The humid steam filled the cramped room, carrying a faint, unknown fragrance. Grace closed her eyes, inhaling deeply—it was barely there. When she opened them, a hazy silhouette flickered on the folding screen ahead, blurred by rising mist.

Mushiyu soaked in the wooden tub, the near-scalding water easing muscles strained from two days of travel. She didn’t want to move. Not even an inch. Sleep tugged at her eyelids, heavy and sweet.

"Mushiyu… are you asleep?" Grace asked tentatively after the shadow stayed still too long.

"No," came the reply, voice soft and drowsy as a kitten’s purr.

Grace hummed softly. After a pause, she whispered, "Mushiyu… can I call you ‘Yuer’?"

"Mm…" Mushiyu’s half-lidded eyes drifted toward the ceiling, unfocused.

"Then… Yuer. There’s something I need to tell you."

"Mm…"

"When I was little, I discovered a strange energy inside me. Pure. Powerful. Destructive. My master made me hide it, teaching me to use ‘qi’ instead. On my coming-of-age day, he revealed my true origins—and why I had to conceal that power."

Grace’s fists tightened on her knees, trembling slightly. "It’s dark-element magic. Commonly called ‘Dark Aura.’ I was born with it because… a Demonkind spirit lives inside me. A remnant from the last invasion."

She stared at the screen, as if seeing through it—the beautiful body submerged in water, those even more beautiful amber eyes. Through their innocent clarity, she glimpsed the pure soul within.

"My master said I could hide this forever. Live as human on the Heavenly Wonder Continent. Or…" Her voice dropped. "I could tell someone I truly trusted."

"So I told you." Grace’s knuckles whitened. "Can you… accept this me?"

Silence stretched.

Grace’s heart sank into icy depths. Her stiffened body locked in place, eyes fixed on the motionless shadow behind the screen.

"Yuer… are you afraid? Afraid of *me*?" Her voice cracked.

No answer.

Her soul felt weightless. *She’ll leave. Run from this truth.*

*No.* The thought clawed at her throat. *I finally brought her out. Finally have her to myself. I can’t lose her already.*

Grace shot up, stumbling around the screen. She’d grab this trembling girl—chain her like Melissara would if she had to—anything to keep her close—

Then she froze.

A smile broke through, trembling at first, then blooming into relief.

Yuer… was asleep.

Leaning against the tub’s edge, her long dark hair spilled over the rim. Face tilted upward, breath even, cheeks flushed pink from the steam. Utterly sweet. Edible.

"Wake up, Yuer."

A voice brushed her ear in the haze. *Yuer?* Only one person called her that… *Who—*

Mushiyu jolted awake. Steam swirled under dim lamplight, dreamlike. Water rippled as she shifted, warmth caressing her skin.

"Up you go. Your face is flushed—you’ll faint if you soak longer." Gentle hands helped her rise, water cascading.

Mushiyu turned.

A bare body emerged from the mist like a lotus from water, glowing softly. Legs led upward to breathtaking curves.

Mushiyu ducked her head, heart hammering. *I fell asleep during our shared bath… and woke to this.*

Something warm dripped from her nose. Down her neck. Into the water. A crimson bloom.

*Oh. A nosebleed.*

*Too long in the bath. My body’s gone soft as cotton.*

"Wake up, Yuer."

She turned. Grace’s face hovered close, tender smile playing on her lips.

Mushiyu sat up in bed, stretching with a yawn. Dawn light seeped through the window.

*When did I even get into bed last night?*

Grace set breakfast on the table, glancing at Mushiyu’s furrowed brow. *She’s trying to remember… and failing.* A flicker of amusement crossed Grace’s face.

Dressed in the simple black-and-white dress Ata bought her yesterday, Mushiyu twirled. "How do I look, Grace?"

Grace paused her chores, gaze steady. "Beautiful."

"Eh? It’s… just okay…" Mushiyu flushed under that earnest stare.

After breakfast and packing, they met Ata and Bak downstairs.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Grace said.

"No trouble—we just arrived!" Ata beamed, then spotted Mushiyu. She darted forward, circling her. "My taste never fails! You look like a little princess, Mushiyu!"

Mushiyu gave a flustered laugh, unsure how to respond.

Ata grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the airship terminal. "Come on! Bak, Grace—hurry!"

Mushiyu stiffened at the contact. *We just met yesterday…* But then she remembered her borrowed fifteen-year-old body. *Older sisters hold hands. It’s fine.* She relaxed, letting herself be led.