Yuuji stirred from sleep with a strange warmth on his chest. He sat up, blinking into the soft morning light filtering through the treetops.
And then—he remembered.
Lunaria.
The Moonlight.
The test.
The mark.
He looked down at his chest where a faint silvery symbol shimmered under his shirt—a crescent moon surrounded by flame.
"She really bound me… like a contract."
He looked over to Seraphina—still sleeping on the other side of the campfire.
No… wait.
She wasn't sleeping.
She stood near a tree, her back facing him, one hand gripping her sword hilt tightly.
"You're finally up."
Yuuji blinked.
There was a sharpness in her voice. Something wasn't right.
"Morning. Uh… how long were you awake?"
"Long enough."
She turned.
Her crimson eyes weren't their usual sharp but calm shade.
No—today they burned.
"You had a visitor last night," she said flatly.
Yuuji's throat tightened.
She knew.
"I… yeah. Her name was Lunaria. She's—"
"The Moon-Flame. I know."
Seraphina walked forward, stopping a foot away from him. Her presence was heavy.
"You made a pact with her."
Yuuji swallowed.
She was angry. But why did that make his heart beat faster?
"It wasn't like I wanted— I mean—she appeared out of nowhere! She challenged me, said I needed power. I couldn't say no—"
"Did you enjoy it?"
That question hit harder than any sword swing.
"What?"
"Did you enjoy her hands on your chest? Her voice in your ear?"
"Did you like how she looked at you like you belonged to her?"
Her voice trembled—not with anger… but something deeper.
Yuuji stepped forward.
"Seraphina… I didn't mean to hurt—"
"Draw your weapon."
"What?!"
"Draw. Your. Weapon."
"If you're going to be a leader… then prove you can stand in front of the Flames you claim."
Yuuji's hands trembled as he reached for the training blade she'd made for him yesterday—nothing fancy, just a wooden practice sword.
Seraphina drew hers. Real steel.
"She's serious."
The trees around them stilled. Even the wind seemed to stop, holding its breath.
"Come at me," she said, stance firm.
"Seraphina, I don't want to—"
"Then you've already lost."
Her blade came forward—not aimed to kill, but with enough force to knock him on his back. He dodged, barely, stumbling over a root.
"What the hell, Seraphina?!"
"Fight back!"
"I can't fight someone I care about!"
And there it was.
The silence.
The pause.
Seraphina's grip loosened. Her eyes wavered.
Yuuji, panting, held his wooden sword up—not in defense, but almost like a shield from her gaze.
"I'm not strong yet. I know that."
"But don't test my heart like this."
"I didn't enjoy Lunaria's touch… I only wanted power. For all of us."
"...All of us?" she echoed softly.
Yuuji nodded.
"You… her… whoever these 'Flames' are. I don't want to own anyone. I want to protect everyone."
A long silence followed.
Then… Seraphina sheathed her sword.
She stepped closer, expression softer now, and looked up at him.
"You really are stupid, you know?"
"I've heard that before…"
Suddenly, without warning—she pressed her forehead to his.
His eyes widened.
"What are you doing—?!"
"Calming down," she muttered.
"Shut up."
The world fell quiet. Their breaths synchronized.
For a brief second, Yuuji felt the burning in her chest.
Not hate.
Not jealousy.
Just fear of being left behind.
"Next time, tell me," she whispered.
"I will. I promise."
She pulled away, face slightly red.
"Good. Because if Lunaria touches you like that again…"
Her eyes gleamed.
"I'll break her fingers."
"Yikes…"
That Night...
As the campfire crackled, Seraphina sat beside him, polishing her blade. But her shoulder rested just slightly against his.
"Hey," she said suddenly.
"Yeah?"
"You're mine too, you know. Whether you make six contracts or six hundred…"
"You'll always be the first?" Yuuji asked.
She nodded. Then smirked.
"And the one with the sharpest sword. So behave."
To Be Continued..