Maki remained seated by the river, her gaze fixed on the rippling water, silver hair catching the amber hues of the setting sun. The events of the day swirled through her mind like cherry blossoms in a breeze. A small sigh escaped her lips—quiet, content, almost wistful.
But the moment didn't last long.
A soft voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Sorry to interrupt your brooding, sis, but… someone's asking for you."
Maki turned slightly, her expression unreadable once more. The girl before her had hair just as silver as her own, eyes a vivid violet, and wore a traditional kimono that fluttered gently in the wind.
Maki's voice was calm, poised. "Who is it at this hour, Kate?"
Kate shrugged, turning away as she sighed. "Some guy going on about a 'holy arrival,' or whatever. Said his name was… Johnny?"
Maki exhaled quietly, already knowing who it was. Of course.
But before she could make her way toward the estate's front gate, a familiar voice echoed from above—half-cheerful, half-chaotic.
"Heya—!"
Sellzen came tumbling down from a nearby sakura tree, landing with a thud that rattled the air. He let out a stream of curses so creatively absurd that any passing reader would question the author's sanity. He stood, brushing off imaginary dust with exaggerated flair.
Maki approached with her trademark stillness, her face a mask of cold indifference.
"Breaking into my property now? Even for someone like you, that's pushing it."
Sellzen chuckled, pulling a book from his coat. The cover read: "How Stupid Is a Friend?" in bold, mocking letters.
"Well, Princess, I'm not here to make a deal. Not tonight," he said, voice unusually light. "Still hurts, though. You think I always want something…"
He trailed off.
"I'm here to—"
Maki cut him off with surgical precision. "Spare me your theatrics. Speak plainly, or leave."
Sellzen sighed and closed the book with a dramatic clap.
"I want to know something."
Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly, but she said nothing. Just a nod.
He raised his hands and mimicked air quotes. "See, 'sister'... after your little stunt in the council room today, you triggered something. Something deep."
He leaned forward, voice tinged with mock exasperation.
"We were supposed to be chasing girls like the good old days. Him the bait, me the fisherman! It was working—until you walked in and shattered the formula. Now he's mumbling your name more than usual. You broke the man, and I need answers."
For the first time in a long while, Maki looked… genuinely surprised. A flicker of amusement played at the corner of her lips.
"Answers, is it? Fine. Then listen closely."
She looked up at the moonlit sky.
"A rose," she began, "has thorns. It's beautiful, admired, but difficult to grasp. People try to take it, trim the thorns, reshape it. Make it theirs."
Her voice softened.
"But he… didn't try to change anything. He picked the rose—thorns and all. Held it carefully. Never flinched when it hurt him."
Sellzen blinked, then wiped away an imaginary tear.
"Damn. So… he made you feel human. Equal. No wonder I lost him."
He turned on his heel, walking backward as he called out, "Well then! You two owe me. My birthday's Friday. Instead of gifts, I'll just take credit for your romantic arc. Call it divine compensation!"
Suddenly, the wail of distant sirens filled the night air.
Sellzen grinned, gave a mock salute, and bolted into the shadows. "Time to make my very dramatic escape!"
Maki shook her head, lips curling faintly.
"What a strange soul…"