Hearing Himeko's words, Yuki quickly realized she'd mistaken him for some Aeon's Emanator.
A light smile crossed his handsome, gentle face as he shook his head, almost amused. He picked up the full cup of coffee on the table and brought it straight to his lips.
Himeko saw him grab the cup and immediately moved to stop him.
Because even though she was holding a cup right now, that one on the table? She'd already drunk from it.
But she was too late. Yuki was quick, and the cup had already made contact with his lips.
And what were the odds—he'd drunk from the exact same spot she had.
Her face flushed pink.
Watching his lips press against the rim, Himeko unconsciously bit her own lip, almost as if—in that moment—it wasn't the cup touching his mouth, but her own lips instead.
A ripple stirred deep in her chest, and she couldn't help thinking:
Wait... does this count as an indirect kiss?!
The more she thought about it, the redder her ears grew.
She quickly shoved the thought out of her mind, forcing herself to stay calm in front of him.
Yuki savored the coffee for a moment, then gave a small nod of approval.
"Not bad. You make a good cup."
Setting it down, he continued.
"But you've got it wrong, Himeko."
"I'm not an Emanator. After all, in this world, there isn't an Aeon who would dare 'bestow' anything upon me."
He stated it plainly, like it was just another fact.
To Himeko, though, those words hit like thunder.
From what he'd just said, she could tell Yuki didn't hold Aeons in any kind of awe.
To him, Aeons and their power? They were nothing worth mentioning.
And that only confused her more.
Yuki wasn't the type to boast or talk nonsense. So what he said had to be real. If anything, she could feel the sincerity in his voice. He genuinely didn't care about Aeons.
Which raised the question: just what kind of being could look at an Aeon and not even blink?
It was the kind of riddle that would keep her up at night.
"In this world, everyone has to look up to Aeons."
"Even the Interastral Peace Corporation bows to them."
"So what exactly are you, that even Aeons mean nothing to you?"
"Are you a Masked Fool?"
"No even Fools still revere their Aeon of Elation."
Her voice was thick with confusion, her eyes locked onto Yuki without hiding it, as if she could somehow see through him and uncover the truth.
Faced with Himeko's questioning, Yuki's answer caught her off guard.
"Who else would I be? I'm Yuki."
He shrugged, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
"That's not an answer! But everyone has their secrets, I get that."
"As long as we're together, I'll get to know you better over time."
Himeko replied without any frustration, instead offering a calm, warm smile.
"Oh?"
"Himeko, have you ever heard this saying?"
"The more you get to know a man, the deeper you fall—until one day you realize you're in too deep to climb back out."
Yuki chuckled softly, lifting the coffee for another sip, his tone light and unhurried.
Watching his lips meet the cup again—her cup—Himeko felt that flutter in her chest threatening to resurface. Her cheeks warmed.
"Alright then! If that day ever comes, I'll be latching onto you for good, you hear? Don't go complaining I'm too much trouble!"
She smiled radiantly, meeting his tease head-on, gracefully tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear—every bit the poised, mature woman.
"After all, I'm not as young and charming as little March."
Hearing that, Yuki caught the hint behind her words. It sounded like she was hinting at something, maybe even a little insecure, thinking her age was an issue.
But to Yuki, age was never a problem.
"Ha!"
"Youth has its own charm, sure."
"But maturity has its own kind of appeal too. And honestly, Himeko, you're not even that old! Why sell yourself short?"
Yuki shook his head, looking at her openly and sincerely.
His words made her heart stir, like a soothing balm had settled any hidden doubts she carried.
"Come on, Pom-Pom's got dinner ready."
Yuki finished the coffee in one go and slowly stood up.
Himeko nodded softly, set her cup down, and followed him downstairs.
The next day, before the sun had even risen, Yuki was woken by a knock at his door—March 7th.
"What's up?"
Yuki opened the door to find March 7th already fully geared up—fresh outfit, all her belongings packed, radiating this intense, ready-for-battle energy.
But the moment she laid eyes on him standing there in just shorts, bare-chested, she froze for a solid second. Her gaze dipped briefly before she caught herself.
Her face went red, and she quickly turned her head away.
"You—you sleep without clothes?!"
Her voice came out flustered as she tried to steady her racing heart.
Yuki didn't bother answering. He just gave her a flat look.
Not that he actually preferred sleeping like this—he'd just gotten back from Saeko's place not long ago. Truth was, these past few days, while he'd said he was sleeping in his room, he'd really been over at Saeko's.
His gaze shifted past March 7th to Himeko standing nearby.
She'd traded her scientist outfit for the one straight out of the game.
A white high-slit dress underneath, a military jacket draped over her shoulders, slipping off one side. Golden rose ornaments dotted her hair and neck, matching golden earrings dangling. A bracelet and hair tie on her left wrist, a black glove on her right hand, and a leg wrap on her right thigh. Black-gold patterns lined her sleeves, waist, and legwear, finished off with black heels.
It was a total transformation from her usual scientist look—now she was dressed like she was heading to a gala, exuding this refined, noble elegance.
And Himeko? She'd definitely noticed Yuki's bare chest and shorts.
The muscles, the smooth lines, that sculpted build like something out of a Greek sculpture—it was pure strength and beauty combined, and she couldn't look away.
"You look different today, Himeko. That outfit's really beautiful. I like it."
Yuki complimented her look genuinely.
Himeko snapped out of her daze at his words, covering her smile with a hand as she nodded.
"Thank you."
Then her gaze accidentally dipped lower—and her eyes went wide. Face flushing, she whipped her head to the side.
Oh my god... is that... normal for a man?!
Her scientist brain kicked in. She knew the average range for a man's... "endowment" was around a certain standard. But that quick glance told her Yuki was way past that.
Her heart started pounding, thoughts scattering in all directions.
Meanwhile, March 7th, hearing Yuki compliment Himeko's outfit, looked almost jealous.
"Hey! What about me?"
"You—"
Yuki glanced at her and rolled his eyes.
"I'm the one who put together your whole outfit. If I said it didn't look good, wouldn't that be insulting myself?"
"Hehe, yeah, that's what I thought!"
March 7th grinned, satisfied.
Then she urged him to get dressed—today was the day the train would finally set off, so they needed to be up early to prepare.
Yuki nodded, snapped his fingers, and clothes materialized on him instantly.
March 7th watched, wide-eyed and amazed.
The three of them headed to the parlor car to get ready for departure.