Cecil was startled by the sudden presence.

"Xue!"

"Why are you so surprised?" Xue asked, his voice nonchalant. "And why were you pacing up and down like that?"

"You...saw it? Ho-how long have you been standing there?"

"A moment ago."

"...Xue, that--uhm..." Cecil forced a smile on her face, ducking her head down. "About last night..."

If by some miracle, he doesn't remember it, I can--

"You are still sulking? I already know it's my fault you are in this state, I admitted it."

Cecil shot her head up, horrified.

He remembers everything clearly!

Cecil hurriedly shook her head and hands. "No, no it isn't, I was just simply sleep talking and spouting nonsense!"

"It doesn't seem that way, you were really grumpy."

"Please don't take my words seriously, I was really sleep talking! People...people tend to become grouchy when they are sleepy!"

"But you were mad at me, aren't you? Even if you were sleeptalking."

Cecil was currently in a flustered mess.

"I'm not mad, I wasn't mad! Not at all!"

Xue raised his eyebrows. "Not at all? I find that hard to believe with the way you were behaving last night."

Cecil was panicking, it seemed that no matter what she said, Xue didn't believe her.

Yes, she was feeling aggrieved at the unfair treatment she was receiving. However, she never planned to show it at all!

Cecil stared at Xue, opening her mouth to retort once again. That was when she noticed an unusual glint in his grey eyes.

He seemed almost...playful.

"Th-that...that is..."

"Hmm?" Xue smirked, shoving his hands into his pocket.

Cecil was at a loss for words.

Somehow...somehow I get this strangest feeling that the lord protagonist is teasing me.

"What's wrong? Are you admitting that you are mad at me after all?"

Cecil blinked rapidly, before showing an ashamed expression.

"Xue, I apologise for last night," she squeezed her eyes close, clasping her hands together. "So, please, just forget everything about it!"

"You don't need to apologise."

Cecil snapped open her eyes, growing hopeful at the lord protagonist's kindness.

Xue smirked a little wider.

"And no, I don't want to forget about it."

Cecil wanted to cough out blood.

Why not?!

She stared at Xue with wide eyes, speechless.

Xue was still smirking, his hands remaining in his pocket.

Cecil Lan.

Why would I want to forget such a rare, adorable sight of you?

At that moment, the two of them were interrupted by someone calling out to them. They turned, looking at a bright, red-haired woman sprinting her way to them.

Once again, she came over for her usual food testing.

"Before you start training, try this!"

This time, the dish she made was mochi.

It was in plain white, sprinkled with corn starch to prevent one's hands from sticking onto the mochi. The two of them grabbed the small, round mochi from the plate, taking a small bite.

"How is it?" Hana asked happily.

Cecil made a sound of approval, nodding.

Xue smiled.

The outer layer of the mochi was soft, sticky and chewy. Whereas, the filling inside it had the right amount of sweetness.

It was the first dish that Hana scored perfectly in.

"It's delicious!"

"It's good."

Hana cheered, almost dropping the porcelain plate in the process.

"I did it! I cooked something good for once!"

[ Congratulations! You have completed an achievement "Hana Katae, Master Chef-in-training"!
You have twenty-five achievements remaining. ]

Cecil blinked, the notification disappearing as she looked at the energetic Hana. She had smudges of dough on her clothes and face yet again. She even had bandages around her fingers.

Cecil could only smile helplessly at the heroine, along with Xue.

"Ah, the two of you should go back to training now, I'll go back to cooking again!"

Hana prepared to dash off, when Cecil spoke up.

"Ah, that's right, I forgot say it," she ate the remaining mochi, swallowing it gradually. "I will only be training in the afternoon, I have something to settle in the town."

Hana perked up, and she turned back. "You are going to town?"

"Do you want to come along, Hana? You still haven't discussed with me about your sword mound expedition."

"Ah, I almost forgot! I was so busy trying to learn cooking!" Hana smiled sheepishly as she nodded. "I'll follow, I want to purchase more stuff for cooking anyway! Are you coming along, Xue?"

Xue nodded.

Hana went off to change, and they decided to meet at the front of the academy again.

***

After they accompanied Hana to purchase her items that she required for her new acquired hobby, they moved on to where Cecil wanted to go. Together, the three of them entered a familiar shop that sold wooden antiques.

Upon entering the shop, the owner was flabbergasted by three simultaneous attractive people, recognising Cecil in an instant.

"Young miss, it's you."

Cecil nodded, bowing slightly.

"You must be here for your item," the owner smiled. "It has been completely repaired, let me get it for you."

"Thank you."

Hana hopped up to Cecil's side. "What item is it?"

Xue gave a perfunctory glance around the shop.

"A flute." Cecil's lips curved into a small smile.

The owner carried the flute in his hands at that moment, placing it on the wooden counter. Cecil approached the counter, picking up the flute as she observed it.

"It really is repaired, you can hardly see that it was broken before." Cecil mused out, admiring the repair work.

The flute was back to its original condition.

"Thank you for the compliment, young miss."

Cecil smiled, handing the owner a small pouch with coins in it. "Thank you for fixing it up so nicely."

"Isn't this...isn't this Leonaut's flute?" Hana exclaimed, snatching the flute from Cecil's hands and admiring it.

Cecil didn't mind Hana's actions.

Xue was leaning against the wall, and he lifted his head up when he heard Hana's words, glancing in their direction.

Leonaut: "My...flute?"

Kai: "Did I just hear Hana say something about your flute?"

Zasiok: "Your flute is made out of wood, isn't it? This shop is filled with wooden antiques, they specialize in items made out of wood."

Alric: "Cecil must have repaired your flute, she's so nice..."

Xue's eyebrow twitched as he heard the conversation inside his head, marching towards the two ladies. Cecil was still conversing with the shop owner, whereas, Hana was still admiring the flute, pressing down on the holes.

"We should go now," Cecil smiled. "Thank you for the repair and the discount."

"It's not everyday I see a nice pretty gal like you, it's my pleasure, young miss."

"Hana, let's go."

"Mhmm." Hana nodded distractedly, allowing Cecil to drag her along.

At that moment, Xue stepped in front of them and Cecil paused, before smiling.

"Xue, we can head back now." Cecil said, glancing down at the flute in Hana's hands.

"...you brought back his flute?"

Cecil nodded. "We should discuss this back at the academy."

Xue nodded, slightly gloomy.

The three of them left the shop, heading back for the academy.

***

Hana was asked to wait before she rushed back to her cooking, to discuss about the upcoming sword mound expedition. However, before that, Cecil needed to ask Xue about Leonaut.

Not wanting to involve herself in a boring conversation, she leaped up onto the pillars, still holding onto the flute. She then proceeded to hop on them, like she was playing hopscotch.

Cecil watched Hana on the pillars, smiling before she looked back at Xue.

"Is it okay for Leonaut to come out?"

"...you are telling me, you brought back the flute, repaired it," Xue frowned, obviously unhappy. "And now you want to pass it back to him?"

Xue had already blocked off the other souls, not wanting them to chatter noisily while he spoke with Cecil.

"Yes."

Xue frowned even further. "Why would you do that?"

"I..." Cecil blinked at Xue, confused. "I don't know either, I just wanted to."

Cecil could see the hint of irritation in his eyes, but she didn't know if it was directed to her or Leonaut.

Does he dislike Leonaut after all? For what he did to Hana?

[ Previous impression points : 90
Remaining impression points : 89
Protagonist "Xue" is brewing with jealousy. ]

Cecil shot her head up, realising that Xue was staring at Hana, a stormy look in his eyes.

Is it...is it because he is unhappy with me? For letting Hana hold the flute, after what Leonaut did?

And also, because I let Hana play around with the flute?

She gasped in realisation, calling out to Hana.

Alas, if only Cecil knew it wasn't Hana he was glaring at, but the flute in Hana's hands.

"Hana, pass me the flute!"

"Okayyyy!"

Hana jumped down, dashing up to Cecil and passing her the flute.

Cecil took the flute from Hana, nodding to herself.

Better to get this over with quickly.

If it's me passing it to Leonaut, he won't have any problems, will he?

Cecil handed the flute to Xue, smiling politely at him, her voice almost pleading. "You...you can call Leonaut out right? It'll be really quick, Xue! I will protect Hana!"

Hana blinked. "Protect me? Why?"

"Because Leonaut..."

"I am not scared anymore though." Hana admitted honestly, her eyes wide and innocent. "I am completely fine now!"

"Is that so? That's good, I can call him out without worries then."

"Mhmm!"

There was another beep from the system at that second.

[ Previous impression points : 89
Remaining impression points : 88
Protagonist "Xue" is still brewing with jealousy. ]

Cecil wanted to cough out blood.

Why is it me again?!

I already took it from Hana's hands, and she said she was completely fine!

...maybe, maybe it's because Hana is still nearby here?

"Hana, you should stay away, just in case."

Hana made a noise. "I don't want to, I want to talk to Leonaut too!"

Cecil winced internally. She looked back at Xue, the gloominess just dripping off from him.

She took a step back in shock, wanting to cry without tears.

"I am so sorry, I shouldn't have done this after all." Cecil smiled at him, sounding guilty. "Then, at least, could you keep the--"

"Don't apologise," Xue sighed, pinching the space between his eyebrows. "If it's you, how can I say no?"

She heard his last few words, staring at Xue in disbelief.

"...what?"

Xue closed his eyes, putting down his hand and he called Leonaut out. A few seconds passed, and the man opened his eyes.

His demeanor was completely different, and Cecil instantly knew it was Leonaut.

Leonaut was staring down at his own body in amazement. "So this is how it feels like. How strange."

"Xue...really let you out, Leonaut."

Leonaut lifted his head up, seeing a familiar raven-haired woman in front of him.

"Yeah, he did." Leonaut smirked.

***

Alric was currently cowering back on the couch, staring at a particular man in fear.

The ash blonde-haired man stood still, arms across his chest, the gloomy aura rolling off of him.

Kai stared at Alric in a sympathetic manner.

Zasiok leaned back into the couch, sitting with his legs wide open.

"Hey, Xue, cool off on your jealousy," Zasiok stated calmly, rolling his eyes. "You are scaring Alric to death."

"Exactly, you are too jealous," Kai sighed, shaking his head. "Poor guy probably feels like you are going to kill someone."

Xue cast them a glance, and Alric turned away, looking like he wanted to bury himself in a hole somewhere.

"Shut up."

"It's only you that Alric is scared of among us." Zasiok chuckled.

"Only Xue? Come on, Zasiok, he's scared of you too."

"Me? What did I do?"

"When you lose so badly at chess, you throw a tantrum, and Alric here is always scared out of his wits, " Kai explained, chuckling. "How childish."

Zasiok stood up. "Childish?"

"Ah, and a sore loser," Kai added, nodding. "Even though you are always so serious, you actually have such a side to you."

"What did you just say?"

Zasiok marched to Kai, grabbing him by the collar and Kai only laughed.

"You can still afford to play chess in here?" Xue frowned, looking back at them. "How do even have the chesspieces here?"

Alric gulped.

"Alric has them." Zasiok answered, still feeling pissed at Kai insulting him.

Alric looked at Zasiok with wide eyes.

Kai shook his head. "How could you expose your chess buddy like that? Childish, a sore loser and a betrayer too."

"Ah?!" Zasiok clenched his fists around Kai's collar. "I'm just informing Xue!"

Kai raised his arms up in surrender.

"How did you--" Xue wanted to ask Alric, only to see him bolting back to his room.

"..."

***

"You can keep the flute instead, Cecil."

Leonaut stared at the flute in Cecil's hands, smirking at her.

"Me? But it's yours..." Cecil frowned, tilting her head. "And I don't know anything about flutes, I can't even play it."

Leonaut pushed the flute back to Cecil, shaking his head. "There's no point in me or Xue keeping it now."

"But isn't it your soulweapon--"

"It's fine."

Cecil stared at Leonaut, sighing helplessly. "Alright, I'll keep it."

He was no longer wearing a smirk, genuinely smiling now. "Thank you for everything, Cecil."

"I didn't do anything much," she blinked in confusion. "You don't really need to thank me."

Cecil smiled apologetically. "In fact, I want to say sorry, Leonaut."

"Sorry? For what?"

"For slapping you and getting angry that day, I let my anger get the better of me," Cecil tiptoed, patting Leonaut's head. "No matter what, you have suffered, and you were all alone with no one to turn to. While I don't agree with the life you have led, it isn't entirely your fault."

"..."

"You have really suffered so much, Leonaut."

Leonaut softened his gaze.

This woman...she's so endearing in every way.

He reached out and holding her hand on his head. "I really wish...I met someone like you earlier."

Cecil continued smiling at Leonaut.

"And I am sorry for everything I did to you and Hana as well, truly."

"You also have another thing to apologise for!" Hana popped in, pouting.

Leonaut and Cecil pulled back their hands, staring at Hana in shock.

"Another thing to apologise for?" Leonaut asked.

"You called me weak!" Hana harrumphed. "Even though...even though I may not be as strong as Cecil and Xue, I will become strong one day!"

"Hana, there are many ways of defining "strong". You don't have to necessarily listen to Leonaut." Cecil tried to appease Hana.

"No, I will prove to Leonaut!" Hana pouted, pointing at him. "The next time you see me, I will become stronger in your eyes! Then you have to apologise to me!"

Leonaut widened his eyes in shock, blinking before he chuckled.

"I am looking forward to that day, Hana."

Hana nodded vehemently.

"See you guys later."

"Bye Leonaut."

"Bye bye!"

Leonaut closed his eyes, allowing Xue to take over.

***

On the inside, Xue closed his eyes as well and he opened them a second later...only to find himself still in the same place, inside of his mind.

"..."

"Ah, crap," Leonaut cursed out, scratching his head. "I think I switched with the wrong person."

Xue just looked at Leonaut standing him.

"What? You can't blame me," Leonaut shrugged. "I'm still not used to this."

"..."

Xue only sighed.

***

《 start 》

I should have smashed that damn flute into a million pieces.

...you would still pick them all up and try to repair it anyway.

I should have burned it, burned it completely.

...you would try and stop me anyway.

I should have--

...wouldn't work either way.

I should just say no--

...how can I say no to you?

...

Enough.

I'll just continue being jealous over my damn self.

《 stop 》