We stopped under the giant sakura tree, petals falling like soft pink snow around us.
They caught in my hair, clung to my shoulders, and melted on my cheeks like shy little kisses.
All three of us burst into laughter, breathless and doubled over.
"That was fun," Akari said, pressing a hand to her chest, her cheeks glowing like peaches.
"Rin," Rei added with a sly grin, foxlike and sharp, "I didn't know you had this side of you."
"Ahhh… ahhh… hah…" I gasped between laughs, though my ribs were screaming in protest like cracked bamboo.
Well… what can I say?
As a kid, I used to love pulling tricks on people. My mom would waggle her slipper at me and yell:
"One day your mischief will bring down the heavens!"
Maybe she was right.
But it's been years since I felt this alive.
Then Rei's voice sliced into the air — smooth and cold like the edge of a katana.
"My lady…" she purred, turning to Akari, her crimson hair framing her smug face, "shall we begin our lovely date?"
Before I could even blink, she leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to Akari's lips.
. . .
Oh.
Wow.
Live. Personal. VIP section. Front-row seat. No — not even VVIP.
More like the unwanted, awkward, third-wheel audience.
But okay. Fine.
They really did look adorable. Like they'd stepped out of a shoujo manga panel — cherry blossoms swirling, sparkles everywhere.
I forced my mouth into a smile before my face completely melted into a sad puddle.
Quickly, I reached out and tapped Rei's shoulder.
"Uh… Rei?" I whispered.
She tilted her head lazily, her red eyes glittering, still holding Akari's hand.
"Hm?"
"Did you get… you know…" I leaned in even closer, whispering so low it sounded like I was dying.
"…any information at the party last night?"
"Information?" she repeated, pretending to look confused, her fox grin widening.
"You know," I hissed through clenched teeth, "about the rivalry?"
"Ohhh…" she dragged the sound out like a villainess savoring her victory.
"Wasn't that… your job?"
You've. Got. To. Be.Kidding. Me.
I got poisoned last night.
By Selene.
Coughed up blood like a tragic heroine.
And she didn't even bother to ask a single question about how to stop this stupid feud?!
Why do I feel like I'm the only one actually working here?!
Why does it feel like… I'm the main character in someone else's manga?!
And while I stood there screaming internally — they just…
…started walking away.
Hand in hand.
Without me.
"Akari! No, cousin Akari!" I called, flailing my arms as I stumbled after them.
"Rei! Wait for me!"
I darted through the bustling crowd, dodging vendors and carts like a rat in a rice shop.
We stopped in front of a stage where performers dressed as kings, demons, and clowns danced wildly to pounding taiko drums.
Their fake crowns wobbled hilariously with every exaggerated bow, and their makeup made their faces look like festival lanterns.
"Wow…" I breathed, awestruck despite myself.
"I didn't know this view was even possible…"
Akari giggled, clapping politely while Rei leaned close to her and murmured:
"I arranged this whole play just for her."
Of course she did.
Next up? A flying carpet.
Yes. A literal flying carpet.
It shimmered with gold thread, swirling patterns, and glittering tassels — like someone had summoned it from the Arabian Nights.
"Wait," I muttered, eyeing it suspiciously, "why is there… only one?"
Akari's sweet smile nearly blinded me.
"It's our date. You can wait down here."
My jaw dropped so hard it almost cracked the cobblestones.
What?!
Why do I have to stay here like some sad side character?!
What if Selene swooped in and froze them midair?!
I scanned the rooftops, expecting to see her dragon lurking somewhere — but nothing.
Before the carpet lifted, I lunged forward on instinct —
—slipped—
—and barely managed to grab the edge as it rose.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH!"
I screamed, dangling off the corner like a wet flag while the two of them just watched with mild amusement.
By the time we landed, I collapsed on the ground, gasping like a fish.
"Phew… good thing… didn't fall… no Selene… no dragon…"
But they were already gone again — busy buying matching love bracelets from a vendor.
While they admired each other's wrists and giggled, I froze.
Because…
…I saw her.
Shion.
Walking toward us from across the square.
Her robes shimmered like liquid moonlight, her expression calm but sharp enough to cut steel.
Oh no.
Oh no no no.
My heart leapt straight into my throat.
Think, Rin.
What do they do in movies?
Ah! Stall her.
I ran straight at her, blocking her path, throwing my arms wide with a nervous grin.
"Cousin Shion!"
She stopped, looking me up and down.
"Rin. Why are you here? You're supposed to be resting."
I flexed my arms awkwardly, trying to look healthy.
"See? I'm totally fine now! Look at these… uh… muscles!"
She raised an eyebrow.
"Did the physician even check you?"
"Yep!" I nodded so hard my neck cracked.
"He checked me — then I sent him away. Good as new!"
Her sharp gaze slid past me —
—and landed right on Akari and Rei.
"…Is that Akari?"
Panic slammed into me.
I spun her shoulders back toward me.
"Noooope! You're seeing things, cousin!"
But she narrowed her eyes even more.
"That IS her. Who is she with?"
"Uh—"
I felt sweat dripping down my spine as I scrambled for an excuse.
And then…
I did the most idiotic thing my brain could conjure.
Without thinking, I grabbed Shion's shoulders —
—leaned in—
—and kissed her.
Her lips.
Warm.
Soft.
Faintly tasting like peach tea and surprise.
Her entire body froze.
Her eyes flew open so wide I thought they'd pop out.
Her hands hovered in the air as if she was about to summon a water tsunami to drown me.
And me?
I was screaming internally:
WHAT AM I DOING WHAT AM I DOING WHAT AM I DOING—?!
The entire square went dead silent.
Even the drums stopped mid-beat.
Even the birds stopped chirping.
Even the street performers were staring at us now.
I didn't even need to turn around — I could already feel Rei and Akari's burning gazes from the bracelet stall behind me, their eyes shining like twin judgment lasers, slicing right through my back.
Shion's lips trembled slightly, her cheeks brightening, her hands still frozen midair.
Then…
Her eyes fluttered shut.
Her face flushed a deep crimson.
And to my absolute horror—
She kissed me back.
Abort mission.
Abort.