[Music Recommendation: "A Sweet Smile" by Yu-Peng Chen (Genshin Impact OST) - available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter ~

"N-nothing! I was just… thinking! Of what words to teach Raven."

'Phew! Please let that excuse pass.'

Raising his eyebrows, Kaiden replied, "If you say so."

"Yeah. He-he." Wanting to change the topic, I asked, "This is the first time I'm seeing your pet. Why didn't I see him before? Was he not staying here?"

"He does, but not always. There are times he wanders around and just comes back after a few weeks or so. He's a free bird so he can do anything he likes."

Raven rubbed his head again on Kaiden's hand. Wanting to touch the bird as well, I held out my hand towards Raven. I made sure not to be aggressive and just touch it on my own accord. If he's fine with me, then he should rub his head on my palm, too, right?

I waited for a few seconds and finally, the bird took notice of me. He then stretched his head towards my hand and rubbed his head on my palm.

"Woah! He's touching me!" I was so happy that I blurted out.

"It seems that he likes you."

"Woah! Thank you, Raven. And nice to meet you!"

"Caw! Caw!" Raven cawed, as if trying to greet me back.

"When you meet someone new, you say, 'Hello'. Come on, try it. Hello."

"Hello."

"Great job! You said it!"

"Wae?"

"You're asking why? Because you greeted me successfully."

"Hello."

"Ha-ha-ha-ha!"

Raven kept on repeating random words afterwards. I never knew owning a pet raven could be so much fun. And he was so sweet, too! Not dangerous at all! And his feathers, just wow! It's so smooth to touch that I couldn't get enough of it!

Speaking of touching, it seems Kaiden was okay with touching animals, huh? He didn't have his gloves on that time but he was able to touch Raven. I guess, germs or the likes were not the cause of his mysophobia? But if it's not the cause, was that even still mysophobia? Oh well, I guess it's either that, or Raven's just a clean bird.

After chatting a bit more, Callan and Verrill decided to go home, and we all went back to our respective rooms—except for Hora. I made sure to drag her into my room when Crystal went straight to hers. Poor Crystal, it seemed that the rowdiness tired her out.

But as for me, I'm not tired at all! I had all the energy to take my revenge—I mean, to peacefully interrogate—no, to peacefully question Hora. Yes, that should be the proper term.

As I prepared my evil questions in my brain, I let Hora slump her body on the bed. To my surprise, she rolled around from left to right, hugging the blanket with her, making her look like a human sushi. Then after a few times of tossing herself around, she bounced back up and turned to me with a serious face.

"Senaaaaaa!" she wailed like a cute little child with her cute voice.

Of course, I was taken aback.

"W-what? Why? What happened to you?"

"What was that? Why did he suddenly pat my head? We weren't even close!" she cutely complained.

Chuckling, I walked towards her and patted her back. Seriously, Hora's so cute when she behaved like that.

"If you ask me, I'd say there's 'something' in the air. If you know what I mean," I intentionally smirked and waggled my eyebrows. Finally, it was time for my revenge. Mwa-ha-ha-ha!

"What something? There's no something. There's just weirdness and creepiness!"

"Pft! Say that when your face is not blushing."

"No. This blushing is normal for me. Like when it's hot, I'll blush. When I'm laughing, I'll blush. When I'm angry, I'll blush. When I'm embarrassed, I'll blush. There's nothing special about it."

"Heh. Yeah, right. It's just NORMAL blushing," I continued teasing her. Ahh… the sweet taste of revenge, how filling.

"Are you taking your revenge on me by teasing me?" Hora raised her eyebrows.

'Oh no. She caught up already with my plans.'

"What do you mean? I'm not teasing. I'm merely asking peacefully if I do say so myself."

"Nope. I don't buy it."

"Why not?" I complained. "Hmf! But you gotta admit, Verrill is really cute and handsome. Don't tell me he's not your type because I KNOW what your type of guy is."

"No! No! No! No!" Hora yelled back at me, covering her ears and shaking her head.

But I peered over her and whispered to her ears.

"He's a prodigy in music and PIANO is his favourite."

Yes, Hora had always been amazed by men who could play the piano. She liked them too much. She even bought original copies of their music. She was also the type to love classical, instrumental music, especially the piano and violin sounds, more than the latest hit songs. She still liked them but she loved the instrumental ones more.

So basically, handsomeness plus great skills in playing the piano equals… Verrill. He just met two out of the top 5 characteristics of Hora's type. The others on the list was a nice personality—kind and respectful; rich and capable of supporting a family; and very lovingly loyal. Oh, wait a minute. Verrill just met all the conditions! Three and five, I had no evidence but I'm quite sure he's a very kind person and would be a loving husband.

"Hora, I've decided."

"And what have you decided without asking my opinion?"

"Verrill will make a great husband for you. I approve of him!"

Hora's eyes widened in shock. She'd definitely want to kill me now.

"And who are you to approve of him? You just met him today, too! You'll give your best friend to a person you just met?"

"He seems like a nice and decent guy."

"Are you hearing yourself?" Hora replied, unamused. I could see her grabbing a pillow from her sides.

I sneakily started to get away from her. I knew what she was about to do.

"Why don't you try it out first? You might really end up liking him, you know? I mean, come on! How often would you come across a person having all your standards in one? And he's really rich and handsome to boot!"

"You sound like a mother selling your daughter off to marry for the sake of money."

Her eyes shot glares at me. She slowly stood up and began following my steps.

"No, not at all. I just want you to be happy and it just happened that… I KNOW what will make you happy."

'I can't believe I'm deliberately adding fuel to fire. Ha-ha-ha! But teasing Hora is really fun.'

"You know what makes me happy, huh? Then come here and let me smack you!"

"Kyaaaaaa!"

And so, the pillow wars began!