Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Stirrings of Jealousy

The sun dipped below the horizon, leaving hues of orange and purple to fade into the darkened sky. The cozy warmth of Lumine's apartment was disturbed by bursts of laughter and chatter as her friends gathered for their long-awaited Saturday night hangout.

Kazuha, Amber, Ayaka, and Albedo were comfortably sprawled across the living room, pizza boxes open on the table and soda cans scattered around. Lumine was perched between Amber and Ayaka, grinning as they debated over the toppings.

“Pineapple does not belong on pizza!” Amber argued dramatically, waving her hand in exasperation.

“It absolutely does,” Kazuha countered smoothly, calmly taking a bite of the offending slice. “It’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory.”

“Traitor,” Amber muttered, earning laughter from everyone.

In the middle of the scene, Scaramouche—or rather, Kuni—sat perched on the armrest of the couch, his midnight fur sleek and his tail flicking lazily as his indigo eyes scanned the group. He looked unbothered, yet the subtle twitch of his tail told a different story.

Why are they so loud? he thought sourly. And why is she smiling at them like that?

Lumine's radiant laughter bubbled up again as she nudged Ayaka with her elbow, their close friendship clear as day. To an onlooker, it was a simple, cheerful gathering. But to Kuni—watching her from the corner—it was more than enough to make his chest tighten.

---

As the evening wore on, the group began their “game night,” pulling out a set of cards and a few board games. Lumine, cheerful as always, took charge of organizing.

“Okay, Kazuha and Albedo are too good at strategy, so I’m splitting you two up,” Lumine said with a mischievous smirk.

“Biased,” Kazuha replied with a soft chuckle, leaning back comfortably.

Amber pointed dramatically at Albedo. “I call dibs on being his partner! Kazuha, you're with Lumine.”

“Fine by me,” Kazuha replied, offering Lumine a small smile.

Lumine returned the smile, her expression brightening even further. “Guess it’s you and me against the world, Kazuha.”

The words were innocent, but Kuni’s sharp ears caught them instantly. His indigo eyes narrowed as his tail thumped once against the couch.

Against the world? Tch. How cliché.

Scaramouche could not explain why those words irked him so much. He was just a cat to them—a silent observer. But watching Kazuha and Lumine exchange amused glances while they strategized made his irritation spike.

---

By the time the game night was in full swing, Scaramouche couldn’t take it anymore. He hopped down from the couch and padded silently across the floor to Lumine, his small body slipping between her and Kazuha.

“Oh?” Lumine glanced down at the black cat now sitting possessively on her lap. “Kuni, what’s up?”

Kazuha raised an eyebrow but smiled faintly. “Looks like he doesn’t want to share your attention tonight.”

“Jealous much, Kuni?” Amber teased from across the room, earning chuckles from everyone.

Kuni’s tail flicked sharply as he glared at Amber, as if to say, Watch it.

Lumine only laughed softly, gently stroking his midnight fur. “You’re being clingy tonight, huh?” she murmured, her voice kind. “Fine, you can stay here, you spoiled little thing.”

Scaramouche relished the feeling of her hand in his fur, though he’d never admit it. He shot Kazuha a smug look—or as smug as a cat could manage—as if to say, Mine.

---

The night stretched on, the laughter and conversation continuing. Kuni refused to budge from Lumine’s lap the entire time, his indigo eyes occasionally darting toward Kazuha whenever he spoke. The calm poet didn’t seem to mind, but Scaramouche still felt an irrational satisfaction from “winning” Lumine’s attention.

Eventually, as the clock struck midnight, Lumine’s friends began gathering their things.

“Thanks for hosting, Lumine,” Albedo said with a polite nod. “It was a good night.”

“Yeah!” Amber chimed in. “We’ll do this again soon.”

Lumine smiled warmly, walking them to the door. “Anytime. Text me when you get home safe, okay?”

As they filed out, Kazuha was the last to leave. He turned back to Lumine with his usual gentle expression. “Take care, Lumine. Thanks for tonight.”

“You too, Kazuha,” Lumine replied with a smile.

Kuni, still sitting on the couch, watched the exchange with narrowed eyes. Kazuha left with a calm wave, but the tension in Scaramouche’s shoulders didn’t ease until the door finally clicked shut.

---

Lumine sighed contentedly as she leaned back against the couch. “What a night,” she murmured, stretching her arms. “You were so clingy today, Kuni. What was that all about?”

Kuni stared at her silently, his indigo gaze unflinching.

“Are you jealous or something?” Lumine teased, lightly tapping his nose.

If Scaramouche could blush in his cat form, he would’ve. Instead, he let out a soft mrow, pretending to ignore her as he curled up on the couch cushion beside her.

Lumine laughed softly, leaning back. “Alright, alright. I’m all yours for now, okay? You silly cat.”

Her voice was soft as she dozed off on the couch, unaware of the conflicted look in Kuni’s indigo eyes.

---

Scaramouche stared at her for a long time, her sleeping face calm and content. A strange warmth tugged at his chest again, but he shook his head furiously, his tail flicking in frustration.

Jealous? Of course not, he told himself. I just don’t like seeing her waste her time with those people. That’s all.

But as the apartment fell silent, Scaramouche remained by her side, his presence constant as he guarded her through the night.

Because she saved me, he thought stubbornly, and no one else gets to take that spot in her life.