Coward

“Oh, yes~ And lots of fun things too!” Loviki set down her cup, her tone light. “There are desserts, grilled fish, seafood, and really delicious dango...”

“Then I shall go too!” Velyan’s eyes lit up. She looked up and declared firmly, “Human! Take me with you; I can help fight.”

“No need to fight,” Chen Mian said, looking at her. “You can come, but you need to promise me one thing.”

“Tell me, Human!” Velyan replied without hesitation.

“Hide your dragon traits when we’re around others, and don’t call me Human.”

“No problem, Human!” Velyan readily agreed.

“Then start changing now.”

“Alright, Chen Mian.”

...

Night had fallen.

The apartment was quiet now, with only the occasional chirping of insects from outside.

Chen Mian sat by the window, gazing at the moonlight outside. A moment later, he stood up and left his room.

A faint light still peeked from under Louise’s door.

He walked to the door and knocked softly.

The door slowly opened. Louise stood there, wearing a loose nightgown, her silvery-gray hair falling casually over her shoulders. She looked up at him slightly, a hint of surprise in her eyes.

“Let’s talk,” Chen Mian said, looking at her.

“…Okay,” Louise hesitated, then nodded.

The door closed again.

“You went to the forest this morning, didn’t you?” Chen Mian asked Louise softly.

“Yes, I did.” Louise’s eyelashes trembled slightly. “Why?”

Chen Mian looked at her slightly downcast profile, waiting a moment before speaking. “Did you see Flora and me when you came back?”

Louise’s fingers curled slightly. She turned her head, not answering.

The room was quiet for a moment.

“I saw you,” Louise said, turning back with a casual smile. “You two were by the rock. But I didn’t watch for long, just a few glances, then I came back.”

“What’s wrong? Are you shy, Chen Mian?” Louise looked up, her purple-gold eyes teasing as she smiled. “Don’t worry! I won’t tell anyone.”

Chen Mian took half a step forward. She instinctively tried to retreat, but her heel hit the edge of the bed. She looked up, her purple-gold eyes showing a hint of panic she hadn’t managed to hide completely. “What do you want?”

“Louise, where’s the boldness you had the first day you came to the apartment?” Chen Mian asked, a smile in his eyes. “The more your memories return, the more timid you become?”

Louise looked at him, the panic in her eyes more evident, yet her lips still held that half-smile. “What does my courage have to do with recovering my memories?”

“It has everything to do with it.” Chen Mian took another half-step forward, his knee almost touching the edge of the bed. “When you first arrived, you’d directly say you wanted to share my bed. Now, you even hide when I get close.”

“I-I was just impulsive then!” Louise averted her gaze, her tone still casual, but clearly lacking conviction. “And my mind wasn’t clear after just waking up… Now that I’m clear-headed, of course, I need to have some sense of propriety.”

“Is your sense of propriety running back to your room when you’re upset, then tracking mud all over the floor?”

Louise froze, then pursed her lips and whispered, “…I forgot.”

“Louise,” Chen Mian’s voice softened slightly. “You followed me to the forest because you were worried about me. You were upset when you saw Flora and me together, but you didn’t dare to say anything.”

Louise’s fingers clenched the fabric of her nightgown.

“Even though you were timid about these kinds of things before,” Chen Mian said with a smile, “you dared to tell me anything on your mind. Even if you were jealous, you’d grab my clothes and drag me away. Why are you quietly hiding in your room now?”

Louise lowered her head, her silvery-gray hair falling forward and obscuring her expression.

After a long moment, her voice came from behind her hair, soft and small. “…Then give me back that Louise.”

She looked up, her eyes a little red, but a forced smile still lingered on her lips. “The old me was lost by you. Now, when I remember you, it’s only through memories I don’t truly feel. And you still blame me for hiding from you? How is that fair?”

The room fell silent for a moment.

Chen Mian watched her, her eyes red but her smile forced, then reached out and gently pulled her into his embrace.

Louise froze completely.

Her hands hovered in mid-air, unsure where to go. After several seconds, she managed to squeeze out a dry whisper, “…Are you compensating me?”

“No,” Chen Mian’s voice came from above her head. “I just wanted to hold you.”

Louise’s hands finally lowered slowly, first resting gently on his back, then gradually tightening, clutching the fabric of his clothes.

“You smell of Moonlight Grass.”

“Flora helped me with that.”

“I know.” She paused, then said in an even smaller voice, “…Is it strange that I’m sad about something like this? I never used to be this way.”

“That means it’s not just your memories recovering, but your feelings too… you coward,” Chen Mian said, a hint of laughter in his voice.

“You’re making me lose face… I’m a Mythic Rank witch.”

“Yes, yes, a Mythic Rank coward.”

Louise’s shoulders trembled slightly, as if she was suppressing a laugh. After a long moment, she released her grip, took half a step back, and looked up again.

A familiar, mischievous smile now played on her lips. “…Chen Mian, you weren’t this good at coaxing people before.”

“That’s because a certain someone didn’t need coaxing before.”

“I don’t need coaxing now either.” She lifted her chin, a hint of pride in her purple-gold eyes, but her voice was much lighter than before. “I just wanted to confirm if you would really come.”

“Confirmed?”

“Mm.” She nodded, then sat back on the edge of the bed, her hands braced beside her as she looked up at him. “It’s confirmed. You can go back now.”

“Goodnight, then?” Chen Mian asked, looking at her.

Louise tilted her head slightly, her silvery-gray hair sliding from her shoulder. After a thought, she beckoned to him. “Come closer again.”

Chen Mian took half a step forward. Louise wrapped her arms around him. “Since you called me a coward, don’t even think about going back tonight!”

After saying that, Louise buried her face in his chest. After a long while, she released him, leaning back slightly with her hands braced behind her. A smile, this time not forced, graced her face. “You can really go now."

Chen Mian smiled, reached out, and ruffled Louise’s hair, naturally tucking the loose strands from her forehead behind her ear.

Finally, under Louise’s surprised gaze, Chen Mian casually rubbed her face with both hands, then turned and walked towards the door, his voice laced with amusement. “Goodnight, coward.”

Chen Mian left the room, the door softly closing behind him.

Louise sat on the edge of the bed, reaching up to touch her face. The lingering sensation of his touch was still there.

After a long moment, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, and her voice was barely a whisper: “…Who’s a coward?”