"Okay finish up, let's see if the recipe will work or not," Selene said as she also started eating her soba.
Me too, I continued to eat. The steam rose up into my face, warm and gentle, fogging my glasses a little. The noodles slid softly in my mouth, the broth salty but sweet, like something made to comfort the heart. It slowed the whole moment down, almost like time itself wanted us to enjoy this simple meal together.
I lifted my left hand to hold the bowl more properly, but before I could, Selene suddenly grabbed my hand.
"What happened now?" I said, blinking at her, not understanding why she stopped me.
She didn't answer. Instead, her eyes were locked on my hand, staring at it like it was hiding some terrible secret.
"Your finger… the fourth finger… something is wrong," she said, her voice low and serious.
"What happened to it? It looks fine to me, Selene," I said quickly, tugging my hand. I twisted a little, trying to pull away, but her grip was strong, almost too strong, like she didn't even notice she was squeezing me.
"What… let my finger go," I said, struggling, my voice half-annoyed but half-nervous.
"Where is your engagement ring, Kisaragi?"
Her words froze me in place. My eyes slowly dropped to my finger, and sure enough—the ring wasn't there. My chest tightened like a knot being pulled tight. I blinked again and again, my heart thumping harder, faster, as the truth hit me. Honestly… I had forgotten I even had that engagement ring on that finger.
Slowly, I raised my eyes to Selene. Her face wasn't fully angry yet, but it looked close—like a volcano ready to burst, the heat already rising. Her lips were pressed together, her eyes sharp and burning. She looked worried too, but it was the kind of worry that mixes with something scarier, like fear turning into anger.
I swallowed, my throat dry. I can't tell her I don't know where it is. I have to say something… anything.
"It… it's in my room," I said quickly, forcing a weak laugh that didn't sound natural at all. "I muu… must have left it on my dressing mirror… or maybe my jewelry box. Yeah, probably there."
I looked at her, hoping she would believe me. That was the only thing I could think of right now.
"You should always wear your ring, Kisaragi. It's a symbol of us becoming one," she said softly. Her voice trembled, like she was speaking from the deepest part of her heart.
She lifted her hand and showed me her ring, shining gently under the light. "See? Mine is always on my finger. Looking at it makes me feel close to you, because you were the one who put it there. You are the only one allowed to put this ring on me."
She smiled then, but her eyes still looked like they were searching my soul, trying to find the truth I was hiding.
"…Okayyy," I said slowly, scratching my head, pretending to be casual. "Maybe tomorrow, or the next time I see you, I'll give you the ring so you can put it back on me."
"Sounds good. Tomorrow I will come over—" she began, but I quickly nodded, forcing a smile onto my face. Inside, though, my thoughts were a storm.
Oh no… I don't even know where that ring is. I have to find it before she realizes I lied. If not, I'm finished.
"Okay, let's go. My hair!" I suddenly blurted out, standing up quickly. The excuse was clumsy, not smooth at all, but I just wanted to escape from this heavy moment. I shoved the last bite of soba into my mouth, chewing too fast, almost choking, and Selene quietly finished hers too.
....
"Oh my god, this room is fabulously breathtaking!" I said as Selene opened the door and showed me her room.
I stepped inside, my mouth dropping open. I wasn't even pretending—this room was huge, bigger than my entire apartment in the real world. The ceiling stretched high above, glowing with soft lights. The walls were all ice and sparkling, and the bed stood in the center like something out of a princess castle. Or Queen castle. Everything sparkled, everything felt rich and again modern. The whole place smelled faintly of flowers—but no flowers, maybe something like air freshener.
"What is it, Kisaragi? Stunned or what?" Selene asked, stepping close. Then, without warning, she leaned her face forward, blocking my view of the room.
"I wish you would be stunned when you see my face instead," she whispered with a playful smirk.
"Your face is so scary it can give someone a heart attack," I replied instantly, my words coming out before I could stop them.
Her eyebrows rose sharply. "Is that another way of you calling me ugly?"
And me, without thinking—my big mouth betrayed me. "No, that is my way of saying you look beauuuuu—"
But then my mind caught up with my tongue, and panic hit me like lightning. "Ugly! Yes!" I snapped my fingers repeatedly, trying to act cool. "You look so ugly that when you smile, it makes one's heart beat faster than it should!"
The words left my mouth and I regretted them instantly.
We both went silent. The air turned heavy between us, thick enough that I could hear my own breathing.
Selene tilted her head slowly, her eyes soft but sharp. "Hmm… the recipe for a perfect date states that if one's heart beats faster than it should…"
She leaned closer, her face inches from mine. My breath caught in my throat, stuck there.
"…It means they are falling in love. So if my ugly face is making your heart beat fast, then that means you are—"
"I am not falling in love with you, Selene Kurosuki!" I shouted, cutting her off before she could finish. My voice cracked in the middle, my chest hot, and my face was already burning red.
"Are you sure?" she asked softly. Her lips curved into a gentle smile as she leaned even closer. I could feel her breath against my skin, warm and sweet, sending shivers racing down my body.
"Then why is your heart racing this fast?" she whispered.
My face turned all red, redder than ever.