The weekend sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the bustling streets. Lumine adjusted her shoulder bag, her steps light as she made her way to the café where she was meeting her closest friendsâAlbedo, Kazuha, Amber, and Ayaka.
She had been looking forward to this hangout all week. The stresses of school had been weighing her down, and a day spent with her friends was exactly what she needed to recharge.
Inside her apartment, Kuni watched from the windowsill as Lumine disappeared down the street. His tail flicked, and his indigo eyes narrowed. He leapt gracefully to the floor, transforming into his human form.
âSheâll be out all day,â he murmured, pulling on his hoodie. âIâd better keep an eye on her.â
---
Lumine arrived at the café to find her friends already seated at a corner table, their laughter echoing through the warm, cozy space. Amber waved enthusiastically. âLumine! Over here!â
âHey, guys,â Lumine greeted, sliding into the seat beside Ayaka. âHope I didnât keep you waiting too long.â
âNot at all,â Albedo replied with a small smile. âWe were just deciding what to order.â
Kazuha leaned back in his chair, his usual calm demeanor softening as he teased, âAmber was about to order the entire menu if you didnât show up.â
âHey!â Amber protested, earning a round of laughter from the group.
---
Outside, Scaramouche leaned against a lamppost, his hood pulled low over his face. His sharp indigo eyes followed Lumine through the café window, watching as she laughed and chatted with her friends.
âShe looks... happy,â he muttered under his breath, his tone laced with a mix of relief and frustration.
It wasnât that he didnât want her to enjoy herselfâhe did. But there was an ache in his chest as he stood there, separated from the warmth of her smile and the sound of her laughter.
When Lumine leaned closer to Kazuha to look at his phone, Scaramoucheâs jaw tightened. A flicker of jealousy ignited in his chest, though he quickly shoved the feeling aside.
---
Inside the café, the group had moved on to discussing their next plans for the day.
âThereâs a new bookstore that just opened nearby,â Ayaka suggested. âWe could check it out.â
âIâm in,â Albedo said, already intrigued by the idea.
Amber clapped her hands together. âLetâs do it! And maybe grab some bubble tea after.â
Lumine nodded enthusiastically. âThat sounds perfect.â
As they gathered their things and left the café, Scaramouche followed at a distance, his movements fluid and practiced.
---
The bookstore was quaint and charming, filled with the comforting scent of paper and ink. Lumine browsed the shelves, her fingers trailing over the spines of books as she searched for something that caught her interest.
Scaramouche slipped inside unnoticed, positioning himself behind a row of shelves where he could keep her in view.
âSheâs so at ease with them,â he thought, his gaze lingering on her.
But when Kazuha handed Lumine a book and she smiled at him in thanks, Scaramouche felt a pang of irritation. His fingers curled around the edge of the shelf, his indigo eyes narrowing.
âWhy does it bother me so much?â he muttered under his breath.
---
The day continued with stops at a nearby park and the bubble tea shop Amber had mentioned. The groupâs laughter filled the air, and Lumine couldnât remember the last time she felt so carefree.
Scaramouche stayed in the shadows, always watching, always near. As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the city, he found himself torn.
Part of him wanted to walk up to her, to be part of her world outside the confines of their apartment. But another part of him feared what might happen if he did.
âSheâs happy,â he told himself. âThatâs all that matters.â
But as he watched her say goodbye to her friends and head back home, he couldnât shake the longing in his chest.
Scaramouche followed her at a distance, his steps silent on the pavement. When she finally reached her apartment and disappeared inside, he sighed and leaned against the wall outside.
For now, watching from afar would have to be enough.