Melina's Visit (2)
Melina froze as if her breath had been cut off. The magic tome in her hand was now fully exposed before his eyes.
"Uh… wh-what is this…!"
Melina fumbled for an excuse, hesitating, but it was already too late. Arnold approached her with a puzzled look on his face. Under his intense gaze, she wanted to turn away, but she instinctively knew she couldn't escape the situation right in front of her.
"Melina, why do you have my magic tome?"
No matter how oblivious Arnold might be, her awkward expression and flushed cheeks were suspicious to anyone who saw them. Melina cleared her throat, as if trying to wriggle out of it, her lips twitching.
"W-well, you see! I was just… um…!"
She racked her brain desperately for a plausible excuse. But the moment she met his sharp eyes, her mind went blank, turning white as a sheet.
"Arnold, this is just! I got curious since it was the book you were reading, so I only glanced at it for a second!"
Her hastily blurted words sounded flimsy, but she tried her best to make them seem natural. However, Arnold didn't back down easily. His eyes were still filled with doubt.
"Curiosity, huh… Then why were you pressing your nose right into the book?"
"Eek…!"
His pinpoint question made Melina flinch. It was too accurate to deny. She felt utterly caught, her heart pounding like it might explode.
"Th-that was just… to check if there was any dust!"
"Dust?"
"Yeah! It's an old book, right? I was just making sure it needed cleaning!"
Melina desperately strung her words together, but Arnold still tilted his head with a dubious expression. His gaze clearly showed he wasn't buying it wholesale. He didn't press further, but he let out a deep sigh, dropping his head.
"Haa…."
His heavy sigh made her heart sink once more. He seemed at a loss for words in response to her lame excuse. She wanted to escape before he reached any conclusions, but she was trapped with no way out.
"Sorry, but… is that your kind of thing…?"
At that moment, Melina's face turned beet red, as if it might burst. Her ears flushed crimson too, and she stared at him with eyes wide in shock. Whatever his intent, that one sentence was fatal to her.
"Uuuu…?!!"
Melina clutched the book to her chest and shrank back. She wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole and hide.
"Wh-where did you see from?!"
"From when you were calling my name with that weird face and sniffing it."
Each of Arnold's words felt like a nail hammered into her heart. Half-hiding her face behind the book, she cried out in despair.
"Fr-from the beginning… Ugh… Now I'll never get married…!"
Melina floundered, covering her face. Her ear tips burned like a volcano.
"Uuu……."
She wanted to check his reaction but lacked the courage to meet his eyes. Arnold watched her silently for a while before asking in a somewhat serious tone.
"Anyway, what was the reason for doing that?"
At his question, Melina avoided his gaze, mumbling with her lips. After hesitating several times and bobbing her head, she finally let out a deep breath and forced her lips open.
"W-well, how should I put it… When I sense traces of someone I like, it just makes me feel good for no reason…."
Arnold tilted his head, not quite understanding. Melina closed her eyes and squeezed out the rest.
"Holding things that smell like you… it feels like you're really hugging me…."
As her confession ended, a momentary silence fell. Melina covered her face completely, as if there was nowhere left to hide. Her trembling shoulders and scarlet ears laid bare how mortified she was.
"S-sorry! That must've creeped you out, right? Yeah…?"
Her muffled voice peeked out, gauging his reaction. Worry and desperate hope shone in her eyes, fearing he might come to hate her. Arnold kept his usual calm demeanor, but a hint of embarrassment leaked through.
"Honestly, it's a bit bewildering… But it's not like it makes me feel bad or anything……."
Genuine awkwardness showed on Arnold's face. Still, he didn't seem inclined to scold her. He casually sat beside her on the sofa.
"R-really?"
"Yeah."
Clink. A teacup was placed before her. Red black tea steeped with leaves wafted a fragrant aroma.
"I was surprised, sure, but it's not like it makes me see you differently… That's probably the best way to put it."
At his words, life returned to Melina's expression. It was like she'd found a lifeline from the heavens, her face lighting up with hope.
"Really? Phew, what a relief……."
Melina patted her chest and sighed deeply. Thump, thump— Her heart raced, echoing through her body. But that tremor wasn't just shame. An emotion too profound to name, yet undeniably clear, burrowed into her chest.
Just moments ago, he'd seen her pathetic, messy side laid bare. Yet he hadn't mocked or turned away once. Instead, he'd tried to understand her with a warm gaze.
'Even someone like me… he understands.'
Awe at his character washed over her alongside a deep sense of being moved. She forced her head down, covering her face, but her heart was already filled with his warmth.
"Th-then, Arnold…! I have something to say!"
But that lasted only a moment. As if she'd made up her mind, the mood turned a bit solemn. Melina placed both hands on her knees and straightened into the most polite posture she could manage.
"What is it?"
Arnold tilted his head, looking at her. Swallowing dryly at his response, Melina continued cautiously yet boldly.
"Since you've already caught me…! Lend me this book for a week—"
"No can do."
"Ah… Sorry……."
But Melina's courage crumbled at his firm refusal. She blushed and hung her head. Her resolute confession deflated pathetically with one word from him.
There had been a little mishap, but the two were now enjoying a calm tea time.
"Mmm, the aroma is really nice."
Melina took a sip of the black tea Arnold had prepared and gently closed her eyes. A soft smile spread across her face.
"Glad you like it."
Arnold watched her satisfied expression with a faint smile. He savored his own tea slowly, but his gaze lingered on the snacks Melina had brought to the table.
"By the way, I thought you only made chocolate well, but these cookies you brought are amazing too."
Arnold picked up a biscuit with his fingers, crunching it crisply as he praised her handiwork. Delighted by his words, Melina beamed brightly. Her smile was as warm and radiant as sunlight.
"Thanks! I actually worked hard on them for you, Arnold. Seeing you enjoy them like this makes me happy too."
Her voice brimmed with joy. A cozy, warm air enveloped the two. Melina sipped her tea again, as if wanting to cherish this moment forever.
"Oh?"
But before she knew it, her cup was empty. As she reached for the teapot, its light weight made her tilt her head. There was no more tea left inside.
"We drank it all…."
Melina set the teapot down with a slightly embarrassed look. Seeing this, Arnold slowly stood.
"Wait a sec. I'll brew some fresh."
"Really? Thanks! This tea has such a deep, unique flavor—it makes you want to keep drinking more."
Arnold smiled gently at her words and headed to the kitchen with the empty teapot. As his footsteps faded, Melina found herself alone for a moment.
"That one—"
Her gaze naturally drifted to the table. Arnold's teacup caught her eye. Half-full black tea still remained inside.
Melina stared at the cup, hesitating briefly before cautiously reaching out.
"The one Arnold was drinking from…."
Muttering to herself, she glanced toward the kitchen. She felt a strong resolve not to repeat the same mistake. Yet the reassurance that he hadn't returned yet egged her on.
"……."
Soon, she brought her lips to his teacup. Tea flowed into her mouth, but Melina seemed more entranced by something else than the taste.
"As expected, deep and unique…."
A small smile played on Melina's lips. In truth, the spot where she'd placed her mouth bore a faint trace of his lips.
"…♡"
But Melina knew this and had deliberately kissed the same spot. It was her little secret.
Knock knock knock—
But her bliss didn't last. A knock from the front door snapped her out of it. Melina hurriedly returned the cup and looked toward the entrance.
"Who's there?"
Knock knock knock—
The knock echoed again. It seemed a guest had arrived. Melina rose slowly, feeling a strange anxiety bubbling up.
"Maybe… a woman?"
Unsure who it was visiting Arnold, an inexplicable jealousy bloomed in her heart. She approached the door cautiously, determined to check who it was.
Of course, she knew it was impolite to greet a guest in the host's place, but curiosity won out.
"Who is it?"
Melina opened the door. But the moment it swung open, she and the visitor outside both widened their eyes in shock.
"Elisha?"
"Melina…?"
Standing at the door was none other than Arnold's fiancée, Elisha.
"Hold on."
Confusion flashed across Elisha's face for an instant before turning to icy suspicion. Her gaze pierced through Melina like a blade.
"Why are you inside Arnold's house?"
Elisha's voice was cold and sharp. The killing intent in her eyes could freeze the air itself.