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Kotone dropped her sword as she caught her breath, slowly slipping to the ground.
In front of her were the remains of the Hierophant Arcana, soon to wither into black particles before completely ceasing to exist. It wasn’t too tough to beat compared to the other Shadows they’ve fought, but boy, was she still winded.
It’s okay, at least their work here was done.
Tonight was a full moon, which meant they were on yet another operation. With each visit to Tartarus during the Dark Hour, the group only keeps getting better. Seoyeon and Jiyeon were already veterans in the whole “tripleS.E.E.S” business—though, Jiyeon’s injury from a few months back put a little halt to that, but it was nothing irreversible. As for Seoyeon, she wasn’t so up-the-ass anymore either. A blessing for Kotone—and the rest of the group.
“Good job, guys! Looks like that’s all of it!” Dahyun’s cheerful voice crackles through the earpiece.
Dahyun was their Navigator and newest member. She’s already made her mark, with navigation skills that got them places unimaginable. Kotone couldn’t begin to thank whatever Persona God that blessed Dahyun with such amazing powers.
“You’re not picking anything else up, right?” Kotone asked, putting her hand up to the earpiece as well.
“Nope!” Dahyun responds. “Do be cautious though, the Shadows have been more irritated with each full moon. You never know what changes they might have.”
“Noted,” this time, it was Seoyeon chiming in. “Thanks again, Dahyun. We’ll be out soon.”
“Will be waiting!”
Another voice crackles through. “Me too.”
Xinyu wasn’t even trying to hide her sulk. Unfortunately, due to party size, she wasn’t able to join them, which was a problem she had no issues voicing when Kotone originally proposed it.
(“You’re injured,” she told her, looking tired from this constant back and forth.
“But barely!” Xinyu cried, pouting like she was a kid who didn’t get what they wanted on Christmas morning. “It’s nothing that Medicine and a Muscle Drink can’t fix! C’mon Tone-chan… let me in…!”
Kotone took another deep sigh before repeating herself yet again.)
Eventually, Xinyu relented, and sat out the operation. Though, not before making Kotone promise her that she’ll join the next one. There was still a bit of soreness from the force of Xinyu wrapping their pinkies together, practically forcing her to recite the promise like it was a blood-bound oath.
She finally stands up, stretching out her limbs. She always made sure to stretch out her body once more to prevent cramps and other potential muscle issues. They were already using so much of their power to fight these things; the last thing they need is more health concerns on top of that.
Just as she finishes up her arm stretches, she catches Nien walking over to Seoyeon, eyes bright with a blinding smile. Kotone takes a sharp breath before looking away, dropping her arms. She closes her eyes for a second, almost like she was erasing the scene she had just witnessed.
She doesn’t like Nien. Romantically, that is. That’s just not even possible—or allowed even.
They were assigned the easy task of saving the world, whether the world knows it or not. Shadows are a threat to humanity, and with the extra “Dark Hour” in the day bringing more questions than answers, the people who possess the power of a Persona have an obligation to discover the truth, whether they like it or not.
It’s times like these where Kotone knows she should just jump straight into things—no matter the consequences, especially when imagining how inevitably close the end of the world is.
However, there was always a risk. By digging deeper in her heart, learning more about what those feelings could potentially mean, there’s that risk in finding out that Nien means more to her than she would like to allow. And with that comes weakness and hesitation.
(Kotone knows that she would curse the whole universe before letting the ones she cares about lick the boot of death before her eyes.)
So no, Kotone can’t have feelings for Nien. Because if she did, that would mean there was so much more at stake.
It wasn’t like she disliked Nien, though. Just because she doesn’t have feelings, it doesn’t mean she can’t appreciate Nien all the same.
So much could be said about her. Nien was already a fearless individual. In their earlier stages of becoming “tripleS.E.E.S,” Nien struggled a lot with summoning her Persona, but through sheer will and dedication, she finally pulled the trigger. And since then, it was like she was the one playing in fear’s face, taking risks and always being the first one to try something—for example: being the first to execute her Theurgy attacks.
From that point on, she just keeps getting better, growing stronger—even outside of the Dark Hour. Her workouts only grew more intense, not to mention, she even started bothering the other members, Kotone included, to go on runs with her to build strength and stamina. Something that Kotone has wanted to decline several times, but hasn’t.
She respects Nien. A lot. It’s impossible not to like her.
Again, not in a romantic way.
“Hey, you.”
She lifts her head just enough to see Jiyeon, who stops just beside her with a small smile.
“Hey,” Kotone mumbles, feeling the fatigue from the battle finally hitting her. Her eyes flicker to the other duo, twitching for a second.
Jiyeon glances over at the other pair, smile widening as she watches Seoyeon try to tackle Nien. She looks back at Kotone, noticing the little scowl on her face.
“Jealous?”
Kotone groans in annoyance before fixing her gaze to the ground. “There’s nothing to be jealous over.”
“Really?” Jiyeon then chuckles, taking it as a joke. “Well, no need to hide your feelings, I can stay quiet.”
Something hot and sharp pierces her chest. Kotone nearly snaps.
“I don’t have feelings.”
She winces at how harsh she sounds, and flinches even harder when she watches her friend’s expression quickly change to hurt.
She takes a few steps back. “Okay. Chill.”
Damn it. Kotone sighs and shakes her head.
“Sorry, that was… ugh. I’m sorry, it’s just not—”
“No, I get it,” Jiyeon interrupts, mirroring her leveled tone. “It’s obvious there’s something you’re hiding from her, whether it’s feelings or not, but I think she’s picking it up.”
Kotone shrinks. It’s not like there was anything wrong with Nien herself; it was all these weird feelings Kotone was having.
“And this building resentment is gonna get you,” Jiyeon continues. “So you better deal with it and not mess things up for the team. Talk to her.”
Kotone immediately shakes her head. “No. I am not doing that.”
Nien didn’t need to know about any of this. And Kotone will just do a better job of hiding it, and no one has to address it, ever.
“C’mon, at least give her that,” Jiyeon mutters, almost pleading. “She deserves to know.”
Kotone doesn’t say anything, sulking as she avoids Jiyeon’s gaze. Just as she was about to hear another earful of emotional advice, she realizes a bit too late that Nien was walking towards them, wearing a concerned look on her face.
Her eyes widen a little, and Jiyeon glances behind her, then back at Kotone. She’s really gonna leave her like this, huh.
“Don’t forget what I said.”
Kotone rolls her eyes as Jiyeon walks off towards Seoyeon. As Nien grows closer, she begins straightening up, hoping that she didn’t look too out of it.
Nien sends a curious glance at Jiyeon before landing on Kotone, looking worried.
“Are you okay?”
Kotone nods stiffly. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
They keep eye contact, with Nien seeming more unconvinced by the second. Then she smiles and pats Kotone’s back, moving closer.
“C’mon, cheer up! We just defeated another Shadow,” she tries encouraging. “But if there’s anything else going on. You know I’m always here to listen.”
(Though Kotone isn’t too sure if Nien is willing to listen to her ramble about feelings, especially the ones towards her.)
“Yeah, of course,” Kotone nods.
“Yeah. Talk to me, Tone! I’d love to listen and help you with whatever you got going on,” she starts. “You know, even Seoyeon told me—”
A sharp pang twists Kotone’s chest at the sound of their other member’s name coming out of her mouth. There was just something so irritating.
She doesn’t notice how sour her face becomes, but Nien does.
“Hey! Fix your face,” Nien teasingly scolds, still wearing a wide smile. “C’mon, I’ll even help you!”
Her eyes go wide. “Wait, Nien—”
But before she could say anything more, she could feel herself getting dragged by the hand, her legs just following wherever Nien took her. She ends up just taking her to the other side of the room, which had a huge mirror that nearly took up the entire wall, but just as they got there, something seemed off.
There wasn’t a reflection staring back at them.
A chill runs down her spine as she stared at the glass longer, trying to figure it out. Clearly, something was up with it, but Kotone wasn’t sure if it was just the Dark Hour’s influence or something else.
Nien’s face drops, staring at the mirror-not-mirror with a confused expression.
“Um…” she glances at Kotone. “I’m not hallucinating that, right?”
Kotone shakes her head.
“There’s no reflection—”
Dahyun’s voice cuts through. “Guys, wait! There’s a Shadow—!”
But just as she said that, a bright white light flashed the party.
Everything was in a haze for Kotone.
Where even was she?
She blinked until her vision cleared, realizing where she was.
A hotel room.
Her head was foggy. It felt like she was in a dream or something, especially with the faint green glow lighting up the room.
Where am… I?
What is this place?
Something was off. Kotone felt too… empty, like she was forgetting something important.
She tries taking in her surroundings. The strangely heart-shaped bed beneath her was soft—if she had decided to lie down and sleep, she’s bound to instantly drift off. She could hear the sound of a shower running from the bathroom. There was even a window, but some part of her felt like it would be unclassy to look through, and even if she did, they were fogged up anyway.
“Embrace your desire.”
The voice came out of nowhere, making Kotone jolt up in shock. The voice sounded like her own, but warped. It wasn’t her speaking at all.
“I am the voice of your inner self,” it continues. Kotone grips her head, feeling a headache coming on. “Revel in the moment. That which cannot be felt is merely a dream. The present is all we have.”
She mutters a response, low and only for her own ears. “What are you even saying…?”
“The future is but a fantasy, memory a fabrication.”
The words weren’t making sense to her, and the headache was only getting worse. Kotone cowered as her teeth clenched down hard, nearly scraping against each other.
“Let your desire free you from your shackles… Such is your wish…”
Kotone could only shake her head, confused and scared. “Seriously… what are you—”
Her mind fills with even more fog, all thoughts ceasing.
“Why do you resist…? Do not avert your eyes from the truth…”
Truth? What truth?
“Pleasure is what you truly seek,” it continues. “You stand before the doorway to bliss. You cannot deny your instincts. Embrace your desire.”
What desire?
“The desire to be. The desire to feel.”
Be? Feel?
The headache worsened. Colors bloomed in Kotone’s vision, even as her eyes were clenched shut. She couldn’t even think anymore.
Too lost in her haze and confusion, she failed to notice that the shower had stopped running, and that the bathroom door was opening. A light flow of steam escaped the bathroom, warming the room around her, slowly warming the rest of the room. Kotone finally looks up.
And her breath stutters.
In front of her stood a woman, fresh out the shower, towel wrapped around her body, the exposed skin pink from heat. Her hair was untouched, the silky, wavy locks running down her body, stopping just past her chest. Her eyes bore into Kotone’s, which tried their very best in maintaining solely eye contact.
The woman’s eyes were wide, pupils dilating with a faint yellow glow behind them. There was a visible blush on her cheeks as she breathed heavily.
A pang of desire coursed through Kotone’s lower stomach. Suddenly, everything was getting really hot.
But she could barely move, too entranced by the person in front of her. Before either of them could say anything, the woman walked forward, eyes staying locked with Kotone’s. She doesn’t say anything as she rests her legs on both sides of Kotone’s body, straddling her, and wraps her arms around her neck.
The air was hot and cold. The heat from the woman’s body was scorching against her clothes, the bare skin leaving little to imagine and feel, while her body felt frigid from fear.
Nothing is exchanged between them as their lips find each other, locking heatedly.
The instant they touched, relief spread through Kotone’s entire body. Her arms reach up to pull the woman closer, her gloved hands pressed against the towel and skin.
The woman’s lips were soft and plump with a faint taste of sweetness that Kotone couldn’t help but chase. She could feel the woman’s hands running all over her upper back, moving to her shoulders, her arms, before wrapping back around her neck. The touch left a lingering warmth on Kotone’s clothes, bleeding through and setting her skin ablaze. She could feel a rush of heat wash over her, beads of sweat forming on her forehead and on the back of her neck.
Almost like she could read Kotone’s mind, the woman brings her hands towards the front of her jacket, gripping the sides before pulling it off and letting it drop to the bed. She didn’t waste time shifting focus to Kotone’s buttons, moving lower with ease.
Kotone panted against her lips, needing to catch her breath, but the insistent touches just grew stronger.
There’s something familiar about this woman. Her presence, her scent, and even just the touch of her skin. Kotone digs through her brain, trying to pull what that familiarity was.
Fondness. She reaches one. The feeling spreads across her chest to the rest of her body. A relaxed exhale escapes her lips, sighing against her lips. Kotone could feel the kiss calming down to a slower, more intimate pace.
Visions flash in her mind. It was the same woman in her arms, interacting with another person; the face also familiar, but not as clear. She reaches another feeling. A deep-rooted dread settles in Kotone’s chest, making her clench her fingers, unintentionally digging into the woman’s back.
A soft moan comes out of her.
And Kotone is sure she’s in heaven.
But there’s something wrong. No matter how much pleasure and comfort she felt, something wasn’t right.
She keeps chasing the feeling, needing to know more. She kisses harder, lips parting just the slightest bit, but enough for the other woman to slip her tongue through: desire.
Another scene plays. A kitchen, her, and another person. Chopped vegetables were messily sprawled across the cutting board and counter. She could feel an apron wrapped around her body. The figure she turned towards has a blurred expression, like her vision was bad—but they were just right in front of her.
“I guess we have to get married now,” a voice jokes, familiar, yet distant. Kotone could just barely put a name to it.
“Psh, yeah, right.”
It’s her own voice. She doesn’t feel her lips move at all, but the voice was hers.
There’s comfort and relief as the scene ends.
The next one unfolds quickly. Kotone laying on a hospital bed—no obvious injuries or pain—the sun was peeking through the blinds, it couldn’t have been later than five in the afternoon.
The yellowish glow lands on the same figure, who was now sitting in front of her, face just a little clearer, just barely able to make out the eyes. There’s a kindness in them, wide like it was staring at all the wonders of the world.
A conversation was being had. The vibration of voices touches the tips of her fingers, but Kotone can’t seem to hear a thing, even if she were listening with her own ears. But she feels her chest tightening, not suffocating… more so exciting. The feeling spreads to the rest of her body, making her clench her hands into fists from the pricks at her fingertips.
Now each scene switches faster, to the point Kotone couldn’t even tell which is which. Eventually, everything blurred into one. But all the frames she was able to make out were the ones that stuck on the same woman.
The one who happens to be in her arms. The one kissing her.
There’s a disconnect in her heart. A relieving lightness and pure affection just oozing for her, but at the same time: despair. Hopelessness of not being in control. Fleetingly, she thinks: There’s no point in feeling this way.
The despair pulls her deeper, almost physically, as she slouches. The energy to continue the dance rapidly plummets.
It’s strange, feeling eager lips still pressed against yours, moving as if hoping to get you back into gear. Kotone knew this wasn’t right, she shouldn’t be doing this.
But who even was this woman anyway?
She seemed to be too lost in her own thoughts, not moving anymore. The woman became fed up, whining against her lips.
For a second, she pulls away, the ghost of her pouting lips hover Kotone’s, taunting her of the warmth she had just been deprived of.
Then, she hears it.
“Kotone.”
It was like the key had finally turned.
They dive right back in.
The softness and faint taste of all-too-expensive strawberry lip gloss… It’s growing familiar now. It’s where she remembers her gaze drifting off too, where her mind wandered.
She remembers now.
Nien.
The name calls out to her like a symphony. The second she had finally heard this woman’s—Nien’s—voice, everything clicked. All memory flooded her mind, filling the gaps.
To be honest, Nien still sounded out of it, almost like she didn’t even mean to say Kotone’s name, and that it had only been just a luck of the draw that it managed to force its way through Nien’s subconscious and out her mouth.
But it was what Kotone needed to get out of this fog.
Scenes begin to replay, slower—at least, it seemed like it. Her mind was doing a much better job processing it.
They were part of a college “club” to fight off Shadows.
It was a full moon.
They’re on an operation.
And she’s making out with her teammate.
Oh, right. They were making out.
Kotone instantly pulls away, a gust of cold air passing between them. She’s instantly filled with regret—and also with desire, missing the feeling of Nien’s lips against hers—but this wasn’t right. Not like this.
“Nien,” Kotone calls out to her. “Nien, are you there?”
The question sounds stupid, considering that Nien was literally sitting on her lap right now, but one look into her eyes, still glowing yellow, it was clear she was still under whatever influence that was possessing them.
Nien doesn’t say anything, only panting heavily as she stared at Kotone—eyes barely focused. She tries leaning forward, chasing Kotone’s lips again, only to be rejected with a hand on her chest, stopping her.
“Nien! It’s me! Wake up!” Kotone tries again, hoping her voice was enough to snap her out of it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work, if Nien blankly staring back meant anything. Kotone raises her hand and waves it in front of her face. Her eyes don’t react a single bit.
But when Kotone leaves her hand lingering for a second too long, it’s like Nien had finally processed what was in front of her, and before she knew it, her hand was being ungloved.
“Wh—”
Nien grips Kotone’s hand and brings it to her lips, mouth opened just slightly.
Kotone watched in horror as she instantly pulled away, getting another look of annoyance from the other woman. But she couldn’t care less about pissing her off in this state. They needed to do something—and fast.
Kotone grabs the back of Nien’s head, pulling her in close, but not enough to touch.
“Nien… I need you to wake up,” Kotone desperately mutters, her grip shaking as she holds her. She closes her eyes, hoping that once she opens them, it’s her friend, completely back.
She mentally prays, muttering pleas under her breath, hoping—begging for her friend to come back.
Her mind runs wild. Quick, half-formed thoughts swarm her mind. Nien needs to come back—to me, to everyone. This can’t happen. We need her back. I need her back. I need her.
If there’s any chance of doing this again, kissing Nien, feeling her body against hers as close as this moment, then it can’t be like this. Not involuntarily.
When she hears her breathing calm down, her chest slowing from its rapid pace, Kotone finally gives herself a moment to relax. There’s no frantic movement, nothing chasing after her lips. Just two people, close to the touch, feeling each other.
Kotone finally speaks, trying to hide her fear. “Are you back?”
Their breaths were heavy against each other, and Kotone gets a small nod.
“…Yeah.”
She let out a sigh of relief, letting all the stress out her body. Neither of them moved, still tangled in each other’s embrace. Kotone was too scared to let go, too scared to witness the wordless, subtle rejection.
Nien finally pulls away just a little, but not enough to break their embrace. She looks down, finally noticing both their state of dress. Kotone’s cheeks grow hot as she realized that she was almost topless—save for her button-up still wrapped around her. But Nien, on the other hand, was mortified beyond words. The blooming blush on her cheeks quickly spread to the rest of her body.
She scrambles out of Kotone’s grasp, something the younger woman quietly complained about, but didn’t bother stopping. Nien stood still, eyes avoiding Kotone’s as she clutched the towel tighter around her.
“Oh my god…” Nien mumbles, sounding too embarrassed to even joke about the situation.
Kotone tries everything in her power not to think about how cute the sight made her—god, she sounded like an absolute deviant.
A crackle breaks the air.
“Hello? Can anyone hear me?”
As if she was the God of poorly-timed events herself, Dahyun’s voice came through.
Kotone coughs awkwardly, immediately facing away from Nien. “Yeah, yeah. We hear you, Dahyun.”
“Oh my god!” she cried aloud, presumably from glee. “I was so worried! I kept trying to call in everyone, but no one was responding! I got your readings so the signal should’ve been fine, but for some—”
This time, Nien interrupts. “It wasn’t the signal. The Shadow got to us.”
“What!” Dahyun cries out again, and this time, Kotone could make out a faint grumbling in the back that sounded kinda like Xinyu. Dahyun continues. “What do you mean the Shadow?”
“The Lovers Arcana got into our head for a bit,” Kotone explains, keeping it as vague as she could.
But of course, the ever-so nosy Dahyun just couldn’t let it slide.
“How?”
Kotone and Nien shared a look. Neither of them wanted to say.
“Um—”
Another crackle.
“Hello?”
“He—Oh! Seoyeon!” Dahyun immediately shifts her focus to the other member.
A sigh of relief came out the two. Thank God for Seoyeon.
“Sorry. Took us a second to get through,” she explains, but still sounding a bit… out of it.
“It’s okay! I’m just happy you guys are okay…” Dahyun responds, sounding just as worried. “I’m sorry… I should’ve picked it up sooner…”
“You’re fine, Dahyun,” Seoyeon sighs, tired. “Like you said. Shadows are unpredictable.”
“You’re right…” their Navigator mumbles. “But still.”
Seoyeon doesn’t add anything more, instantly shifting the topic. “Okay, so now that we’re… back. Kotone, Nien, you guys okay too?”
“Yeah,” they both say into the mic.
Now it was Jiyeon. “Where did you guys get teleported?”
Kotone glances around before her eyes landed on the keycard. She remembers seeing this room. “Think we’re still on the second floor, near the stairwell we came up in.”
“Ah, okay,” Jiyeon hums. “We’ll make our way towards you.”
Kotone hums in return. “Got it. See you then.”
“See you.”
“Good luck again, you guys!” Dahyun adds.
A small laugh comes out of Kotone. “Thanks again, Dahyun.”
She drops her hand to her lap, sighing heavily.
It was silent again.
The two of them stilled, not a single word said, and neither of them moving. Kotone wanted to say so much. To apologize, to—
“Um. I’m gonna go get changed,” Nien’s voice interrupts her thoughts. She was already rushing back inside the bathroom.
Kotone stared at the closed door before dropping her head down into her hands.
“What is even happening anymore…” she mutters.
One second, they were defeating a Shadow, and the next, they get teleported to a random room, lose their memories, Nien’s lips on hers, making out—
Kotone is going to hell for this.
Even with the fog that had finally lifted from her mind, it did nothing in preventing the countless thoughts that followed after.
What now? Do they just stay quiet and hope that it all passes? While that did sound appealing—again, avoidance is the best temporary solution—Kotone knew that not saying anything would only worsen the situation. And make her guilt and shame worse. She felt sick. It wasn’t what either of them wanted, yet the Shadow decided to force them together and put them in this situation.
(Kotone was granted the luxury of kissing Nien’s lips, but at what cost?)
She needs something to get her mind off it. She decides to quickly tidy up, buttoning up her shirt and throwing on her jacket again before smoothing them out. If her mind was gonna be a mess, at least she won’t allow herself to look like one.
Though, just as her fingers brush along her pockets, she ends up feeling something unfamiliar in them.
That’s weird. She didn’t remember putting anything in here.
Kotone digs around her pocket until her hand touches something almost paper-like, but not too fragile, almost like it was cardboard paper, before pulling it out.
The Lovers Tarot card.
Kotone just stares at the card. It wasn’t new. She’s received an Arcana card during every Full Moon operation, though those were after the battles, and also not in her pockets.
She scrunches her face a little, trying to figure out what the card meant. She swears, all those visits to the Velvet Room, she did actually listen to Igor talk about the Arcanas, but now that she was here, she couldn’t quite remember what he said about them.
(Hey, she also just freed herself from the power of the Arcana as well, you know!)
She stares at it. Wait… was it… reversed? Upright?
Wow, she’s gonna get an earful from Igor.
The sound of the bathroom door opening startles Kotone to sit up straight. She shoves the card back into her jacket pocket, saving it to ask Igor later. She’s sure he’ll love the endless questions she had for him.
Her breath hitches as she realizes that Nien still wasn’t fully dressed, but was definitely way more dressed than before. Her pants were on—thank God—and she at least had an undershirt with her button-up, which, well, wasn’t buttoned.
“Sorry, it was way too hot.”
It’s the only form of explanation Kotone gets as Nien continues getting dressed right in front of her. Again, Kotone doesn’t even spare a single glance.
Though guilt begins eating up at her, and the idea of breaking the silence to pathetically apologize was sounding more feasible by the second.
“Sorry.”
Nien looks up, pausing. “For what?”
Kotone rubs the back of her neck, still not looking at Nien. “Just… for earlier. I should’ve snapped out of it sooner, and um, kissing you while you were like that was really messed up. So… sorry.”
She meekly looks up again, Nien’s expression still the same. They keep eye contact for a few seconds before Nien finally asks a question.
“Weren’t you also affected?”
Kotone blinks. “Uh… yeah.”
Nien sighs, going back to buttoning her shirt. “Then you have nothing to worry about.”
“But—”
“I know, I know, as a leader, blah blah blah,” she interrupts, tilting her head back and forth in sarcasm. “Really, Tone. It’s not your fault. You aren’t the one who caused all this, right?”
She shakes her head. “…No.”
“Then it’s fine!” Nien puts on a bright smile. “And besides, I mean, it wasn’t bad. It was pretty fun.”
The sudden switch-up in mood had Kotone confused, but she let out an amused chuckle anyway. She was feeling a bit lighter now. “Fun?”
“Yeah!” Nien chuckles. “What? You didn’t think it was?”
Kotone rolls her eyes, not bothering to respond. Nien continues dressing herself up, finally fully dressed, save for a few minor fixes on her outfit.
The mood was good. Kotone was grateful. She was scared of how awkward it might’ve turned out after they were free from the Arcana’s influence, but with how easy Nien made things, it’s as if nothing happened. Bitterly enough.
(But that was Nien’s charm.)
Kotone clears her throat, although enjoying the comfortable silence, she was not willing to go down a negative train of thought during it.
“I’m a bit surprised,” Kotone starts ominously.
“About what?” Nien asks, fixing her collar.
“That you didn’t end up in the same room as Seoyeon,” she awkwardly chuckles, attempting to play it off as a joke.
Hands instantly freeze, and immediate regret hits her like a truck as Nien shoots a disappointed look at her.
“Seriously?”
Kotone shrinks, feeling the shame from her poorly hidden jealousy. “W-What? I mean, you guys are close and all—”
“So you rather I did all that with Seoyeon?”
Her face instantly grew hot. “Wh—no! I was just surprised!”
The melodic laugh does nothing to ease her beating heart. Nien shakes her head, clearly enjoying the sight. “I’m kidding. Why are you thinking that anyway? You aren’t surprised that I didn’t end up with Jiyeon?”
Kotone opens her mouth to argue, but nothing comes out. And the all too satisfied smile on Nien’s face tells her just how badly she’d been caught.
She cocks an eyebrow like she’s waiting for a response, but Kotone could only awkwardly look away, fiddling with her tie and brushing away nonexistent dust from her pants. When Nien realized she wasn’t gonna get anything, she looked away and went back to dressing herself.
“You don’t have anything to be jealous about.”
Kotone perks up.
“I like Seoyeon, but she’s just my friend,” she glances up for a brief second. “Would I make out with a friend like that?”
She crosses her arms, feeling a doubt sink in her chest. “Well, we were under the influence of the Lovers Arcana, so that doesn’t really count.”
Nien comes to a stop. “…Doesn’t really count?”
“No, it doesn’t,” Kotone shakes her head.
There’s a stillness between them once she said that. Neither of them moved, Kotone barely even breathing, as they let the seconds pass.
Nien was turned away, face obscured by her hair.
“So let me make it count.”
“Huh—?”
Kotone doesn’t have much time to prepare as Nien strides towards her, lifting her chin up until they were kissing again.
Kotone’s eyes instantly flutter shut as she kisses her back.
Her chest soars. They move against each other slowly, like they were both remembering the feeling of each other’s lips. They keep the same pace, pushing even closer to each other.
In that moment, Kotone felt like she could really feel, and connect with Nien. It was like she could feel their hearts beating at the same time, for the same reasons.
All those worries she had… Maybe she actually didn’t have much to worry about in the first place.
It ends almost too quickly, with Nien slowly pulling back, staring at Kotone with nervousness, yet also hope.
Kotone’s eyes slowly open, staring at Nien like she couldn’t believe it. “Oh.”
It was like the burning flame in her body was finally dying down, slowly reducing to a mere flicker. It was mutual.
“Yeah. Oh.”
Nien’s voice was supposed to be mocking, but the teasing smile on her face just showed how lighthearted it was intended. Nothing more is said as she steps back more.
“It is unfair, though.”
Her heart sank a little. Kotone snaps her head over, confused. “Huh? What is?”
Nien shrugs, finally looking away as she crosses her arms over her chest.
“That I was naked and you weren’t.”
Her jaw drops.
“Nien!”
The other woman just bursts out laughing, pointing a finger at her. “Your face! You’re so red!”
Kotone didn’t even bother trying to hide away, genuinely too shocked by the comment to even move. Her mind felt like mush. So much for feeling like the deviant out of the two.
“Well, should we get going?”
Kotone stammers a little as she gets up, feeling a little disoriented from the sudden switch in topics. She hadn’t even had time to process the fact that her feelings were requited.
“Uh… yeah.”
She follows Nien out the room. She seemed completely fine and unaffected, and for a moment Kotone wonders again if Nien actually felt the same way or if she was only trying to make her feel better. She knew Nien is the kind to always favor people’s feelings over her own—very selfless, though, would she really do that?
The memory of their heartbeats during the kiss replays in Kotone’s mind.
(Maybe it really is mutual.)
The moment they stepped out side, the spot Seoyeon and Jiyeon resting against a wall, looking a bit too stiff as they stood next to each other.
“Hey, guys!” Nien greets them gleefully, as if everything was completely normal—like her and Kotone weren’t just victims of an oddly voyeuristic Arcana boss.
“Hey,” Seoyeon raised a hand for a second in a small wave. “You guys manage okay?”
Kotone nods. “Yeah, just the Shadow.”
Jiyeon nods mindlessly. “Yeah… the Shadow.”
Nien shoots skeptical looks between them. “What happened with you guys?”
The two of them seemed to instantly grow awkward, sporting a slight blush as they turned their heads away.
“Why do you care?” Seoyeon tries to counter, only for the shakiness of her voice to betray her.
“Y-Yeah! That’s none of your business!” Jiyeon sputters out as well, which was a sight that many, especially Kotone, never really saw.
“O…kay…” Kotone mutters.
Nien then whispers to her, leaning closer.
“They definitely almost hooked up.”
Yeah, that wouldn’t be too surprising, judging how Seoyeon and Jiyeon would look at each other. Kotone snickers. “Maybe even went the full mile.”
She gets a playful slap on the shoulder. “Tone!”
They share a laugh, feeling the lightness rest on their shoulders. In that moment, they get another crackle through their ears.
“Guys! I figured it out!” Dahyun’s voice cuts through again. “It’s the mirrors! I think you need to find the right ones to break the barrier on the Shadow, it’s still in the main room!”
The group looked at each other, nodding.
“Got it. We’ll check the rooms again,” Kotone says, instantly focusing.
“Good luck, team! You got this!” Dahyun encourages before signing off.
Seoyeon nods. “Sounds like we have a plan.”
“Mhm,” Jiyeon nods. She looks over to Kotone. “Tone, lead the way?”
“Of course,” she nods.
And just like that, she was right back to it.
She begins walking to the first room, but before she can grab the doorknob herself, Nien was already there, opening it for her and welcoming her in.
“Ladies first.”
She had a goofy smile on her face, pretending to act like a servant working for a luxurious hotel. Kotone raised a brow, amused at the sight.
“Why, thank you.”
Nien bows. “My pleasure.”
From behind them: “The hell was that…”
Kotone and Nien stop to glance back at Seoyeon, who seemed confused by the whole interaction. Next to her, Jiyeon looked more amused, almost excited as she looked at the two. They look back at each other, then burst out laughing.
Yeah. Definitely requited.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
“So what do you think actually happened?” Xinyu asked, clearly bored. She was playing with a small piece of rock in her hands as she sat up against the gate. Dahyun stood beside her, resting against a pillar.
“I don’t know,” the navigator shrugs. “They said something about the Lovers Arcana. Maybe they got ambushed or something.”
Xinyu hums, slowly nodding her head. Then she freezes.
“Wait.”
She nearly snaps her neck from spinning around, eyes landing right on the name of the hotel. She looks back at Dahyun.
“Dahyun.”
“Hm?”
“Do you know where we are?”
Dahyun seemed a little confused by the question, but she ended up looking around anyway. She then gives Xinyu an unsure shrug.
“A hotel…?”
Xinyu nods slowly. “What kind of hotel?”
The confused expression stays, even as Dahyun maintains eye contact, almost like she was trying to figure out the answer via telepathy. Xinyu makes another gesture.
Dahyun’s face drops.
“…Oh.”