After class, you naturally walked alongside Castorice.

"Will you show me around the Tree Garden?"

"Huh?"

"I just arrived and I'm not familiar with the surroundings yet," you said as a matter of course. "You're the only person I know here."

The only person he knew... This reason made it impossible for Castorice to refuse. "O-okay..."

She led you on a stroll through the Tree Garden, introducing every building and pathway. "This is the Serthis Library; it has a very extensive collection. This way is the Meditation Room… Over there is..."

"Castorice," you suddenly interrupted her.

"Hm?"

"You're not wearing your gloves today."

Only then did Castorice realize that she had naturally forgotten to wear her gloves while with you. "I... I can control it a bit now," she said, a little shyly.

"Really?" Surprise flashed in your eyes. "That's wonderful!"

"Although I still can't casually touch people, at least..."

Before she could finish, you suddenly grabbed her hand.

"!!!" Castorice's eyes widened, and she instinctively tried to pull away.

"Don't move," you said gently. "Let me try."

A warm sensation came from your palm. It was still the warmth only you could give her. "See, are you okay?" you said with a smile. "You've really improved a lot. The aura of death is weaker than before."

Castorice stared blankly at their clasped hands. After so many years, you could still touch her. And still, only you could touch her.

"What's wrong?" you asked, seeing her silence.

"N-nothing..." Castorice hastily pulled her hand back, her face a little flushed. "It's just that no one has touched me for so long, it's a little... unfamiliar." This was the truth. During her time in the Tree Garden, although she had learned some control, she still kept her distance from everyone. Only Orion…

"You'll get used to it later," you said. "I'm here, you don't need to be afraid."

These words instantly shattered Castorice's emotional defenses. She knew she shouldn't be like this, that she should keep her distance from you. You were someone else's lover. But… But now you were right beside her. Looking at her with such gentle eyes, saying such thoughtful words. She really couldn't control herself.

'If it's just in the Tree Garden…' A dangerous thought sprouted in her heart. 'Aglaea won't know… I won't steal him, I'll just... just be good friends… That should be fine, right?'

"Castorice?" Your voice interrupted her wild thoughts.

"Ah, sorry, I was thinking."

"What were you thinking about?"

"I was thinking..." Castorice bit her lip. "Will you be staying in the Tree Garden for a long time?"

"What, you don't want me to leave?" you teased.

Castorice's face grew even redder. "No..." She quickly added, "I just... just wanted to know how long you'll be staying..."

"That might be for a long time," you said seriously. "Because I'm a very slow learner."

"You're not slow at all," Castorice instinctively retorted. Then, realizing her slip, she quickly added, "I mean, you handle so many matters in Ohema, you must be very intelligent..."

"Thank you for thinking so highly of me," you said with a gentle smile.

That smile made Castorice feel... Even though she knew this was wrong, even though she knew there would be no outcome, she still wanted to be a little greedy. Just a little bit. Only during this time in the Tree Garden. Let her be selfish just one more time.

"Butterfly Baby!" Not long after you left, Hyacine came bouncing over.

"Was that Orion just now? He's even more handsome than the rumors say!" Hyacine's eyes sparkled, her face filled with excitement. "As expected of Ohema's most handsome man! That aura, those eyes..."

"Hyacine..." Castorice was a little helpless.

"You two seemed very close," Hyacine leaned closer, narrowing her eyes. "He was staring at you the whole time."

"N-no way..." Castorice unconsciously touched her cheek.

"And you say no! Look at you, your face is all red!" Hyacine exclaimed as if she had discovered a new continent. "Butterfly Baby, don't tell me you have a thing for Orion?"

"How could that be!" Castorice hastily denied. "We're just... just friends..."

"Friends?" Hyacine looked unconvinced. "What kind of friends hold hands and walk around? What kind of friends look at each other so affectionately?"

"That's because... because his abilities are special..." Castorice's voice grew softer and softer.

"Oh~ I see~" Hyacine drew out her words. "He's the one you told me about before... the only one in the whole world who can touch you, right?"

Castorice froze, her secret exposed.

"Butterfly Baby, you like him, don't you?" Hyacine asked seriously.

"I..." Castorice opened her mouth but couldn't utter a denial. She could lie to others, but she couldn't lie to herself. Yes, she liked Orion. She had liked him for many years, and she still liked him now, even more than before.

"But he has a lover..." Castorice said bitterly. "Aglaea..."

"So what?" Hyacine said casually. "They're just a couple, they're not married!"

"Hyacine!" Castorice was startled.

"I'm just stating facts," Hyacine argued. "People in the Tree Garden are very open-minded; what's wrong with pursuing true love? Besides, who can say for sure about matters of the heart? Maybe Orion actually..."

"Hyacine!" Castorice interrupted her. "Stop talking nonsense!"

"I'm not talking nonsense," Hyacine looked at her seriously. "Butterfly Baby, do you know? When you mention him, your whole being glows. That kind of look can't be faked. And, the way he looks at you is very special too," Hyacine winked. "That kind of tenderness, it can't be faked."

"Really?" Castorice asked instinctively.

"See, you do care!" Hyacine said triumphantly.

Only then did Castorice realize she had let it slip. "I... I have something to do, I'm leaving!" She fled in a hurry, leaving Hyacine behind to chuckle to herself.

Castorice, who had fled back to her room, leaned against the door, her heart pounding. Hyacine's words echoed in her mind. "They're just a couple, they're not married!"