"Helloo… what's up?" Rin called, her voice a little higher than usual, a nervous lilt hiding under the playfulness. She dashed toward Selene before she even realized it, like her body had decided to move on its own. The long hallway blurred behind her. Her heart beat fast in her ears, thump-thump-thump, louder than her footsteps. Her feet barely touched the floor; it was pure instinct to run to her.
Selene wasn't smiling at first. She stood still, her posture straight, the faint glow of frost clinging to her like a second skin. Her icy eyes caught the light and refracted it, unreadable. The air around her was cool, almost crisp like the breath before winter snow. But the moment she saw Rin, something in her face melted—the edges of her mouth curved into the smile Rin had come to expect, warm and cool at the same time, like a thin sun breaking through morning fog.
"Hello, Kisaragi. How are you doing?" Selene's tone was smooth, almost teasing, yet gentle, a melody Rin had learned to lean on.
"Um… fine," Rin said, nodding too quickly. Her words tumbled over each other. "Even when you close your eyes in someone's bed hoping to open them to still see the same person you saw last—I'm totally fine." She nodded again, almost like she was convincing herself. Her lips trembled as she tried to act like nothing was wrong.
Selene tilted her head slightly, that cool smile flickering. "I don't understand. Are you trying to say something, or what?"
"No. Nothing. Totally fine I am." Rin's voice dipped into a whisper, shoulders shrinking a little as her gaze darted aside.
"Then why are you saying it like that? It sounds like you're not fine." Selene's eyes searched her, quietly, like she was reading a book she didn't want to put down.
"I am totally fine!" Rin blurted almost immediately. Her voice cracked, and before she could stop herself, it spilled out like water over a dam: "Why would you dump me in my room without getting to say good morning, how was your night, did you sleep tightly, did you dream about me—huh? What kind of a fiancee does that!"
The word fiancee seemed to echo through the hall. Rin's hands flew to her mouth as if to catch the words back. She hadn't meant to say it, but it had to be said. She had actually thought she would wake up in Selene's bed this morning, see her face first thing, maybe even whisper a sleepy good morning.
"Did you just acknowledge me as your fiancee?" Selene asked softly, her smile deepening, a spark in her eyes that Rin couldn't quite decipher.
"Don't change the topic with that ugly face of yours." Rin turned her head away sharply, cheeks blooming pink. She tried to hide the way Selene's smile twisted her chest into knots. Her hands curled into fists and then relaxed, then curled again, betraying her. "Why would you do that?" she muttered, folding her arms like a stubborn child who didn't want to be seen crying.
"You were sleeping so soundly this morning," Selene said, her voice low and calm, like snow falling without a sound. "I didn't want to wake you up, and our date was already over. So I told Ice to take you home and not disturb your sleep."
"That's not how a date should end…" Rin's voice softened without her meaning to, her anger thinning like mist. "Maybe next time you let me wake up for breakfast… with you." Her fingers tugged at the edge of her sleeve.
Selene's footsteps whispered closer, a soft crunch on the polished floor. "Are you upset?"
"Yes, I am. Very." Rin still didn't look at her, arms crossed tightly, trying to keep herself from trembling.
Selene reached out and placed her hand on Rin's hair, gentle as snowfall, almost like patting a frightened animal or soothing a restless bird. Her fingers were cool but light, gliding over strands of hair.
"There, there," Selene murmured, her voice soft, almost like a lullaby.
Rin blinked, one eye peeking up in confusion, almost surprised. "What… what is that? What are you doing?"
"Whenever Ice is angry or sad, this is what I do," Selene said, continuing to stroke her hair. Her fingertips moved slowly, as if she was drawing invisible circles of calm.
Rin's mind swirled. Did Selene see her as a pet? Or was this her way of saying I'm sorry? The warmth of Selene's touch seeped into her like sunlight through a windowpane, and before she could build her walls back up, she let her guard down, moved by the gentle care. Her heartbeat slowed just enough for her to notice it.
"Okay. Apology accepted. I am not upset anymore." Rin's voice came out softer than she intended, a thread of warmth hidden in the words. Then she held up her left hand, flashing it in front of Selene's face. "Something looks shiny, isn't?"
Selene let a small laugh slip out and caught Rin's hand gently, her fingers brushing against Rin's knuckles.
"Yes, your hand looks beautiful. It looks better on you, Kisaragi." Selene's eyes fell on the ring, a faint shadow of longing flickering behind her calm smile. "But… I wanted to be the one who put it back."
"Oh, I forgot." Rin's cheeks turned a deeper red, blooming like a camellia in winter. She quickly removed the ring and held it out with both hands, almost shyly. "Yes, Selene, you can." She extended her hand toward Selene, palm trembling just a little.
Selene slid the ring back onto her finger slowly, the metal cool but warm at the same time under her touch.
"Now it looks more better," Rin whispered. She couldn't stop her heart from leaping. Her lips pressed together, and she forced herself to cough, composing her expression as she caught Selene's smiling gaze. "Cough, cough. Just know that does not mean I still agree to be your wife—but it's pending."
Selene's eyes softened like melting frost. "Looking forward to the day you will agree."
She stepped back a little, a faint mist trailing behind her as she turned. "But I have to meet Master Hoshino for a discussion. Will see you after that, Kisaragi."
"One more thing, Selene." Rin turned quickly, calling out, her voice echoing against the hallway walls.
"What is it, Kisara…" Selene began, but before she could finish the word, Rin leaned forward and kissed her.
Selene blinked, lashes lowering. Her lips curved as Rin pulled away. "Wow. That's good. You're the one doing the kissing lately."
"Yeah. I just wanted you to be the only one who kiss me last," Rin said softly. Her fingers curled lightly into Selene's sleeve.
"Huh… that is so nice to hear, Kisaragi," Selene said, her voice like an angel's. Then her eyes flickered as Rin's words sank in. "Wait—what do you mean by last...."
Rin didn't let her finish. She leaned in again, pressing her lips to Selene's.