"Click."
"I'm home."
With a soft click, Grace pushed open the door to Sophia's apartment, stepping into the dimly lit room.
"I'm home as well," I murmured, following closely behind her.
"Woof, woof."
Luna added her own greeting with a soft, high-pitched bark as she nestled comfortably in my arms.
"Sigh..."
Grace tiptoed over to the sofa and collapsed onto it with a tired sigh.
"Where's Sophia?" I inquired, settling down beside Grace and allowing Luna to roam freely.
"I'm not sure. She should be back soon," Grace replied, undoing the hook of her skirt and getting comfortable.
"Hmm, probably busy with something related to the academy," I speculated, running my fingers through Grace's hair as she rested her head on my lap.
"How are you feeling?" I asked gently, continuing to massage her scalp.
"Tired, but good," she murmured, closing her eyes.
"The flames?" I inquired, and she gently opened her eyes.
"Flames," she mumbled, and as she did, a torrent of black flames engulfed her hand, illuminating the room.
"I can control them, but not for long," she replied, extinguishing the flames before closing her eyes again.
"It will take time," I reassured her, leaning back on the sofa, my other hand subtly inching towards her stomach.
"Ahm?" She let out a soft whimper as my finger brushed against her stomach, but she made no further protest.
"Still can't believe you like to wear black," I remarked with a light chuckle, and she abruptly opened her eyes.
"Shut up," she retorted with a blush, adjusting her skirt and t-shirt as she shifted to lay on her side.
"Luna is playing."
"Touch me in a weird place and you will get slapped," she warned firmly as my hand began to wander downwards.
"I'll do you one better: let me touch you in a weird place and I'll give the slap as well," I replied, earning a stern look from her.
"Are you sure, Eden?" she asked, meeting my gaze. "Are you sure you can handle me?"
"Who do you think I am?" I retorted, pinching her cheeks lightly.
"I'll kill someone."
"I've done that before."
"...I'll go against the royals."
"Count me in."
"...I'll kill Angilina."
"...."
I paused, considering her words carefully as we locked eyes.
"If you think she deserves it, I won't stop you," I finally replied, and she let out an exasperated sigh.
"I don't think I love you, Eden," she confessed, sitting back on the sofa.
"Hmm, understandable. I did reject a perfect girl," I replied with a light smile.
"... Flattering won't take you anywhere," she muttered, leaning against me.
"Yeah," I agreed, patting her head gently.
"I really don't love you."
"I know."
"I really don't."
"I get it."
"....At least try something."
"...."
Is it only me or is it that hard to understand girls?
"Anyway I should get going now." I mumbled as i needed to go home as well, it's already late at night.
"Hmm." But just as I stood up she grabbed my hand making me look at her.
"...Should we continue from where we left off?" she softly murmured, causing me to stop my movements.
"...Wait, seriously?" I asked dumbfound, looking at her.
She nodded meekly before burying her head in my chest.
Click.
But before I could react, the door clicked open.
[Now it's confirmed, you're definitely cursed.]
"..."
I might really be, given how many fucking times I've been interrupted.
"I'm home."
"Welcome, Aunty!"
Pushing me to the side, Grace stood up, adjusting her clothes.
As Sophia entered the hall room, her eyes landed on me. "What are you doing here?"
"...Nothing, just hanging around," I replied, shrugging my shoulders.
She narrowed her eyes, casting a suspicious glance at me and then at Grace.
"Grace," Sophia addressed her, shifting her focus, "before doing anything stupid, please consult with me once."
"B-But—"
"I will not interfere too much in your life, but I have to make sure you don't make wrong decisions," Sophia interjected firmly, and Grace nodded in understanding.
"And you, mister," she turned her attention to me, "out."
"Why are you salty today?" I quipped, making my way toward Grace, who looked panicked as I approached her.
"Eden."
"Bye." I kissed her cheek before mumbling as I walked out of the room, leaving both niece and aunt in shock.
[...You had to do it, didn't you?]
'Yep, I had to.'
I don't plan to hide my relationship with Grace from anyone, I just need to be careful about Nadya and her yandere tendencies.
[...Have you thought about what you're going to do with her mother's case?]
'I already have plans for it, but I need to be careful. That realm is dangerous.'
A place with a different space and where mana is in limited supply, but more than that...
The next clue about the Human God...
That realm has it as well.
One of the seven parts of the world snake.
'Hopefully, I will get some clue as to why I am fucking up with timelines.'
With that in mind, I walked out of the building before using [Star Sense], vanishing from my location.
...
...
...
"I'm home!"
I called out as I entered the house, expecting Sarah to come and help me.
"Hmm, weird," I mumbled when no one appeared to greet me.
Taking off my shoes, I continued inside, following the sound of voices.
As I entered the main hall, I froze in my tracks at the sight before me.
There sat a girl, her pink hair cascading down her delicate shoulders, almost touching the ground.
Her eyes, a mesmerizing shade of soft pink, sparkled with warmth and innocence.
Her porcelain skin glowed with a rosy hue, possessing an otherworldly charm.
And her figure... sinfully enticing, capable of captivating any man.
"Nadya," I murmured as she looked at me, a beautiful smile gracing her lips.
"Neil," she replied, standing up from the sofa and walking towards me.
But my attention shifted abruptly as I noticed three more people in the hall.
One was Elysia, Nadya's sister, but the other two were my mother and Sarah.
'Shit, what were they talking about?'
Before I could think on it further, Nadya stood in front of me, and in front of everyone...
"I missed you," she whispered before jumping on me, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug.
I held her, supporting her by placing my hand on her hips as she locked her legs around my waist.
"Wait, Nadya," I said, slightly flinching as I felt her hot breath on my neck.
She slowly ran her tongue along my neckline.
I glanced towards the others as they stood up as well, sensing the tension in the room.
"Nadya," I whispered again, but she didn't listen, leaning back to face me.
In her eyes, I saw nothing but lust and desire.
And I was proven right as she kissed my nose softly, then my lips.
It wasn't just a peck; she used her tongue, invading my mouth.
"I'm truly sorry... my sister isn't always like this," Elysia apologized to my mother with a stoic expression, but when our eyes met, she started glaring at me.
"Eden," my smiling mother addressed me as Nadya stopped kissing me, "you have a lot to explain."