I wake up in a bed. A breeze drifts through an open window.

I scan the room. It’s… the Akachi estate. Guess Master whacked me back into reality.

Someone’s here, holding my hand. A blonde girl slumped over the blankets.

Ophelia.

So she made it out. Good.

Homura almost had her. I must have made it just in time.

What is she doing? It feels like… she’s rubbing my hand.

Is she playing? No, that’s not it. Is she… worried about me?

I did save her life. Again. Just like at the Neon Circle.

So she has a decent side. Impressive.

But I can’t get complacent.

Discipline. Everyone has two sides. Good and bad. No one is pure anything.

A sleeping tiger looks harmless? It’s still a tiger.

By nature, she’s a haughty aristocrat who trusts no one, always swinging that verbal sword of hers.

It’s like her mouth is hardwired for sarcasm and insults. ‘Ice Queen’ sums her up perfectly.

If I mistake this gentle act for the real thing, I’ll get burned.

Stay sharp.

“I cut my hair… the parts that were burned and damaged. What do you think? Is it cute…?”

Her voice snaps me back. So she knew I was awake.

Gotta answer. Fast.

“It suits you very well, my lady.”

Ophelia’s shoulders jump. Her head snaps toward me.

It’s the first real look I’ve had at her new hairstyle. Still beautiful.

Her eyes are wide. She clears her throat. “You think so? Hmm. I see.”

Her cheeks are flushed.

Well, now…

“What’s with that reaction? You’re the one who asked.”

“It’s nothing, is it? Surely you’re not suggesting that I, of all people, would get flustered over a simple compliment?”

“No, not at all. I just noticed your cheeks are a little red.”

“My burns haven’t fully healed yet. I’m just not feeling well.”

“You were burned pretty badly. Are you all right?”

“Compared to you, it was nothing more than a bad sunburn… Um… thank you for your concern, Mister Akamuro.”

I keep my eyes on her. She turns halfway away, hugging her elbows as her hand rises instinctively to shield her face.

But her eyes keep darting back to me. “What is it? Would you please stop staring at a lady’s face so intently?”

“My apologies. I just… wanted to get a better look at your face.”

She sucks in a sharp breath.

Unexpected. So I’ve found her weakness.

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