The mansion felt different.
Not because of visible changes, but because of the way the environment behaved. After days filled with decisions, tension, and constant movement, the pace had slowed. There was no urgency at that moment, and that alone already felt somewhat strange.
Still… no one complained.
I came down the stairs later than usual. The sound of voices coming from the kitchen indicated that the day had already started for most of them.
When I entered, I found Lyannis leaning against the counter, watching as Liriel organized some utensils with more force than necessary.
"You're going to break that," Lyannis commented, spinning an apple in her hand.
"If it breaks, I'll fix it," Liriel replied, without looking up.
"That's not how it works."
"It works just fine."
Lyannis gave a faint smile.
"Interesting. Want to test it with something more expensive?"
Liriel stopped for a second and shot a direct look.
"Want to be the test?"
"Now that's more fun."
I ignored the exchange and approached.
"What's going on?"
"Nothing," they both replied at the same time.
I looked at them for a few seconds.
"Of course."
Scarlett entered shortly after, crossing the room with calm steps.
"Good morning," she said.
"Good morning," I replied.
Lyannis raised a hand in a lazy gesture.
Liriel only nodded, going back to organizing.
Scarlett stopped beside me, observing the scene.
"They started early today."
"It's nothing," Liriel said.
"She started it," Lyannis added.
"I didn't start anything."
"You did."
"I didn't."
Scarlett sighed, clearly used to this.
"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that."
Before the argument could continue, Rai'kanna entered the kitchen. Her gaze quickly scanned the room, picking up the atmosphere in seconds.
"Has it been like this since morning?"
"It's calm," Lyannis said.
"It's normal," Liriel added.
Rai'kanna stayed silent for a moment… then simply walked to the table, completely ignoring the conflict.
"Good choice," I commented.
"I learned fast," she replied.
Scarlett moved to the cabinet, taking out things for breakfast.
"Does anyone here know how to do something that doesn't involve arguing?" she asked.
Lyannis raised her hand.
"I know how to eat."
"That doesn't count."
"It counts."
Liriel let out a small irritated sound.
"You're useless."
"Depends on perspective."
Rai'kanna rested her elbow on the table.
"She's not entirely wrong."
Lyannis looked at her.
"You too?"
"I'm just being honest."
Scarlett let out a small laugh, almost imperceptible.
The environment naturally began to settle. Small tasks were divided without any formal organization. Everyone did something, even if in a simple way.
Elara entered shortly after, silently observing everything before approaching.
"No one's died yet," she commented.
"Disappointed?" Lyannis asked.
"A little."
Vespera was the last to arrive, bringing some papers which she placed on the table before noticing the atmosphere.
"Did I miss something?"
"No," I replied. "Everything is as expected."
She quickly analyzed the situation.
"Then it's stable."
"For now," Scarlett said.
Breakfast was served without ceremony. Everyone settled naturally, occupying their usual spots.
For a few minutes, silence dominated.
But it wasn't uncomfortable.
It was… normal.
Lyannis was the first to break it.
"So… is no one going to talk about the fact that Takumi lives with a group of only women?"
Silence returned for half a second.
Scarlett slowly closed her eyes.
"Don't start."
"I'm just raising a point."
"Don't."
Liriel crossed her arms.
"They've already said that outside."
Lyannis smiled.
"I know. That's exactly why."
Rai'kanna looked at me.
"And you? You're going to ignore it?"
"Yes."
Lyannis tilted her head.
"No reaction?"
"No need."
"I see… silence strategy."
Scarlett placed her cup on the table.
"Or maturity."
"Or that," Lyannis replied.
Elara watched silently before deciding to comment.
"If he starts responding to everything… he wastes time."
"Makes sense," Vespera said.
Liriel nodded slightly.
"I agree."
Lyannis raised her hands.
"Alright, I lost."
"You weren't winning," Scarlett said.
"Depends on the criteria."
Rai'kanna rested her chin on her hand.
"You create your own criteria."
"It makes things much easier," Lyannis replied.
A light laugh spread across the table, finally breaking any remaining tension.
The rest of the morning continued at that pace.
Light conversations, small provocations, simple moments.
Nothing grand.
But… necessary.
Later, some of them dispersed. Liriel and Elara went to train. Vespera returned to her studies. Lyannis simply disappeared somewhere in the house without explanation.
Scarlett remained in the room, organizing a few things.
Rai'kanna went back to the garden.
I observed the environment for a few moments.
The mansion was silent again.
But now…
In a different way.
Scarlett looked in my direction.
"You're overthinking."
"Maybe."
"About?"
I looked around before answering.
"This."
She followed my gaze.
"What about it?"
"It feels… stable."
Scarlett stayed silent for a moment.
"And isn't it?"
"It is."
"Then what's the problem?"
"It's not a problem."
She rested her hands on the table.
"Then?"
"It's strange."
Scarlett gave a faint smile.
"Get used to it."
"I'm not sure I want to."
"You'll end up getting used to it anyway."
I looked around again.
Each one had their space.
Their role.
Their way.
And even with differences…
It worked.
"You built this," Scarlett said.
"Not alone."
"But you led it."
I didn't respond.
She continued.
"And that's no small thing."
Silence returned, but this time it carried something more solid.
Not just calmness.
But… structure.
Outside, the wind passed lightly through the garden.
Nothing indicated urgency.
Nothing indicated immediate chaos.
But the feeling remained.
This was just a moment.
A pause.
Before something greater.
Still…
It was real.
And enough.
For now.