"Are you sure about this?"
I asked Senne for the third time. Karuhi was standing just outside my closed bedroom door, waiting for my approval to come in. I suppose that was the least courtesy she could show after barging into my house just like that.
"I'm looking forward to it actually," Senne said, not concerned at all.
"What if she has some weird tricks up her sleeve?" I asked again.
"Fap around and find out."
"That's, like, so wrong, Senne. That's not how you say that phrase at all."
"Really?"
"Just keep quiet. Don't say anything. I'll let her come in but don't let her get close to you."
"What are you so scared of?" Senne asked, looking puzzled.
"I'm scared because I don't know what to expect."
"That's not the way to live, Bree."
I breathed in deeply and exhaled.
I turned, went to the door, and opened it to let Karuhi in.
As soon as she set foot into my room, for a very brief moment, I felt like there was a swirl of gentle breeze, with a very faint scent of something floral that felt so familiar but I couldn't exactly name it. I should have been scared, but somehow, I wasn't. Instead, I found it instantly soothing.
"You are truly beautiful," Karuhi whispered upon seeing Senne, her voice dripping with admiration.
"Wait, there's something wrong with you," Senne said, completely ignoring my instruction from just a moment ago.
"I told you not to say—"
But my words were completely ignored as Karuhi asked Senne,
"Do you see it?"
"What did you bring here?" Senne asked. She sounded deeply intrigued.
"I don't know," Karuhi responded.
"You can't see it?" Senne asked again, tilting her head.
"No, I can't. I hoped you could," the little intruder answered, shaking her head.
"What are you guys talking about?" I asked the two, feeling left out.
Without a word, Senne raised her hand, pointed at Karuhi and a thick black flame—bigger than any I'd seen her produce before—shot straight from her index finger toward her.
I gasped, felt a sudden—this time chilly—breeze swirl again, and saw Senne's flame disappear inches away from Karuhi's face as if it had been eaten by something invisible.
Senne shook her head and said to Karuhi, "You are cursed."
"It could equally be a blessing," Karuhi answered.
"It's the same thing to me," Senne responded, shrugging.
"Okay, stop it you guys."
I positioned myself between them and gave each one a glare in turn.
"Don't just ignore me like that in my own room. I want to know what's going on here."
Senne gently pulled on my sleeve to move me to behind her back, standing in front of me like a shield.
"She didn't come alone," Senne announced.
"You guys are not making any sense at all."
I was getting exasperated.
"I didn't mean to. I had no choice," Karuhi said. Her voice was apologetic—the first time since she came here.
Seeing that my frustration was growing, Senne started to explain.
"There is something following Karuhi. A bit like how I'm here with you, Bree. I can feel it but I can't see it. Karuhi can see me, but even she can't see this thing that's following her."
"What…?"
This explanation didn't make anything better. Not at all.
"It is as she says. That's why I wanted to come. I thought maybe she could see it and tell me what it is."
Karuhi let out a sigh.
"But… you feel that it's there?" I asked, my voice trembling.
"Yeah. I know it's there. Always with me. But it says nothing and I can't see it."
"And you can't see it either?" I asked Senne again, just to confirm.
"Nope."
"This is crazy," I said in disbelief.
"It's never harmed me though," Karuhi said.
"It even protected you," Senne said, observing.
"So what now?" I asked.
"There isn't much I can do for her," Senne said, shrugging her shoulders.
"I see."
Karuhi didn't seem too disappointed, as if she came here already expecting this was how things would turn out—just kind of a long shot.
"How long has it been with you?" Senne asked.
"I can't remember," Karuhi answered.
"It might be messing with your mind," Senne said.
Karuhi smiled, closed her eyes, and shook her head.
"Thank you for the invitation today. I really appreciate it," Karuhi said to me, bowing her head slightly in a sign of gratitude.
"You just barged in…"
I reminded her.
Without any further words, Karuhi turned and left the room. I noticed her steps were so light they didn't make any sound.
"Karuhi07—"
I called out her name.
"Just Karuhi is fine, Bree. I think we will meet again," Karuhi said without turning back, and left the room.
"Should I follow her…?" I asked Senne.
"Probably not a good idea for now."
She sounded like she had something on her mind.
"Tell me what you are thinking."
"It seems something that shouldn't really be in this world has appeared, and somehow got attached to this girl. But I'm not surprised it chose her."
"Why's that?"
Senne looked at me as if I was stupid.
"Why?" I asked her.
"Because she's pretty, obviously."
I tried to kick her shin, but she simply sidestepped, making me look like a fool.
"We'll see her again, Bree. I'm sure we will. But for the next time… I'd like to be a little stronger than I was today."
There was a seriousness in Senne's voice that was rather unusual for her.
But it did make sense.
"Right, show time for you again tonight then."
Senne only answered with a flicker of her flame.