Moon's Gift
"Hoot!"
"Kyaa!"
Serena's white owl dove swiftly toward the cat doll trembling on my leg, clutching it tight.
The cat doll fought back fiercely, flailing its paws in frantic punches, but being just a stuffed toy, it only tickled the owl.
"Nyaaaooong..."
Its futile resistance crushed, the cat doll dangled helplessly from the owl's talons, soaring through the air with pitiful mewls.
"Hmm... my head keeps throbbing."
Ignoring their fierce tussle, I fiddled with my hair in the mirror before murmuring with a smile.
"Wonder if Serena would like a gift?"
She'd devoted herself to me all this time. It felt wrong not to give her something in return.
"Kitty, what should I get Serena that she'd love?"
After pondering at my desk for ages, I rescued the cat doll from the owl's grip and asked.
"Yeah, that should work... mmph."
A brilliant idea struck, and I grinned—only for the cat doll's paw to clamp over my mouth.
"Nyaaong."
It shot me a sulky glare, whipped its head away, and wriggled free from my grasp.
"...Huh?"
The next instant, it vanished. I'd seen it leap down, but where to?
"Sorry, playtime later."
It loved dark, cramped spots like inside my clothes, so I figured it had sulked off to hide. Shrugging, I stood.
"Hoot!"
"...Yeah, let's go."
The owl fluttered to my shoulder, nuzzling my cheek affectionately. Odd for a pecking machine to get cuddly, but better than bites.
"Frey? Where are you...?"
Irina passed in the hall, tilting her head curiously.
"Got some business to handle."
"...Ugh."
Her face paled. Probably trauma from last time I said something similar before heading to the Demon King's forces.
"Back by morning, so don't worry."
She swallowed hard, nodding—then her eyes widened at the owl on my shoulder.
"Th-that owl..."
"Hoot!"
It glared ferociously, blocking her approach, then gently pecked my face to hurry me along.
"Take care, then. Watch Lulu especially—keep her out of trouble."
"...Okay."
Leaving Irina looking oddly shadowed, I headed for the mansion exit.
"...I sense black magic aura somewhere?"
Her mutter faded behind me. Urgent business awaited; no time to dwell.
......
"Hehe."
In her room at the Moonlight estate, Serena giggled over a letter.
- Safe. Escaped without issue.
- I love you.
It was from Frey, a week ago.
"Me too..."
Savoring those words again, she perked up at footsteps in the courtyard beyond, rushing to the window.
"He's here...!"
There he was, stepping from the carriage—looking a touch awkward as he entered the mansion. Serena prepared a little prank.
Crackle...
"Perfect. Let's try it."
Since childhood, she'd pranked him often. Her favorite: pretending to jab him with a poison needle.
No real harm intended, she'd crafted a spell for a sharp sting instead. Young Frey always paled, begging for antidote.
Post-change, no more pranks. But now? Maybe another glimpse of his cute panic.
Last time, chaos cut it short, but today...
Knock knock.
"Come in."
She plastered herself beside the door, voice calm.
Creeeak...
"...Huh? Serena?"
The door opened; Frey sounded baffled, no doubt puzzled by her absence.
"What the...?"
Staring blankly, he stepped in cautiously. Serena lunged at his neck lightning-fast—but
"Serena, what's this about?"
Frey smirked, snagging her hand effortlessly.
"...Who knows?"
Caught off-guard, she feigned nonchalance.
"Playing like that? Fine then."
"Ow."
His mischievous grin deepened as he pinned her finger to her neck.
"There, poisoned. Antidote time?"
Pouting, she fished out the vial.
"First prank fail... shocking... ah!"
"Good."
Shoulders slumping, she muttered—then he snatched it in a blink.
"Ahyeh. (Drink.)"
Dumping it all in his mouth like she had before, he beamed.
"...No choice if I wanna live."
Matching his smile, she leaned in for a soft kiss.
"Pha."
Minutes passed before they parted.
"One thing I'm curious about..."
"What?"
"This antidote—super bitter, right?"
Frey grimaced, head tilted.
"Last time too... Aren't they usually herbal-tasting?"
Serena smiled sweetly.
"No helping it. Just water."
"...What?"
His jaw dropped in disbelief.
She chuckled.
"Plain water. No effect whatsoever."
"So I've been your plaything then—and now?!"
Deflated, he asked. She beamed proudly.
"Still, grabbing my hand? Impressive. Made my heart race."
Reaching for him, she paused, frowning.
"Serena, what's wrong?"
"Can't have you walking around all sloppy like this."
Channeling moon mana into her hand, she brushed his collar.
Sizzle...
Black smoke wafted from it.
"Such a cheeky cat..."
Smirking, she undid his buttons—then frowned again.
"Serena? Now what?"
He tilted his head. She smiled coldly.
"...Uninvited guest."
"Cough! Cough!"
Infusing moon mana into his pocket, coughs erupted from within.
"...Nyaa, nyaaong."
Out peeked the cat doll—from his room earlier.
"What...? How'd it get here?"
Frey blinked, scratching his head.
"Felt nothing in the pocket though...?"
"Know something, Frey?"
Serena murmured low.
"Nothing scarier than getting used to it."
"Huh?"
"You accept it without realizing."
She plucked the black cat doll from his pocket.
"Anyway... cute doll, isn't it?"
"H-hiss... nyaaaooong..."
"Oh, it even meows adorably."
Squeezing its belly, she grinned at Frey.
"Mind if I take it?"
"Sorry... it's kinda precious to me."
"...I see. Shame."
He shook his head apologetically; she stared into the doll's eyes.
"But I prepared a gift for you."
"Huh?"
Chasing the doll's frantic gaze, she blinked at his shy words, looking up.
"Wh-what do you think?"
"This is..."
Blushing faintly, he offered a twinkling silver star-shaped crystal.
"Made by compressing my star mana—over and over. Used my newly awakened star magic."
"Ah......."
"Too half-assed? Sorry, got the call sudden, no time to—"
She stared blankly; he sweated excuses.
"...The best gift ever."
Her face flushed crimson as she snatched the sparkling star.
"Nyaaong..."
"...So, why'd you call me?"
After long silence, cheeks still pink, the cat doll's plaintive mewl snapped them back.
"Your birthday was hours ago?"
"Yeah. But why?"
"Wanted to give you a present."
Perplexed, he asked.
"But my imperial birthday party soon? You could—"
"Can't give it then."
She shelved the doll high, took his hand, and led him deeper in.
"What're you giving anyway...?"
Tugged along, he froze spotting the destination.
"...Uwah!"
Toppling onto the ornate bed with him, Serena whispered shyly in his ear.
"...Me."
Grabbing the blanket, she covered them both.
"...Nyaaong."
According to the watching cat doll, they stayed under there a long time.
......
"Frey, I can hear your heartbeat."
"...Me too."
Serena pinned me under the blankets. Her breaths, heartbeat—vivid. Her curves pressed fully against me, shapes unmistakable.
"Then... let's start."
"Uh, yeah..."
She gazed down shyly; I swallowed, reaching—but
"...Preparing your real birthday gift. The one you truly need."
"What?"
She grabbed my hand, face turning serious.
"Sorry. Frustrating, right? But it must be this thorough."
"What're you—"
"...Though teasing a naughty cat was part of it."
Staring at her cryptic murmurs, I poked her side gently to hurry her.
"So, what're you trying to say?"
"Eek!"
Her old weak spot; she yelped unwittingly, blushing as she whispered.
"H-how I figured you out... and what you must know."
Tensing, I gaped at her next words.
"You have the Prophecy Book, right?"
"How'd you—mmph."
She clamped my mouth, whispering cautiously.
"I have one too."
"What?"
Eyes wide in disbelief, she repeated firmly.
"This loop's me has it too—the Prophecy Book."