Chapter 203. The Kiana Who Got Talked Into It
"Pff—hahahahaha~"
Finally hearing the answer she wanted, Mobius burst into delighted laughter.
"W-why are you laughing? I'm telling you, I'm being serious!"
It had taken all of Kiana's courage to lay her feelings bare, only to be met with laughter. Watching Mobius doubled over, Kiana clenched her fists, her face burning with a mix of shame and anger.
"Mhm, mhm. Of course I know."
Mobius wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and stretched lazily. "It's nothing, really. I just saw something amusing, that's all."
She stepped closer. Under Kiana's bewildered gaze, Mobius gently brushed Kiana's cheek and continued in a soft voice: "Suddenly I think I kind of understand that pink fattie. This feeling is really interesting… makes me want to move to St. Freya just to watch the fun every day."
"Y-you… what are you even saying!! And don't touch me, I'm not interested in you!!"
The suggestive gesture spooked Kiana into shuffling back again and again. She crossed her arms over her chest, eyeing Mobius warily.
This woman didn't assault Xander Masato and then set her sights on Kiana too… did she?!
Crap—she's into girls!!
Shivering, Kiana edged even closer to Xander Masato's side. Her preferences had long since been straightened out; she still liked fragrant, soft girls, sure, but those old feelings would never come back.
"All right, all right. I don't have any special interest in you or Masato."
Since she'd already enjoyed the show, Mobius had no reason to deepen the misunderstanding. She waved a hand. "I only got close to him because I wanted to carry him back to a bedroom."
She pointed at the empty terrace. A strand of night wind blew in right on cue, as if backing her up. "Look, it's freezing right now. You want him drunk and sleeping out here?"
"Really?"
Kiana frowned, still unconvinced. "Then why did you say those things earlier?"
"Probably… because it felt amusing?"
Kiana: "?"
She'd been scared half to death and Mobius calls it a joke?
Didn't that make Kiana the clown in a circus just now?
"If you don't believe me, go check the nearest bedroom on the third floor. I've already moved Elysia and Eden in."
Mobius spread her hands and flicked her gaze toward the bedroom door.
"Mm… you're coming with me!"
She still didn't trust this woman. Kiana felt like Mobius had fishy motives for getting close to Xander—maybe she was retreating to advance after seeing Kiana's attitude?
Fair enough—her reasoning process might've been off, but the result ended up in the same place by another road.
Mobius truly didn't want to play the "evil woman." Whether it was Xander Masato's identity or his very existence, both had value worth befriending. Maintaining a good relationship was naturally the top priority.
"No problem."
Mobius didn't mind Kiana's demand. Under Kiana's intense stare, the two of them walked into the bedroom together.
Under the light, two figures lay on the bed with their clothes a bit disheveled. Confirming that Mobius had told the truth, Kiana finally let out a quiet sigh.
She kept her movements soft, then slipped back out with Mobius. Only outside did she ask, "Then why did I see you just leaning over behind Xander and not moving?"
Mobius couldn't help rolling her eyes. "You think I can move someone with that build all by myself?"
"…That's true."
Kiana scratched her head, some of that dopey look returning—only to flare up again a moment later as she remembered something. "Then you should've just explained it from the start! You said those misleading things on purpose. Of course I'd get mad!"
"All right, all right. You're impossible. Come with me~"
Seeing Kiana still eager to press the issue, Mobius put on a theatrically pained look and strolled toward the terrace.
Kiana hurried after her, frowning, keeping a close eye on whatever tricks Mobius might try.
First, Kiana shielded the still-sleeping Xander Masato, who was slumped over the table, placing herself between him and the night air. Then she looked at the languid figure leaning on the railing with both arms.
Mobius patted the spot beside her. "Come here."
Kiana kept her face tense and sidled over.
Seeing this, Mobius showed a mysterious smile. "Elysia actually told me not to tell you."
Kiana: "?"
What does this have to do with Sis Elysia again?
"I know you're confused. Honestly, I was baffled at first too."
Mobius paused, then spun the tale on. "Those things I said earlier—Elysia signaled me to say them."
"??!!!"
"Sis Elysia?? No way!!"
"Nothing's impossible."
Mobius's even tone smothered Kiana's agitation. She held Kiana's gaze. "Kiana, Elysia knows you like Masato."
"..."
Seeing Kiana fall silent, the corner of Mobius's mouth curled. "But it seems you can't express that feeling properly because of certain personality quirks."
"So… Sis Elysia couldn't stand watching anymore?"
Kiana's mind reflexively recalled what Elysia had said to her at dusk a few days ago. Her feelings were complicated.
"Mhm. She told me that if she left you to keep overthinking on your own, it'd be hard for Masato to understand what you feel."
Mobius shook her head with a sigh, as if it were all true. "You know what she's like. When it comes to adorable girls—especially the pure, beautiful emotions you girls have—she doesn't want you to get hurt. Seeing you torturing yourself with guilt every day, she was really worried~"
"I-is that so?"
So Sis Elysia was thinking about her every day? No wonder she'd seen through Kiana's feelings for Xander in a single glance that afternoon.
"Then why did Sis Elysia pick you?"
"Why me?"
Mobius chuckled. "When something can't be solved from the inside, sometimes bringing in an outside force is a useful method."
Kiana finally started to get it. Her throat bobbed as she spoke hesitantly: "So Sis Elysia wanted you to provoke me on purpose, so I'd show my true feelings in front of Xander?"
"And since Xander happened to be drunk tonight, it became a gradual push forward?"
"Also, only unfamiliar outsiders would work. Family's too familiar—wouldn't trigger me. Tsk~ so even that was part of Sis Elysia's plan?"
"…Right. You've got it."
Well, damn—Mobius was impressed. She hadn't even finished making it up and Kiana had tied the bow for her.
"I see… Sis Elysia…"
People often prefer to believe their own deductions, and Kiana was no different. She clenched her hands; the confusion in her eyes slowly turned into resolve.
She lifted her head to the bright white moon, as if taking an oath—or telling herself: "I'll do it. Don't worry!"
Watching Kiana sink into her own little world, Mobius held back a laugh. Only after Kiana finished basking in it did Mobius speak again: "Okay, telling you this already breaks my promise to her. Don't tell her."
"Mhm. Thank you!"
Kiana nodded and shot Mobius a grateful look.
She'd thought Mobius was a baddie trying to steal Xander away; turns out she was a kind, big-sisterly beauty with a good heart.
It wasn't that Kiana was easy to fool—Mobius's story did have holes, but it was just so darn persuasive.
Because in Kiana's eyes, Sis Elysia really would do something like that.
"No need to thank me."
Mobius felt a tiny flicker of guilt, but outwardly she still smiled and nodded.
"By the way, Mobius… sis, could you tell Sis Elysia something?"
At that, Kiana suddenly tugged Mobius's sleeve, a bit embarrassed.
Sis?
That form of address sent a pleasant shiver through Mobius, filling her with a rush of delight. Her gaze toward Kiana softened at once.
"Go on. What is it?"
For "sis," Mobius could do the small favor.
"Hehe, it's—just tell Sis Elysia she doesn't have to go out of her way to help me."
Grinning sheepishly, Kiana clenched her little fists at Mobius and said earnestly, "Thanks to your help today, Mobius-sis, I'm really ready now!"
"Is that so? Got it. Then do your best!"
"Mhm mhm!"
Kiana bobbed her head quickly, then added, "Oh, Mobius-sis, can you keep me company and chat a bit longer?"
"How? Not mad anymore about me provoking you just now?"
"T-that's because you were helping me, Mobius-sis. I'm a little embarrassed, sure, but I can tell right from wrong!"
Feeling that pure sincerity, Mobius suddenly had a twinge of guilt.
"Fine. I'm not sleepy either. I can keep you company for a while."
She smoothed the green hair tucked behind her ear and leaned back against the railing.
"Great—thank you, Mobius-sis!"
Just then, a chilly gust swept by. Slumped alone at the table, Xander Masato shivered unconsciously.
…
When the first ray of light pierced the pitch-black sky, the boundless night shifted from deep blue to pale blue, and a new day arrived.
Morning mist slowly dissipated under the sun. The air was rich with the freshness of dew. Intermittent birdsong roused the house's residents.
Xander Masato slowly opened his eyes. His brain was foggy from the hangover, leaving him staring blankly with lifeless eyes.
The big, warm bundle in his arms suddenly squirmed. The motion snapped him back to himself—his pupils had just focused when a "little turtle" crept up toward his face.
He paused, then leaned back in a hurry—only to press his back into something soft, accompanied by a rather incendiary little moan.
He turned—and met Eden's bright golden eyes.
Noticing his gaze, Eden smiled gently. "Good morning~"
Feeling his back enveloped by that soft body, Xander replied hoarsely, "M-morning."
Wait—what's going on? Why is Eden lying next to him?
"Mhm."
Eden gave a light nod, withdrew the arm she'd wrapped around him, and slowly pushed herself upright.
As she moved, her loose shoulder strap slipped down. Thanks to Mobius's "little help" last night, Xander was treated to a breathtaking sight.
A dot of crimson blooming in a field of snow—suddenly he understood why ancient poets loved plum blossoms in snow. Standing alone in a pure white world, they bloomed with beauty and strength. Xander saw the power of life in it and couldn't help a rush of emotion.
"Ah."
With a soft gasp, Eden hurried the strap back up. Art, sadly, was covered again—much to his regret.
Eden's cheeks seemed faintly flushed. In a gentle voice, she said, "Sorry for letting you see me being improper."
"N-no, I'm the one who was improper."
He quickly turned his head—only to meet a pair of pink eyes.
"Xander, does Eden look good?"
"Sh—pff—no, wait—Elysia, what happened to your face??"
He blurted out the truth on instinct, but the moment he saw Elysia's face—covered with little turtles—he couldn't stop a laugh from bursting out.
Elysia: "?"
Hearing the laughter, Eden glanced over as she sat up. When she spotted the row of tiny turtles, she too covered her mouth, unable to hold back a chuckle.
Seeing even Eden laugh, Elysia realized something was definitely off about her face.
She couldn't be bothered to tease Xander anymore. She leapt from the bed and rushed to the mirror—her skirt hem caught, almost flashing the lacy, cutout underwear beneath, not that she noticed.
As Elysia planted herself before the mirror, Xander and Eden exchanged a look—and simultaneously covered their ears.
Sure enough, a mortified, angry shout rang out at once.
Staring at the girl in the mirror, Elysia went momentarily black in the eyes.
If they'd drawn something cute, fine. But a whole row of little turtles was a bit much—purely dopey. It's not like anyone could expect Mobius to lean toward "cute" when doodling all over Elysia's face.
Still, she didn't rush to wash it off. She looked a few more times. That hopelessly silly mug made even her snort with laughter.
Click.
The sound of a camera shutter arrived at the worst possible moment. Xander had just pocketed his phone when he met Elysia's stare.
"Xander, you—hahaha—y-you can't take—"
Laughing and speaking at once, Elysia got up.
"Ahem."
Xander turned his head, pretending he'd heard nothing.
"Delete it, now!!"
Elysia pattered to the bedside, half mad and half amused.
"It's so cute—can I not delete it?"
"N—well, not necessarily…"
Catching a glimpse of the "culprit's" tools left on the table, Elysia's eyes sparkled. She giggled and grabbed Xander's arm.
"Really?"
"Of course! But you have to promise me one condition, Xander~"
Seeing Elysia's sweet smile, a bad premonition pricked Xander's heart.
Sure enough, even Eden couldn't escape. With a chorus of shutter clicks, three faces filled with tiny turtles were immortalized.
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