CHAPTER 258: WORK TOGETHER? [1]

With a slight cough, Brandon walked to Eira and Dhayun and wrapped his arms around them "Hm, what’s the deal with this Big Sis and Little Sis?"

Eira scratched the back of her neck, looking away shyly. "W-Well, Big Sister Dhayun is really nice. She often visits here and helped me understand some advanced ether theory too..."

Brandon looked at Dhayun and she gently elbowed his abdomen "What? You were gone. I was lonely. Your sweet little girlfriend needed some company too. I simply provided."

"Right..." Brandon muttered, shaking his head, though a smile tugged at his lips.

"I leave for a month and suddenly everyone has a secret alliance without me."

Eira let out a soft chuckle "She also gave me advice about you and your childhood stories."

Eh? Brandon smiled dryly and replied "I hope you didn’t tell her the embarrassing parts."

Eira hugged him and laughed into his shoulder "Oh, she did..."

Looking at them, his gaze narrowed "Alright, confession time. Just how many of my secrets got leaked?"

Eira bit her lip, struggling to stifle her giggles "Enough."

"More than enough," Dhayun added with a devious smirk, nudging his side again.

"Let’s see... the one where you got stuck in the academy’s girls’ dormitory trying to sneak back my stolen scarf... the time you cried because your bunny plush went missing..."

"It was a wolf plush," Brandon corrected her with a flat look.

Eira’s laughter broke free, and she leaned her head against his shoulder and her eyes were bright with affection "You were adorable. Honestly, I wish I’d known you back then."

"Adorable?" Brandon muttered in a dry voice.

"Aww, don’t be grumpy, Woonie," Dhayun teased in an affectionate voice.

"It was cute seeing Eira light up when I told her how you used to sneak around the dorms because you were too shy to talk to girls properly."

Eira pinched his cheek and muttered "I also saw some of your childhood pictures, you were just so cute."

Just then, Elize strolled back into the living room and saw Brandon surrounded by Eira and Dhayun "What’s happening here?"

Brandon turned toward her, still flanked on both sides "Apparently, I’ve been the subject of an exposé while I was gone. My childhood has been weaponized."

Elize tilted her head, placing a finger on her lips in thought "Oh, yeah, I also told some of your childhood stories to her."

Brandon stared at her in betrayal "You too?"

"I had to give her something in return for the chocolate cake she brought last week," Elize replied, walking over and casually ruffling his hair like he was a pouting child.

"Besides, she’s family now. She deserves to know all your weak points."

"Is this how you all treat your family?" Brandon muttered under his breath.

Dhayun hugged him tighter, Eira kissed his cheek with a sweet hum, and Elize leaned down to press a kiss to the top of his head.

"Yes," they said in unison.

Brandon: -_-

Elize’s voice rang out from the kitchen, "Coffee’s almost ready. Dhayun, dear, do you still prefer it with just a bit of almond cream?"

Dhayun looked genuinely touched. "Yes, Aunt Elize. You remembered?"

Elize peeked from behind the kitchen door with a fond smile. "Of course. You’re family."

Just then, Yverine walked in from upstairs, still tying her hair into a loose braid and looked at Dhayun.

Brandon glanced at her and signaled her to come.

Dhayun glanced at Yverine in mild surprise "You are also here..."

Yverine gave a faint nod "Hm."

---

It was already night.

Yverine descended the staircase with unhurried steps, with her hands in the pockets of her loose hoodie, her hair still slightly damp from the shower.

As she reached the bottom floor, she saw Dhayun sitting on the couch with one leg folded under her, absentmindedly scrolling through her phone.

Yverine stopped beside the couch and asked "Where’s Brandon?"

Hm? Dhayun looked up from her mobile and replied "Eira, Aunt Ravene and Brandon have gone out to buy drinks for the movie night."

"Hoh..." Murmuring under her breath, Yverine glanced at Dhayun for a moment before speaking up "Can you come outside for a moment? I want to talk to you privately."

Privately? Dhayun raised a brow at the abrupt tone "You sure it can’t wait?"

"No," Yverine replied flatly.

"...Fine." Dhayun stood up, stretching her arms behind her back lazily before following her out through the door into the back garden.

The night air was cool and crisp, laced with the scent of freshly cut grass and faint lilac from the flowerbeds.

The moon hung overhead in full bloom, casting pale light over the courtyard and bathing the two women in silver.

Both of them stepped into the garden and the cool night air brushed past them.

Dhayun glanced around and asked "What... do you want to talk with me?"

Looking at Dhayun, Yverine asked "...Are you in love with Brandon?"

Huh? Dhayun’s gaze condensed for a moment "Where did that come from?"

Yverine just stayed silent and Dhayun gave a faint nod "I do, what... why are you asking me this suddenly? Don’t tell me you are also in love with him too."

Upon hearing this, Yverine’s body stiffened and she slowly lowered her gaze.

"Wait, for real?" Dhayun was stunned to see Yverine standing there, blushing like a young girl in love.

She blinked her eyes in disbelief "What? I... I didn’t expect a nonchalant woman like you to fall in love."

Hearing this, a vein popped up in Yverine’s forehead "What? Do you think I don’t have feelings? Do I look like an emotionless bitch or something."

"Yes, you do..."

-_- Yverine gave her a blank stare ’This cunt.’

They stood in silence for a moment and Dhayun crossed her arms before asking "What now? Are you here for a challenge or something, who can make Brandon fall for you first?"

"Look Yverine, I don’t mind fighting in the Academy in studies and combat... but don’t mess with this."

Yverine hurriedly shook her head "No, No... I am not shitty enough to use feelings for a challenge."

They both looked at each other and had the same thought in mind.

’I can’t tell her than I am already in a secret relationship with Brandon behind Eira.’ x2

With a soft sigh, Yverine looked up at the moon "I was just wondering... if we both love Brandon, why don’t we just work together?"

"Eh?"