The sound of rain pelting the roof of the dilapidated building echoed faintly in the distance. Inside the quiet room, only two girls sat facing each other—silent in a way that wasn't entirely awkward, but not quite comfortable either.
Sofia knelt on the floor, her body still soaked from the rain, white robe clinging to her skin. On her lap lay Sylvia, the Queen, who had only just awakened from a long sleep after a harrowing inner battle.
Just moments ago… they had almost kissed.
Sofia's cheeks were still burning red.
Meanwhile, Sylvia gazed at her with calm, dark crimson eyes. There was no strong emotion in them—only serenity, but in her mind she very shy.
"WHaatt didn't this girl just almost kiss me?"
Sofia cleared her throat softly, trying to hide her flustered state.
"Um… Queen… may I know your name?" she asked quietly, her voice full of curiosity.
Sylvia tilted her head gently. The small motion looked surprisingly cute—unexpected from someone known as a terrifying creature. Her red eyes blinked in confusion, as if asking: "Why are you calling me Queen?"
Sofia's heart skipped a beat.
Thump.
'N-no… why is that expression so cute?!' she thought, hiding her face behind her hands.
Seeing Sofia suddenly lower her head with a bright red face, Sylvia just blinked. Then, calmly, she sat up and looked at the floor.
Since she still couldn't speak—her voice not yet fully recovered—Sylvia slowly used one of her sharp claws to write something on the dusty floor.
"Sylvia."
Sofia read the name aloud softly, then smiled.
"Sylvia… That's a beautiful name," she said sincerely. "My name is Sofia."
She placed her hand over her chest and gave a gentle, respectful bow. Her face was still flushed, but her eyes were full of earnestness.
Sylvia nodded slowly. Then she looked at Sofia again—who now had a serious expression.
Sofia took a deep breath, then spoke in a soft voice, full of hope:
"Can you… stop attacking?"
Sylvia went silent.
Then, calmly, she shook her head.
No.
Sofia's expression changed immediately. The small smile on her lips faded, replaced by sadness. Her gaze dropped, and the sound of rain once again felt piercing amidst the silence.
But to Sylvia… that sad face looked different.
Cute.
Something stirred in her chest at the sight of Sofia's expression. She relented.
Slowly, she wrote another message on the floor.
"Show me the ones who ordered the attack on me."
Sofia froze. Her eyes widened.
"You… you'll stop? But with a condition…?"
Sylvia looked at her and nodded.
Sofia stared at the writing for a long moment, then clenched her fists.
"...Alright." She bowed her head, voice cold. "I hate them too."
Slowly, they both stood. The rain had lightened, leaving behind the soothing scent of wet earth. Together, they stepped out of the building.
Their steps were calm, in sync. They didn't hold hands, didn't look at each other, but the atmosphere between them… felt like a couple.
Inside Sylvia's Soul World
the darkness that had previously shattered was now slowly reforming her soul realm. Black mist flowed like ink into water, shaping a once-empty land.
In the center, a familiar figure reappeared. Her long black hair was just like Sylvia's, but her expression was full of life—and a little pouty.
She opened her eyes, then sat up while rubbing her head.
"Damn… that hurt, Sis!" she said, gazing up at the sky.
From a gentle light above, another young girl appeared. Her face was identical, but calmer, more mature. Alicia smiled softly.
"Fufufu~ But that climax was quite good, Stacia."
The younger girl—Stacia—snorted in annoyance.
"Hmph." She crossed her arms. "I don't want to do such a dumb play again."
"Fufufu~ Alright~ Besides, it won't be necessary anymore. What we did was enough to stabilize our sister's soul. Even if she did get lost being a guy for a while, fufufu~"
Stacia's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Y-you…!"
"And also… your words earlier were a bit harsh, Stacia. Without that girl's help, she might never have come back."
"Tch. What matters is that it worked. She's stable now."
Alicia looked at her twin sister's face—still grumpy, but now visibly… relieved. Her lips curled into a small smile.
Alicia smiled too, then spoke softly:
"That's right, Stacia… A good girl who willingly got hurt just to stabilize her sister's soul."
Stacia blushed instantly.
"Hmph. I didn't want to. I was forced."
She turned away, trying to hide her flushed cheeks.
Alicia squinted.
"Fufufu~ Tsundere~"
"I AM NOT A TSUNDEREEEEE!!" Stacia shouted.
Alicia burst out laughing and started to run.
"You're blushing~ You're embarrassed~ Fufufu~"
"STOP!! DON'T RUN!!"
Alicia and Stacia ran through the soul world like two children fighting over a toy. Even though Sylvia's inner world had once been shattered by rage and loneliness, now it was filled with laughter and warmth.
They weren't just spirits, not just fragments—They were Sylvia's sisters, even if Sylvia herself didn't know it yet.