"Haru!"
"You idiot, wake the hell up! We'll miss our station!"
"Huh...?"
Haru jolted awake, nearly headbutting the seat in front of him.
For a brief moment he stared blankly at the train ceiling, wondering where he was. Then reality came crashing back.
The shopping trip.
The parfaits.
The train ride home.
And apparently the fact that he'd fallen asleep in public.
He wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth and looked up.
Mika stood over him with her arms folded.
"You're finally awake, sleepyhead."
"Five more minutes..."
"The train is stopping."
"Oh."
That got his attention.
Beside him, Elara stirred awake as well.
She stretched lazily before opening her eyes.
"Mika?" she asked sleepily.
"Less talking, more moving."
Without warning Mika grabbed Elara's wrist and started pulling her toward the exit.
Elara instinctively grabbed Haru's hand.
The result was Haru getting dragged along like luggage.
"Hey! Slow down!"
The three stumbled through the train just as the doors opened.
They practically fell onto the platform.
A second later the doors shut.
The train pulled away.
Mika placed her hands on her hips and smirked.
"What would you two do without me?"
Silence.
"Probably end up in the next prefecture."
Still silence.
Her smile twitched.
Why wasn't anyone reacting?
She looked back.
Then immediately spotted the problem.
Elara was still holding Haru's hand.
Not only that, Haru hadn't noticed.
The sleepy fool was rubbing his eyes with his free hand.
Mika's eye twitched.
She immediately marched over and seized Haru's other hand.
"Come on, Haru."
Her voice sounded suspiciously calm.
"Let's go home."
Haru nodded absentmindedly.
Meanwhile the two girls exchanged a glance.
Neither said a word.
Neither needed to.
For some reason the air between them felt heavier.
Haru felt it too.
He had absolutely no idea why.
Thankfully the walk home wasn't long.
The moment they reached the house, Elara stepped inside and spun around dramatically.
"I shall prepare dinner."
"NO!"
The response came from Haru and Mika simultaneously.
Elara blinked.
The synchronized rejection seemed to wound her more than either of them expected.
"Was... my breakfast truly that unpleasant?"
Her shoulders drooped.
Immediately both Haru and Mika panicked.
"N-No!"
"It wasn't bad!"
"It was just..."
"Weird."
"Unique."
The two looked at each other.
"Unique?" Elara repeated.
"Yeah."
Haru nodded quickly.
"You've got potential."
Mika immediately nodded.
"Lots of potential."
"You just need to get used to the ingredients from our world first."
Elara looked unconvinced.
"...I see."
The fact that she didn't seem convinced at all made Haru feel guilty.
He quickly escaped to the kitchen.
"How about I cook tonight?"
"What shall we be having?" Elara asked.
"Ramen."
"Ra... men?"
She pronounced the word carefully.
As if testing a spell.
Mika froze.
Then slowly turned toward her.
"Wait."
"You've never had ramen?"
Elara tilted her head.
"Ramen is food?"
The horror on Mika's face was genuine.
"Oh my god."
She looked at Haru.
"We need the special recipe."
Haru narrowed his eyes.
"You just want an excuse to eat my special ramen."
"Maybe."
"At least you're honest."
While Haru gathered ingredients, Mika headed outside to collect herbs and vegetables from the garden.
Before she could leave, Elara stepped beside her.
"The darkness approaches."
Mika blinked.
"...It's six in the evening."
"We know not what horrors lurk in the dark."
"You really think monsters are hiding in Haru's tomatoes?"
"I shall escort you regardless."
Mika couldn't help laughing.
"Fine."
The two stepped into the cool evening air.
The garden rustled softly in the breeze.
Mika crouched beside a patch of herbs and began gathering ingredients.
After a few minutes she noticed something strange.
Elara kept looking at her.
Then looking away.
Then looking at her again.
Then away.
Again.
And again.
Eventually Mika sighed.
"If you've got something to say, just say it."
Elara jumped.
"How did you know?"
"You've been trying to ask me something for ten minutes."
Elara looked away.
Then finally spoke.
"What manner of feelings do you harbor toward Haru?"
Mika blinked.
Then laughed.
"That's what you were worried about?"
"Forget I asked."
"Nope."
Mika sat down beside her.
"We're having this conversation."
Elara looked trapped.
Mika grinned.
"I like him."
The response came so quickly that Elara froze.
"You... do?"
"Yep."
"As in..."
"I want to date him."
"Oh."
Elara suddenly found the herbs fascinating.
"What about you?"
"Me?"
"Yes, you."
Elara hesitated.
"I respect him."
Mika narrowed her eyes.
"That's not all."
"He reminds me of someone."
"Who?"
"Kazuki."
"The hero?"
"Yes."
"And how did you feel about him?"
Elara hesitated.
"...Admiration."
Mika's grin widened.
"You hesitated."
"I did not."
"You absolutely did."
"It was platonic."
"Sure."
"It was."
"Sure."
Elara's face reddened.
"Perhaps a little more than platonic."
"Aha!"
"But it is different with Haru."
Mika tilted her head.
"Different how?"
Elara opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
Then opened it again.
No words came out.
The silence was answer enough.
Mika smiled.
For some reason she wasn't upset.
Instead she found herself strangely relieved.
Maybe because now everything was finally honest.
Soon they returned to the house carrying baskets of ingredients.
The moment they stepped inside they froze.
Music echoed from the kitchen.
Steam filled the air.
And somewhere beyond the doorway a figure was dancing.
Mika immediately dragged Elara behind the wall.
"Quiet."
The two slowly peeked around a corner and there Haru was, totally vibing with the music.
He banged on the pots like they were drums before moonwalking to a cupboard, picking up a few spices and sauces and juggling them as he walked to the stove.
He skillfully placed them down and began to sprinkle spice in what smelled like gravy, as he did this he accidentally knocked off his spatula but before it could touch the ground he kicked it and caught it.
He then apun it and began to stir in a pan that had diced pieces of steak as if nothing happened
Elara stared.
"Is this a ritual?"
"No."
"A battle dance?"
"No."
"A mating display?"
Mika nearly choked.
Before she could answer, an evil grin spread across her face.
She grabbed a fork.
Tiptoed forward.
And waited.
The moment Haru turned around—
Tap.
She poked his shoulder.
He turned right.
Mika appeared on his left.
Stole a piece of steak.
And ran.
"YOINK!"
For a second Haru stood frozen.
Then realization struck.
"MIKA!"
The chase was immediate.
Unfortunately for him, Mika was already halfway across the room.
"You fell for the oldest trick in the book!"
"When I catch you—"
She stuck out her tongue and vanished around the corner.
Defeated, Haru returned to the stove.
Meanwhile Mika proudly presented the stolen steak to Elara like a victorious hunter.
The knight stared at it.
Then at Mika.
Then back at the steak.
"...You stole it."
"It tastes better this way."
"That makes no sense."
"Trust me."
Against her better judgment, Elara took a bite.
The steak practically melted in her mouth.
Her eyes widened.
Mika smirked triumphantly.
"Told you."
After Mika's successful theft operation, the two girls helped set the table while Haru continued cooking.
Unfortunately, the stolen steak had created an entirely new problem.
"I'm starving," Mika groaned.
"You ate not long ago."
"The steak awakened something within me."
Elara nodded solemnly.
"It is as though I have glimpsed paradise only to be cast back into mortal suffering."
Mika pointed dramatically.
"See? She gets it."
The aroma drifting from the kitchen only made things worse.
Every passing minute felt like torture.
At one point Mika considered stealing another piece.
The only thing stopping her was the possibility of Haru actually strangling her.
Eventually the source of the heavenly smell emerged from the kitchen.
Haru carried several large bowls and set them on the table.
The moment the lids were removed, steam rose into the air.
Elara stared.
The broth shimmered under the warm kitchen light.
Slices of steak rested atop a bed of noodles.
Fresh vegetables floated alongside herbs she had personally gathered.
The scent alone was enough to make her mouth water.
"Looks like someone's ready to eat the bowl too."
Elara immediately straightened.
"I was merely observing."
"Sure."
Haru slid a pair of chopsticks toward her.
"Here."
Elara picked them up.
Then frowned.
Then turned them upside down.
Then sideways.
Then upside down again.
"...What are these?"
The room went silent.
"You've never used chopsticks?"
She shook her head.
Mika immediately buried her face in her hands.
"This is adorable."
"It is not."
"It really is."
Determined to prove them wrong, Elara dipped the chopsticks into the bowl.
She carefully grabbed some noodles.
For a moment it seemed successful.
Then every noodle slipped free and fell back into the broth.
Plop.
Elara blinked.
She tried again.
Plop.
Again.
Plop.
A fourth attempt ended exactly the same way.
By now Mika was shaking from suppressed laughter.
Haru finally stepped in.
"Here."
He moved beside her and gently adjusted her grip.
Elara stiffened.
"H-Haru?"
"Relax."
He guided her fingers into place.
"Hold them like this."
His hand remained over hers for a moment.
Much longer than either of them expected.
Elara's face slowly turned red.
Meanwhile Mika's eye twitched.
"Am I interrupting something?"
The two immediately pulled apart.
"N-No."
"Absolutely not."
The synchronized response only made Mika more suspicious.
Eventually Haru demonstrated the proper technique.
This time Elara managed to lift the noodles successfully.
Some still slipped away.
But enough reached her mouth.
The moment she tasted the ramen, her eyes widened.
Warm broth.
Tender noodles.
The rich flavor of the steak.
A mixture of tastes unlike anything she had experienced before.
Without realizing it, she placed a hand against her cheek.
A small smile appeared.
Mika immediately pointed.
"Look at that face."
"What face?"
"That face."
"I do not know what you mean."
"You look like someone who just discovered happiness."
Elara ignored her and took another bite.
Then another.
Then another.
Soon she switched to the fork Mika provided.
The results were immediate.
The bowl began emptying at an alarming speed.
Even Haru started staring.
A few minutes later Elara looked down.
The bowl was empty.
Her expression fell.
"...It is gone."
Haru chuckled.
"Was it that good?"
"Very."
A low growl echoed through the room.
Everyone froze.
Elara slowly looked down.
Then at her stomach.
Then back at the others.
The second growl was even louder.
Her face exploded into color.
Without a word, Haru took her bowl.
A few moments later a fresh serving appeared before her.
"Don't be afraid to ask for seconds."
Elara looked at the new bowl.
Then at Haru.
Then back at the bowl.
"...Thank you."
The gratitude in her voice was almost enough to make him laugh.
"Seconds!" Mika suddenly shouted.
Haru narrowed his eyes.
"You already stole food."
"That was an appetizer."
"You stole it."
"You can't prove that."
"I literally watched you."
"Allegedly."
Haru sighed and filled her bowl anyway.
"You're lucky I made extra."
"I knew there was a reason I kept you around."
The meal continued.
And continued.
And continued.
By the end, Elara had somehow consumed enough ramen to challenge a competitive eater.
Even Mika looked impressed.
When Elara timidly requested another refill, Haru simply handed over the pot.
Several minutes later the two girls finally leaned back in their chairs.
Satisfied.
Meanwhile Haru stared at the empty pot.
His soul quietly left his body.
"There were supposed to be leftovers."
"There are leftovers."
Haru looked up hopefully.
Mika pointed at the empty bowls.
"There are leftovers on the dishes."
"I regret teaching you how to speak."
"I know."
Once dinner was finished, Mika volunteered for dishwashing duty.
Mostly because Haru wouldn't stop reminding her about the stolen steak.
By the time the kitchen was clean, darkness had settled outside.
The living room lights cast a warm glow across the house.
Mika immediately grabbed the remote.
"Movie time."
Elara tilted her head.
"Movie time?"
"Yep."
"What is a movie?"
Haru and Mika exchanged a glance.
Then both began explaining at once.
"A recorded story—"
"People acting—"
"Special effects—"
"Entertainment—"
"A giant screen—"
"A lot of popcorn—"
Elara raised a hand.
Both stopped.
"I understood approximately three words."
"Close enough."
Mika pressed the power button.
The television flickered to life.
Elara jumped.
"There it is again."
"What?"
"The cursed box."
"It's not cursed."
"It glows."
"That's called electricity."
"That sounds like something a cultist would say."
Haru laughed.
"You'll get used to it."
The movie began.
At first it seemed harmless.
A family moved into a new house.
There were happy moments.
A little romance.
Some comedy.
Even Elara relaxed.
"This is pleasant."
"Just wait," Mika said.
"What does that mean?"
"Nothing."
The first hour passed peacefully.
Then the movie remembered it was a horror film.
The atmosphere shifted.
The music became unsettling.
The lights inside the movie flickered.
The audience became nervous.
Especially Mika.
She slowly moved closer to Haru.
Then closer.
Then closer.
Eventually her shoulder touched his.
Haru looked down.
"You said you weren't scared."
"I'm not."
"Then why are you shaking?"
"The room is cold."
"It's summer."
"Very cold summer."
Haru rolled his eyes.
Meanwhile Elara remained completely focused.
Then came the scene.
A mother heard her baby crying.
She checked the crib and found it empty, her eyes widened with shock but before she could do anything, some abnormally long fingers gently gripped her shoulder.
the lady slowly turned her head only to see the grotesque face of a monster that opened wide jaws and the scene ended with the woman's bloodcurdling scream
The entire living room exploded into chaos.
Mika shrieked.
Haru nearly threw the remote.
And Elara reached for her sword.
When the scene ended, everyone sat frozen.
Breathing heavily.
Eventually Mika realized she was clutching Haru's arm.
And Haru realized he was gripping Elara's shoulder.
All three awkwardly separated.
No one spoke.
No one acknowledged what happened.
The movie continued.
A little girl appeared on screen.
She ran through an empty street crying for help.
Behind her, a monstrous creature pursued her.
The child screamed.
The monster roared.
The music intensified.
And something inside Elara finally snapped.
She rose to her feet.
Drew her sword.
And charged.
"ELARA WAIT—"
Too late.
A silver flash crossed the room.
The television split neatly in half.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The screen flickered once.
Then died.
Everyone stared.
The remains of Haru's television slowly slid apart.
Elara lowered her sword.
Breathing heavily.
"The child is safe."
The silence somehow became even worse.
Very slowly, Haru stood up.
A calm smile appeared on his face.
The kind of smile that terrified people.
He placed a hand on Elara's shoulder.
"Elara."
"Yes?"
"What exactly did you think you were doing?"
"I was saving the child from the cursed box."
"...The what?"
"The cursed box."
Haru closed his eyes.
Took a deep breath.
Then another.
Mika immediately stepped between them.
"Okay!"
She clapped loudly.
"Movie night is officially over!"
"Haru—"
"No, let him speak."
"Haru—"
"She murdered my television."
"It was self-defense."
"It was not self-defense."
"It looked dangerous."
"It was a movie!"
Elara blinked.
"A movie?"
"Yes."
"The child was not real."
"...What?"
"The monster wasn't real either."
"What?"
"The entire thing was acting."
"What?!"
Realization finally struck.
Elara looked at the destroyed television.
Then at Haru.
Then back at the television.
Her face turned pale.
"Oh no."
"Oh yes."
"I'm terribly sorry."
Haru pointed at the remains of his television.
"I won that thing in a tournament."
"Oh no."
"Oh yes."
Mika immediately grabbed Haru's shoulders.
"Come on, buddy."
"I'm calm."
"That's exactly what someone who's not calm would say."
The dangerous smile remained.
"Ok you're clearly pissed but hey why not take out that frustration on that shooting game of yours, I'll take a bath with Elara." Mika said.
"Why are you bathing with her? Just let her stay when I'm done I will at least leave her alive ... Maybe." Haru said ominously.
"Maybe! On second thought I was quite shaken by the movie I'm afraid of what terrors might be waiting in the dark so Elara could protect me."
Haru turned to Elara.
"You are right, the night contains a lot of terrors, watch your back Elara, pray I won't become one of those terrors." Mike said.
A cold chill went down her spine but Mika just took her hand and headed to the bathroom.
"Retreat."
"What?"
"Retreat."
The two girls fled.
Leaving Haru alone with the shattered remains of his beloved television.
The bathroom door slammed shut.
A second later another door slammed somewhere else in the house.
Then silence followed.
Elara sat on the closed toilet lid while Mika leaned against the sink.
Neither spoke for a few moments.
The image of Haru standing over the remains of his television kept replaying in Elara's mind.
"...Am I going to die?"
Mika snorted.
"No."
Elara looked relieved.
"Probably."
The relief immediately vanished.
"I knew it."
"Relax. He's angry, not murderous."
"His smile suggested otherwise."
"Fair point."
The two girls shared a nervous laugh.
Eventually Mika began filling the bathtub.
Warm water poured into the tub while steam slowly filled the room.
Elara sat quietly.
Far quieter than normal.
Mika noticed immediately.
"You're still thinking about the television?"
"Partly."
"What else?"
Elara hesitated.
Then lowered her gaze.
"I do not understand myself."
That got Mika's attention.
"What do you mean?"
The knight stared at her own reflection in the bathwater.
"When you wrapped your arms around Haru..."
She paused.
"...I felt upset."
Mika blinked.
"...Oh."
"And when he helped me use those chopsticks earlier..."
Elara touched her chest.
"My heart began beating strangely."
"Oh."
"And when he called me adorable yesterday..."
Mika's expression slowly transformed into a grin.
"Ohhhh."
Elara immediately looked away.
"Do not make that face."
"I knew it."
"You know nothing."
"I absolutely know."
Elara buried her face in her hands.
Mika laughed.
The sound echoed through the bathroom.
"You like him."
"I told you I do not."
"You do you were jealous when I hugged Haru."
"..."
"You're really bad at this."
"Bad at what?"
"Being honest with yourself."
Elara lowered her hands.
For once she didn't have a response.
Mika's smile softened.
Then she sat beside her.
"You know..."
Her voice became quieter.
"I like him too."
Elara looked surprised.
"You do?"
"Yeah."
The answer came without hesitation.
The confidence in her voice caught Elara off guard.
Mika laughed softly.
"Honestly, I've liked him for a long time."
"How long?"
"Hmm..."
She pretended to think.
"Maybe since middle school."
Elara nearly choked.
"That long?"
"Yep."
Mika leaned back.
"He helped me through a lot of stuff."
Her smile became smaller.
"Gave me someone to rely on."
For a brief moment the playful girl disappeared.
The Mika sitting before Elara seemed older somehow.
More vulnerable.
"I figured eventually I'd tell him."
"What stopped you?"
Mika shrugged.
"Fear."
Elara blinked.
"Fear?"
"What if he said no?"
That answer surprised her.
In her mind Mika seemed fearless.
The type of person who charged headfirst into every situation.
Yet here she was admitting uncertainty.
Mika noticed her expression and laughed.
"Don't look so surprised."
"I merely did not expect that answer."
"Trust me, confessing is terrifying."
The room fell quiet.
After a moment Mika looked toward her.
"So."
"So?"
"What about you?"
Elara immediately knew where this was going.
"I am unsure."
"Liar."
"I am not lying."
"Then answer honestly."
Mika leaned forward.
"When Haru complimented you earlier..."
Elara's face immediately turned red.
"..."
"When he held your hand?"
"..."
"When he taught you how to use chopsticks?"
"..."
"When he carried you after the dragon attack?"
"..."
"When he smiled at you?"
"..."
"When he—"
"I understand!"
Mika burst into laughter.
Elara covered her face.
The silence that followed said more than any answer could.
Eventually Mika spoke again.
This time her voice was gentler.
"If you like him..."
Elara slowly looked up.
"...then don't run away from it."
The knight froze.
"What?"
"I said don't run away."
Mika poked her forehead.
"You always do this."
"Do what?"
"You put everyone else first."
Elara opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
Because she knew Mika was right.
"You aren't a hero right now."
Mika smiled.
"You're just a girl."
The words struck harder than Elara expected.
For so long she had been a knight.
A warrior.
A member of the Hero's Party.
Someone responsible for protecting others.
She had never stopped to consider what she wanted.
Mika continued.
"If you like him, then admit it."
"But you—"
"I know."
Mika cut her off.
"I like him too."
She smiled.
"And I still mean what I said."
Elara stared.
"You are not upset?"
"Why would I be?"
"Because we both—"
"Like the same guy?"
Mika laughed.
"Yeah."
The answer should have bothered her.
Yet strangely it didn't.
"If Haru chooses me, I'll be happy."
Her smile softened.
"If he chooses you..."
A tiny bit of sadness appeared in her eyes.
"...then future me can deal with that."
Elara stared silently.
Then smiled.
A genuine smile.
Perhaps the first one she'd given since arriving in this world.
"I understand."
"Good."
Mika stood.
"And for the record..."
She extended her hand.
"I won't lose."
Elara stared at the offered hand.
Then slowly smiled.
"Neither will I."
Their hands met.
For a brief moment rivals became allies.
Then immediately became rivals again.
The atmosphere became awkward.
"...This is weird."
"A little."
The two burst into laughter.
A while later they emerged from the bathroom.
Their hair was still damp from the bath.
The first thing they heard was a familiar voice from the living room.
"Amazing!"
The announcer practically screamed.
"A new record has been set!"
The girls looked toward the television monitor connected to Haru's gaming setup.
On screen stood Haru's character.
Surrounded by bodies.
Lots of bodies.
The number displayed at the bottom read:
[80 Eliminations out of 100]
Mika's jaw dropped.
"Elara."
"Yes?"
"I think we underestimated how angry he was."
"What do you mean?"
"He just wiped out eighty percent of a battle royale lobby."
Elara looked horrified.
"That sounds severe."
"It is severe."
The commentator continued speaking.
"An absolutely merciless performance from ChaosPurger!"
Mika slowly turned toward Elara.
"You made him so angry that he committed virtual genocide."
"I apologized already."
"I don't think that fixed it."
The two exchanged nervous looks.
At that exact moment Haru stood up from his chair.
The girls froze.
To their surprise, he looked much calmer.
The dangerous smile was gone.
Instead he just looked tired.
Mika's eyes widened.
Then an idea appeared.
A terrible idea.
The kind of idea that only Mika could produce.
Without warning she sprinted into Haru's room.
"What is she doing?" Elara asked.
"I have no idea."
Several seconds later Mika emerged carrying a pillow.
Then another.
Then another.
She climbed onto Haru's bed and pointed dramatically.
"I declare this territory mine!"
Silence.
"What?"
"Ain't nobody getting this bed without going through me first!"
A pillow flew across the room.
It smacked Haru directly in the face.
The room became silent.
Mika smiled nervously.
"...Worth it."
Haru slowly lowered the pillow.
Then disappeared.
"Crap he must be really pissed if he's not-"
Mika was interrupted when something hit her face, when she looked where it came from she was shocked to see Haru, he'd returned carrying every cushion from the living room.
Mika's confidence vanished.
"Oh no."
"Oh yes. You're doomed if three pillows are your only ammo."
The first cushion struck her square in the chest.
She bounced backward.
"Attack!"
Chaos erupted.
Pillows flew everywhere.
Elara was hit before she even understood what was happening.
Then she retaliated.
Haru dodged one pillow only to be struck by another.
Mika became collateral damage multiple times.
At one point all three launched pillows simultaneously.
All three were hit simultaneously.
And all three fell simultaneously.
For a second nobody moved.
Then laughter erupted.
The kind of laughter that left your stomach hurting.
The kind that made breathing difficult.
The kind that washed away every bit of tension.
Eventually the battle ended.
The room was a disaster.
Feathers covered the floor.
Pillows were scattered everywhere.
And Haru's anger had finally disappeared.
Which meant the television had officially been forgiven.
Mostly.
The room gradually fell silent.
The battlefield that had once been Haru's bedroom now looked as though a miniature war had been fought inside it. Pillows were scattered everywhere. Blankets were tangled together. One of Mika's socks had somehow ended up hanging from the ceiling fan.
Nobody knew how.
Nobody wanted to know.
After spending several minutes cleaning up the aftermath, the three finally settled down.
Haru let out a long sigh.
"I'm exhausted."
"You say that like you weren't the main culprit."
Mika crossed her arms.
"Who was the one throwing couch cushions like artillery shells?"
"I was defending myself."
"You declared war."
"You started it."
"I declared independence."
"That's not how independence works."
"It worked just fine."
Haru groaned.
"I don't even have the energy to argue anymore."
Mika grinned victoriously.
"Then I win."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"Go to sleep."
Mika puffed her cheeks.
"You're no fun."
She immediately climbed onto the bed beside him.
Haru stared.
"Mika."
"Yes?"
"Why are you here?"
She blinked innocently.
"What do you mean?"
"This."
He pointed at the bed.
"My bed."
"Our bed."
"Not our bed."
"Our bed for tonight."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
Haru looked ready to lose what little sanity he had left.
"You literally live next door."
"And?"
"You have your own room."
"And?"
"You have your own bed."
"And?"
Haru slowly covered his face.
"I can't do this."
Mika smirked.
"Victory."
Before Haru could formulate another argument, Mika wrapped herself in the blanket like a burrito.
"Too late. I've already claimed territory."
"That's not how territory works."
"It worked during the pillow war."
"That wasn't a war."
"It absolutely was."
Haru thought about Elara who was supposed to on the futon, at least Elara had some sense.
Unlike the gremlin currently occupying half his.
"At least Elara is behaving like a normal person."
Mika raised an eyebrow.
"Uh... Haru?"
"What?"
"You might want to look behind you."
"Huh?"
Confused, Haru turned around.
His brain immediately stopped working.
Somehow.
At some point.
Without anybody noticing.
Elara had migrated from the futon to the bed.
She was now lying beside him.
Perfectly still.
Perfectly quiet.
Perfectly pretending to be asleep.
Haru stared.
Mika stared.
A few seconds passed.
Then more.
Neither said anything.
Eventually Haru noticed something.
Elara's eyelids were twitching.
Very slightly.
Like someone trying extremely hard to fake being asleep.
"..."
"..."
"...Elara."
No response.
"Elara."
Nothing.
"You're awake."
Still nothing.
Her face slowly turned red.
Then redder.
Then even redder.
Haru was fairly certain steam would start coming out of her ears any second.
Finally she rolled onto her side.
Away from him.
"Well you two can use the bed I'm going on the futon."
"No way bud, you're sleeping here tonight ." Mika said .
Haru felt both his arms get grabbed.
"Come on can't a man have the freedom to choose where he sleeps." He complained.
"Well you're currently living the dream of many guys, just look two beauties at both your sides, what more do you need."
Haru felt the grip on his left hand looand he pulled his hand out immediately, he tried to pull the other one out but the grip was firm.
"Come on Mika let me go."
"What are you talking about I'm not touching you."
"What-"
Mike looked at his arm in time to see Elara withdraw her hand and he stared in shock for a while.
"See I'm not the only who wants you to stay." Mika said
Mike stayed for some time before relenting and laying down.
"Goodnight."
Elara said, her voice was so small it almost disappeared.
Mika immediately exploded into laughter.
"HAHAHAHA!"
Elara buried her face under the blanket.
"Please cease."
"I'm sorry!"
"No you're not."
"I'm really not."
Haru sighed.
"I've completely lost control of my life."
"True."
"Thanks."
"Anytime."
Eventually the room settled down.
The lights were turned off.
Moonlight filtered through the curtains.
The playful atmosphere slowly faded into a comfortable silence.
For a while nobody spoke.
Then Mika's voice broke the quiet.
"Hey."
"Hm?"
"Thanks for today."
Haru blinked.
The sincerity caught him off guard.
"What brought that on?"
Mika smiled softly.
"I don't know."
She looked toward the ceiling.
"I just had fun."
The room grew quiet again.
Then Elara spoke.
"So did I."
Her voice was gentle.
Almost sleepy.
"In truth... I have not smiled this much in a very long time."
Neither Haru nor Mika interrupted.
For once there were no jokes.
No teasing.
No arguments.
Just honesty.
Elara continued.
"When I first arrived here... I thought I would never belong."
Her fingers tightened slightly around the blanket.
"This world frightened me."
Her voice grew quieter.
"I still miss my companions."
The room became silent.
Haru understood.
Even if she laughed.
Even if she smiled.
She had lost everything.
Her home.
Her world.
Her friends.
Everyone she knew.
Then she smiled.
"But today was wonderful."
A small pause.
"The train."
Another pause.
"The shops."
"The parfait."
Mika grinned.
"Humanity's greatest invention."
"I agree."
"The ramen?"
"The second greatest invention."
Haru snorted.
"Only second?"
"The parfait remains undefeated."
"Oh really you just wait till I start making parfaits myself."
A soft laugh escaped all three of them.
Then silence returned.
Comfortable silence.
The kind shared between people who enjoyed each other's company.
Eventually Mika yawned.
Then Elara.
Then Haru.
One by one their eyes grew heavier.
The room became still.
Until eventually—
"Goodnight... Again"
Elara's voice.
"Goodnight."
Mika's.
"...Goodnight."
Haru's.
Soon after, the room fell completely silent.
---
Several hours later.
The only illumination came from the monitor on Haru's desk.
The screen suddenly flickered.
A notification appeared.
---
[SPECIAL GUILD EVENT AVAILABLE]
The Chaos Purgers Guild has met the minimum qualifications required to participate in the Wild Hunt Event.
Guild Recommendation: Recruit one additional member to receive event benefits and bonus rewards.
Event Start: 3 Days Remaining
We look forward to your participation.
---
The message remained on-screen for several seconds.
Then the monitor flickered once more.
Far away.
Somewhere hidden behind countless networks and servers.
A lone figure sat before a glowing screen.
Only their silhouette could be seen.
Their fingers danced across a keyboard.
Click.
Click.
Click.
A faint smile appeared on their face.
"So you've finally reached the requirements."
The figure leaned back.
Eyes reflecting the light of the monitor.
"I've been waiting for this."
Another click.
A profile appeared on the screen.
A familiar name.
Elara.
The mysterious figure smiled.
"We'll meet soon."
The screen faded to black.
And somewhere in the darkness...
The Wild Hunt quietly began to stir.