Admittedly, that adorably helpless look in Favna’s eyes was dangerously tempting—stirring a mischievous urge to tease in anyone who saw it.

Alte, who’d planned to observe a little longer, finally spoke up to his sister.

“Sis, can’t you see Favna’s already flustered? Pushing her further would be pretty rude.”

At his words, Philo froze. In her excitement, she’d leaned way too close—nearly nose-to-nose with her would-be sister-in-law.

Flustered, she took two awkward steps back. “Sorry! I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“I know…” Favna murmured softly.

As someone socially anxious, she could still tell well-meaning closeness from malice. She wasn’t truly afraid—just shy from the sudden proximity.

“My sis is just like this,” Alte said, walking over and gently tapping Philo’s head. “Treat her like a noisy oddball.”

“Hey!” Philo pouted. “Do you *have* to trash-talk your own sister, bro?”

“But it’s true.”

Thanks to Alte’s mediation, Favna’s tension eased. A mediator really made all the difference—left alone with Philo, she might’ve short-circuited on the spot.

“Alright~” Philo, conceding she’d overstepped, switched topics. “Sis Favna, your skin’s so smooth! What’s your secret?”

“I… don’t know.”

*Skincare?* For a reclusive Dragonkin who barely combed her own hair, what even was that?

“Is it natural? You’ve got dragon horns too… Are you a Dragonkin like me?”

“Ah, yes! Yes!” Favna nodded eagerly. On her identity, she’d never hesitate.

“Hmph~” Philo shot Alte a meaningful glance and whispered, “Bro… you *sure* she’s not your girlfriend?”

“No.” Alte’s tone left zero room for doubt. He might not care, but Favna would dread the rumor.

“Not? But you’re *living together*!”

“Complicated. Just think of me as someone Favna’s kindly sheltering.”

“That’s right!” Favna chimed in.

Philo blinked. “So… is this a *fateful encounter*?”

“We’re *just* ordinary friends,” Alte said, weary. *She still thinks we’re embarrassed.*

Favna shrank behind his back, silently handing full explanation duty to him.

After all the back-and-forth, Philo finally relented—but not without adding, “Bro, why not find a girlfriend already? Still the ‘plain looks’ thing?”

To outsiders, Alte blended into crowds instantly. But Philo knew: tidy his hair, and he’d look sharp.

“How ‘bout I fix your hair now? Show Sis Favna your handsome side!”

Alte sighed. *Matchmaking again.* “Sis, joke with me all you want—but don’t drag Favna in. Can’t you see she’s too flustered to look at you?”

He gestured behind him. Steam practically wisped from the reclusive Dragonkin’s head.

“Fine~” Philo shrugged. “Dating or not, you *are* sharing a room. If you’ve got zero interest in Sis Favna… maybe keep some distance?”

Alte understood. Though not his girlfriend, outsiders seeing her in his room could hurt her reputation. That’s why he’d been gently guiding her out of her shell—to eventually move her into the Dragon Knights’ dorm. (Mixed-gender, same building, separate floors. If it were all male? He’d rent her a place instantly.)

“Alright, I’ll stop interrupting your sweet moments! Bye~”

The cheerful red-haired girl skipped out, leaving two exhausted souls slumped on the sofa.

“I’m really sorry. My sis… never listens.”

“N-No problem… nothing was really lost…” Favna whispered. She hadn’t taken Philo’s words to heart anyway.

“But she’s right,” Alte turned to her gently. “A man and woman alone in one room… Maybe *I* should move out.”

*If she can’t face strangers… then I’ll go.*

“No, please don’t.”

As he rose, Favna lightly tugged his sleeve, voice trembling. “I won’t look for a boyfriend anyway. As long as *we* know it’s pure between us… that’s enough.”

“But…” The words stuck. Truth was, he didn’t want her to leave either.

“So… as long as we both know the truth?” he asked softly.

“Mm.” She nodded.

*Honestly…* Living alone had grown dull. Having a friend nearby to game with? Not such a bad thing after all.