Kana barely had time to register what had just happened when Madam Penelope clapped her hands and declared that was enough excitement for one day.
Without further explanation, she turned and waved them off.
"I need to prepare for something important. Off you go."
She said, gesturing vaguely toward the door.
Before Kana could respond, Penelope gently but firmly took her by the shoulder and guided her outside.
"You come back tomorrow morning. Sharp."
Kana nodded, dazed. The door closed gently behind her.
Lysera, however, was unceremoniously shoved out a second later with a thud and a short, irritated grunt from inside.
She muttered something under her breath and brushed off her coat, looking annoyed.
Kana blinked up at her.
"Did… things go well?"
Lysera let out a long sigh.
"They went as well as they could've gone, I suppose. You have a job now. That's what matters."
"Oh…Right."
Kana said.
Lysera straightened up and dusted her hands.
"To celebrate, let's grab something to eat. And we should bring something back for Irielle too. Otherwise, she'll whine and complain and cause trouble again."
Kana tilted her head.
"That's surprising. I thought you didn't really care about Irielle."
Lysera shot her a side glance.
"What gave you that idea?"
Kana shrugged.
"I don't know. Just the way you talk to her sometimes. But now it sounds like you're used to her enough to think about bringing her food. That's kinda… sweet."
Lysera made a face.
"Sweet?"
"I mean…You two are both really pretty. You'd make a good couple."
Kana hesitated, then smiled.
Lysera stopped walking.
Kana blinked, confused.
"What?"
In one swift motion, Lysera turned to her and grabbed her face between both hands, forcing Kana to look directly into her eyes.
"Don't ever say that again."
Lysera said slowly.
Kana's breath caught.
"W-what?"
"I'm serious. Not even as a joke."
Lysera's gaze held hers with an intensity that made Kana's stomach flutter.
Kana tried to lean back, but Lysera's grip was firm. The proximity sent a wave of heat through her cheeks, and her mind went strangely blank.
Her eyes flickered to Lysera's lips. The air felt heavier, like something unsaid was hanging between them. The distance between their faces grew smaller, second by second, until—
An arm wrapped around Kana's waist, warm and soft and terrifyingly fast. She was pulled back, right into someone's chest.
She felt it instantly—soft, squishy, and unmistakably familiar. Blond strands fell over her shoulder. Then came the cheerful, sweet voice that barely masked a sharper undertone.
"Where have you two been all morning? Why didn't you wake me up? You know I would've come along."
Irielle asked, sounding almost hurt.
Kana tensed in her grasp. Irielle's tone was light and teasing, but the air felt like it had dipped in temperature. Lysera stepped back, expression unreadable.
"We didn't think you'd want to come."
Lysera said.
Irielle's smile stayed fixed in place.
"Oh? You didn't think to even try?"
"I didn't feel like dragging you half-asleep through the streets. Besides, we were just job hunting. Nothing fun."
Lysera replied.
Kana glanced between them, unsure what to do. She was still pressed against Irielle's front, and the possessive hold wasn't loosening. If anything, Irielle's grip grew firmer.
"So? Did you get the job?"
Irielle asked Kana sweetly.
"Y-yeah. Madam Penelope said I could start tomorrow."
Kana nodded.
"Hmm. That's nice. Maybe I should come with you tomorrow. Just to see what kind of place you'll be working at."
Irielle leaned closer, whispering softly into Kana's ear.
Lysera rolled her eyes.
"You'd terrify the old woman."
"I would not. Besides, I can be very polite when I want to."
Irielle said, voice lilting.
Kana awkwardly tried to shift in her grip.
"U-um, maybe it's best if I go alone for the first day…"
Irielle pouted.
"But you'll miss me."
"I'll survive."
Kana said with a small, nervous laugh.
Lysera cleared her throat.
"We were just about to get food. You want anything?"
"I'll come with you."
Irielle said immediately.
Lysera frowned.
"You were asleep until two minutes ago."
"Exactly. I'm rested and ready."
rielle said.
Kana looked helplessly at Lysera. Lysera exhaled and nodded, turning on her heel.
"Fine. But you're paying."
They walked in awkward silence for a while, the air still heavy from the earlier near-kiss and Irielle's arrival.
Kana couldn't help but feel caught between two people who each had their own way of pulling her in.
Irielle walked at her side, fingers lightly brushing Kana's hand every now and then, while Lysera kept a steady pace just ahead, occasionally glancing back to make sure they were following.
Eventually, they found a small shop that sold warm bread and roasted vegetables, along with some kind of syrupy dessert Kana didn't recognize. Irielle declared it "cute" and insisted they get enough for everyone.
Kana clutched the food bundle in her arms as they walked back, trying not to think too hard about the tension between the two elves beside her.
This was her life now. A job at a magical flower shop. Two beautiful women who didn't get along. A whole different world to navigate.
She sighed.
At least she wasn't bored anymore….and then came the night, which was the first of many such to come.
Kana had never expected being the center of attention for two beautiful women would feel this awkward.
But here she was—lying stiffly in bed, with Irielle pressed up against one side and Lysera taking up the other.
Her arms were pinned, her legs were half-draped over by Irielle's, and Lysera's steady breathing brushed the back of her neck. It wasn't romantic. It was suffocating.
Irielle had outright refused to go back to her own room. She had clung to Kana like a particularly possessive pillow, and no amount of coaxing or logic could get her to budge.
Lysera had tried. She'd argued, scolded, even threatened to drag Irielle out by force—but when that only made Irielle cling harder, she gave up with a frustrated groan and declared that if Irielle wasn't leaving, then neither was she.
Now they were all stuck in this ridiculous sleeping arrangement.
Kana stared at the ceiling, completely awake.
This was not how she imagined her new life would go.
She shifted slightly, trying not to disturb either of them, but that only made things worse. Irielle murmured something in her sleep and snuggled even closer, her arms tightening around Kana's waist.
From the other side, Lysera stirred and let out a small, annoyed huff before flinging an arm across Kana's middle as well, as if to claim equal territory.
Kana's eye twitched.
How did this happen? One moment she was trying to adjust to a new world, worrying about jobs and survival, and the next she was sandwiched between two overly affectionate, emotionally unstable women who acted like they were competing for her soul.
Or body. Or both.
She swallowed and tried to breathe. She couldn't even turn her head.
And yet, despite all the discomfort, some small, quiet part of her couldn't help but feel… warm.
Like maybe, just maybe, she wasn't as alone as she'd always believed she'd be. Maybe this chaos meant something. Maybe this was how affection looked in this strange world.
Kana closed her eyes, forcing herself to relax.
Even if sleep refused to come, at least she wasn't cold tonight.
___
Next chapter is rated R18, but it's not too heavy. Real thing will come after ch 35-40.