Akeno's eyes fluttered open. She was lying on the couch, a light blanket draped over her. Blinking, she tried to clear her vision. Had I fallen asleep?
She wasn't sure. Still groggy, she shifted her head to the right, then froze. The photo frame flashed in her mind.
A woman sat across from her. Hazel hair framed her face, streaked faintly with grey, and deep blue eyes studied Akeno with quiet intensity. She looked to be in her late twenties, her presence calm yet commanding, as if the room itself adjusted to her.
Beside her stood Gracie, hands tucked neatly behind her back. Both of their gazes pinned Akeno, though Gracie's felt sharper, colder than usual.
The woman's lips curved into a soft smile.
"Hey there, Akeno."
Akeno blinked. How does she know my name? Akeno sat up, pushing the blanket aside, I don't remember taking it. Her bandaid feet are no longer in pain.
"Oh, don't be surprised. Gracie told me everything," the woman continued smoothly. "I'm fine with you staying here, but I'd like to know a few things about you first."
Her smile was friendly, but Akeno caught something uneasy beneath it. "Y-yeah, sure," she stammered.
"Good. It's a bit personal, though. Tell me, Akeno, what happened before you met Gracie?"
Akeno stiffened, unsure of how to respond. Her eyes flicked toward Gracie for help.
"You seem surprised, huh?" the woman chuckled, tilting her head. "Haaah, you should've expected it. A complete stranger suddenly appeared here…"
The warmth in her smile didn't erase the tension. Then she leaned back, folding one leg over the other.
"Ah, silly me. I still haven't introduced myself, have I? Gracie didn't tell you anything about me?"
Akeno nervously glanced again at Gracie, whose gaze hadn't moved from her.
"No? Hm." The woman's smile deepened. "I'm Alina. Gracie's mentor… or, well, her mistress, as she likes to call me."
The word mistress hit Akeno strangely. Was she really the same woman from the photo frame?
Alina leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on her knees. "Akeno, say something."
"I–hi…" Akeno's voice cracked. Her hands gripped the blanket tighter.
"...Is Gracie making you uncomfortable? Or is it me?"
Akeno froze again, What am I supposed to say?
Alina's smile widened. She cracked her knuckles, the sharp sound echoing. "I doubt you've had a proper conversation with Gracie anyway. She's not the type to talk much."
By the corner of her eye, Akeno noticed Gracie flinched at that remark.
Alina's gaze softened. "Gracie, I think you're making her nervous. Go to your room."
Gracie's jaw tightened, but she only nodded. As she passed Akeno, she stole one last glance at her, and at Alina.
"Oh, and bring some water, dear." Alina added with a casual snap of her fingers.
Gracie paused, then nodded again. "Akeno, warm or cold–" Alina interrupted. "Of course, it's warm, it's cold outside anyway."
Gracie averted eye contact, and nodded again.
As the door clicked shut, Alina returned her focus to Akeno. Her eyes gleamed like a researcher observing a rare specimen.
"Now, would you be more comfortable talking without her here?"
Akeno hesitated, then gave a small nod, though her gaze slid away.
"Good," Alina said softly. "I knew she was making you uneasy."
She leaned back, lacing her fingers together. "So then, Akeno, why don't you start with a proper introduction?"
Akeno's throat tightened. Her eyes wandered around the room, then cautiously met Alina's before dropping again.
"I… Akeno…"
"And?" Alina pressed gently, though her tone carried weight.
This feels like an interrogation.
"I… I don't know how much to reveal," Akeno admitted.
Alina frowned faintly. "Oh, no need for much. Just your full name."
Akeno swallowed hard and looked up. "Well… it's Akeno Karaguri."
Alina smiled, satisfied.
"See? That wasn't so hard, Karaguri. I'm Alina Volna." Alina extends her hand, "Shake it." Akeno swiftly does.
Just then Gracie came with a glass of water, placed on the coffee table in front of Akeno. "Here." Saying that she leaves.
"Drink it." Alina points to the glass of water. Akeno just took a small sip. "It's warm enough, right? Not too cold, not too hot?" Alina asked, "Y-yeah. It is."
Alina switched her crossed leg again. "Now Akeno. Tell me about your foot. How is it?" Akeno looked down at her foot, while Alina's gaze didn't move from her face.
"It's fine." "Good. Seems like Gracie did a pretty good job." Akeno nods, "Yeah."
"May I ask you a few more questions?" Hearing that Akeno shifts a bit uncomfortably. "... Maybe later." Saying that Alina got up and left. "Take your time dear. Get comfortable."
Moments after Alina left, Akeno heard footsteps behind her, she turned around and saw Gracie. Who sat beside Akeno, "Hey, did she say something weird while I was away?"
Gracie asked in a hurried manner. "N-no, not at all." Akeno shook her head. "... She didn't… She… she didn't say something bad, right?" Akeno hesitantly shakes her head again. "No…"
Hearing that Gracie lets out a sighs of relief. "Please don't think of her as weird. I mean, she is but… Ughh…" Gracie stands up, "Whatever."
Gracie grabbed the blanket, turn around then paused, she turns back to look at Akeno, "You don't need it anymore, do you?"
Akeno held her arms together, "Um... actually I do."
Gracie hesitated then handed it back "Fine. Keep it."
"And this?" Gracie asked as her hand hovers above the glass of water.
"I'll, drink it."
Gracie sighs, waves her hand and leaves…
Akeno stared at the direction Gracie just left, for a long time.
What was that?