Shion appeared as she stepped into the hallway, her footsteps echoing softly like the fading sound of a bell.
"Cousin Shion… I'm really, really sorry about what I did earlier," Rin said, her voice small as Shion approached, looking a little tired but still carrying that familiar glow.
"You said sorry when I went into the hall, and now you're still sorry," Shion murmured, tilting her head as her eyes slid to the figure standing at Rin's side. She blinked once. "What is he doing here?"
"Em… he's staying with me for the meantime," Rin said, glancing from Ice to Shion, her fingers twisting together.
"So she sent her dragon to keep watch…" Shion scoffed under her breath, her tone light but her eyes sharp. She turned fully to Rin, soft hair brushing her cheek. "What happened to you in just two days? The last time I remembered, you never used lightning on people before. Did I miss something?"
"You missed a lot!" Rin blurted, almost tripping over her words. "The story is too long so let me just go straight to it — I now have lightning powers. I get it whenever I get struck by lightning." She drew in a shaky breath, cheeks flushing. "And I recently got it and when you kissed me I didn't know how to control it. I'm sorry about it…"
The moment she said the word "kiss," Ice's head snapped toward her, his eyes flickering with something unspoken, as if a thousand words pressed at the edge of his lips but refused to fall.
"Stop apologizing…" Shion's voice softened, and for a heartbeat her expression did too. "I should have let you know before I kissed you. I'm the one who should apologize. I just missed you, and that was why…" Her hand lifted slowly toward Rin's face.
But Ice's hand closed around hers, firm and steady, stopping her mid-motion. It wasn't harsh — just unyielding.
"What are you doing?" Shion's voice trembled with surprise as her eyes darted to him.
"Haha… haha…" Rin laughed weakly, reaching to touch Ice's wrist. "He's just protecting me. Selene told him to protect me as my bodyguard."
Ice released Shion's hand at her touch, and Shion's fingers curled into a tight fist as she drew her arm back, her knuckles whitening as she held Ice's gaze.
"Are you free tomorrow, Rin?" Shion asked suddenly.
"Huh?" Rin blinked at her.
"If you're not busy tomorrow, you can turn your sorry into something better. I'd like to take you out…" Shion's eyes flicked briefly toward Ice, narrowing. "…even if the dragon is looking at me in a way I don't like." She stepped back, her voice softening again. "Tomorrow, okay. Bye."
She left before Rin could object, her scent lingering like a memory.
"But I have to take the honeydew to the clan lord tomorrow…" Rin murmured under her breath, frowning at the ground. "And I said multiple sorries what is she trying to do now?"
Ice moved in front of her, silent, his shadow falling over hers.
"I didn't say yes," Rin muttered, brushing past him. "And it's not a date, okay? Stop acting like Selene two-point-o." She walked away, and Ice followed, his footsteps quiet but close.
….
The Next Morning
Everyone sat down for breakfast as usual, the soft clinking of chopsticks and bowls filling the quiet hall. Rin sat at the far end of the table, head slightly bowed, trying to eat as quickly as she could to avoid Shion's gaze. Her chopsticks clattered against the bowl as she ate in a rush.
"Hey, Sister Rin, slow down—no one is chasing you," Ayato said from his side of the table, raising an eyebrow. His teasing tone only made Rin press her lips tighter and continue eating fast, her cheeks faintly pink.
Master Hoshino, seated at the head of the table, didn't seem disturbed by the awkward tension. Ice stood silently behind Rin, his posture straight, his presence still and cold like a statue carved from marble.
"So," Master Hoshino finally spoke, his deep voice rolling across the table, "is the dragon now staying with us?"
Rin quickly swallowed her mouthful to answer, her eyes darting up briefly. "Yes, Master Hoshino. He is going to be by my side from now on," she said, trying to keep her tone steady.
Master Hoshino gave a small, knowing laugh, the corners of his eyes creasing. "Well, I hope he is going to be a better bodyguard than the last two," he said, glancing at Ayato and Minato.
Both men stiffened at his words. They immediately slowed their eating, avoiding Master Hoshino's gaze as if their guilt had been laid bare on the table.
Rin pushed back her chair suddenly, forcing a bright smile. "Okay, done! What a delicious breakfast this is. I'm all full and set to go!" she declared, standing up quickly. "Okay Ice, let's go. And Cousin Akari—are you done with your food? Let's go."
Before Akari could respond, Rin reached out and yanked her from her chair. "Bye everyone!" Rin called out, waving a little too enthusiastically.
"But… I am still eating…" Akari muttered in a low tone, glancing back at the table as Rin practically dragged her out of the dining hall. Behind them, Shion smirked slightly, her gaze following their retreating figures with an unreadable glint in her eyes.
....
The morning sun poured through the windows as they stepped outside. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of blossoms.
"Hey, Cousin Rin, you look excited to go to the Maiden Club today," Akari said, catching up with her steps.
"Yes, I am excited to leave early," Rin replied quickly. Her smile looked real, but her stomach twisted with a nervous knot. The truth was, she wasn't hurrying because of excitement at all. She simply didn't want to run into Shion again, didn't know how to say no to her, and hoped that by leaving early she could avoid the confrontation.
But Shion, as always, was one step ahead.
Waiting just outside the gates was a beautifully decorated palanquin, its lacquered panels glinting under the morning light. The guards stood stiffly beside it, dressed in uniforms that marked Hoshino's household.
"Lady Rin, are you ready?" the guard in front of the palanquin asked, bowing slightly.
Rin blinked, her steps faltering. "Ready for what?" she asked, confusion flickering across her face.
"Are you ready for our date today, Rin?" came a familiar voice.
Shion approached them gracefully, her presence commanding without even trying. She wore a faint smile that held both warmth and an edge of something Rin couldn't quite name.
"Come, Rin. Let's go," Shion said, gesturing toward the open palanquin.
Rin stared at her, then at the palanquin, her mind whirling. The decorations, the guards, the timing—Shion had clearly planned everything. This girl really means business, Rin thought, her heart pounding in her chest as she realized she might not be able to avoid her cousin after all.