I preferred plain, ordinary pizza over extravagant ones loaded with all sorts of toppings.

    For example, I liked the classic styles that stayed true to the basics—combination, pepperoni, or cheese pizza.

    After all, pizza was a dish where the dough, tomato sauce, and cheese formed the beginning and the end.

    The presence of expensive and flashy toppings only served to undermine the essence of pizza.

    ‘Well, not that I’d refuse an expensive pizza if someone else was paying for it.’

    Of course, that didn’t mean I outright disliked fancy pizzas with toppings.

    I simply had my favorites, but even the pricey ones had their own charm.

    Whether it had steak, chicken, seafood, or even pineapple.

    As long as it wasn’t some horrifying monstrosity like chocolate-topped pizza, I could eat just about anything.

    It wasn’t as if pizza was my absolute favorite food, so I never thought, I’ll never eat this!

    There probably weren’t many people who took such an extreme stance anyway.

    However, despite munching on my beloved combination pizza, I felt no enjoyment.

    The reason was simple.

    An uninvited guest sitting across from me was staring at me intently!

    “...”

    “Hmmm....”

    “...”

    The uninvited guest was an incredible beauty.

    One of the most stunning people I’d ever seen, even among the many I had encountered.

    Not quite on the level of Aisha, the world-famous idol... but probably just a step below.

    Her skin was so pale and clear it seemed untouched by sunlight, and her natural silver hair shimmered with an almost ethereal glow.

    Beneath her charismatic eyes, dark circles added a decadent allure.

    To top it off, she wore a rather revealing jumpsuit, its slightly open front exposing glimpses of her underwear—making her undeniably sexy.

    She had the kind of magnetic charm that would make any man turn his head for a second glance if they passed her on the street.

    ‘Alice’s older sister, huh? This is the first time I’m seeing her in person...’

    Her name was Sakuragi Lily.

    Alice’s one and only older sister, a genius mechanical engineer—better known as a mechanic—who had risen to fame like a comet.

    At the same time, she was also a highly skilled magician.

    Unlike Alice, who was born with Mana Severance, Lily had inherited their parents’ talents completely.

    There were many exceptional engineers in this world, and many outstanding magicians as well.

    But someone who excelled in both fields?

    She was practically one of a kind.

    This was because Earth’s laws of physics and the laws of the otherworld were inherently incompatible.

    In other words, the work she handled was irreplaceable—something no one else could simply step in to do.

    Since she had been employed at a research facility, Lily was undoubtedly buried in work and technical development, leaving little time for rest.

    However, the city was currently in Night Week, a period when everything came to a halt.

    Even someone with a near-workaholic tendency like her must have been given a rare, extended break.

    ‘Besides, if I recall correctly from the original story... her research should be wrapping up around now. The fusion of science and magic... was it Eve?’

    It was widely believed that the fusion of science and magic was theoretically impossible.

    A magic-powered engine, a drone that flew and cast spells—such hybrid technologies weren’t supposed to exist.

    Like burning ice or frozen fire, their fundamental principles were contradictory.

    There was a reason why cybernetic prosthetics for non-human species had once caused such a sensation, only to be exposed as a scam.

    Yet, throughout history, there were always those who challenged the impossible.

    Lily was one of them—a visionary who reached for uncharted territory with her unparalleled insight and ingenuity.

    And she had results to show for it.

    In any case, Sakuragi Lily possessed extraordinary skills and an impressive background.

    Now, this remarkable woman was speaking to me in a friendly tone, even as I uncomfortably forced down my pizza.

    “Hmph... So Yuria even wears her mask while eating. Isn’t it uncomfortable?”

    ...

    “Your lips are quite pretty. There’s a little bit of sauce here—should I wipe it off for you?”

    “...!”

    N-No, thank you!

    As she suddenly moved closer with a handkerchief, I instinctively leaned back against the sofa, as if trying to escape.

    Her hand, now missing its target, simply sliced through empty air.

    Of course, I didn’t feel the least bit sorry.

    She was the one trying to touch my lips out of nowhere, so she was clearly in the wrong.

    Did she realize that much at least? Without any change in expression, Lily calmly withdrew her handkerchief.

    After tucking it back into her pocket, she casually tapped her own lips a couple of times.

    Then, flashing a business-like smile, she spoke again.

    “Fufu, could it be that your dream is to become a cat?”

    “...”

    “Don’t be so scared. This big sis just... wants to get closer to you, Yuria.”

    At my obvious refusal, Lily furrowed her brows as if saddened.

    However, her eyes were still scanning me coldly, as if analyzing an object.

    As expected, this friendly act was just that—an act.

    Thinking about it rationally, there was no way she’d show genuine goodwill toward someone she’d just met.

    She was probably calculating my worth, measuring how valuable I was to her.

    And if she decided I was unnecessary, or worse, a hindrance... she’d discard me without hesitation.

    I couldn’t afford to let my guard down just because I knew her from the original story.

    Resolving to stand firm, I slowly nodded as if to show I wasn’t afraid.

    Lily smiled brightly in response—but her eyes weren’t smiling at all.

    Honestly, it was terrifying.

    I felt like I was being cornered, gradually pushed toward the edge of a psychological cliff.

    Just when I thought I might actually fall—

    A voice cut through the tension.

    Holding a plastic bottle of soda, Raven stepped in from the back of the room, narrowing his eyes at Lily.

    “You... You didn’t harass Yuria while I was gone for a second to grab a drink, did you?”

    Surprisingly, his voice carried an undeniable weight.

    A weaker person might’ve involuntarily flinched or even let out a startled hiccup.

    For me, it was as if a savior had descended from the heavens.

    Yes! She totally harassed me!

    I silently stared at Raven’s profile, as if cheering him on to continue pressuring Lily.

    But Lily, unfazed, simply responded with a sugary-sweet gaze directed at him.

    “Oh my, darling. How could I ever do that? How could I possibly bully such a cute little thing...?”

    “Hmph. More like, you’re annoyed that Yuria keeps destroying every little spy drone you secretly plant around her, right? Isn’t that it?”

    Raven’s sharp words cut through the air, delivered in a matter-of-fact tone.

    Lily, who had been gazing at him with big, innocent eyes, fell silent for a brief moment—her expression betraying that he’d hit the mark.

    Then, crossing her long legs, she adjusted her posture and nodded as if to say, You got me.

    “...Fufu. As expected, darling understands me better than anyone else in this world. I think I’m falling for you even more. How about putting a ring on my finger?”

    “No chance. Like I always say, a woman who can’t even cook is an instant fail as a marriage partner. How could I possibly spend my life with someone who burns even a simple fried egg?”

    “Ugh... Ughhhm....”

    Lily averted her gaze, as if unable to refute his words.

    Well, it was a known fact—if something didn’t interest her, she wouldn’t even bother trying.

    And since she had zero interest in cooking, she clearly had no intention of improving her skills.

    After a brief pause, Lily twisted a lock of her silver hair around her finger, seemingly contemplating something before speaking hesitantly.

    “...Darling, would it count as cooking if my machine made it?”

    “Huh? That’s kinda pushing the definition of ‘homemade,’ don’t you think? But... as long as it doesn’t taste awful, I’d eat it.”

    “T-Then! I’ll make an automaton that specializes in cooking next time! I already know your taste in food, after all....”

    Lily, who had been so imposing earlier, now fidgeted like a nervous schoolgirl.

    Her cheeks were slightly flushed—was she imagining a future where she and Raven lived together?

    With her eyes darting up shyly and her lips slightly parted, she looked undeniably cute—completely different from before.

    It was clear—when a woman was in love, she became all the more charming.

    “...Tch. Even in my imagination, you’re getting in the way...”

    “...?”

    But it didn’t last long.

    Still fidgeting and sneaking glances at Raven, Lily suddenly seemed to remember my presence and clicked her tongue softly.

    Her once subtly oppressive gaze now turned into an outright glare of hostility.

    What the hell? What did I do?!

    Had I somehow intruded into her romantic fantasy? That would be incredibly unfair.

    Caught in the crossfire of the intimidating older sister’s stare, I involuntarily let out a small hiccup.

    A cold, suffocating pressure filled my chest—like the pizza I had just swallowed was now lodged in my throat.

    “Come on now... Act your age.”

    “K-Kyah! Ugh...! But... I really, really want to live with darling....”

    Thankfully, Raven had witnessed the entire exchange.

    With a light chop to Lily’s head, he mercifully freed me from her murderous gaze.

    So that was it—jealousy.

    For someone as single-mindedly devoted to Raven as Lily, she must’ve been envious that I got to stay at the office with him.

    Was that really enough of a reason to glare at me so scarily?

    I took back what I thought earlier.

    A woman in love wasn’t just charming—she was a total pain.

    “You have your own house. Yuria doesn’t have anywhere else to go, so there’s no choice.”

    “...Then I’ll sell my house. I want to be completely dependent on darling, with no home or place to return to...”

    “...?!”

    “Alice would be absolutely devastated if she heard you say that....”

    Yeah, Lily’s love was heavy.

    I already knew from the original story that she was a dangerously unhinged person.

    But seeing it up close like this? It was downright terrifying.

    Without hesitation, I subtly shifted my position to hide behind Raven.

    All I could do now was pray that none of her misplaced frustration would end up directed at me.