Path of the Unmentioned: The Missing Piece-Chapter 259: Where the Threads End [2]

"—you mean—? "

"I… can't… no— yet."

Kyle stirred open his eyes from the faint, broken voice that reached his ears. His vision swam for a moment, and the world felt distant as if wrapped in a soft fog.

Then slowly, shapes took form. The first thing Kyle saw was the outline of the beautiful face with pink hair cascading down her shoulders.

'Sera... phina!'

The name brushed against his thoughts. She seemed to be speaking with someone in a low and careful tone.

'What was she doing in my room?'

'And who is she talking to?'

Seraphina noticed the slight twitch of his muscles, as her pink eyes flickered down to meet his blue ones, and a light blush crept on her cheeks.

"Ah—sorry. Did I wake you up?"

Kyle blinked; his vision was still hazy for some reason.

He pressed his hand on his temple, trying to remember what had happened—

"Don't move,"

Seraphina said softly, pressing her glowing green hand on his forehead.

"I cast a relaxation spell earlier. It might be because of that you're feeling lethargic, but it should help you recover mana faster. Your vision will return in few moments."

Her voice had a faint nervousness behind it.

He wanted to ask why she was in his room. The memories suddenly hit him all at once: how he had collapsed from mana exhaustion when he was trying to untangle the skein, the task that his master gave him, how the warmth of the [Rejuvenation] spell seeped into his body....

—and her lap beneath his head.

Realization struck him, and with it came the quiet embarrassment.

He had fallen asleep... no, he passed out on her lap.

'Wonderful.'

His cheeks heated up slightly from the embarrassment. He hated letting anyone see his vulnerable, exposed side.

Even to Aurelia, he rarely let that side of himself slip. It wasn't pride, more like a habit, something ingrained deep within him from his past life as Ethan.

Ethan, who was an orphan, had learned at a young age that showing weakness was the same as offering your back to those who are waiting to stab you in the back.

'Oh god, please kill me.'

He tried to sit up. Seraphina helped him without a word, pressing her hand on the back of his head.

"Sorry." He muttered, even though he wasn't sure why he was apologizing.

Seraphina shook her head, slightly flustered. "You don't have to be."

Her smile wavered just for a moment before looking away.

"..."

"..."

"You... when you were sleeping, you didn't hear anything, right?'

"You mean the call? No. I didn't really catch what you were saying."

She exhaled in relief. "Good."

Kyle didn't press for what it was about; women have their own conversations that they don't want boys to overhear, after all.

He closed his eyes for a brief second and slowly opened them again. The haze that had been covering his vision was slowly clearing now.

As he looked around, he was sitting on the cream-colored couch in the unfamiliar living room, his legs covered in a soft blanket.

The air smelled faintly of strawberry and sweet flowers.

Noticing his confused expression, Seraphina said, "Ah, right, you're in my apartment."

"...You brought me here?"

"Mhm, I mean, I couldn't leave you in the training hall."

"... I get that. But how did you even carry me?"

Her brows furrowed slightly, confused by his question. "What do you mean? I'm pretty strong, you know."

She puffed her cheeks as she flexed her slender bicep, her lips curling into a cheeky grin.

Kyle couldn't help but chuckle under his breath.

"Right..."

Sometimes he really forgets that this is not Earth and norms here are different. Even a small awakened girl with decent mana control can crush a rock with her bare hand.

The strength and grace coexisted in a way that defied logic.

But still the question lingered in his mind.

'....How exactly did she carry me?'

His imagination betrayed him, and a ridiculous vision of Seraphina holding him in bridal style, his arms wrapped around her neck like some helpless maiden.

"I'll save you, my princess." He imagined Seraphina saying this in dramatic flair.

"Yes, my prince."

The vision made him shiver.

'Oh, for the fuck's sake.'

"Nyahahahah.. cough—cough"

He heard the laughing sound followed by a choking sound directly in his head.

It was Zalrielle who seemed to be enjoying herself, hearing Kyle's thoughts.

'So, she was awake the whole time.'

She was really enjoying this.

Kyle silently cursed her and promised not to give her any cakes for at least a week.

"..... You are joking, right?"

"Wait, Kyle, I apologize, I'll be a good spirit just don't do this to me... HEY KYLEEEE...YOU BASTARD.."

She tried to protest after hearing his thought, but Kyle just ignored her.

He quickly shook his head, trying to erase that imagination from his memory.

Seraphina blinked, noticing his expression. "What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing.... just clearing my head."

Her gaze lingered on him for a second before she shrugged it off.

"How long have I been passed out?" Kyle asked.

"Not long, maybe three or four hours."

Kyle widened a little. "I slept that much."

"It's not enough, you should rest a little more before continuing the task the Vice Principal gave you."

Kyle nodded. "I will. By the way I have been meaning to ask, why didn't you just drop me at my apartment?"

"...Right, why didn't I—"

Pink bloomed on her cheeks again. She hesitated a little, brushing a pink strand of hair behind her ear.

"I... didn't really think of that."

A quiet voice escaped her lips, almost inaudible.

But Kyle caught what she was saying without any problem due to his superhuman hearing.

"Pfft—"

Kyle pressed his hand on his lips, trying his best to suppress his laughter.

"Hahahaha.."

"Hey..."

She said in a high-pitched tone, slightly flustered.

"Hah—sorry. It's just... kind of funny."

He said, between stifled laughter that covered his mouth.

"It's just... you being clumsy for once. Didn't think I'd ever see that."

Seraphina's expression softened as she watched him laugh.

'As long as he's smiling.'

A gentle smile tugged at her lips.

After a pause, she got up from her seat.

"You want something to drink? Maybe eat?"

Kyle thought for a second before saying.

"A hot chocolate sounds good. And make sure to—"

"—make it extra sweet, right?"

She completed his sentence.

"You know me well."

"Hehe. Of course, I do."

She chuckled and moved towards the kitchen area. The sound of mugs and boiling water filled the silence.

Kyle watched her as she moved with a practiced motion, and after a few minutes, a faint scent of cocoa filled the room.

Seraphina returned after a while with two mugs in her hand, steam curling from them.

She handed one to Kyle, saying. " Here. Careful, it's hot."

"Appreciate it."

He accepted with a nod.

She took a seat beside him. Kyle lightly blew on the hot chocolate and took a small sip.

The warmth and sweetness of hot chocolate filled his mouth.

"Strawberry?"

He murmured the word unconsciously.

Seraphina froze mid-sip, a flicker of surprise running through her eyes.

He licked his lips as he took a sip again.

"Did you by any chance mix strawberry in this?"

"W-what are you talking about?" She took a sip of her own drink. "It's a hot chocolate. You're imagining things."

"But—"

He wanted to argue, but let it go. Maybe it was chocolate powder with a slight strawberry flavor.

Meanwhile, Seraphina sat quietly, her cheek stained with red as she hid her face behind the mug and took slow sips of her drink.

"Hot chocolate is the best."

Kyle said, savoring the flavor of his drink with each sip.

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