Chapter 91: Chapter 87: Chaos Unleashed

The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting golden hues across the riverbank. Most of the group had returned to their tents to relax, but Lumine, Aether, and Scaramouche remained by the water. The calm didn’t last long.

Scaramouche, having finally dried off and regained his signature smug expression, leaned casually against a tree with his arms crossed. Aether sat close to Lumine, purposely placing himself as a barrier between her and Scaramouche.

“So,” Scaramouche started, his tone dripping with amusement as he smirked at Aether. “How does it feel knowing you can’t keep me away from your sister no matter how hard you try?”

Aether’s eye twitched. “You wanna repeat that, cat boy?”

Scaramouche pushed away from the tree, walking closer to Lumine. His sharp violet eyes glinted with mischief as he ignored Aether entirely and focused on her. “Lumine, darling, are you really going to let your brother babysit you forever?”

Lumine’s face immediately turned a light shade of pink as she raised a hand to stop whatever nonsense was about to come out of Scaramouche’s mouth next. “Scaramouche, don’t—”

But he was already leaning slightly closer, his usual sly grin firmly in place. “I mean, you’re smart, independent, and let’s not forget, absolutely breathtaking—”

Aether lunged forward, grabbing Lumine’s wrist and pulling her slightly behind him. “Alright, that’s enough!” His voice was sharp, his golden eyes narrowed at Scaramouche. “Back off.”

Scaramouche chuckled lowly, stepping back with his hands raised in mock surrender. “Relax, big brother. I’m just speaking the truth.”

Lumine sighed heavily, rubbing her temples. “You two are exhausting.”

“I’m exhausting?!” Aether exclaimed, spinning around to face her. “You’re seriously just letting him—him—say stuff like that?!”

Scaramouche took this opportunity to step closer again, resting his chin on his hand as he stared at Lumine with an exaggerated dreamy expression. “She doesn’t seem to mind, Aether.”

“Aether, please,” Lumine said firmly, placing a hand on her brother’s shoulder. “Don’t start another fight. Please.”

Aether huffed, crossing his arms. “Fine. But you—” He jabbed a finger at Scaramouche. “Stay at least three feet away from my sister at all times.”

Scaramouche smirked, taking an exaggerated step back. “Three feet, got it. But you know, Aether, you’re acting awfully clingy. Jealous, perhaps?”

Aether’s face went red with frustration, and Lumine quickly stepped between them before things escalated. “Enough, both of you! You’re like children!”

Scaramouche grinned, clearly enjoying himself, while Aether fumed silently.

Just when Lumine thought she had calmed the situation down, chaos struck again.

Venti came sprinting towards them from the forest, waving his arms wildly. “GUYS! GUYS! There’s a giant spider in my tent!”

Amber and Ayaka weren’t far behind him, both looking terrified.

“Venti, calm down!” Amber said, trying to hold back a laugh. “It was just a regular spider!”

“No!” Venti dramatically collapsed to his knees. “It was the size of my HAND!”

Scaramouche rolled his eyes. “You’re pathetic.”

Aether, still glaring at Scaramouche, muttered under his breath, “At least the spider wasn’t flirting with my sister.”

Lumine groaned loudly. “Can we please have one peaceful moment? Just one?”

Before anyone could answer, Kazuha and Albedo approached from the other side of the riverbank.

“Is there a reason everyone is yelling?” Albedo asked, his expression as calm as ever.

“Kazuha, please tell them they’re being ridiculous,” Lumine pleaded.

Kazuha chuckled softly. “I think we’ve long passed the point of reason.”

Before anyone could respond, Scaramouche suddenly grabbed Lumine’s hand, pulling her slightly closer to him. “Well, since we’re all here, why don’t we enjoy the sunset together, hmm?”

Lumine froze, her cheeks flushing as Scaramouche leaned slightly closer, his smirk ever-present.

Aether, however, was not having it. “LET. GO. OF. HER. HAND.”

Scaramouche smirked wider but released her hand slowly, stepping back with mock innocence. “Alright, alright, don’t get your hair in a twist, Blondie.”

Lumine let out an exasperated sigh. “You two are impossible.”

Amber, meanwhile, nudged Ayaka and whispered, “Honestly, I’m starting to think this entire trip is just an elaborate sitcom.”

Venti, now recovered from his spider encounter, flopped dramatically onto the grass. “Can someone wake me up when everyone stops being chaotic? Actually, no—this is entertaining. Carry on.”

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting shades of pink and orange across the sky, Lumine sat down on a nearby rock, rubbing her temples.

Scaramouche sat a few feet away from her, a satisfied smirk still on his face, while Aether sat right next to her, his arms crossed protectively.

The chaotic day faded into a somewhat peaceful sunset, but one thing was clear: with Scaramouche, Aether, and their clashing personalities, peace was never truly guaranteed.