Chapter 44

(Theresa pov)

Amane, that kid was amazing... It was like he was programmed to accomplish impossible tasks.

But why does he keep entering my thoughts whenever I find a free moment?

Ugh... I can't believe I'm thinking about my niece's boyfriend.

Yet, I owe him for saving Kallen, Rin, and Sakura.

I entered a quiet room and saw Kiana hugging Amane tightly while he slept peacefully.

I couldn't resist poking his cheek and ended up giggling.

"Even you're sleeping face, are still adorable," I whispered as I playfully poked his cheek.

"Chisato, stop poking my cheek. Come to bed and sleep already," Amane mumbled, pulling me into his arms and hugging me close.

It's warm... No, I shouldn't enjoy this.

But his embrace is so warm.

I should just take a short nap.

Yup, just a nap... zzz

I felt something poking my cheek, and I opened my eyes to see Elysia, the other girl with pink hair, and she's poking my cheeks.

"Ara~ You're finally awake," Elysia said.

"Good morning, Elysia," I replied, deciding to leave out the 'miss' before her name to avoid her teasing.

"Hehe, you must have had a good sleep, right?" Elysia asked suddenly, making me raise an eyebrow in confusion.

"Hmm?" I nodded my head and tilted it, looking at her questioningly.

"My~ I mean, it must be enjoyable sleeping on top of him," Elysia said, her tone filled with her usual flirtatiousness.

I followed her gaze and realized that I was lying on top of Amane.

"What-What just happened?" I stammered, my eyes wide, as Elysia snapped a picture of me on top of Amane.

"Hehe~ Such a bold move, Theresa-chan~" Elysia laughed as she left the room.

"I-I, what have I done?" I muttered, looking back at Amane's sleeping figure and then at his lips.

His lips are pink and look soft.

Without thinking, I leaned in and gently pressed my lips to his.

There was no taste, but the emotion I felt was one of happiness.

When did I start seeing him this way?

I should just accept that I've felt this way ever since he saved me from being killed.

"Thank you, Amane, for saving Kallen, Sakura, and Rin," I whispered, my eyes still closed as I smiled at his sleeping face.

"What are you doing?"

Kiana's voice startled me, and I flinched, quickly looking at her. "S-Since when were you awake?" I asked, my words stumbling.

"Since the beginning," Kiana replied with a smug grin, puffing out her chest. "Tsk, tsk," she wagged her finger in front of me, a smirk playing on her lips.

Should I pinch her cheek to shut her up?

"I didn't expect my own aunt, making a move on my boyfriend," Kiana said, her smirk growing even more annoying.

Ugh... I don't care anymore. I just want to shut her up and wipe that smirk off her face.

_ _ _

"Pardo-nee, sometimes I shouldn't get arrogant even though I hold blackmail material," Kiana told Pardofelis, rubbing a red bump on her head.

Pardo raised an eyebrow as she pressed her finger onto Kiana's forehead.

"Ouch." Kiana winced when her bump was touched. "Stop touching that, it hurts." She complained, slapping Pardo's hand away.

"Sorry, sorry," Pardo replied. "Where did you get this bump anyway?"

Kiana smiled and happily shared the whole story that happened early in the morning, with Elysia joining them until the entire Flame Chasers group listened to their conversation.

"Griseo-chan, you shouldn't get near Amane, okay?" Kosma said, concerned about Amane being around Griseo.

"Why?" Griseo asked, tilting her head.

"Because he might do something bad to you," Kosma explained, trying his best to give an explanation.

"But he gave me delicious cookies," Griseo replied, tilting her head in confusion.

Griseo thought for a moment until she stood up and ran into a certain room. She came back with Amane, holding his hand.

"Amane-oniisan, Kosma loves girls under the age of ten," Griseo said, pointing at Kosma.

Everyone fell silent, looking at Kosma as if he were in the wrong.

"..." Kosma remained silent, his expression showing shock.

"Sorry... I made a mistake," Griseo apologized to Kosma.

Everyone sighed in relief upon hearing that and prepared to apologize to Kosma.

Kosma smiled at Griseo, but it faltered when he heard her next words.

"It's girls under the age of twelve," Griseo corrected.

Silence fell once again, and everyone looked at Kosma as if he were in the wrong a second time.

"Sigh... Don't look at me like that. I like boys too," Kosma explained, making everyone slowly back away from him. "I mean, playing with kids."

Amane patted his shoulder and said, "Don't explain it... I know what you mean, but I already got some funny ideas, so deal with it."

Kosma closed his lips, stopping himself from speaking, and sat down on the sofa, gazing at the sky.

"Hehaha! Hehaha!" Kalpas burst into laughter, seeing this and teasing Kosma.

"It's Aunt Mobius," Griseo said, pointing at Mobius, who was preparing her own coffee.

"It's Mobius-Oneesan," Mobius corrected.

"I'm going to paint. See you later, Aunt Mobius," Griseo said, ignoring Mobius and heading into her room. Mobius then sat next to Kosma.

Kalpas continued to laugh until he received a glare from Mobius. Provoked by Kalpas, the two engaged in fight.