rustle—! rustle—!

Enveloped by the night, illuminated by the stars, and under the grey leaves of Zircon, Luxia and I walk, sounding soft rustles as we advance.

''...''

''...''

''Hey, say something, would you?''

I stop in my tracks.

Turning around, I see the pink-haired girl staring at me intently, wearing her usual smirk again. She has regressed to this state as soon as I healed her a few moments ago.

''...What do you want me to say?''

''Like, explain?'' Luxia raises her eyebrow. ''You do know I don't know anything beyond the superficial stuff, don't you? You guys hid the information so frustratingly well, I swear...''

''...''

I see.

I guess I'm overloaded from suddenly making Luxia, someone I've been keeping the secret on for the longest time, and someone I consider a good friend, my subordinate.

''...Come with me.''

Fully intending to talk, I grab Luxia's hand and pull her up to sit on a tall tree's branch before flopping beside her myself.

The wind blows.

A brief silence ensues, and Luxia eagerly waits for me to organize my words.

''...This world is a game.''

''...Huh?''

''This world that you and I are living in, this period of time, runs through a predetermined timeline.'' I continue. ''And I know how that timeline plays out. More accurately, Amelia Luminous does.''

At this, Luxia has a blank look on her face.

''So... That's why you are able to act like that...?''

''Yes. Though it is not prophetic, and since I have intervened in the scenarios, things will not go as we know anymore.''

''What...'' Luxia closes her eyes, lightly shakes her head, and then breathes out lightly. ''What an unexpected turn!''

''...''

I knew it. For this psychopath, things like this would only be fuel for her excitement. I mean... Well... It's a good thing that she takes it well, I suppose.

''And then? What's next? What's next?!''

Right then, Luxia presses her hands on mine as if trapping me in place; her body yearns toward me to the point of being dangerously close. At this distance, gazing into her two stars, I can feel her scent, her presence surging forward, trying to overwhelm my whole being.

''...You're too close.''

''I know.''

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

That smug face... Hah...

''I'll let Amelia speak. I'm tired.''

''But I want to hear it right now... Hm? Now that I think about it, wasn't you supposed to be with them at the academy? Is this alright?''

As Luxia turns to the direction of the academy, I follow suit. There, the festival is still going strong, evident by the sea of light illuminating the night sky above.

''It's fine,'' I reply. ''Go back to the academy. We will talk there.''

''Okay...?'' Luxia reluctantly nods. ''Let's go.''

''No. You go alone.''

''Ah, you have teleportation, right? Get me there, too!''

''...''

Sighing, I grab Luxia's hand again and teleport to Chloe's room in the dorm, not before checking with Peln to make sure no one is present there.

''Oh...!''

In an instant, our visions change abruptly, and we're now standing in a dark room.

"Don't turn on the light." I remind Luxia before grabbing a drink from one of the shelves for myself.

''So this is teleportation...''

As Luxia excitedly zooms around the room, she eventually takes a look out the window and then—

''Huh...?!''

''What happened?''

''Isn't that...''

When I look in the direction she is pointing, I can see Peln standing there with the others. Chloe is on the right, Nydia is on the left, Scarlett is behind, and Claire is in front—that's the whole group, alright.

It seems the party is not over yet.

''Go to them.'' I speak up, downing the glass of orange juice.

''Huh? What am I supposed to—''

Before Luxia can finish her sentence, I hand her the empty glass and teleport away. Arriving inside the Backrooms, I flop down the bed and look blankly at the ceiling.

Staring at the flickering light, lost in my thoughts.

What an intense night—no, 'intense' might not be the right word. Surprising, that's what it is. I didn't expect [Monarch] to be able to interfere with Luxia's signature skill. Instinctively, I realized that I could prevent her from reading my thoughts or those of anyone who is my subordinate the moment I made her mine.

I guess it only makes sense this way.

Still, the matter with Luxia is not over yet. I have not put a non-disclosure command on her, after all.

With a small sigh, I once again turn my consciousness to Peln's body.

''—I'm telling you, spicy beef jerky is the best!''

''How are you supposed to taste the meat if all you do is pour pepper powder on it?''

Right away, I see Chloe and Scarlett arguing about something stupid. The other two, not being able to oppose the duchies' ladies, silently watch.

Not me.

''Wait, you both.'' I intervene, successfully catching everyone's attention. ''Chicken jerky is also good.''

A bit confused, they all look at my wings for a moment.

Does this count as cannibalism? I'm not sure. I'm not a chicken, after all.

Before the great jerky debate can continue; however, an equally confused pink head can be seen walking toward us from the direction of the dorm.

''Saintess? When did you get here...?'' Claire quickly walks over and asks.

''Ah... Just now.'' Luxia replies, scratching her cheek and looking at me. ''Looks like I missed all the good stuff?''

''You did! What were you doing all along?!!'' The heroine sighs regretfully. ''In any case, there's still time, so let's go!''

''Now...?''

''Of course!''

The clock tower in the distance says 2:37, yet it seems everyone still has energy to spare.

Just like that, for the next hour or so, our group enjoys the lasts of the festival together, seizing the chance to capture beautiful moments together before we go back to our routine.

Before we get back to the plot.

The next scenario is right after this festival. What a drag.

Nevertheless, when the sun finally shows up far at the horizon, we decide to stop. Sitting across three benches, we admire the sun quietly.

''Hah... That was fun!''

Luxia smiles in satisfaction; the stars in her eyes shine brilliantly. Borrowing Mister Slen's [Telepathy], I quickly send a message to both the pink head and Chloe.

Come to the rooftop after this.

'''' ...!! ''''

Then, one by one, the group disperse. Nydia goes straight to sleep, leaving Luxia, Chloe, and me alone.

"...Do we even need to go to the rooftop?" Luxia asks, looking at the empty streets.

''Nah, the rooftop is probably better.'' Chloe replies.

For the atmosphere, right?

In any case, it only takes a bit for us to get there. Standing on the rooftop at this time is perfect for watching the sunrise. I don't normally do this, so it's quite refreshing.

When we are all settled, I turn my back to the sun—face to face with Luxia and Chloe.

Heavy silence flows. The two gaze at each other cautiously, probably questioning each other's intentions. Right then, I speak up.

''...Luxia is mine now.''

'''' ??? ''''

Oops, it seems I have misspoken.