Chapter Text
Was the world always this bright? Anon wondered as she stepped out of the dorm building. Looking around her surroundings, she confirmed that nothing had changed in particular. But somehow, she just felt like something had.
“What are you zoning out for? Let’s go.”
Ahh. There she was…. the reason. Anon turned around to the brown-haired girl coming from behind her.
Wearing the academy jersey, Soyo had her hair tied up in a ponytail. The chain of her necklace was slightly visible, hanging on her neck, while the pendant was hidden beneath her shirt.
Anon smiled, staring at her for a while.
“W-What?” Soyo asked, cheeks slightly pink.
“Can I take a picture of you later?”
“No.” Soyo shot her down firmly.
“Aww~” Anon whined. “I just wanted to commemorate this moment. I haven’t seen you tie your hair up like this, not even last year’s summer.”
Soyo’s gaze was on her chest, her thumb tracing the pendant underneath. Then she smiled, saying, “I just… don’t feel the need to hide it that much anymore.”
Anon felt pride well up inside of her. Her lips curled upwards, wanting to capture how Soyo looked at the moment even more. Soyo looked as if she were carrying fewer burdens on her shoulders.
So pretty. Heat suddenly crawled up her neck.
“You know,” she began, still not taking her eyes off her. “This is some kind of seduction, too…”
The girl moved her greyish-blue eyes directly to hers, surprised for a moment, then a smirk followed.
“Is it working?” Soyo teased.
As if it wasn’t unfair enough that her expression was so soft, she even tilted her head with her unfading smile.
Anon’s eyes widened as she looked away quickly. “L-Let’s go!” she exclaimed, jogging away instead of answering the question.
“Wait up, Anon-chan~!”
Soyo caught up to her, jogging by her side. And over time, their pace matched.
It was five in the morning, and the sunlight was already illuminating their path, a quiet reminder that summer had already come. It had been two weeks since their re-evaluation exam ended; two weeks since the incident.
Anon wouldn’t have waited that long to resume her morning jogs if not for the infirmary staff, primarily Nurse Mariam, not yet giving them a fully recovered pass. She tried to sneak out once, but was immediately stopped by a security guard outside their dorm. The academy became stricter with the security protocol. She heard they even installed more surveillance cameras in the forest outside the academy gates.
Soyo, joining her again on her morning jog, was a pleasant surprise. Or maybe it shouldn’t have been, given how much Soyo had closed the distance between them since their talk. And even more so after what happened last time.
What happened last time…
The past two weeks had been spent on them resting and studying for finals. The party only gathered during lunchtime and made plans for the summer vacation. Her sessions with Chisato continued, twice a week now, and her senior shortened it until she made a full recovery.
She wouldn’t say her mind was full, that she didn’t have time to dwell on what happened. Rather, she made it so, not letting herself linger on it. But now, alone together for the first time since that last time…
“Anon-chan!”
Anon stumbled on her feet at the thought. Before she hit the ground, a wind charm caught her on time, softening her fall.
“Whoa,” was all she managed, arms and knees keeping her face from the ground.
“Don’t whoa me. What are you doing?” Soyo crouched beside her, peeking at her face. “Are you okay?”
“Y-Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Are you sure? Nurse Mariam said you already recovered physically, but maybe you still need some—”
“No, I’m fine, really. I just remembered something all of a sudden,” she said, scrambling to her feet. Soyo offered her hand, and she took it without thinking. “Thanks.”
She tilted her head when Soyo still didn’t let her hand go. Soyo flipped her hand, palm facing up. Her thumb traced the callouses on it to her fingers.
“Soyorin?”
Soyo hummed, finally letting go. “I just suddenly realized it again, but… Your hands have really hardened now.”
“Oh.”
Her voice lingered in her mind as they both resumed jogging, not saying anything more. Anon, however, had to bite her lower lip as if that would prevent the heat creeping up to her cheeks.
The world really had become much brighter. And for her, it seemed a certain muted yellow was openly joining her canvas now.
***
“So, as almost everyone agreed on, we’re taking only the ogre hunting quest during summer break. I have submitted our application to the guild earlier,” Taki announced, putting her glass down.
“Fine by me,” Soyo replied curtly.
“Thank you, Taki-chan. I’ll do my best,” Tomori gently said, in contrast to her determined face.
Anon swallowed her food first before chiming in, “Fine by me as well.”
Then she grinned at Taki. “Just make sure none of us would have to take a summer remedial class because of failing finals. The guild won’t allow us to take that quest.”
Taki glared at her, but before the dark-haired girl could retort, their pouting junior pulled on her sleeve.
“Rikki… one quest is not enough. Let’s enter a dungeon.”
“Stray cat, we already discussed this.” Taki sighed in exasperation. “Our party ranked from E to C. It’s quite a jump.”
“And we deserve it,” Raana said, matter-of-factly.
For a moment, they all stopped eating, hands mid-air, and stared at Raana. Then, they all shared a proud smile.
“Well, of course,” Taki reaffirmed, proceeding to eat. “We will decide after getting a feel of the C-rank quest, before taking another one.”
“We can still take a C-rank below quest…” Raana pestered again.
They were having lunch as usual, at Soyo’s lab. The spare table beside the potion working station had really become a place for their party’s mealtime. And at night, recently, for their study sessions, too.
After weeks of discussion, they had chosen the ogre hunting as their quest for the summer vacation. It would be their first C-rank party quest, which they would also use for self-evaluation. Anon could also agree with Raana’s idea; however, she chose not to say anything because either way, she was fine.
Part of their summer vacation plan was also to have regular training twice a week, as Anon, Tomori, and Taki would be coming home for the vacation. Raana had always been commuting from home to the academy anyway, which wouldn’t be much different for her.
As for Soyo, she said her mother would rarely be home due to the extra workload at the ministry, so she wouldn’t go home this year.
For the last week of their vacation, they agreed to have it as free time.
What if I invite Soyorin to come home with me?
Anon contemplated for a while, her gaze drifting to the brown-haired girl beside her.
I mean, it’s better than her being alone in the academy when we don’t have training sessions.
“Anon-chan?” Soyo called, who was now staring back at her. “Is there something on my face?”
Oh no, ahh… Anon searched for an excuse, eyes wandering around until she noticed the salmon in the lunchbox Soyo bought from the cafeteria.
“A-Ah, nothing is wrong, Soyorin, aha…ha,” she laughed awkwardly, scratching her head. “I was just wondering if I could have a piece of your salmon?”
Nice, me! That came out naturally! Right?
Soyo, in response, looked surprised for a few seconds. “O-Oh,” she muttered, cheeks slightly tinted with pink. “Sure.”
“Really? Yay!” Anon cheered.
She already moved her hand to take a piece with her chopstick when she noticed Soyo cutting a piece of salmon herself.
“Here,” Soyo said, lifting the piece with her chopstick, while her other hand hung below as a support. “Ahh…”
Anon froze. And so were the other three in the room. Or maybe only two, as she heard one with the continuous sound of her utensils and chewing.
The next moment, her body moved of its own accord, following her instincts. She opened her mouth, slightly leaning in. Soyo’s hand closed in on her mouth, letting her take the piece from the chopstick.
Anon felt the soft flesh enter her mouth, but her mind couldn’t register the taste. It was too busy trying to process the moment. Heat crept to her cheeks, while she seemed to remain calm as if it were the more natural thing to do.
“Tastes good, doesn’t it? The lady at the cafeteria told me they just got it delivered fresh this morning.”
“Y-Yeah! It’s good! Good!” Anon exclaimed, a pitch higher than she intended.
Soyo retracted her hand and looked between her and her salmon. After a moment of pause and a slightly deeper shade of pink on her face, she spoke again.
“W-Would you like another?”
Hmm?!!!
Despite feeling herself near overheated, she gave Soyo a small nod, which made the girl smile in return.
Cutting another piece, Soyo did the same and brought her chopstick near her mouth. Anon took it, trying harder this time around to taste the salmon. But…
“Mm, I-it’s really good. T-Thanks, Soyorin!”
The taste still wouldn’t register. What her mind focused on, however, was Soyo’s shy but sweet smile.
“M-Mm. You can take more if you want.”
Soyo fixed her posture and returned her gaze to her food. Anon did the same, but mostly moving on autopilot. Her mind was already in a loop. Rather than the taste of salmon, her mind savored something else and was stuck wondering…
Am I allowed to indulge myself in that?
Was that legal?
Aaaahhh! Chihaya Anon, get yourself together!
She barely registered Taki clearing her throat and resuming their discussion. And from time to time, she would hear Soyo join in as well, unlike her, who had gone quiet, totally unable to think straight at the moment.
***
A few days later, Anon continued to think about what had been happening lately. It wasn’t as if she was overwhelmed. Okay, maybe she was a little. But the subtle change might be more obvious than she thought.
She could feel people staring at them whenever she walked around with Soyo, whether or not they were with the whole party.
Was it because of the incident? But the headmistress didn’t announce their actions publicly to avoid endangering them. So, why?
And, am I hearing squeals?
“Think they’ll hold hands again?” one student whispered.
Anon’s hand twitched. What??? No, no. Didn’t hear that. Definitely didn’t.
They were on their way to their study session at Soyo’s lab. They asked the other three to go ahead while she and Soyo borrowed additional reference books from the library. Anon said she would do it on her own, but Soyo insisted on accompanying her.
Now on their way back from the library, Anon couldn’t help noticing the attention they were gathering as they walked in the hallway. She glanced at Soyo on her side and could see that the girl seemed conscious about it, too.
We'd better hurry before this gets out of hand.
Wait… Will it get out of hand? Why?
Anon, who normally enjoyed attention, would’ve treated this as recognition for their deeds. While it’s true that the headmistress didn’t share the details publicly, there was still word of mouth about what happened, plus the personal experiences of the other parties they fought with during the situation.
But no, this was not that kind of attention. And Anon wouldn’t enjoy it if it meant Soyo was uncomfortable. She was, too. And just when she was about to open the idea of hurrying up with Soyo, a familiar figure approached them.
“Soyo, Anon, hello. It’s good to see you two.”
It was Togawa Sakiko, who looked like she had come from the faculty building.
“Sakiko-chan, long time no see,” Anon greeted.
Soyo smiled, turning to Sakiko as well. “It’s also good to see you, Saki-chan. Are you on the way to the library?”
“Yes. Our party planned to meet up there,” Sakiko replied, before her casual smile widened. “Soyo, I was able to watch last time.”
Watch? Last time…
Anon turned to Soyo, looking for answers.
Soyo wore a look of surprise for a moment, then it softened. “I see. How was it?”
There was pride, and maybe a little smugness, in her tone. And Anon found herself smiling as well. In contrast to their soft ones, Sakiko’s was a smirk.
“Soyo,” Sakiko began, hands relaxed on her sides. “You really showed off to me there, didn’t you?”
“Hmm? What do you mean, Saki-chan?”
She meant the party, right?
The summer heat suddenly became apparent to Anon’s senses. A sweat trickled down her temple and her neck.
“The incident itself was crazy. But before that, the exam, your party’s teamwork was really impressive. I’m sure you’re all proud of yourselves, too. And also…” Sakiko looked between her and Soyo. “I didn’t know you two were already…”
Already… what?
They both froze, leaving Sakiko momentarily confused. In the next second, her face turned red.
“O-Oh no! Did I perhaps misunderstand? My apologies. U-Umm—”
Sakiko was now lost for words, and so was Anon, too.
Is that why everyone was reacting that way around us?
“Don’t worry about it, Saki-chan,” Soyo said, too composed, or maybe too mechanical? “A-Anyway, we have to go now.” She smiled politely, before it turned into a warm one again after Soyo took a breath. “Thank you for coming to see us. I appreciate it a lot.”
They bowed to each other and went on their way. Anon and Soyo continued walking in awkward silence. Everyone around them started to feel distant in Anon’s mind. Her thoughts echoed Sakiko’s words. She was forgetting something.
“Ahaha,” Anon forced a laugh, breaking the silence as they reached the building for labs. “Looks like everyone thinks we’re already… Strange, don’t you think? We haven’t even held each other’s hands for a long period.”
“Except, we already did. And everyone there saw it,” Soyo said firmly.
Her footstep halted, followed by an exhale. Anon stopped on her tracks as well, turning to face her.
“Don’t you remember, Anon-chan? The exam was broadcast.”
Anon just looked at her, dumbfounded, as if that word didn’t exist in her vocabulary.
“Everybody saw. Everything.” Soyo added, eyes stayed on her with the light hue of pink on her cheeks.
Anon blinked once. And then the memory came rushing at her like an ocean wave. The smell of the forest and the warmth of Soyo’s hand as she held it while they were looking for Tomori and Taki… the strong gust of wind as Soyo carried her on her back… Soyo’s warm wind charm as it carried Anon’s body into her arms while she was falling after hitting the magma golem’s head…
Oh… “We did hold hands… and it was broadcast,” she said, her cheeks and ears burning.
Soyo hummed. “And also… there’s more. Not broadcast, but… it was not just holding hands.”
A thump inside her chest made her aware of her racing heart. Anon swallowed a lump in her throat, searching for the right words. But she knew there was no other way to treat that fact.
She lifted her gaze and met Soyo’s greyish-blue eyes again. “Y-Yeah. We did. I won’t deny that,” she said, pressing her lips together.
They remained still, eyes locked on each other for a moment. Anon stepped closer, contemplating what to say, when suddenly…
Swish.
“Found you.” Raana’s voice came from outside.
“R-Raana-chan?” Anon and Soyo exclaimed, almost jumping at the sound.
Their junior dropped on the ground, as some threads retracted on her Threadcaster. “Rikki asked me to fetch you two, since you are taking a long time. We’re already waiting outside the lab.”
“Surely, Taki-chan didn’t ask you to drop down from the fifth floor… did she?” Soyo asked as they both watched Raana climb into the window.
“Raana-chan, we both just recovered, you know,” Anon reminded.
The last thing she remembered moments before she rushed to Soyo’s side was that their junior was pulling back a student who had fallen from the gargoyle. She was only told about this a few days after the incident, but Raana was also close to getting captured like her and was deeply wounded.
Raana stood straight in front of them with a smug expression. “I’m fine. No more wounds. Now, hurry up. Rikki and Tomori are waiting. The cake, too.”
Anon was starting to wonder why Raana seemed enthusiastic for their study session, but unsurprisingly, Taki lured her with sweets again.
“Okay, we’re coming. And no, we’re not climbing up through the windows with your threads.” Soyo held Raana’s shoulder just before she started threading to the second floor.
“No?”
“No. We have an elevator,” Soyo said firmly.
Anon giggled at the exchange. It was always amusing to watch. But also, more endearing after thinking back on what they’ve gone through.
“Can I?”
The memory of her own confident voice and Soyo’s face, a few inches away from her, resurfaced in her mind. Her heart raced again, making her look everywhere else but them, even after they got on the elevator.
She knew the moment was true, that she desired it. And her heart still jumps at the fact that Soyo wanted it, too.
Soyo wanted it, too…
Anon glanced at Soyo. The two had somehow begun talking about sweets Soyo can make. But Anon’s mind was on what had been happening lately, Soyo’s openness towards her.
Maybe I should ask her directly, this time, without any potion side effects.
Just as Chihaya Anon, and my own courage.
As they exited the elevator, Soyo walked ahead of them, leading the way to her lab. Anon was about to catch up to her when Raana pulled on her sleeve.
“Raana-chan?”
“Matcha parfait,” Raana said with a smirk.
“Ha?”
Her junior leaned in closer to her ear and whispered, “Treat me Matcha parfait next time if you two are already dating. Rikki and Tomori would pick that up as a sign, too.”
Anon only stared at her for a moment. Warmth spread on her chest as she let her lips loosen into a smile. The bluntness of her junior was always refreshing, a little embarrassing but encouraging, too.
“Not yet, but next time.”
The two shared a quiet glance until Soyo called them to hurry up.
***
The night before the week of final exams started, Anon had gathered her thoughts and her courage. Yet, her heartbeats were already racing as she stood outside the door of Soyo’s lab. Anon made plans to have one more study session with just the two of them. She also proposed staying over and having dinner together as they had done previously.
The summer heat was surely a factor in the sweat on her temple and her nape, but she knew her nerves were the stronger factor here.
I can do this. Releasing a breath, she finally knocked on her door.
“S-Soyorin~ I’m here!” she tried to say cheerfully, but already stuttered on the first syllable. She almost wanted to smack herself right there, and then. Instead, she clutched her hands at the hem of her shirt.
“C-Coming!” Soyo’s voice came, muffled by the door, followed by what seemed like her scrambling to her feet.
Anon’s breath hitched the moment she saw Soyo. Her brown hair was tied again to a side ponytail this time. She was wearing her limiter artifact as usual, but she left it exposed on top of her blouse.
“You tied your hair again,” Anon muttered, still staring.
The cool air from the room passed by them, momentarily relieving her from the summer heat.
Soyo hummed along with a nod. Her fingers stroked a few strands from the ponytail. “It’s also my first time trying to tie it this way.”
Anon’s hands finally relaxed, finding herself adoring this girl in front of her, who tried to look pretty for her when she already was.
“You’re so pretty, Soyorin. Are you trying to seduce me again?” Anon said, her eyes softening as her cheeks turned warm.
The brown-haired girl let out a soft laugh, as if releasing some tension. “Maybe?”
They giggled at each other’s silliness before finally going in.
Inside Soyo’s lab, the usual scent of herbs was overshadowed by the aroma of tomato sauce, sautéed onions, and garlic. Anon couldn’t help sniffing it in as she took a seat on the usual table beside Soyo’s potion working station.
“Soyorin, you cooked pasta?” Anon exclaimed, her eyes following Soyo who sat beside her. “You didn’t have to. I could’ve ordered food for us like last time.”
Soyo only stared at her for a moment, then sighed. “So, you’re saying you prefer restaurant food over my cooking? Well, sure. Go ahead. You can order. I’ll eat those by myself.”
Her heart skipped a beat looking at the girl’s pout. Anon turned her seat in almost instantly, facing Soyo directly.
“N-No, it’s not like that, Soyorin!” Her hands flailed in front of her violently. “Of course I want to eat what you cooked! I just thought I was the one imposing, so I should’ve prepared instead. But it’s not like I don’t—”
Halfway through, her rambling fell on deaf ears as Soyo began laughing, with a fist covering her lips.
“I was just teasing you, Anon-chan. You’re so cute.”
Anon was lost for words, stunned for a whole minute. “…ahh, unfair Soyorin,” she muttered under her breath.
She turned back to the table and quietly took out her study material as Soyo did the same. As if it wasn’t enough that Soyo’s laugh always affected her… The undeniable fondness in Soyo’s greyish-blue eyes hit her like an arrow straight through her heart.
Before she knew it, she was moving on autopilot again, barely registering the notes she was reviewing. But as her heart had finally settled down, the cool air and the lingering aroma of the tomato sauce had calmed her senses.
Sitting there quietly beside Soyo, along with the familiarity of her being inside the lab, felt like home to her. It tugged at her heart, hinting at something she couldn’t name yet, until her stomach let out a low grumble.
Soyo chuckled. Anon almost wanted to disappear right there.
“I guess we should eat now?” Soyo invited.
She nodded timidly, putting down her notes.
They set aside their study materials on the sofa. Anon took out the dishes and utensils, while Soyo poured the sauce into a bowl, along with the pasta. They set the table together, Anon asking a few questions about pasta dishes and other dishes Soyo usually cooks.
Soyo sat across from her, then gestured with her hand to the pasta in front of them.
Oh. Well then…
“Thanks for the food~,” she said, clasping her hands together before digging in.
Anon dug her fork into the pasta and twirled just the right amount into it. She put it directly into her mouth and immediately tasted the sweet and savory sauce.
“Mm~!” She chewed the soft noodles, letting the taste completely spread in her mouth. “It’s so good, Soyorin! I love it! You should start eating, too!” she finally said, after swallowing.
For a moment, Soyo looked like she was holding her breath, then relief washed over her. She smiled briefly before glancing away the next second, face tinted with red.
“R-Really? I’m glad you like it then,” Soyo said, almost a whisper, one hand playing at the ends of her side ponytail. “Then I’ll eat too.”
Their hums and the clinks of utensils filled their surroundings as they ate. Anon had almost finished her plate already when she started talking, praising Soyo for her cooking again. And not long after, she asked for seconds.
“Yes, yes,” was Soyo’s curt reply. But Anon caught Soyo biting her lower lip, as if holding back a smile.
Aren’t we only three candles away from turning this into a romantic dinner?
Anon also had to bite down her laugh, not wanting to let the silly thought out of her mouth. Thankfully, it had gone unnoticed by Soyo, who was focused on serving her another plate.
They continued eating while chatting about random topics. After they finished eating, Anon insisted on washing the dishes and told the brown-haired girl to resume studying. But, not even ten minutes in, she felt Soyo linger in the kitchenette’s doorway. She decided not to say anything, just focusing on the task at hand. But, not long after, Soyo spoke.
“You know,” Soyo began. “When you did that Infera charm to free yourself from the gargoyle, I saw it. Everyone saw it.”
Her hand paused mid-scrub on a plate. “Saw what?” she asked, turning her head to Soyo’s direction.
“Pink threads.”
Anon was confused for a while. Then the memories replayed in her mind. It was vivid due to the effect of the focus potion. At that moment, she thought she was imagining it when she saw pink threads coming out of her.
Soyo took a few steps closer and leaned against the kitchen counter to Anon’s side.
“It started as a spark, then became threads. It was your mana signature, wasn’t it?”
Continuing to scrub the plate, Anon thought for a while. She saw pink threads, but didn’t remember how it felt. But there was no doubt that it was her mana signature.
“I guess it was.” She began draining the soapy water, having finished scrubbing all that they had used. “Did it feel like something? Like how I perceived yours as warm threads.”
“Annoying,” Soyo said, plainly.
“Ehh?”
Anon snapped her head to Soyo, doubting her ears.
“I was annoyed. Now that I think about it,” Soyo said, brows furrowed. “Everyone saw it.”
“Yeah, you already said that. Everyone saw it.” She tilted her head, unable to make sense of where Soyo was getting at. She turned back to the basin and started rinsing the glasses.
The girl only exhaled, stepping beside her to take the one she had finished. Anon didn’t say anything, just letting her wipe them dry. Just when she thought the topic had ended there, Soyo repeated the words.
“Everyone saw it. Everyone.”
From the corner of her eye, she saw Soyo put the utensils on the dish rack before adding, “Only you could see mine. And… I wish I were the only one who could see yours, too.”
That made Anon turn her head to Soyo again as she handed her the plate she had just finished rinsing. Then a smile played across her face.
“But Soyorin, only you understood what it was. Only you saw me.”
Soyo’s mouth hung open, greyish-blue eyes locked on hers. The redness spread across her face down to her neck until she finally gave a timid nod, eyes still on her.
“You know, yours was also warm. A passionate kind of warmth,” Soyo whispered, lips curling into a small smile. There was a subtle clink as the plate was set down. “I don’t know if the others felt it too, but I certainly did.”
Anon gripped the kitchen counter, holding herself together from melting. It wasn’t fair to her heart whenever this girl got this honest. Anon knew she had to do better than let her knees get weak. She swore to herself that she would do it tonight.
And maybe that was why…
She finally let it out. Ignoring the running water. Forgetting the things she prepared to say. And most of all, without the effect of any potion or any magic.
“Soyorin, I love you.”
A beat had passed. Silence…
And then another…
Soyo’s expression softened, and her eyes turned glassy. Until her voice, filled with warmth, finally came.
“I… love you too, Anon-chan.”
They stared at each other for a moment. Then, Anon reached for Soyo’s shoulder and held it. Her gaze traveled from Soyo’s eye to her lips and ended on her other eye. She took the cue when Soyo leaned in slightly, eyelids gradually shutting off.
Anon closed the remaining distance between them, locking Soyo’s lips with hers, closing her eyes as well. She let her instinct lead her more this time, moving her lips gently while letting Soyo catch up to her.
Soyo’s hand reached for Anon’s other arm, remaining anchored to her as they pulled away. Their breaths filled the gap between them, eyes locking onto each other.
“So… Girlfriends?” Anon whispered, smiling.
“Yes…” Soyo let out a giggle, then she added, “If you’ll have me.” Soyo’s thumb rubbed on her arm.
“I should be the one asking that. Hehe~.”
The hand that was on her arm moved to poke her cheek. Soyo’s lips were pressed together, like she was half pouting, the other half wanting to say something.
She tilted her head to Soyo’s finger, waiting for the girl to say it. But instead, the finger suddenly turned ice cold, making Anon step back in her surprise.
“S-Soyorin?”
“That’s a compliment.”
“What was?”
“Secret~ I’m not telling you yet. But also…” Soyo tipped her chin towards her left shoulder. “For getting my sleeve wet,” she said, grinning.
“W-Whoa! Sorry!”
Anon stepped closer again, wanting to check on Soyo’s sleeve, but the brown-haired girl stepped back.
“It’s fine, Anon-chan. Let’s just finish this,” Soyo said, smiling at her before turning back to the kitchen counter. She picked up the plate she had earlier discarded and started wiping it.
Anon smiled to herself, letting it go. She did the same and picked up the remaining plate, rinsing it. Once done, Soyo took it. Anon watched her, while the thoughts of what had just happened between them finally clicked in her mind.
Girlfriends, huh…
She giggled to herself, pride swelling inside her along with her racing heartbeats. Anon thought back on how she’d been afraid of her feelings for Soyo; even told herself that she’d be content with just having her around.
But I couldn’t help falling deeper for you…
Her lips curled upwards, eyelids relaxed as she watched Soyo finish wiping the plate. She continued staring even when Soyo was already staring back at her, confused.
“Anon-chan? I’ve just finished. Let’s go?”
Anon nodded. But as Soyo turned her back on her, about to lead her out of the kitchenette, she added, “Yes, Girlfriend~.”
That made Soyo snap her head back at her, only to avert her gaze again. Anon noted that Soyo’s exposed ears were completely red before taking her hand as they went to the sofa.
“You know,” Anon began, taking a seat on the sofa. “I originally planned to say more before confessing. In the end, I just said it directly.”
“Really?” Soyo paused in the middle of putting her study materials on the center table.
“Mm.”
The brown-haired girl straightened her posture, turning to her. “Then, can I still hear it?”
Anon’s lips parted, only to close them again. She set her hands on her lap, swallowing a lump in her throat. She took a deep breath and let the air out of her lungs.
“Well, it’s not like I prepared a speech. It was just something I’ve wanted to tell you for a while now.”
Soyo only hummed, eyes focused on her. Anon took it as a cue to continue.
“I just wanted you to know that you deserve all the love in the world. And I’m overjoyed to see you allowing yourself to receive more now.”
Before she knew it, she had already taken Soyo’s hand between hers. Anon squeezed it gently, thumbs rubbing at the back of her hand.
Soyo nodded with a quiet hum. A tear trickled down her face. “Thank you, Anon-chan.” Her other hand wiped her tears.
They held each other’s gaze, a comfortable silence settling in between them. The cool air from the air conditioner contrasted with the warmth in their gazes, and in Anon’s heart. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to let this moment linger a little longer. And so, she gathered her courage once more.
“Soyorin,” she called, still holding her hand. “Do you remember when I first confessed to you, you asked me something?”
“Oh… Yes, I did.”
“I deflected it back then and ran away.” Anon leaned in a little closer. “I can answer it now. But I would like to ask you for a favor.”
Soyo raised her brows, curiosity on her face. “What is it?”
“I would like you to ask me the question twice. First one as is right now… and for the second time…” Anon trailed off, watching Soyo’s reaction closer as she finally said, “I want you to ask me using your gift.”
The girl’s greyish-blue eyes widened for a moment. The surprise was there, the confusion was there, but there was little to no trembling. There was no fear or avoidance.
“Why…?” came Soyo’s quiet question.
Anon smiled as she said, “Just like how you’ve been wanting to see my mana signature, I’ve also been wanting to know how your gift feels.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve wanted to know what it feels like to be held by your mind,” she paused before adding, “That is, if it’s okay with you.”
Soyo only looked at her for a while, seemingly processing what she just said. The light tint of red on her cheeks told Anon that her words struck something in Soyo.
“Are you sure, Anon-chan?” Soyo asked, adjusting their hands clasped together to squeeze Anon’s palm.
Anon nodded. “Yes.”
Soyo smiled, faintly. Her eyes softened from earlier confusion to fondness.
“Well then, without it first.”
Anon braced herself despite knowing what the question was.
“How did you come to love me?” Soyo asked plainly, contrasted by the blush on her cheeks.
Anon was betrayed by her heart. She may have been prepared, but it still throbbed strongly against her chest. She took another deep breath before answering. Soyo waited for her patiently, never averting her gaze.
“Honestly,” Anon finally began. “I don’t know. What I’m certain of is that it happened gradually.”
“Mm… I feel like you looked at me with heart eyes when we first had tea together and talked.”
“T-That was because you immediately agreed to form a party with me! Plus, you’re really pretty and elegant. And—”
“And what, Anon-chan?” Soyo teased, but there wasn’t a glint in her eyes. Only warmth and softness. She was clearly enjoying this with affection.
Anon, admiring that look, while also growing flustered, shook her head. “Aaah! Anyway, it was just an interest back then! It wasn’t love just yet.”
“Hehe~, I know. I was just teasing you.”
Ughh. Of course. She pouted for a second, then smiled helplessly.
“As I was saying, it was gradual. Over time, as we spend more time together with everyone in our party… and even more after I get to know you beneath the mask. At one point, I just began to realize, while I was staring at you, that…”
Anon bit her lip, face heating up at the memory of her realization. An image of an elegant room, on a slightly cold December night. She blinked once, returning her gaze once again at Soyo.
“That there was no turning back for me. That this is my love.”
She pressed her lips together, as if it would slow down her beating heart. Anon’s right hand broke free from their clasped hands to cover her mouth, leaving only her left to hold Soyo’s.
“S-So yeah, it kinda just happened over time.”
The brown-haired girl wasn’t faring any better. Soyo’s face was flushed, and her eyes were glassy.
“In short, you already found me charming at first, and since then, it was a free fall?” Soyo asked, half-teasing.
“I-I wouldn’t say it’s a free fall… although right now it is,” Anon admitted, whispering the last part.
Soyo leaned in slightly. “What was that?”
“Nothing!” Anon flailed her right hand in front of her, then she cleared her throat. “Now you can proceed with the second time.”
Soyo gave her a small nod, followed by two rounds of inhaling and exhaling. Anon also prepared herself, hoping she could remember how it would feel after the effect wore off.
“Okay.” The pendant that had been lying on Soyo’s chest glimmered. “Are you really, really sure, Anon-chan?”
“Yes,” she confirmed once again.
Soyo breathed; her expression was firmer this time.
Anon shifted to her hyper-focused mode and saw Soyo’s muted golden threads already connected to the limiter pendant.
And then it glowed brighter as Soyo began to speak. “Anon-chan, I will be asking this question to you now.”
Soyo’s voice started echoing inside her mind. Anon could feel the sensation of water rising under her feet, but her focus remained on Soyo, her voice holding her in a warm embrace as she finally commanded her.
“Could you tell me… How did you come to love me?”
One beat. It took one heartbeat, and the next second, all her senses were submerged in the waters that were under her feet a moment ago. And yet, unlike the exam illusion, Anon didn’t feel suffocated. Rather, Soyo’s voice still echoed in her mind, holding her firmly with warmth as she was guided into the depths of her mind, into her deepest, most precious memories.