Chapter 100: Chapter 94: Chaos, Blankets, and a Grumpy Scaramouche

The afternoon sun cast golden light through the windows as preparations for the long-awaited movie night began. Amber was practically bouncing with excitement, clutching her phone as she ticked off tasks from her mental checklist.

“Aether!” Amber called out, pointing a finger dramatically at him. “Snacks. Lots of snacks. Chips, popcorn, soda, candy—the works!”

Aether gave a mock salute. “On it, captain!”

Venti, who was lounging upside down on the couch, raised a hand. “I refuse to go. I’m not riding in that death trap again.”

Aether frowned. “It’s called efficient driving.”

“It’s called a lawsuit waiting to happen!” Venti shot back, crossing his arms as he adjusted his position.

Amber sighed, hands on her hips. “Fine. Kazuha, you’re up.”

Kazuha, who had been quietly sipping tea in the corner, gave a calm nod. “I’ll accompany Aether. It’ll be a peaceful ride, I’m sure.”

Venti blew out a dramatic breath of relief. “Thanks Kazuha!”

Meanwhile, in the corner of the room, Albedo and Ayaka were already laying out plans for their blanket fort masterpiece. Albedo had a sketchpad in hand, with a blueprint that looked unnecessarily complex for a fort made of blankets and pillows.

“Ayaka, if we anchor the main support here and add fairy lights along this edge, we can maximize both comfort and aesthetic appeal,” Albedo said, adjusting his glasses.

Ayaka nodded gracefully. “That sounds perfect, Albedo. We’ll need more cushions, though. I’ll fetch them from the spare room.”

At the center of the chaos was Lumine, sitting cross-legged on the carpet with a tiny, fluffy white kitten swatting playfully at her fingers.

“Snowball, you’re such a troublemaker,” Lumine giggled as the kitten pounced on a stray thread from a nearby blanket. “Aether really went all out picking you.”

Snowball mewed softly before curling up in Lumine’s lap, earning a chorus of ‘aww’s from Amber and Ayaka.

And then… there was Scaramouche.

Sitting on one of the armchairs, knees pulled up to his chest, arms crossed tightly, and an eternal scowl etched across his face.

“Why am I here again?” he muttered.

Amber shot him a playful look. “Because deep down, you love spending time with us!”

“No,” Scaramouche replied flatly. “I was dragged into this chaos, and now I’m trapped in what looks like a kindergarten slumber party nightmare.”

Venti smirked from his spot on the couch. “Oh, c’mon, Kuni, loosen up! Maybe we’ll let you pick a movie if you behave.”

Scaramouche’s eye twitched. “Stop calling me that, you human loudspeaker.”

Lumine looked up from playing with Snowball and smiled softly. “Scara, you could help Albedo and Ayaka if you’re feeling left out.”

Scaramouche huffed and turned his head dramatically to the side. “I don’t ‘help.’”

Albedo, ever the voice of reason, looked up from his blueprint. “Scaramouche, if you don’t wish to help, perhaps you could at least make yourself useful by keeping Snowball entertained while Lumine helps us.”

The room went quiet.

Scaramouche’s glare slowly shifted to the tiny ball of fluff in Lumine’s lap. Snowball blinked up at him with wide, innocent eyes and let out the tiniest meow.

Amber clasped her hands together. “Oh, this is gonna be good.”

Scaramouche let out a defeated sigh. “Fine. Give me the rat.”

“It’s a kitten,” Lumine said, trying not to laugh as she gently handed Snowball to Scaramouche.

The grumpy boy stared at the kitten, holding it awkwardly in both hands like it was an alien artifact. Snowball blinked up at him and then swatted at the loose string on his hoodie.

“...What do I do with it?” Scaramouche asked stiffly.

“Just let her sit with you,” Lumine said, her smile warm.

Snowball crawled up Scaramouche’s chest, settling herself on his shoulder before curling into a tiny ball of fluff. The entire room went silent.

Amber’s mouth hung open. Venti had frozen mid-sip of his drink. Ayaka was clutching a pillow to her chest.

“...She likes him,” Albedo noted calmly.

Scaramouche’s face flushed lightly as he realized everyone was staring. “Stop looking at me! And stop smiling!”

Amber burst out laughing. “Oh, Scara, you’re such a softie!”

Scaramouche’s scowl deepened, but he didn’t move Snowball from his shoulder. Instead, he turned his head away with a grumble.

“Whatever. Just finish your stupid fort already.”

The group exchanged knowing smiles, and the preparations continued—blankets draped across furniture, fairy lights twinkling, and pillows piled into cozy heaps.

By the time Aether and Kazuha returned with bags of snacks and drinks, the room had transformed into a magical, glowing fortress of warmth and comfort.

Snowball was still perched contentedly on Scaramouche’s shoulder, and despite his endless grumbling and eye rolls, he made no move to push her away.

Amber threw her arms in the air. “Movie night is officially on!”

As the lights dimmed and the projector flickered to life, Scaramouche muttered under his breath, “I swear, if anyone tries to take a picture of this, they’re dead.”

But despite his threats, everyone could see the tiniest smile tugging at the corner of his lips.