"But what if I can't forget? Who told you to leave such a deep impression that day?"

Celitia shrugged, the corners of her lips curving into an innocent smile that looked like a horned little devil in Sophia's eyes.

Steam seemed to burst from the top of her head as the blush spread from her cheeks to the tips of her ears. Sophia flew into an embarrassed rage, rushing to Celitia and grabbing her shoulders to shake her vigorously:

"No! Absolutely not!! I command you to forget everything!!"

Celitia was shaken dizzy and staggered back a step, swaying unsteadily.

Her calves hit the sofa behind her, her body tilting backward as she involuntarily sat down.

"Oh no!"

Sophia had half her weight on Celitia and tumbled down onto the sofa with her, pinning the girl against the sofa back.

Celitia's face collided with Sophia's chest, once again feeling that soft, warm sensation.

Since her rebirth, Celitia had never been comfortable with physical contact from others, always avoiding it when possible.

With anyone else, Celitia would have pushed them away immediately; if it had been Kassy, she probably would have punched her.

However, breathing in that faint sweet lavender scent, Celitia strangely didn't find it disgusting.

"Lily! Did I hurt you?"

Sophia's chin had knocked against Celitia's forehead, making her grimace in pain, but her first reaction was to worry about hurting her.

Probably due to previous traumatic impressions, in Sophia's eyes, Celitia was like a delicate porcelain doll that could be damaged with the slightest carelessness.

Sophia frantically straightened up, looking at Celitia with eyes full of anxiety.

"I'm fine, it doesn't hurt."

Celitia shook her head, her gaze sweeping over the messy items on the sofa before finally stopping her teasing of Sophia.

"Alright, we should probably start organizing things."

Seeing that Celitia was okay, Sophia breathed a small sigh of relief but was still stuck on the previous topic: "About what you said earlier..."

The blush still hadn't faded from her face as the girl's features scrunched up, staring pitifully at Celitia.

"Huh? What about?"

Celitia tilted her head with feigned surprise, a smile dancing at her lips. "I've already... forgotten everything."

"..."

Sophia finally realized she had been teased by Celitia.

What was going on? She looked so cool and aloof, as if untouched by worldly concerns, but was actually a mischievous little devil at heart?

Sophia stared in amazement at the girl's busy figure.

○

After considerable effort, the two finally managed to tidy up the messy interior.

The other bedroom, which had been piled with miscellaneous items, was also organized. A single bed was placed inside, covered with light purple-gray checkered sheets that looked simple and elegant.

Although all of this had been arranged by Sophia's orders, when she actually saw the furnished bedroom, Sophia couldn't help but feel a touch of melancholy.

This way, they would rarely be able to lie side by side in the future, chatting about intimate thoughts in the quiet of deep night.

She remembered how soft she felt when hugged, though she was a bit too thin. She should eat more and gain some weight—that would definitely be even more...

At this thought, Sophia's heart pounded heavily, and she quickly shook her head vigorously.

No, no, what was she thinking? Why did she feel like a pervert!

"What's wrong?"

Celitia happened to come down from upstairs and saw Sophia shaking her head like a rattle drum, so she casually asked.

"No-nothing!!"

How could Sophia dare tell her that she was pondering how she felt when hugged? Hearing the question, she panicked, and the tips of her ears quietly reddened again.

"Ahem, by the way, Lily, I remember you said this morning that you had something to tell me when you got back. What was it exactly?"

Sophia coughed hard twice and quickly found another topic to try to cover up her embarrassment.

"Oh that... it's about Margaret."

Celitia's expression became slightly more serious as she told Sophia everything she had witnessed in the woods that morning.

Sophia had asked casually, but the more she listened to Celitia, the more furious she became, nearly forgetting her composure in her anger.

"No wonder! I clearly remembered putting away my draft, but it disappeared! I knew things weren't that simple!"

She paused slightly, worry appearing in her eyes. "No wonder Margaret was so targeted toward you today. She's always been petty. You ruined her scheme, so she's probably holding a grudge against you now..."

"It doesn't matter," Celitia didn't care. "Whatever tricks she has, I'll take them on."

Her gaze fell on Celitia's fingers where she had untied the ribbon, looking at the congealed blood traces on the wound. Sophia couldn't help but gently take her hand.

That hand was slender and delicate, appearing boneless but clearly containing strength within the joints—flexible, resilient, and unyielding.

Slowly tightening her fingers to hold her hand in her palm, Sophia's chest surged with deep guilt.

"It's all because of me that you..."

"It's not because of you, it's for myself—I didn't want to see Margaret's scheme succeed, so I did this."

Celitia answered calmly. "Don't overthink it, Sophia."

The protection she chose came only from her own selfish desires.

Wanting them to be safe, wanting to see their smiles, making efforts for these reasons—ultimately it was all to fulfill her own wishes.

Celitia was very clear about this.

If it was for herself, even if her efforts weren't cherished, Celitia could accept such an outcome.

And once she no longer harbored those wishes, she would leave very decisively, with absolutely no possibility of looking back.

In this moment, gazing into Sophia's eyes, they were exquisite and transparent, like glass in silent extinction.

Mysteriously, Sophia seemed to understand Celitia's unspoken words.

It's not like that.

Sophia wanted to tell her, but that elusive feeling made it impossible for her to organize clear language.

"Anyway," Sophia expressed haltingly, "you helped me, and I'll definitely remember your kindness and find a way to repay you. I absolutely won't forget."

"Remember my kindness?"

Celitia softly repeated the phrase, her tone trailing off slightly, as if she hadn't taken it to heart at all.

She understood very well. Humans were creatures with extremely poor memories.

She didn't know when it started, but Celitia no longer believed such promise-laden words.

"Fine," she shrugged with some indifference. "Then I hope you can remember what you said today."

Sophia stared at her blankly.

In a trance, Sophia seemed to sense that the distance that had just drawn closer suddenly became distant again.

Had she... said something wrong?