Seina and Lucia.

Seina couldn’t sleep well that night. She tossed and turned in her bed, anxious and worried despite knowing Angela was spending the night at Leonardo’s side. If something were to happen, she’d go and tell Wisler-san immediately. But the old lady had said it herself. There was nothing they could do but wait.

That morning she got up early, enough to be the first one to the shower. After getting dressed, her feet carried her to the other side of the house, where she found Angela still in her pajamas and coming out of Leonardo’s room. Despite her messy bed hair, her eyes looked awake.

“How is he doing?” Seina asked without hesitation.

“Not any worse, which I suppose is a relief…” Angela groaned. “But he was grunting all night. I’ve seen him stop and brush off an iron rod to the arm. Seeing him in pain is just…” She shuddered, leaving the sentence unfinished. The American blonde turned her eyes to Seina, firmly and confidently. “Exams start today, and though I’d prefer to stay here, I should get this over with soon. Can I ask you to watch over him today?”

Seina nodded immediately. “I was planning on asking you if you wouldn’t mind.”

Angela groaned again. “…I get why you’d think it would bother me, but… Look, I have nothing against you, it’s just… I… It’s complicated.”

Seina’s lips curled into a small, relieved smile. “Don’t worry. I understand. I think,” she chuckled.

Angela returned the smile. “I’m gonna take a shower.”

Seina watched her go into the bathroom, and after she did, she started at the door in front of her. In her mind, she saw herself reaching for the knob, opening the door and walking in like it was nothing, and yet in reality her body didn’t move. She stood there, looking at the door for a long, long moment.

“Either go in or don’t, but don’t just stand there blocking the entrance.”

Lucia’s voice woke her up. Startled, Seina turned to her. The older woman was already dressed as well, hair still damp from getting out of the shower. She stood there with arms crossed below her chest, waiting and observing her. Having Lucia there made Seina find her courage, and she opened the door to Leonardo’s room. Lucia went in with her.

He was in his futon, covered to the neck. Like Angela had said, he was grunting and shifting in bed. It was difficult to know if he was awake or not.

“Do you think he’s even conscious?” Lucia asked.

“Now that you mention it…” Would Leonardo be sleeping for the whole duration of his condition? “…Maybe it’s better if he’s asleep?”

“Maybe.”

Just standing there felt awkward, so Seina stepped forward and sat next to Leonardo’s futon, watching over him. Lucia soon did the same, sitting next to her, and an annoying thought passed through the voice actress’ head. “Please tell me you’re not seeing this as going a week without sex.”

“Give me a little credit. That’s only half of how I’m seeing it.” Lucia shrugged.

“I swear…” Seina sighed. “And the other half?”

“That it’s terrible timing. I was hoping to take him out shopping one of these days.”

“…” Lucia’s mouth hung half-opened, eyes going wide.

“Don’t give me that look. Yeah, I wanted to take him out on a date, so what?”

“…Angela is his girlfriend, you know? So is that other girl, Maeda-san.”

“Oh, so first I can’t just think of sex and now I can’t think of something more?” Lucia frowned. “You’re wasting your time trying to lecture me, girl. You know you want it as much as I do. It’s painted all over your face. At first I thought you way too naïve and inexperienced for falling so hard for a guy after your first time, but…” She clicked her tongue. “Now I can’t blame you.”

Seina’s heart skipped a beat, and after letting the light dizziness from the revelation fade, she smiled in resignation and asked, “You too, then?”

“I’d give half my fortune for another night like that with him, and that’s only so I could have enough for another one. But I don’t just mean the sex, as heavenly as that was. No, he gave me a second chance, I got my head out of my own ass and we just… clicked. I’ve never felt like such a damned fool in my life. Leonardo is a great man, and I want him.” Lucia then sighed in frustration. “You won’t hear me saying that to his conscious face, however. Not yet.”

Seina’s heart was now beating faster. Her face grew hotter and her lip quivered with the desire to ask oh so many questions. “W-When, then?”

“When the year has passed and the curse has been lifted. When I see he continues to be the man I think he is, despite it all. But most of all, when I prove that I’m a better pick than anyone in or out of this house.” A chill ran down Seina’s back, a fear that Lucia would go back to her initial schemes. But to her surprise, the older woman shot her a good-natured smirk. “That means you have until then to prove yourself a better pick than me and the others.”

“H-Haaah!?”

“Oh, come on, woman! You like the guy! Stop being afraid of it! It doesn’t matter if you think he’s sexy, or a sex machine, or kind, or funny, or hardworking or whatever. The reason doesn’t matter so long as you’re willing to act on what you want! I’ll use everything I have to make Leonardo fall madly in love with me, because if I don’t, the others are going to take him away from me, and if you don’t do the same, I’M going to take him away from YOU. Use it all, Seina. Your voice, your looks, your body, your actions, everything. Forget I exist, forget the others exist. Care only about the moments you share with him and strive to make them special. I don’t have as powerful abilities as my mother does, but I still see things well enough. Leonardo likes me, and he likes you too. He likes Angela and that Reiko girl, and even Kaede and Valerie. Who will he choose by the end of all this? I won’t leave it to chance, no sir. It’s going to be me, Seina. Are you going to do something about it?”

Seina could scarcely believe what she was hearing. It was so outlandish she would laugh if Lucia hadn’t hit the nail in the head so hard. It didn’t matter how or why she had fallen for Leonardo. People can’t control their feelings. But if she kept hesitating, then everyone else would walk over her. But there was one more thing that worried her.

“You don’t think it’ll make things worse?” she asked.

“I don’t. Not after last night, at least,” Lucia answered with a sigh and did not elaborate further. Even so, Seina had a feeling she understood to some extent.

“Alright then,” she smiled. “I’m in this game as well. I’m not gonna lag behind.”

“Good,” Lucia grinned. “And if you’re willing, I have an idea for when Leonardo wakes up. A small show that we’re serious about this… truce.”

Seina blinked, curious. “I’m listening."