"Uh…"
Right before Mia's eyes, sitting calmly at her kitchen table as if they lived there, were Leca and Mithys.
It made Mia feel a bit silly for having just wondered if she'd dreamed everything or imagined their disappearance.
—What are you doing? Not coming in?
Mithys spoke like she was Mia's official roommate now, completely at ease. Mia frowned and pointed at Leca.
"Why is he here?"
Mithys shrugged with a laugh.
—Told you, Leca. The lady's clearly uncomfortable. Are you still planning to stay here?
"I must remain by Lady Mithys's side."
—Ugh, I told you, I'll go back when I'm ready. You don't have to follow me around everywhere.
"I must remain by her side. It is my duty."
The red-haired man stood firm. Mia was at a loss.
—Sorry. I'll try to talk some sense into him. Can we let him stay just for tonight?
There was a spare room that worked as a living room. One of the perks of living underground—plenty of space.
Mia glanced over at Leca again. His neat, serious mouth. Eyes that blinked obediently like a loyal dog. His vibrant crimson hair lit up the room like a flame.
Maybe she'd gotten desensitized to weird things because of Mithys.
This situation didn't feel so strange anymore. And though she didn't know much about Leca, something told her... she could trust him.
"Well… Just for tonight."
—
Three days passed.
And as expected, that "just for tonight" turned into Leca and Mithys becoming her roommates.
Every morning, they left after Mia headed to work.
Every evening, they met her outside the restaurant where she worked her part-time shift and walked her home.
At some point, the whole situation started to feel normal.
More comforting than awkward. Mia occasionally surprised herself with how naturally—and even amusedly—she accepted it all.
It was a rainy night. The kind with sheets of water pouring from the sky.
"Oh dear. We don't have a single umbrella left. The customers took them all earlier…"
The owner of the restaurant looked apologetic.
"It's okay," Mia replied lightly.
The rain was heavy, but home wasn't far. She could run.
But—
Outside the restaurant, Leca was standing in the downpour, holding an umbrella.
Soaked to the bone, and Mithys was nowhere in sight.
"Leca? Where's Mithys?"
"She's at home."
That meant... the umbrella had come from home. He must've gone back just to come get her?
"So you came all the way here just to pick me up?"
She was sure Mithys had told him to—but still, Mia's heart fluttered a little, and a small smile tugged at her lips.
Leca said nothing. Just stood there, silent and stoic.
Mia quickly tilted the umbrella toward him.
But Leca stepped away.
"This umbrella is too small. I'll be fine."
"What are you talking about? It's pouring out here."
"In our world, men don't use these things. Especially not knights."
"Knight? You were a knight there?"
"Yes."
End of conversation.
Leca never said more than he had to.
Feeling awkward, Mia tried again, moving closer to shield him from the rain. It was practically a monsoon; she couldn't just let him get drenched.
But again, Leca refused.
"Please, don't worry about me."
Mia stared at his soaked profile.
Rain streamed down his nose, droplets clinging like silver beads. His face was thoughtful, distant.
She wanted to say something—but in the end, she stayed quiet.
They walked home together in silence.
And then—
"Kyah!!"
"What is that?!"
Voices cried out from near their house. A commotion.
Mia and Leca exchanged a glance—and took off running toward the sound.
There—
A massive, black object was lying on the ground.
Only one side of it.
It looked like a bat's wing—if you magnified it 200 times.
Mia blinked. Her head spun.
So many strange things had happened lately. Too many.
What… even was this?
In the darkness of the cherry tree grove at A University, two men stood quietly.
Beside them, a massive creature lay on the ground, panting heavily.
It looked like a horse, with glossy black fur—but only one wing.
Where the other wing should've been, there was nothing but blood.
"I'm sorry, Your Grace. I shouldn't have followed you."
The man with short brown hair bowed repeatedly.
The other, taller man—with long golden hair and cold green eyes—spoke calmly.
He wore a red headband across his forehead, and one of his ears was adorned with a long earring that matched the color of his eyes.
"These things happen. It's all right."
"What should we do about the fallen wing? There are humans gathering now—we can't retrieve it like this."
The blonde man chuckled softly.
"Leave it, Mehmet. I'm curious how my fiancée will react when she sees it."
"Do you think Lady Mithys might've already seen it…?"
"Hard to say. I heard she's staying in a human's home nearby. If so, she's at least heard about it."
"I really am sorry. I should've been more careful…"
"Pegasi tend to be weaker in other worlds. It's not entirely unexpected."
The blonde man gave a small laugh and brushed the bangs off his forehead.
"Well, Mehmet—shall we go see my bride-to-be? Are you ready?"
"Please be cautious, sir. You're already drawing far too much attention!"
In an instant, the two disappeared into the shadows.
From where they had vanished, a large rat emerged.
It scurried forward, looking around warily. No one was there.
Shrrrk.
The rat transformed into a tall young woman in a gray suit. She held a mirror in her hand and muttered to it.
"Yes… I'm sure this is the place."
The grove was still, save for the occasional distant laughter of students.
The woman looked relieved.
"No, the mana residue is faint. It must've been some time ago… But when will the incident begin?"
She stared into the mirror, nodding along as if responding to a voice only she could hear. Then spoke again.
"Yes. I'll be careful not to run into Julius or Leca. Understood."
She tucked the mirror into her coat.
And just like that, she transformed back into a large rat and darted into the darkness.
"What… what is that thing?"
Mia's voice was shaky.
Leca didn't answer. He simply frowned in concentration.
As the crowd around them grew thicker, Leca finally stepped back and spoke in a low voice.
"There aren't any creatures in this world with wings like that?"
"Well… I mean, maybe bat wings? It kinda looks like one. But bats aren't that big!"
At that moment, a group of police officers arrived, trying to push back the crowd.
But the people weren't moving easily.
"Mehmet's… That must mean the pegasus…"
Leca murmured under his breath.
"Huh?"
"It's nothing. Let's head inside."
Before she knew it, they were home.
Mia changed into dry clothes and headed to the bathroom.
Mithys wasn't around.
Maybe she's hiding on top of the fridge or something…
Whatever. She'd turn up.
Yawning, Mia opened the bathroom door.
"...Huh? What's this?"
The tub was full—of shimmering emerald-green water.
Had she forgotten to drain it last night? She had been exhausted…
But this color?
Mia didn't use bath bombs.
Maybe… Leca?
"Leca! Hey, come here a sec!"
Leca came running.
"Did you use a bath bomb while I was gone? You should've drained the tub and cleaned it out. Leaving it like this will stain the—"
Mia stopped mid-sentence.
Something was off.
"Mia, forgive the interruption… but Lady Mithys is gone."
"What?"
"She was here with me before I went to pick you up. But now she's disappeared. And the tub—wasn't like this before. I checked."
"Then…"
"Could it be… a fairy molt?!"
"A what now?"
Leca's face grew serious.
"It's something that happens periodically. With each molt, a fairy's body undergoes transformation. If she's shifted into human form…"
"Mithys might've become… human?"
"Yes. Normally, fairies molt in spring water. But perhaps… she chose the bathtub instead. It was clean and filled—she must've thought it would suffice."
"So she's wandering around right now… as a human?"
"It seems likely. I need to go find her."
Mia glanced at the waterproof clock above the tub. Nearly midnight.
"A newly molted fairy's body is fragile. We must hurry."
"Wait—do you even know where to look?"
"I can sense a stronger mana than usual. That confirms she's in human form. I'll be back soon."
Leca rushed to the front door.
Without thinking, Mia called after him.
"I'm coming with you!"