The sun had already dipped halfway below the horizon, staining the sky in shades of orange and violet. A gentle wind brushed across the hilltop, rustling the leaves of the lone tree standing at its center. The world felt unusually quiet, as if it were holding its breath.

  Kaoru sat beneath the tree, her knees drawn close to her chest, staring silently at the sinking sun. She hadn’t looked at Akitsu Shouga once since they arrived.

  Shouga stood a short distance behind her, unsure whether to approach or keep his distance. Something about this scene tugged at his chest—a sense of déjà vu he couldn’t quite explain. Still, he forced himself forward and sat beside her, careful not to invade her space.

  “The sun is pretty, isn’t it?” he said softly.

  Kaoru didn’t respond.

  Shouga clenched his hands on his knees. “What’s wrong, Kaoru? Please… tell me what I did wrong and I’ll fix it.”

  Before Kaoru could answer, the air in front of him rippled faintly. A small white figure emerged, floating effortlessly in midair. Twin fox ears twitched atop her head, and several translucent tails swayed lazily behind her.

  Seraphine Orion had appeared.

  “Looks like the maiden is mad at you,” she snickered.

  Shouga flinched and glanced at her. Why is she mad at me? What did I do wrong?? he asked telepathically, his panic bleeding into his thoughts.

  Seraphine tilted her head. I don’t know. I wasn’t here to witness what happened… Do you remember anything that happened over these past few hours??

  Shouga frowned, searching his memory. Maybe it happened yesterday evening??

  Seraphine sighed dramatically. This is why women don’t like you… Anyways, you still haven’t explained to me why that thing is still with you!!

  Her gaze sharpened. To Seraphine’s spiritual senses, a dark, menacing aura clung tightly to Shouga—thin strands of resentment and grief winding around him like invisible chains. At the center of it all stood Ayaka Tachibana, unseen but undeniably present.

  Oh, well… Shouga replied. I agreed to helping Tachibana-san get revenge on someone. I haven’t met him though… Anyways, where have you been? I haven’t seen you since noon!!

  I was catching up with the hero, Seraphine answered casually. We’re old friends, so there’s nothing wrong with it, right??

  Shouga ignored her and turned back to Kaoru.

  She was still sitting quietly, her shoulders trembling ever so slightly.

  “Kaoru, did I make you mad?” he asked gently.

  No answer.

  “If you feel like it, you can tell me anything… I’m your friend after all.”

  At that moment, small droplets shimmered in the fading light. Tears welled up in Kaoru’s eyes and spilled over, tracing silent paths down her cheeks.

  “Eh?” Shouga froze. “Why are you crying?? Did I hurt your feelings??”

  Seraphine crossed her tiny arms. “I think she just wants attention from you… All girls want attention from the boy they like.”

  Shouga’s eyes widened. He looked at Seraphine, then back at Kaoru. Without thinking any further, he gently wrapped an arm around Kaoru’s shoulders, pulling her into a soft side hug.

  “Sorry,” he said quietly. “Whatever I did wrong was my fault… I apologise. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”

  Seraphine leaned forward, eyes gleaming. “This is interesting to watch!”

  Kaoru sniffed, wiping her tears with the sleeve of her dress. Her voice trembled as she spoke.

  “Am I just a friend to you??”

  Shouga blinked. “No, you’re more than a friend to me!”

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  Kaoru looked at him, her eyes glistening. “What does our relationship feel like for you?”

  Shouga answered honestly, without hesitation. “You’re like a little sister to me!”

  “Why??! Why!” Kaoru cried out.

  From a distance, Seraphine smiled—slow, sharp, and undeniably menacing.

  Shouga panicked. “Kaoru, you can tell me anything… even if you say something ridiculous, I won’t harbour any ill feelings towards you.”

  Kaoru stared straight into his eyes, her face flushed crimson.

  “I love you! I love you, Shouga-kun!!!”

  Her words struck him like lightning.

  Shouga’s entire body stiffened. His cheeks burned as heat rushed to his face. “I… If that’s how you feel, I’ll accept it,” he said softly, almost inaudibly.

  Kaoru’s eyes widened. “Really!!! Really!!”

  He nodded silently.

  With a joyful cry, Kaoru threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. “Thank you, Shouga-kun!”

  Seraphine burst into laughter. “I knew it!! The maiden is in love with the most unattractive, most unpopular guy in the world!!”

  Shouga heard her—and chose not to respond. He simply sighed.

  “We should go back home,” he said. “It’s already nighttime.”

  “No,” Kaoru replied immediately, still clinging to him. “I want to stay like this for a little longer.”

  “…Alright.”

  By the time they returned to the house, night had fully settled over the village. Warm light spilled from the windows, and the smell of food greeted them as they stepped inside.

  Renjiro and Rikuya were seated at the dining table.

  “What took you two so long??” Renjiro asked.

  “Dinner is almost done,” Rikuya said cheerfully from the kitchen.

  Kaoru entered with a radiant smile. “Oh, I didn’t know you knew how to cook, Mom!”

  “Of course I know how to cook,” Rikuya replied proudly. “I cooked for your father even before we hired Liora-san!”

  “So what happens to Liora-san??” Shouga asked.

  “We sent Liora-san back to her family,” Renjiro said. “She can’t come along with us.”

  Shouga took a seat across from Renjiro. Kaoru immediately sat beside him.

  Renjiro raised an eyebrow. “What happened?? Why is Kaoru radiating happiness?”

  Kaoru beamed. “Me and Shouga-kun are a couple now!!”

  “Oh, is that so…” Renjiro nodded calmly. “We knew this would happen sooner or later.”

  “Yeah,” Rikuya added. “At least it’s Akitsu-kun. If it was any other boy, I would kick them out.”

  “You guys knew this would happen??” Shouga asked, stunned.

  “Of course,” Renjiro said. “The signs were so obvious even an elderly could find out.”

  Kaoru only smiled wider.

  “Hah!!!! See!!” Seraphine shouted triumphantly. “I was right all along!! The maiden did like you!!”

  Shouga glanced at her—and ignored her.

  “Hey, you dare ignore me!!”

  Renjiro cleared his throat. “Anyways, should we arrange the wedding as soon as we get back to the kingdom??”

  “No!” Shouga shouted. “You’re moving too fast!! I’m far too young to get married yet!”

  “Don’t worry,” Rikuya said gently. “I got married to darling when we were both twelve.”

  Shouga went completely silent.

  “Oh, don’t worry,” Renjiro added. “Let the boy adjust to his new lifestyle.”

  Under the table, Kaoru squeezed Shouga’s hand.

  He looked at her smile and thought quietly,

  I guess this is how my life will be from now on.

  “Yes, it is,” Seraphine whispered into his ear.