Hmm...
Kiana...
Could it be... that I've really misunderstood her?
Looking at Kiana with some uncertainty, Lumine didn't know how best to respond for a moment.
She could tell that when Kiana spoke just now, there was a hint of helplessness in her voice, as if she were helpless about her own actions.
Wait...
Kiana still hasn't answered whether she was the unknown god I saw before...
Thinking of this, Lumine decided to ask again.
"Then, was the unknown god my brother saw before you, Kiana?"
In truth, the main reason was that she hadn't yet figured out how to respond to what Kiana had just said, so she decided to change the subject first.
Of course, she genuinely wanted to know the answer to this question as well.
"No."
In response to Lumine's repeated questioning, Kiana flatly denied it.
No matter what, she wouldn't admit it, not unless Lumine could produce conclusive evidence.
But she hadn't expected Lumine to be thinking this way.
Originally, she thought Lumine only considered Kaito a friend.
Should I...
let Kaito come out?
I wonder if Lumine will just get shy and run away...
Pondering this question, Kiana fell into deep thought.
After all, Lumine was talking to Kiana right now, not Kaito.
Although they were one and the same, to Lumine, that wasn't the case.
Of course, even so, she could still have Kaito come out.
Kiana had been out for so long, it was perfectly reasonable for him to come out and check on the situation.
This Lumine...
What is she thinking about now?
After a moment's thought, Kiana noticed that Lumine seemed to be lost in thought again, so she spoke up.
"Kai is inside the house right now. If you like him...."
"Wait, Kiana, I..."
After cutting Kiana off, Lumine seemed at a loss for words.
But after struggling for a moment, she continued, "I'll talk to Kaito later... For now, can you please not tell him about this?"
After speaking, Lumine looked at Kiana, seemingly waiting for her answer.
"Of course I can."
Under Lumine's gaze, Kiana nodded in agreement without much thought.
Alright...
If that's the case...
I'll wait for you to come find me...
But...
should I just have Kiana...
No, no...
I already promised, so I'd better not say anything for now...
Actually, Kiana was planning to just have Kaito go find Lumine, under the pretense that Kiana had told him what happened.
But then she remembered that she had just promised Lumine, so she dismissed the idea.
Of course, if Kaito waited and Lumine never came, she might consider having Kaito go find her directly.
In that case, she'd have an excuse.
After all, if Lumine never approached him, it would be perfectly reasonable for Kiana to just tell Kaito. That's logical.
But she still had to try to avoid that situation.
In any case, she had given Lumine her word.
"Then... I'll head back now, Kiana. Thank you."
Feeling there was nothing more to say, Lumine prepared to return to her room.
"Don't thank me, I didn't do anything. And about what you said earlier, I hope you can say it soon. I won't judge you. It's not good to keep it all bottled up, you know."
As Kiana was saying this, Kaito had actually already stepped out of the room.
She wanted to see if Lumine would choose to tell Kaito right now.
"Mhm, I will. I'll head back now, then."
Nodding, Lumine turned and walked toward the courtyard.
"So you two were here. I hope nothing happened?"
Just as Lumine reached the courtyard entrance, Kaito suddenly walked out from inside, looking somewhat surprised.
Kaito...
Why is he out here...
He didn't overhear my conversation with Kiana, did he?
Upon seeing Kaito, Lumine was very surprised, a feeling that quickly turned to shyness.
She hadn't expected him to still be awake at this hour, let alone come outside.
"Uh... I just came out for a walk... yeah... a walk..."
With an awkward laugh, Lumine came up with this excuse.
Although she had just told Kiana that she would talk to Kaito later, she wasn't ready right now.
"I see. I thought something might be up with you two."
Seeing that Lumine had no intention of bringing up the matter now, Kaito said as much.
"Don't ask so many questions about girls' talk."
Just then, Kiana, who was still standing behind them, suddenly interjected.
She wanted Lumine to know she was covering for their earlier conversation, while at the same time foreshadowing that she might tell Kaito about it later.
"I don't even know what 'girls' talk' you're referring to. Besides, I was just asking casually."
Kaito looked somewhat helpless.
Girls' talk...
What just happened...
Does that count as girls' talk?
I guess...
it kind of does...
Lumine subconsciously mulled over Kiana's words.
But regardless, Kiana hadn't revealed what they were talking about.
"Well, I'm going back to my room. Kaito, it's late, you should get some sleep too."
"Mm."
Nodding, Kaito watched Lumine go inside.
Sigh...
I wonder when she'll come to me...
In the end...
it looks like Kiana will have to take the fall for this...
Looking at his other self standing not far away, Kaito couldn't help but come to this conclusion.
He had a feeling that Lumine might have just been saying that and would never be able to make up her mind to actually come and find him.
If that really was the case, then he would have no choice but to have Kiana "tell" him.
And while Kaito was still outside thinking about Lumine, she, having reached her own door, stopped and turned to look back at the dark courtyard entrance.
They haven't come in yet...
They couldn't be... talking about me, could they???
At this thought, Lumine couldn't help but blush.
Although Kiana had said she wouldn't tell Kaito what happened, she was his girlfriend, after all, so Lumine was still a little worried.
But even if she did, Lumine wouldn't actually be angry. After all, it would be like helping her make up her mind, and she wouldn't have to agonize over it anymore.
I won't look, I won't look...
I'll just go to sleep...
Turning back around, Lumine went into her room.
She was going to sleep.
No matter what, she would sleep on it first.
But...
if Kiana really doesn't say anything...
Then I...
Thump, thump, thump—
Just as Lumine was hesitating, footsteps suddenly sounded from the courtyard entrance, and she quickly shut her door.
I'll deal with it tomorrow, I'll deal with it tomorrow...
_____
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