The atmosphere inside the house felt heavy.
No one spoke for several moments after Alumna finished his proposal.
Reige slowly stood from his seat.
"…Very well," he said quietly. His gaze shifted to Serena. "You will have the night to think about it."
Serena looked up slightly.
Reige's voice softened, though his expression remained firm. "Your mother and I will leave the house for the night. We will return tomorrow morning."
He paused before continuing. "By then… I expect your answer."
Alumna gave Serena a small, understanding nod. "This decision should be yours alone."
He turned toward the door. "Come, Reige. Let us give the children their space."
Serena remained silent as the two adults left the room.
Moments later, the sound of the front door closing echoed faintly through the house.
The house suddenly felt far too quiet. Too empty. Too heavy.
Serena stood there for a long time after they were gone. Her thoughts refused to settle.
The garden behind the house was quiet at night. Only the sound of wind brushing through the trees filled the air.
Serena stood near the stone railing, staring into the distance. Her mind refused to settle. Alumna's proposal echoed endlessly in her thoughts.
If she refused the engagement…
Yuma would return to the Philippines.
And she would live a normal life.
Her fingers tightened around the railing.
"A normal life…"
The words felt heavy in her chest. A life without becoming a Geist. A life without fighting. A life where her dream would simply disappear.
Footsteps approached behind her. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
"You're still awake?" Yuma asked gently.
Serena glanced back. Yuma stood a few steps away, hands in his pockets, looking slightly awkward.
"…I could say the same about you," she muttered.
He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "I guess I couldn't really sleep."
Silence fell between them again. Serena looked back at the night sky.
"Yuma."
"Yeah?"
"…If you go back to the Philippines… what will you do?"
He blinked, surprised by the question. "I'm not really sure. Probably go back to how things were."
"How things were?"
"Studying. Training. Staying at home."
Serena frowned slightly. "That sounds… lonely."
Yuma laughed softly. "Maybe. But I was used to it."
Those words twisted something inside her chest. Serena clenched her fists. The wind gently passed through the garden, and her heart shook.
For the first time since they met… she realized something terrifying.
If Yuma left…
She wouldn't just lose her chance to become a Geist.
She would lose him.
Neither of them returned inside right away. Instead, they remained in the garden. At first, their conversation was hesitant. But slowly… the distance between them faded.
They talked about simple things. Yuma told her about growing up in the Philippines—about the humid weather, the crowded streets, the quiet days he spent training alone.
Serena found herself asking more questions than she expected.
"And you really never talked to anyone your age?" she asked.
Yuma shook his head. "Not really."
"That's… strange."
"Yeah," he admitted with a small laugh.
Serena hesitated before speaking again. "…You're strange."
Yuma blinked. "Is that a bad thing?"
"…I'm still deciding."
Despite herself, Serena felt the corner of her lips lift slightly.
Minutes turned into hours. At some point, they had moved to sit on a bench beneath the trees.
For the first time since meeting him… Serena didn't feel irritated by Yuma's presence. Instead… it felt strangely comfortable. Warm.
She glanced at him quietly while he spoke. This person… he came all the way here… and he was willing to sacrifice everything for her dream.
Her chest tightened again. But this time… her thoughts were clearer. I've already decided.
Serena closed her eyes briefly. Tomorrow… I'll give my answer. But she kept that decision to herself.
Yuma continued talking, completely unaware. Eventually, he stretched and yawned.
"…Wow. What time is it?"
Serena looked toward the house. Most of the lights were already off.
"…Late."
Yuma laughed awkwardly. "Maybe we should sleep."
"…Probably."
Pillow Wall
When they returned to the room they were sharing, the quiet of the house felt deeper than before. Without Reige or Alumna around, the entire place felt strangely empty.
Yuma stretched his arms. "Man… I didn't realize we talked that long."
Serena didn't answer. She simply walked over to the bed, noticing Yuma grabbing several pillows.
"…What are you doing?"
"Oh," Yuma said casually, "setting up the pillow wall."
He placed a line of pillows down the center of the bed—one… two… three… soon there was a small barrier separating the two sides.
Serena stared. "…You're ridiculous."
"Huh?"
"It's just a bed."
Yuma scratched the back of his head. "Well yeah, but I figured you might be uncomfortable. We only met a few days ago."
Serena crossed her arms. "You're acting like I'm going to attack you in your sleep."
"I never said that!"
"You implied it."
"I did not!"
Serena stared at the pillow wall again. But for some reason… she didn't feel as irritated as she expected. Instead… it felt oddly funny.
"…You don't need to do that."
Yuma paused. "…Huh?"
"It's unnecessary."
"But—"
"I said it's fine."
Serena sat down on the bed. "…I wouldn't mind."
Yuma blinked. "Mind what?"
Serena turned her face slightly away. "…Sleeping in the same bed."
For a moment, Yuma froze. Then he looked at the pillow wall again. "…So I should take it down?"
Serena shrugged. "Do whatever you want."
Yuma carefully removed the pillows one by one.
"Okay… but if you punch me in your sleep, I'm putting it back."
Serena let out a small sigh. "…Idiot."
Yuma laughed awkwardly and climbed onto his side of the bed.
The lights were turned off soon after. Moonlight filtered softly through the window. For a few minutes neither of them spoke.
Then Yuma suddenly said, "…Hey."
Serena frowned slightly. "What?"
"…Thanks."
"For what?"
"For talking with me tonight. I don't think I've ever talked that much with someone before."
Serena stared at the ceiling. "…You're really strange."
"Yeah… you said that already."
"But…"
She hesitated. "…It wasn't bad."
Yuma turned his head slightly in surprise. "…Really?"
"Don't make a big deal out of it."
"Too late."
Serena sighed again. But this time… she didn't feel annoyed. Instead, she felt something unfamiliar. Comfort.
After a moment, she quietly said, "…Yuma."
"Yeah?"
"…You're not as annoying as I thought."
There was a pause. "…Is that supposed to be a compliment?"
"Take it however you want."
Yuma chuckled softly. "…I'll take it."
Silence returned to the room. But it wasn't the same heavy silence as before. It felt calmer. Warmer. Serena turned slightly toward his back.
For the first time since they met… she didn't see him as an obstacle. Or a burden. Instead… she quietly admitted something to herself.
Maybe… he's not so bad. Maybe… he could even be…
Her thoughts stopped there. But the word remained in her chest. Friend.
Serena closed her eyes. Her decision had already been made. But Yuma didn't know it yet. "…Tomorrow," she whispered softly. And soon after… she fell asleep.
Morning
Morning sunlight slowly filtered through the curtains. The quiet warmth of early morning filled the room.
Serena was the first to wake. For a moment she simply stared at the ceiling, still half asleep. Then she noticed something strange. Something… heavy.
Her eyes slowly shifted downward. An arm was wrapped around her waist.
Serena blinked once. Twice. She turned her head slightly.
Yuma was still asleep beside her. Somehow, during the night, he had rolled over and wrapped his arms around her like she was a pillow. His face was buried slightly against her shoulder.
Serena stared silently. "…Unbelievable."
She didn't sound angry. More… amused.
A few seconds later, Yuma stirred. His eyes slowly opened. For a brief moment, he looked confused. Then he realized something. His arms were wrapped around Serena. Very tightly.
His brain froze. Then panic exploded.
"W-WHAT?!"
He immediately shot upright and scrambled backward, nearly falling off the bed.
"I-I-I'M SORRY!"
Serena remained lying on the bed, calmly watching him panic.
"I DIDN'T MEAN TO—!"
"I MUST'VE ROLLED OVER IN MY SLEEP—!"
"I SWEAR I WASN'T TRYING TO—!"
Serena slowly sat up, her expression perfectly calm.
"…Relax."
Yuma froze. "…Huh?"
She crossed her arms, a faint teasing smirk appearing on her face.
"Well, look at you."
Yuma blinked. "B-Being handsy already?"
His brain stopped functioning again.
Serena tilted her head slightly. "All because we had a good talk last night?"
Yuma turned bright red. "T-THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS IS!"
Serena chuckled quietly. It was a rare sound. "You're easy to tease."
"I'M NOT EASY TO TEASE!"
"You're panicking."
"OF COURSE I'M PANICKING!"
Serena stretched her arms casually. "…If I was really mad, you'd already be unconscious."
Yuma swallowed. "…That's terrifying."
Serena shrugged. "You're lucky I'm in a good mood."
Yuma blinked. "…Good mood?"
Serena stood up and walked toward the door. "…Maybe talking with you last night wasn't so bad."
Yuma stared at her. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.
Serena paused before leaving the room. Without turning around, she added quietly, "…Let's go."
"Huh?"
"They'll be back soon."
Right on cue—the sound of a car pulling into the driveway echoed outside.