean list of skills unfolded before her.
Each had a name, some with levels and cooldowns, others still grayed out or labeled as "locked." She scrolled down the list—'Charm Resistance,' 'Adaptive Perception,' 'Hidden Presence,' 'Enhanced Reflexes,' and on and on.
It was too much.
Halfway through reading the descriptions of the first fifty skills, Kana realized she hadn't retained anything.
Her eyes skimmed the words, but her mind wandered aimlessly, looping back to memories, feelings, worries, and flashes of things she wanted to forget.
"This is useless…"
She muttered.
The silence answered her.
With a soft grunt, she closed the interface and rolled onto her side. Sleep. It was easier than sorting everything out. Easier than pretending she had any control over the storm her life had become.
She let herself drift off.
But her peace was short-lived.
BANG!
The door to her room slammed open, crashing against the wall. Kana jerked awake, her instincts flaring—but before she could move, she felt something warm and heavy wrap around her midsection.
A strong arm.
She twisted in place, startled, only to come face-to-face with a familiar mess of silver-blonde hair.
"Irielle?!"
She hissed.
The elf in question had somehow made it into her bed, one leg tangled with Kana's and an arm wrapped snugly around her like a living blanket.
Her eyes were still closed, but a smug smile sat on her face.
At the door, Lysera stood with a look of pure exasperation and a hint of something much colder beneath it.
Kana opened her mouth to speak—but Lysera beat her to it.
"She broke into your room last night."
Kana blinked, still trying to make sense of what was happening.
"Wait—what do you mean she broke into my room?!"
Irielle let out a pleased hum, nuzzling closer.
"It was cold."
Kana looked back at Lysera, utterly flustered, but Lysera only pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed.
"I told her to pick her own room. I should've locked her in it."
Kana couldn't even find the words. She just buried her face in her hands and groaned.
Apparently, sleep hadn't been the escape she'd hoped for.
Kana sat up slowly, trying not to disturb Irielle too much, though the elf refused to let go. Her grip only tightened, chin now resting against Kana's shoulder.
"Why is she like this…"
Kana mumbled under her breath.
"I ask myself that every day."
Lysera replied dryly, arms crossed.
Kana tried to peel Irielle off, but the woman clung like a leech in her sleep.
"She's seriously asleep like this?"
"She's probably pretending. She likes to push boundaries."
Lysera muttered.
Kana groaned again, collapsing back onto the bed.
"I just wanted one night of peace."
Lysera's tone turned flat.
"Welcome to our world."