"Okay, goodnight, Cousin Akari," I said as she turned toward her room. I was heading to mine too when she suddenly stopped and turned back to me.
"Cousin Rin," she called softly.
"Yes?" I answered.
"Why were you curious about the Dark Stone earlier?" she asked, her expression serious.
"Well…" I hesitated, scratching my head. "It's because Shion said it's missing. And Selene thinks Shion took it. I don't really know the full story, but that stone might be the reason Selene hasn't been around lately."
Akari frowned. "How is that possible? I thought the Moon Stone was being guarded. Sister Shion isn't the type to take something like that, but I'll find out if she knows anything." She paused, then smiled faintly. "Anyway, goodnight."
I watched her disappear into her room, then sighed and walked into mine.
"Ugh, only if you could talk, Ice," I muttered, tossing myself onto the bed. "Things would be so much easier. In my world, we use sign language to communicate, but you, how am I supposed to talk with you?"
Ice, who had been invisible as usual, suddenly appeared near the window. He always chose that spot to stay, quiet and still like a shadow guarding the room.
Then he reached into his cloak and brought out a scroll, the same one Selene always used when writing to me.
"Did Selene send a letter?" I asked quickly, jumping off the bed and rushing toward him.
Ice shook his head.
My excitement dropped instantly. "Seriously? I was expecting a yes…" I sighed, pouting a little. "So what is it then?"
He opened the scroll, and the moment he blinked, glowing letters began to appear on the paper like someone invisible was typing them out.
This is how we'll communicate from now on, New Family Member.
My mouth fell open. "New Family Member? Are you kidding me? Is that how you see me?"
He nodded firmly.
I didn't know if I should be angry that he'd always had a way to communicate and just decided to use it now, or that he gave me such a weird name. "You…!" I groaned, but the words didn't come out.
He blinked again, and new words formed on the scroll.
I have informed my Queen about your date. She is excited. She says she can't wait, Kisaragi.
My face softened a little. "Wow… me too," I said quietly, feeling a strange relief wash over me. Just knowing I'd see Selene the day after tomorrow made my chest warm.
The scroll shimmered again.
Goodnight, New Family Member.
I sighed. "You should really find another name to call me. Just call me Rin," I said as he yawned and began to roll the scroll closed.
"Wait, wait!" I said quickly. "I still have questions if you can answer."
He stopped and blinked once. The scroll reopened and wrote,
What is it, New Family Member?
"The Dark Stone," I began carefully. "I want to—"
Before I could finish, he blinked again, and new words appeared.
Any other questions, but not about that.
I frowned. "But that's exactly what I want to ask! Selene is looking for it. I just want to know how important it is to her and why she thinks Shion took it."
He shook his head slowly, his silver hair catching the moonlight. The look in his eyes said enough. He wasn't allowed to tell me.
And somehow, that made me even more curious.
"Okay then, I won't ask you," I muttered, crossing my arms. "But I do wonder what will happen when Selene finds out you taught someone else how to make soba noodles. Tsk, tsk… she once said she's a jealous queen. Your queen will be very mad at you, huh?"
As soon as the words left my lips, I noticed it was working. His face froze, eyes twitching like he was glitching, as if my teasing had cracked his usual calm. Finally, he blinked.
The scroll's letters appeared quickly, almost desperately:
She doesn't like it when someone interferes in her fights. She fights alone and doesn't want people around her to be hurt, especially the ones close to her heart. Please don't get yourself involved. She would be far more upset about that than about me teaching someone to cook.
Then the writing stopped. Ice shut the scroll with a snap, lay down by the window, and closed his eyes, clearly done with me for the night.
I stared at him for a moment, a shiver running down my spine. So Selene doesn't want to involve me because she fears losing people she cares about. Why does that sound like something I always do?
.....
The next morning was amazing. Ice was gone, as usual. Probably off spying on Shion again, I guessed.
After my morning routine, I went to knock on Akari's door. When she opened it, I froze. She looked stunning in the dress she wore.
"Wow, you look beautiful, Cousin," I blurted out, completely amazed.
"Is this dress really okay?" she asked, fidgeting. "I've tried on so many, but I just don't know which one Rei would like."
"Whatever you wear, Rei will love it," I said with a grin. "Because she's not in love with what you wear, she's in love with you."
My eyes stung a little as I said it. I couldn't help but feel proud. My main characters are still alive, still together, still happy. Somewhere out there, Author Lee would be so disappointed that I won. Haha. Seeing them together like this, I wanted it to stay that way forever. Nothing should ever come between them.
As we walked out, I puffed out my chest. "So, do I get to come with you on the date?" I asked proudly.
"Not a chance," Akari said immediately. "You always look like a third wheel, and we don't like it. When our date's over, we'll come find you and help you plan a perfect date."
"No, not a perfect date," I corrected. "A worst date."
"Fine, fine, whatever you call it, a date is still a date," she laughed.
But before I could respond, we heard a loud noise coming from the training field. We both froze, then ran toward it.