“Lune,” I called out, and my chest tightened painfully. A quiet groan resounded from my sword.
I didn’t want things to end the way they did in my dream. My stomach was in knots. When I recalled the future that the darkness had shown me, I couldn’t dismiss it as merely an illusion. After all, I was only Lune’s adoptive brother. I could do nothing but watch as she turned prettier by the day.
“I can’t let her go to the academy, and especially not high society,” I whispered. But hearing my own words made me gasp. “I’ve been stained by the darkness...”
This must’ve been a result of making a contract with Nott. If I couldn’t control the darkness within me, I would end up going insane too.
I glared down at the Eclipse Blade, and it fell silent. I then gazed at the moon, its light reminding me of Lune and filling me with yearning. She had saved me when I was about to be consumed by the darkness.
“Lune,” I said. Calling her name only made my longing grow. “Lune...”
I vividly recalled when, in tears, she had asked me to stay with her.
“Lune...”
If this love was unrequited, I could accept that. If Lune wanted me by her side, then I’d always be there for her.
“Lune, I want to see you...”
We were together not so long ago, but I already wanted to see her again. I missed her. I didn’t want to be apart from her, even for a moment. I knew this went beyond mere protectiveness—I loved her. But what Lune needed right now wasn’t me, but a kind older brother.
I know that. As long as I can be the one closest to her, I don’t mind being by her side as her brother.
I tried to tell myself that.
“I’d at least like to see what she looks like when she’s asleep. That’s not weird for a brother, is it?”
After I made that excuse, I headed toward Lune’s room. Without turning on any lights, I quietly opened the door and stepped in. Ever since mother began taking treatment for her roundworm disease, Lune slept by herself in her own room.
Lune’s ears twitched and she sat up in bed. Her hearing was very sharp indeed. Since we were home, I had let down my guard and forgotten to diminish the signs of my presence.
Or maybe I wanted her to notice.
“Brother?” Lune mumbled. She looked so adorable when she was sleepy. Her drowsy eyes gazed in my direction.
“I just came to check if you’d fallen asleep. Sorry for waking you up.”
Lune smiled. “It’s okay! I’m glad I got to see you. I was worried when you passed out.”
Her words caused my heart to tighten, and a warm sensation spread from my chest all the way down to my fingertips.
“Can you come over here?” she asked innocently, patting her bed.
I walked over to her and sat on the edge of the bed. Lune crawled out from beneath her covers and sat in my lap. She nestled against me, her fluffy, warm tail wrapping around my waist. I gently petted her as always, and she let out a pleased sigh.
“Ahhh... Feels good,” she said with a satisfied smile, filling my heart with joy. I was the only one who could put that look on her face, and that made me happy.
“Lune, I’d like to ask a favor,” I said.
Lune’s fox ears twitched and she looked up at me. It was a habit of hers whenever she was concentrating hard to make sure she didn’t miss anything.
All her focus was on me right now.
“Let’s keep my contract with the Lord of Darkness our secret, okay?”
Her tail wagged.
“A secret just between us?” she echoed, gazing at me with those big purple eyes.
Even though my eyes were purple too, hers didn’t look like the color of darkness. They were more like a hopeful sky awaiting the dawn.
“Yes. The royals sealed that cave for a reason, and they might blame me if they find out I removed it. We can’t let any harm come to our family or the domain,” I explained.
Lune looked pensive. “You’re right. Let’s keep it a secret, no matter what!” she said, holding out her pinkie finger.
I tilted my head at her gesture.
“Lady Kuzunoha taught me this good luck charm for promises. We hold our pinkie fingers together and say ‘pinkie swear!’”
I entwined my pinkie with hers.
“And if you break the promise, you’ll be hit ten thousand times!”
“All right.”
“It’s a secret promise between us, okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Then let’s say it together! One, two, three—”
“Pinkie swear,” we said in unison.
The secret that had weighed on me was turned into a happy promise between me and Lune. She was grinning.
“You look happy,” I said.
“Yep! I feel like I’m special to you now. You have a secret that nobody except for me knows about. I definitely won’t tell anyone!” she assured me, wagging her tail.
Her honest joy gave me peace of mind. Now that I had shared my burden with her, my heart felt lighter. I patted her head, then pressed my cheek to her fox ears. A sweet fragrance drifted into my nose, calming me. Lune was giggling.
As usual, when we were separating I kissed her fox ears.
“Now, it’s time for sleep,” I said, and she obediently climbed back into bed.
“Good night, dear brother.”
“Good night, Lune.”
I kissed her forehead. I’d never done that before. She covered her forehead with her hands in surprise, then smiled.