章 120: The Night is Still Young
I scanned the room to find familiar faces. Remilia, Youmu, Marisa, and even Sakuya, and everyone wore smiles of anticipation.
Lady Flandre, who had orchestrated the surprise, beamed with joy although she is playing with the fairies.
As the realization of the surprise sank in, a genuine smile spread across my face. I couldn't have anticipated a more heartwarming welcome, and the unexpected celebration added an extra layer of joy to the night.
"Thank you, everyone!"
"Now, now, everyone, let's revel in this moment," Remilia declared, her regal stature commanding attention as she stood at the center of the room. A mischievous glint danced in her scarlet eyes, adding a playful twist to her royal demeanor. "Cheers."
The room erupted in a chorus of clinking glasses and joyous laughter as the celebration unfolded.
Remilia's presence radiated both elegance and a sense of mischief, setting the tone for a night of festivities.
Lady Flandre, unable to contain her excitement, practically bounced with energy. "Shun! Can we have a match!?"
"E-Eh?!" I stammered, still feeling the weariness from the earlier duel with Sakuya.
But before I could protest further, Remilia intervened. "My dear little sister, Shun is the star of this show. How about I take you up on that offer?" A sly smile played on Remilia's lips as she turned her attention to Flandre.
"Kekekeke~ Alright, Get ready!!~" Flandre responded eagerly, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
The scene unfolded like a playful dance, with Flandre and Remilia preparing for their impromptu duel.
"L-Ladies! Please don't destroy too much!" I called out, though my words were drowned out by the chaos already unfolding.
It was too late.
With a sigh, I slumped my shoulders as Remilia and Flandre flew across the room, spells colliding in bursts of colorful energy. Furniture rattled, decorations fluttered, and some poor vases met their inevitable end.
"Ahhh… there they go," I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck in resignation.
"It's always like that," came a calm, familiar voice. Patchouli, with her usual languid demeanor, floated toward me.
I chuckled, glancing at the two sisters as they sparred like it was their way of bonding. "Yeah... I guess this is just how they show their love, huh? A sibling thing?"
Patchouli tilted her head slightly, "Do you have a sibling, Shun?"
"Nope, Just me."
She gave a soft "hmm" of thought, her eyes flickering with faint curiosity, though she didn't press further. Instead, she extended a hand lazily, and with a flick of her fingers, a slice of cake floated off the nearby table.
With perfect precision, the cake hovered before her as she took a bite—without ever lifting a finger. She chewed slowly as if savoring it, the whole process looking strangely elegant.
I blinked, amused at the sight. "You're really eating with magic, huh?"
Patchouli glanced at me from the corner of her eye, unbothered. "Why not?"
I chuckled softly, letting the absurdity of the night settle in. The distant sounds of spells clashing and sisters bickering echoed through the halls, adding to the lively chaos inside.
With a small sigh, I slipped away from the commotion, seeking some quiet. The cool night air greeted me as I wandered toward the garden, where the soft glow of lanterns illuminated the path.
Under the gazebo, I spotted Sakuya sitting elegantly on a chair, her silver hair shimmering under the moonlight. A bottle of wine rested on the small table beside her, and she cradled a half-filled glass in her hand, her gaze lost in the expanse of the starry sky.
For a moment, I just stood there, captivated.
Wow… Sakuya really is stunning under the moonlight.
She took a slow sip from her glass before noticing my approach. Her crimson eyes sparkled with mild amusement as she tilted her head in my direction.
"Oh? What's the main event doing out here?" she asked with a faint smile.
I leaned casually on the edge of the gazebo, hands tucked in my pockets. "Just needed some air. Lady Remilia and Lady Flandre are... well, they're having their kind of fun."
Sakuya gave a knowing nod, setting her glass down with a soft clink. "I see."
Then, in a blink, she was on her feet. A second glass suddenly appeared in her hand, as if by magic—or rather, by her signature time manipulation.
"Care for a drink?" she asked, holding the empty glass toward me with a graceful, almost teasing smile.
Ah. Right.
I chuckled inwardly.
Of course, she stopped time, ran to the kitchen, and came back in an instant.
Shaking my head with a small grin, I stepped forward. "Typical Sakuya," I muttered under my breath.
She arched a brow, curious. "What? Did I do something strange?"
"Nah." I waved it off with a soft laugh. "Just... being you."
I took the glass from her, and she smoothly tilted the bottle, pouring a deep red stream into it. The moonlight made the wine glimmer, almost like liquid ruby.
The night felt still for a moment, the noise from the mansion fading into the background. Just the two of us, standing under the stars, the cool breeze carrying the faint scent of flowers.
I swirled the wine lightly in my glass and raised it toward her. "To a beautiful night."
Sakuya's lips curled into a rare, genuine smile as she clinked her glass against mine. "Yeah." she echoed, and we drank, letting the night stretch out between us in comfortable silence.
My heart pounded, a realization hitting me like a wave. God... it's true. I really love her.
I glanced at her again, feeling the warmth of the moment settle in, and then turned my eyes to the glowing moon hanging above us, casting its silver light over the garden.
I took a deep breath, feeling the words' weight before speaking.
"Sakuya," I said softly, almost hesitant, letting her name linger on my lips.
She looked at me, curiosity shining in her crimson eyes. "Yes, Shun?"
I hesitated, then nodded toward the sky. "The moon is beautiful today, isn't it?"
The meaning behind those words hung heavy in the cool night air, and I saw the surprise flicker in her eyes—just for a heartbeat—before her expression softened. A warm smile spread across her face, the kind she rarely showed.
"It is," she said gently, her voice almost a whisper.
Knives glinted in each hand, her pocket watch dangling delicately from her fingers. "The night is still young. Shall we dance?"
For a second, I just watched her, feeling the rush of anticipation.
I closed my eyes, drawing in the cool night air, and when I opened them again, I nodded.
Rising from my seat, I stepped out of the gazebo, the moonlight casting long shadows across the garden.
My fingers wrapped around the crimson crystal in my pocket, and with a flick of my wrist, it transformed into a blade that shimmered like molten fire in the moon's glow.
She smiled, her expression a mixture of challenge and delight, and in a heartbeat, the battle began.
Our movements were a blur of silver and red, the clash of her knives against my blade echoing through the garden.
"It's an honor," I said, my voice firm, my eyes locked onto hers.
Time seemed to stretch and bend as she wielded her pocket watch, creating moments where everything slowed down, only to speed up again in a heartbeat.
I responded in kind, flowing around her strikes with a newfound fluidity, my crimson sword tracing arcs of light in the air.
It was a dance—beautiful, fierce, and wild. The stars above seemed to blur as we moved faster and faster, each strike, each dodge, each exchange of blows igniting a spark of exhilaration.
This is... my room?
I didn't remember how I got here.
Groggily, I pushed myself up, feeling the soft give of the mattress beneath my fingers. A gentle rustling sound caught my attention, and I froze, my hand brushing against something warm and soft.
"...What...?" I muttered, turning my head slowly to the side.
My breath hitched. Sakuya was there lying down on my bed.
Huh...?
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