The sun had already dipped halfway below the horizon, staining the sky in a gradient of molten orange and deep violet. A gentle wind swept across the hilltop, carrying the faint scent of grass and earth, and rustled the leaves of the lone tree standing at its center. The world seemed unusually quiet, as if it were holding its breath, waiting for something to break the stillness.

  Kaoru sat beneath the tree, knees drawn close to her chest, her gaze fixed on the sinking sun. She didn’t glance at Akitsu Shouga once since they had arrived, her shoulders slightly trembling under the weight of unspoken emotions.

  Shouga lingered a few paces behind her, uncertain. Something about the scene tugged at his chest—a lingering sense of déjà vu, a memory that refused to form. Still, he forced himself forward, approaching with care, and lowered himself to sit beside her, leaving enough space to respect her silence.

  “The sun is pretty, isn’t it?” he asked softly, almost as if he were speaking to the tree or the wind.

  Kaoru didn’t respond.

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

  Before she could reply, the air in front of him shimmered faintly, like sunlight refracting through a thin veil of water. A small white figure emerged, floating effortlessly in midair. Twin fox ears twitched atop her head, and several translucent tails drifted lazily behind her, catching the fading light.

  Seraphine Orion had appeared.

  “Looks like the maiden is mad at you,” she snickered, her voice teasing but carrying a weight of insight.

  Shouga flinched and glanced at her. Why is she mad at me? What did I do wrong? His thoughts raced, tinged with panic.

  Seraphine tilted her head, eyes gleaming. 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… yesterday evening?

  Seraphine let out a dramatic sigh. This is why women don’t like you… She floated closer, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Anyway, you still haven’t explained why that thing is still with you!

  Her gaze sharpened as her spiritual senses detected it: a dark, menacing aura clinging to Shouga, thin strands of grief and resentment twisting around him like invisible chains. At the center of it all, Ayaka Tachibana was present, unseen but undeniably real.

  Oh, well… Shouga replied mentally. I agreed to help Tachibana-san get revenge on someone. I haven’t met him yet… He glanced at Seraphine. Where have you been? I haven’t seen you since noon!

  I was catching up with the hero, she replied casually, floating in lazy circles. We’re old friends, so there’s nothing wrong with it, right?

  Shouga ignored her and turned back to Kaoru. She was still sitting silently, her small frame trembling ever so slightly, like a leaf in a fragile breeze.

  “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,” he continued, voice low and sincere.

  At that moment, small droplets shimmered in the fading light. Tears welled in Kaoru’s eyes and slipped silently down her cheeks, catching the orange glow of the sunset.

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

  Seraphine crossed her tiny arms, a smirk curling her lips. “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 hesitation, he gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a soft side hug.

  “Sorry,” he whispered, voice thick with sincerity. “Whatever I did wrong was my fault… I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”

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

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

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  “Am I just a friend to you?”

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

  Kaoru looked up at him, eyes glistening in the twilight. “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, frustration and longing tangled in her voice.

  From the corner of the hill, Seraphine smiled—a slow, sharp, almost predatory curve of her lips.

  Shouga’s chest tightened. “Kaoru… you can tell me anything… even if it sounds ridiculous, I won’t hold it against you.”

  Kaoru stared straight into his eyes, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson.

  “I love you! I love you, Shouga-kun!” Her words struck him like lightning, sudden and undeniable.

  Shouga’s body froze. Heat surged into his face, and his entire being went rigid.

  “I… If that’s how you feel, I’ll accept it,” he said softly, almost a whisper against the wind.

  Kaoru’s eyes widened, sparkling with disbelief and joy. “Really?! Really?!”

  He nodded silently.

  With a joyful cry, Kaoru threw herself into his embrace, holding him tightly. “Thank you, Shouga-kun!”

  Seraphine’s laughter rang out, sharp and triumphant. “I knew it!! The maiden is in love with the most unattractive, most unpopular guy in the world!!”

  Shouga heard her—and chose silence. He simply exhaled, the weight of tension leaving him in small, steady breaths.

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

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

  “…Alright,” Shouga said with a soft sigh.

  By the time they returned to the house, night had fully settled over the village. Warm light spilled from the windows, carrying the smell of food to greet 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 ready,” Rikuya replied 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 said proudly. “I cooked for your father even before we hired Liora-san!”

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

  “We sent her 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, leaning lightly against his shoulder.

  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 were any other boy, I’d have kicked him out already.”

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

  “Of course,” Renjiro said. “The signs were so obvious even an elderly person could see them.”

  Kaoru’s smile widened further, radiant and unrestrained.

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

  Shouga glanced at her and ignored the comment.

  “Hey! You dare ignore me!!”

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

  “No!” Shouga shouted, flustered. “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 with a shrug. “Let the boy adjust to his new lifestyle first.”

  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 in his ear, her voice soft and approving, her tails flicking gently behind her.