Chapter 207: Searching for clues
"Date~ a date with Nikolai~ today is a good day." A lovely and melodic voice spread from Selene's beautiful lips as she energetically pranced along the road, almost skipping.
After discussing their future goals and methods for a while, a member of the Fenrir clan called Nikita because of an issue with their territory and clubs. She took Risa and vanished after kissing Nikolai.
However, because of that... he ended up leaving with Selene in her current, bizarre state.
"Where are we going, Nikolai?"
'They switch so fast!' Nikolai screamed in his mind.
He turned to face Selene, his lips curling into a bitter smile, amused by how she skipped and grabbed his arm while looking at him with narrowed eyes and a sharp stare.
"Didn't you say we should go meet Madame Zara, and see if she could help?"
Selene's eyes opened, her crimson and azure eyes glistening as if impressed—the strange atmosphere around her threw Nikolai off because she suddenly hugged his arm, stepping on her tiptoes before she kissed his cheek.
"Ehe~ Kai is a good boy, and you remembered my words."
"S-Stop using my body like that..."
"Heeeeh~ we both know your heart fluttered and you felt good kissing his cheek, silly girl."
'This is both amusing, yet confusing.'
Nikolai's eyes closed, their pace increasing because Selene wanted to walk. Their journey would take at least half an hour at this speed. However, he didn't mind the warmth in his palm and the soft weight leaning against his shoulder.
"Don't argue, let's just enjoy the date, understood?"
"Nikolai, but what if something happens..."
"I won't fight as long as you kiss me on the cheek~ ehe."
Selene's voice was like that of an ice princess, yet she was filled with concern for him.
Lunaria spoke without barriers—whatever she wanted to say or felt inside. The moment her lips opened, she would share it.
The evening atmosphere of S-City felt different after Nikolai became supernatural.
He lifted his gaze, feeling Selene's delicate fingers tighten around his hand. Above, shimmering stars entered his sight.
"..."
A feeling of calm spread through his body, the stars shimmering above, able to see through the smog and smoke from pollution with his black eyes, changing the night view completely. A low rhythmic beat echoed from a nearby club, voices arguing, distant laughter and the gentle humming from Selene's lips mixed as they walked through the dark of night together.
"Nikolai... are you upset with me?" Selene's voice sounded odd, a little softer and more expressive than before.
Her eyes peeked at his profile, fluttered her lashes, and the corner of her lips lowered slightly into a concerned expression.
"Why would I be upset with you?"
Tap, Tap, Tap.
The echoes of their feet tapping the ground echoed with a slight reverberation, and voices faded as darkness swallowed the streets without lamps and only the stars to guide them.
"Because..."
Silence followed.
Their hands grew warmer as Selene tightened her grip, stroking his palm with her smooth nails—his eyes flicked to the side, watching Selene's face, who lowered her gaze and opened and closed her lips as if swallowing the words she wished to say.
He couldn't help but give her a push, hoping that annoying her might make her relax.
"It's rare, for you to have nothing to say. Or being unable to speak your mind."
"Mm..."
Selene's gaze met his, her lips curling into a bitter smile. Then she chuckled slightly, "You're right. These kinds of things usually meant nothing to me. But..."
"...because it concerns you, it's very important, and I don't want to say the wrong thing." Her voice was quiet and smooth, like a whisper.
However, Nikolai wasn't the protagonist of a harem anime, and he didn't have the dense trait when it came to these things.
"That makes me very happy. Am I that important to you, Selene?"
"Of course!" Her snappy response echoed through the dark street, a spooked cat jumping off a nearby wall with a hiss.
Nikolai noticed her eyes glowed with a vivid light when she spoke, something he picked up on while walking with her. If Luna felt strong, her blue eye would sparkle or glow, and Selene's red one would shine.
'So both sisters feel this way... how interesting.'
"I honestly wouldn't blame you for hating me or disliking me, at least."
He thought back to the memories from the past, although he remembered most things now... because of the ritual. Not only did Selene lose her sister, but because of the situation, it seemed like she was forced to take her place.
'Selene knew the truth from the start... is that why she was so hateful towards me, or when I only remembered part of the truth... and said she was the one I liked most... did that hurt her feelings knowing it wasn't her?'
'I no longer remember the feelings I held back then... rather, it feels that I lost most emotions after that night. Is that because of the ritual, but I only find all of them precious, and in my memories, those lost emotions only returned after meeting Mari in high school...'
Selene extended her hands, grasping both cheeks of Nikolai, who was lost in his thoughts while trying to adjust and organise the facts...
"I honestly hated you at first. A man who picked my sister flirted with Nikita for a decade, then suddenly appeared and acted innocent. Without effort, you stole my heart and refused to let me go..." Her eyes narrowed, a small yet sinister smirk on her lips.
"But... that dislike, the bitter feels kept fading the more I spoke with you." Selene's eyes loosened, lifting her brows slightly as she looked up at Nikolai's face. "Now, we feel the same, and even if you tried to push us away, it would be impossible." A giggle slipped past her lips.
"So..." A wide grin formed, the tone of her voice growing warm and excited, "Stop worrying about every little detail and focus on yourself! What happens between me and Luna... we promise it won't end how you fear."
"Are you..." Before Nikolai could voice his third word, a finger was pressed against his lips.
His eyelids drooped as he watched the smug look in her eyes before her hand dropped. She took a step forward before spinning, her blonde hair dancing behind her, the tips brushing her thighs before turning red.
"You think too much sometimes, Kai."
Selene grinned, stretching her arms over her head. "Honestly, you shouldn't worry too much about this kinda stuff."
Nikolai shook his head; Selene wasn't wrong, but she didn't understand his situation. He didn't believe anyone could so easily...
Selene stepped closer, reaching out and grasping his hand, tugging him along as they walked. "So be a good dog and follow your mistress."
Though he noticed Selene seemed to enjoy their act in the bedroom the night before, he snorted, refusing to be her dog and lifted her over his shoulder. "No way."
She yelped in surprise, a soft moan escaping from her lips as he patted her thigh.
"L-Let me down... Kyaa!" Nikolai ran along the road, the lights flashing by as he controlled the flow of air to allow them to dash through the streets quickly.
The pair dashed through the city at inhumane speeds, jumping from roof to roof before arriving close to the old Arena, with Selene's face entirely flushed after being thrown around playfully.
When he arrived at the bridge, he noticed her messy hair, yet both eyes glowed with a deep red blush. "Ehe~ that was so fun Kai!"
"Haa... I feel like my brains are bruised, Nikolai... that was too fast!"
Her chest rose and fell, taking deep breaths. The delicate fingers gripped Nikolai's shirt, trying to pull herself into an upright position.
Yet her legs trembled as she leaned forward, laying her forehead against his chest. Her hands trembled as they slipped down to his sides before squeezing the area below the ribs.
"But... It was really fun, fufu..."
"I see... that's good. I am glad you both enjoyed it."
Though Luna's emotions always seemed upfront and intense, Selene's smile and reactions were difficult to see. Yet as she leaned against his chest, her mouth curved into a huge smile, her teeth and mouth wide open. She chuckled, holding his shirt tight.
Nikolai remained silent, stroking her back and smoothing out the stray strands of red hair.
'Maybe I should stop overthinking everything...' Though that thought crossed his mind, Nikolai also knew that stopping would go against his very nature.
"Luna..." He heard her mumble.
Then she nodded as if replying to herself... "Selene~ I understand, it's a truce."
.
.
.
The trio arrived at the Nexus gate. While only two people stood, Nikolai accepted the strange situation. Now, as her hand swayed, holding his, his body became calm as if a weight fell off his shoulders.
When they passed through the door, a surge of energy pulsed through Nikolai's body, making his muscles tense.
"Are you looking forward to meeting Zara again?" Selene's whisper echoed, distorted inside the blue portal as the cool breeze and ocean scent flowed into his nose.
He felt the silky sensation of her lips against the outer rim of his ear. Her warm breath caressed the fine hairs, causing goosebumps to trail across the side of his neck.
He realised after everything happened Selene became more of a seductive witch...
Though he couldn't deny his desire to meet Madame Zara, learning about spirit engineering and other alchemic skills would bring his Mother's revival ever closer.
As they appeared in the familiar market, a small tingle of excitement grew in his chest. The sand beneath their feet, a mixed scent of fresh sizzling kebabs 1and sweet flowers made into perfume, and the beautiful Djinn architecture enthralled him.
"I am, but it's even better because you are here... it's our second date on this planet, after all."
"Ah... that right, you remembered~ I am happy."
What made her words even more powerful was the glowing red eye that followed...
Selene was happy.
I felt kebabs were a stronger image in my mind than "Street foods" or "Stall food." Sorry if it's not the correct type of food but hope the image is enough.