[Music Recommendation: "A Sweet Smile" by Yu-Peng Chen (Genshin Impact OST) - available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter ~

[Please note: We're back to Senara's POV - Also, did you enjoy the last chapter? XD Because I did hahahahaha]

The next morning, I woke up early and carefully left the bed so Crystal could still sleep some more. I went towards the bathroom to take a shower and prepare for class. It was Monday and we didn't file for any leave so we're all going to school despite our tired beings.

As I was changing my clothes, I noticed Hora's clothes for today were missing. Did she go over here to get her clothes and return to Verrill's room? That was weird. She wouldn't do that. She would have taken a bath here instead.

'OMG! Wait a minute… Did a servant take it and brought it to Verrill's room? If so… then that means Hora is taking a bath in a man's bedroom?! WAAAAAAAAAAA!!! NOOOOOO!!! My poor innocent baby Hora is in danger!'

My face paled up and I quickly finished dressing up. I didn't even finish blow drying my hair and just let it be so it wasn't dripping wet. Not minding the unfamiliar layout of Verrill's house, I went outside of the guest room and searched for his bedroom.

As soon as I got out, I was already confused about which way to go. I looked around a bit, making sure to keep my eyes on the room where I came from. Then, I noticed the stairs—the one Crystal and I took last night when we were heading to Verrill's room. I walked towards it and searched for the next path.

"If I'm not mistaken, this is where we went," I murmured while deliberating if I should turn left or turn right. Seriously, this memory of mine was such a mess. "At times like these, the safest option is always left. So I'll go left."

Walking along the long hallway with a series of rooms one after another, I reached the last room at the end corner and bingo! It was Verrill's room. I got lucky this time. I remembered the door of his room. It was different from the doors of the guest rooms. Reddish wood and had a more unique design to it. Thank you, my photographic memory that never applied to places, cars, and names.

Sure that I was in the right room, I knocked on the door three times. A sweet voice told me to come in. I knew that voice! It's definitely Hora! So I quickly got in and was welcomed by the same layout I saw last night. Phew! I really was in Verrill's room.

I walked inside and there I saw Hora and Verrill sitting on the couch smiling at each other. Verrill was handing her some medicines and reading something on a piece of paper. For some reason, they had this lovey-dovey atmosphere between them. Was it just me or it really was like that?

Anyway, I went over to them and observed Hora from head to foot. Alright, she seemed to look fine. That's good.

"Sena!" Hora exclaimed when she realized it was me who arrived. She probably thought I was a maid seeing there were already some of them lurking around, cleaning the room.

Hora stood up and went over to me to hug me. I embraced her back and shot glares towards Verrill. He didn't do anything nasty to her, did he?

Verrill looked surprised the moment I squinted my eyes over him, looking like an innocent sheep. Yeah, but in truth, he was a wolf in sheep's clothing! A beast! Or a sly fox! Hmf! I'm protecting Hora from you.

Not understanding what my eyes meant, Verrill just tilted his head, trying to understand my looks. Hmf! Let him guess forever. He fooled all of us. And to think I thought he was better than Callan!

"Good morning!"

"Good morning to you, too. Are you alright? I heard you got sick last night?"

"Uuuhh, just a bit. But I got plenty of rest so I'm fine."

I flicked her forehead lightly.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. And you said yesterday morning that your coughs were nothing serious."

"I'm sorry. I didn't notice."

"It's my fault, too. I didn't notice it, either. And sorry as well. I was about to go here when I heard you were sick but something came up."

"It's okay. Verrill took care of me."

I raised my eyebrows in suspicion.

"Oh, I see. Yes, you do look like he took VERRI (very) good care of you."

Yup. I purposely said it in that way. Then I walked towards Verrill and crossed my arms.

"Verrill," I called him strictly, "you didn't do anything nasty to Hora last night, did you?"

"Last night? I didn't. I let her sleep on the bed and I slept on the chair. She was so hot so I also put some cold wet towel on her forehead. The doctor came to check on her and gave me some medicine for her to take once she's eaten, too."

Okay. That didn't sound suspicious at all.

"Good. Thank you."

Hora's was bewildered by my sudden change of treatment to Verrill. Don't worry my dear bestie. I'll let you know all about it later once we're alone.

"He was really nice to me. Why do you sound—"

Sniff… sniff… sniff…

I smelled something weird coming off from Hora. I went nearer and sniffed her—from her head, to her clothes. And what's weird was that, it was even in her neck area! I tried to check it and there was something reddish on her neck! My face paled up when I saw it.

"Kyaaaa!!! Hora! What's that in your neck?! And why do you smell like a man? All over you?!" I screamed in my great horror.

"Huh? My neck? I don't have anything…" she tried to touch the side of her neck but of course she wouldn't notice it since it was small. She flinched a little though, so maybe it hurt a bit. Her face flushed red.

Oh no no no no no! Why was she blushing? Did she remember something?

"U-uuuhh… the reason I smell like a man is probably because I've been in this room since last night. A-and this, I don't know. Maybe I got it from yesterday, while waiting for you in the pond?"

I couldn't believe it. Hora was lying… to ME! Of all people. I glared at her, hinting I knew she was lying to my face. She averted her eyes from me. She probably didn't want to discuss it in front of Verrill.

But then, Verrill stood up from his seat and faced me.

"Don't be angry with her. If you're going to be angry, be angry with me."

"HUH?! What did you do?" I asked menacingly. I swear, my blood was boiling right at that moment. How dare youuuuu! What did you do to my friend? I shouldn't have trusted Kaiden's words.

"I—" Verrill started to speak but Hora stopped him.

"Please, let me explain it to her."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

There it was again. The lovey-dovey atmosphere.

'Verrill… you are so doomed to me! WRAAAAAAAA!'