Outside the bathroom door, shed clothes lay piled; inside, steam wrapped the room, and the girl’s body wavered like a figure behind mist.

She stood under the showerhead and let the water fall, silver threads rinsing skin; a day’s fatigue melted away like frost at dawn.

Yun Shi opened her eyes, a little lost; even under the warm stream, that fog in her chest wouldn’t wash away.

She thought of the girl from tonight—the one she saved without meaning to; strangers passing like clouds, yet that face was carved in her mind.

Who is she...

Her jade-like hand braced against cold tile; water traced her curves and dripped to the floor like beads falling from a strand.

Why was she drawn to a stranger she’d never met? The feeling clung like burrs on a sleeve she couldn’t shake off.

You’re overthinking...

Yun Shi sighed, breath thinning like steam fading in air.

She wasn’t who she used to be; even if she wanted to befriend that girl, the gates of fate felt closed and bolted.

She’d tasted loss, and if she could, she’d refuse that cup again; the ripping pain was like wet paper torn by rough hands.

Only after losing do you see how bright the ordinary was, a warm lamp you mistook for daylight until it went dark.

She avoided new bonds because she feared the snap, a taut string cut and singing with hurt.

She used to have friends; those were her brightest days, like summer noon. Then coming into this world, she had already lost everything.

The ones who shared her burdens and brought her joy vanished like smoke; she chose solitude, a quiet island with no bridge to her shore.

She hid her true thoughts like a locked lake, afraid anyone might glimpse the different face of her beneath the surface.

But under her brother in name, Yuuya, and the servant Mia Eil, she laid herself bare; slowly, she couldn’t ignore them and called them most precious.

Then Mia Eil died, and her thread to Yuuya was cut; Yun Shi fell back into that hollow, the old emptiness returning like winter wind.

Now, to feel again would only mean to lose again—pain doubled like salt ground into a wound.

No matter what, she would keep her distance, a fence around a quiet field.

If staying with me means leaving in the end, I’d rather no one come close.

Her gaze held both severity and loneliness, winter light and cold water, two shades braided together.

She shut off the shower and towel-dried her hair; droplets slid down like scattered pearls, and she stepped out wrapped in a bath towel.

She wanted to sink into her soft bed; but first she’d blow-dry her hair—and drink a bottle of milk before sleep, a small ritual like a night lantern.

Mm, done washing?

Yun Shi stepped into the living room to grab the dryer; a voice floated from the sofa where Sham watched TV, and she almost answered on reflex.

Wait, no! Why are you here!

Huh, so you really are a girl...

Sham’s gaze went wolfish, tracking Yun Shi in just a towel; bare skin and tempting curves snagged her attention like hooks.

Don’t look! You pervy freak!

Yun Shi clutched her chest and yanked the towel tight, shame and anger flaring like blush and flame. Even women stared at her body—she was a man, but this body was a woman’s.

Anyway, why are you in my place? Didn’t I tell you to get lost!

Well, your door wasn’t locked. So I came in~

Breaking and entering! I could call the cops!

Don’t worry. The police won’t touch me. I’ve got connections over there; they don’t dare.

Are you some spoiled official’s kid?!

How rude. I’m just telling the truth.

You’re the rude one. This is my home. Get out!

No~ Miss, you’d make me sleep on the street? I just flew in from overseas; I don’t know the city. Please take me in~

Sham turned soft like a kitten begging; hard to refuse, even for stone hearts. For a heartbeat, Yun Shi almost agreed, then tossed the thought like a hot coal.

Cut the act. You’re a Witch from the Magic Institution; why would you need shelter?

She wasn’t stupid; from Sham’s outfit, she had guessed she was Magic Institution.

Once, that Institution was her enemy; after leaving the Clan Head, the old hate thinned like smoke after rain.

Tch, busted.

Sham clicked her tongue, then drew out her treasured Magical Stone; in her palm, it glowed like a trapped firefly.

Artifact Spirit...

Sham stared at the stone, falling into thought beneath Yun Shi’s puzzled eyes, a quiet stillness like night pond water.

After Yun Shi’s fight, she’d seen it light; that meant the girl might be the master the Artifact Spirit was seeking.

It sounded improbable, but after seeing Yun Shi fight, Sham believed; the First Vessel Soul would choose a master with thunder in her hands.

Yun Shi had shown her strength like a blade in moonlight; her becoming that master wasn’t strange—only sudden.

Helpless, Sham had broken in, like a gust forcing a window latch.

You’re the Artifact Spirit’s master. I have no doubt.

What?

Trust me. You’re the one I’ve been looking for. Sign a contract with me.

Sign a contract? Me? With you?

Yes. Sign with me, and you’ll become the finest Witch in history, a name carved like gold on a pillar.

Sham sounded smug as a cat with cream; if this worked, she’d stride back to the Magic Institution and leap up as an elite Witch agent.

I refuse.

Yun Shi denied it without a flicker, her voice flat as cold iron.

Eh? Why?!

Isn’t it obvious? I’m not with the Magic Institution.

But you could choose to join!

Shut up! I belonged to the Clan Head, enemy to your Magic Institution. Have you ever seen an enemy throw themselves into your arms?

Sham finally closed her mouth, the truth dropping like a stone. Right—if she used secret arts, she wasn’t one of them.

Why had she clung to a sliver of luck and asked her to be a Witch? Turning an enemy into a comrade—what could be more laughable?

I’ve long left the Underworld. Whatever happens to you, I won’t care. So... go.

I...

I know—I’m just running. But I truly won’t return to the Underworld.

Hey, your...

A year ago, I stopped belonging to the Clan Head; now, I won’t belong to anyone.

No, I was trying to say—Miss, your towel...

Only then did Yun Shi feel a cool draft like night air on skin.

She looked down; the towel had fallen sometime, and her young body was bared to the room, to Sham’s eyes, with nothing to hide.

Aaaaaaaah!

Yun Shi flushed bright as a ripe cherry, snatched up the towel, threw it on, and glared at Sham, shame blazing like a small fire.

Don’t look, you pervert!

Huh? We’re both girls; you think I’d take advantage?

Shut up! None of your business!

Yun Shi hauled the towel tight and stormed into her room to change, leaving Sham still savoring the view like a connoisseur.

Well, I’ll intrude tonight~

Sham settled in without permission; Yun Shi didn’t have the mind to fight it—she was busy... changing, fabric whispering like leaves.

Sham looked at the Magical Stone, a little rueful; getting Yun Shi to sign a contract seemed nearly hopeless, a door that wouldn’t budge.

She tucked the stone away and lay on the sofa, hands behind her head; she stared at the ceiling like a pale sky, then let her eyes drift shut.

Good night.

The rest could wait for dawn.