Jade leaned slightly closer, his tone soft, his smile relaxed but playful.

"So... do you want to come to my place tonight?" he asked, his voice low and easy, almost teasing.

Dila blinked, taken aback. "No," she said quickly, shaking her head with a frown. "First of all, I don't want to go somewhere that might... you know... lead to something weird happening, and second, I don't want to go alone."

Jade chuckled gently, resting his elbow on the table, his emerald eyes half-lidded with amusement. "What are you talking about, Princess? I would never do anything improper," he said with a smirk. "Besides... if it makes you feel better, you can bring your sister along."

Dila sighed, tapping her foot beneath the table in a soft rhythm. "Fine... then what time? And what exactly are we supposed to do there, hmm?" Her tone carried both irritation and curiosity.

Jade tilted his head slightly, that familiar calm, confident smile curving on his lips. "You'll see," he replied, voice smooth as silk. "Tonight. That's when you'll find out."

Fran, who had been munching on her bread, nearly choked in excitement. "Wait—really? I'm coming too?!" she said, her eyes sparkling like stars.

Dila turned to her, exasperated. "Fran, no. The curfew won't allow us, and besides, I feel like he's trying to make a harem out of us or something."

Jade nearly spat out the cap and water drink he startled, his cheeks flushing crimson. "W–what?! A harem?!" He waved his hands defensively, laughing awkwardly. "No, no, no! That's not— You've got the wrong idea!"

Fran giggled mischievously, leaning toward her sister and whispering loudly enough for Jade to hear, "Sister, he's blushing! He so likes you!"

"Fran!" Dila hissed, her cheeks heating instantly.

Jade chuckled softly again, this time calmer, his usual charm returning. "Don't worry about the curfew," he said, his tone gentle but carrying a mysterious edge. "When you step outside your dorm tonight... you'll understand what I mean."

Fran's ears twitched with excitement, her tail swaying behind her. "Ooh, mysterious~!" she said, clasping her hands together dramatically.

Dila just groaned quietly, resting her chin in her palm. "Why do I feel like I'm walking into trouble already…" she murmured under her breath, her blue eyes narrowing at Jade, who only smiled wider.

Jade leaned back slightly in his chair, his calm smile still lingering as he looked at Dila. "So, what do you think, High Princess?" he asked, his voice light but carrying a spark of anticipation.

Dila's fingers drummed softly against the table while her foot tapped beneath it, her expression half-annoyed, half-flustered. "If you try anything funny tonight," she said coldly, her blue eyes narrowing, "I'll break every bone in your body using my summons."

The air between them froze for a heartbeat—then Fran suddenly burst into laughter, nearly falling off her chair. "Hahahahaha! Sister, you sound like a villain!" she said, clutching her stomach.

Jade blinked, then rubbed the back of his neck, laughing awkwardly. "Ah... haha, yeah... Fran already told me while with," he said with a nervous grin. "Professor Galahad, too. She mentioned how strong your summons are, so... I guess your warning's valid." He raised both hands playfully in surrender. "Still... I hope you and Fran will come tonight."

Dila didn't reply, only gave a small sigh while looking away, her long silver-white hair sliding gently across her shoulder.

Jade took his last bite of food quietly, then lifted his cup and drank the final sip of water, setting it back down with calm grace. When he stood, his movement was smooth, almost princely. He adjusted his cloak, then bowed elegantly first to Dila, then to Fran.

"Good luck, High Princess... and Cat Girl Fran," he said warmly, his tone respectful yet teasing.

Fran straightened her back proudly, flicking her tail. "Bye, Prince Jade!" she said cheerfully, waving both hands with a bright grin.

Dila only watched him go, her expression unreadable, the light from the cafeteria lamps glinting faintly in her blue eyes.

As Jade walked away, his polished boots tapping softly against the floor, Dila felt her chest tighten slightly—an emotion she couldn't quite name. Fran leaned closer, whispering with a mischievous smile, "Sister... he totally likes you."

Dila exhaled quietly through her nose, covering her face with her hand. "Fran..." she muttered, her tone caught somewhere between irritation and embarrassment, "just eat your pudding oky..."

Fran responded with a bright, "Oky!" her voice filled with childish cheer as she grinned from ear to ear. Without wasting another second, she grabbed her spoon and began devouring her pudding rapidly, her tail swishing behind her with excitement.

Dila couldn't help but giggle softly, watching her sister eat like there was no tomorrow. "Calm down, Fran," she said warmly, resting her chin on her palm. "Don't eat like a dog."

Fran froze mid-bite, her spoon still halfway to her mouth. Her cheeks puffed slightly as she pouted, turning her head to the side. "Hmmm... I'm not a dog, you know," she said, crossing her arms with mock offense, her ears twitching upward.

Dila blinked and scratched the side of her cheek, her smile turning a bit awkward. "Ah—sorry, I didn't mean it that way."

For a brief second, Fran kept her pout, pretending to be mad. But then her lips curved into a small, playful grin. "Apology accepted!" she said quickly, her cheerful tone returning like a spark. And before Dila could react, Fran was already eating again—rapidly, happily, with her tail flicking in rhythm.

Dila just sighed softly, her eyes softening as she watched her. A faint smile lingered on her lips as she murmured under her breath, "You never change, Fran..."

For a brief moment, all the heaviness Dila felt earlier seemed to fade away—replaced by the simple warmth of watching her little sister being her usual, carefree self.

Fran paused mid-bite, her spoon hanging halfway between her lips and the plate. Her blue eyes flicked toward Dila, curiosity flickering like a spark. "So, sister," she began softly, swallowing the bite she'd been holding. "What do you think about Jade's proposal to come tonight? Will you do it?"

Dila's fingers toyed with the edge of her cup, her expression unreadable. The light above them reflected faintly off her silver-white hair as she exhaled a quiet sigh. "I'm not sure about it, Fran," she muttered, her voice low and cautious. "It just feels... sketchy, you know."

Fran blinked once, then leaned closer. "Sketchy?" she echoed, a grin tugging at her lips. And before Dila could say another word, Fran's palm landed lightly against the back of Dila's shoulder with a playful smack.

"Ease up a bit, sis!" Fran said brightly, her tone full of teasing warmth. "Don't be so serious all the time. Just enjoy life, sis. Life's only a one-time thing... so you gotta enjoy it all you can!"

Her smile was radiant, cheek to cheek, her cat ears twitching with playful energy as she looked straight into Dila's blue eyes.

For a moment, Dila just stared at her, surprised by the sudden burst of cheer. Then, slowly... she smiled. Her expression softened, her usual cold composure melting just a little. "I guess you're right, Fran," she said, her voice gentler now.

Fran grinned wide in victory, her tail swishing behind her as she returned to eating, while Dila continued smiling quietly... watching her sister bright spirit light up the dim room like a small flame that never seemed to fade.

Now....

The cafeteria had long grown quiet, its warmth replaced by the soft evening calm that wrapped around the academy halls....

Now inside their dorm, the faint golden light of the sunset spilled through the window, painting gentle hues across the marble floor.

Dila stood before her wardrobe, her slender hand pulling it open with a soft creak. The air carried the faint scent of lavender from her neatly folded robes and cloaks inside. She reached for one, lost in thought, when suddenly a voice came from behind her.

"So... did you make up your mind, sis?"

"Ahhh—!" Dila jumped, startled, clutching her chest as she spun around. "Fran! Don't sneak up on me like that!"

As Fran stood in-front of her with an amused grin, her cat tail flicking lightly, blue eyes glimmering with playfulness. "Hehe... sorry, couldn't resist," she said, tilting her head. "So, will you come tonight? At Jade's place?"

Dila exhaled softly, lowering her shoulders. She hesitated for a moment, she then turn back, looking at her clothes inside the wardrobe, then slowly turned her gaze to Fran. "I guess... you're right, Fran," she said quietly, her tone soft and uncertain, yet honest.

Fran's expression brightened immediately. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Dila from behind, hugging her tightly. "Knew you'd say that," she said with a warm smile pressed against Dila's back. "You always act cold with a bit warmth... but deep down, you just needed a little push."

Dila froze at first, then sighed lightly, her cheeks warming as she relaxed into the embrace. "You're impossible sometimes, Fran," she murmured, though a faint smile touched her lips.

Fran giggled, squeezing tighter. "That's why you love me, sis."

Dila only shook her head, smiling softly at the floor as the sunset glow faded around them, the lamp lights has automatically light up wrapping their quiet laughter in the faded warmth of the evening.

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