[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 ~

[Please note: We're still in Hora's POV - when they finally arrived at Aunt Vora's house, and stood in front of the library door, searching for Aunt Vora]

Knock! Knock-knock! Knock!

I knocked once again on the door towards the library, in the same pattern as I did to the front door. No one answered except for a clicking sound from the door knob. When I heard that, I opened the door and we proceeded inside. Verrill still walked close behind me.

Aunt Vora's library was probably the biggest room inside their house. She was a book lover, too—maybe where I got my love for books myself. Her library had tons of books, even ancient ones recorded on scrolls, and other types of books one wouldn't usually see inside a household. You'd mistake it as a museum of books or a national library at first glance. And it was such a beautiful place, too.

All shelves were made of the strongest wood, decorated with flowers still, and the books were arranged neatly on each shelf. The smell of wood could had been apparent, but thanks to the fragrance of the flowers, the room remained pleasant to the nose. Though I didn't mind the smell of wood and books myself.

Walking past a few shelves, we heard the sound of girls giggling and talking to each other. I recognized the voices at once and ran towards their direction. And there it was, finally, my Aunt Vora. I smiled as soon as I saw her. Truthfully, I missed this aunt who's a favourite of mine.

Aunt Vora had light brown hair, lighter than mine, and a pair of beautiful green eyes. Despite being my aunt and having Silky, she still looked so young and petite like a full grown woman in her prime. You wouldn't believe it if she confessed her real age to you which was flat forty. Her meek appearance and gentle smiles were one of her greatest features.

"Auntie!" I greeted her enthusiastically and quickly ran to her, giving her a big hug.

Aunt Vora was surprised—of course she would, I didn't even say I'm visiting this early. She probably thought I would arrive tomorrow or on Sunday. But no, I couldn't wait any longer than that. Silky, or her twin, was sitting in front of her, and a book was laid down between them. She, too, was shocked by my sudden arrival.

"Hora, my dear! I missed you!" Aunt Vora gleamed at me and hugged me tight. "How have you been? How's your school? Is everything okay?"

"Yes, all is good. Don't worry. And school's pretty fun."

"That's great to hear. It's best to enjoy your school days while young. And meet lots of friends."

"Uhm! Uhm!" I nodded in agreement. "Oh by the way, this is Verrill," I introduced him and gestured my hands towards him.

"Good evening, madam. It's a pleasure to meet you," Verrill politely said, and bowed his head. "I'm Verrill Zhong, one of Hora's—"

"Oh my goodness! You got yourself a boyfriend already, my dear?!" Aunt Vora gasped in amusement.

Yes, she was amused for some reason that my face immediately grimaced. Was it such an impossibility for me to have a boyfriend? But wait, he's not yet my boyfriend. And that's not even the case here.

"I can't believe you finally found a man! Oh no, your dad's gonna be so jealous. Ha-ha-ha-ha," Aunt Vora snickered through her words, while tapping Verrill's shoulders. "He's definitely a fine man though—very handsome and looks physically endowed." She nodded approvingly.

"Aunt! T-that's not… Waaaa. Don't say it like that," I complained and my face flushed red in embarrassment. Turning to Verrill, I frantically apologized, "I'm so sorry Verrill, don't mind her nonsense. I-It's just—"

"Ha-ha-ha!" Verrill laughed at me. "It's okay, Hora. Besides, your aunt is complimenting me, not saying rude things."

'Ha? But saying he's physically endowed is a bit rude, right? Is it not? Well, if he's okay with it, then maybe it's fine.'

"Oh come on, my dear. And feel free to call me Aunt, Auntie, or Aunt Vora as well. You're part of the family now."

"What the—that fast? Besides, Auntie, we're not a married couple yet. What are you saying he's part of the family now?"

'Ugh. This is really embarrassing. Maybe I shouldn't have brought Verrill with me. But then again, I can't say no to that intense look he gave me before.'

"Hmm… I see. You're not yet married," she hummed as if it was the discovery of the century for her. "In that case, just get married."

I slammed my hand to my face. "We're still studying, Auntie. And we're too young for that."

"Oh, right. You can't get married before 18. In that case, get married when you're 18. That should solve it. But still dearie, consider yourself part of the family."

My facial expression turned sour and unamused. I guess I'm not getting my point across anymore. And it was too late to say we're friends… w-with kissing benefits. Ugh. That sounded so wrong.

"Anywaaaaaay," I cut off my giggling aunt or she'd start fangirling a few moments from now. Verrill didn't even help me clarify the situation. He seemed to be enjoying being mistaken as my boyfriend. W-Well, I guess that's fine, too. "That's not the reason we came here, Auntie."

"Hmmm? It's not? I thought you came to introduce your boyfriend to us."

"No. That's not it. We came because…"

The atmosphere turned gloomy in a matter of seconds. It was probably because of my expression changing into a worried and sullen one. I glanced to my right and there was Silky—or maybe not the real Silky. Because if she was, she would have joined in our conversation already. She was one of the cousins I was pretty close with as well.

Aunt Vora smiled warmly at me and patted my head.

"Whatever it is, I'm sure it can wait tomorrow, my dear," she said in her gentle tone.

"But… but…" I tried to argue but the look on her face clearly showed her intent.

"Have you both had your dinner? If not, let's go to the dining area right away and I'll ask the chef to cook something for you two."

"It's alright… Auntie," Verrill answered for me since I fell silent. "We already had our dinner on the plane. We're still full but thank you for offering."

"Oh my, what a very polite kid. Alright. In that case, you two should rest for now. The travel must have exhausted you both. Let me accompany you to the guest rooms."

I sighed deeply to myself. It seemed that we're not gonna get any talking done tonight—which was weird because Aunt Vora would usually listen to my concerns right away. Perhaps she knew about Silky? Or had an idea? Or—haaaaah…

And so, Aunt Vora accompanied us towards the guest room. Silky, or her twin, or whoever she was, was left in the library, just smiling and not even standing to greet us. That was really weird. She just waved her hand goodbye to us when we left the library.

"Oh my," Aunt Vora suddenly exclaimed when we were in front of one of the guest rooms. Her hand covered her mouth as she gasped, looking like she remembered something important.

"Hm? What is it, Auntie?"

Turning to me, she answered, "I forgot we barely had any guests so most of the guest rooms are not prepared and tidied up. They're filled with dust right now and there's only one room who's usable—the one your mom usually uses when she visits every now and then."

Verrill and I froze up from our positions.

'Oh no indeed. I-In that case, does that mean that… I-I will have to share rooms with Verrill? Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! Noooooooo! I'm not ready for this. A-Although, I already slept once in his bedroom when I got sick during his birthday party. B-but still!'

Gulping and trying to wet what had become my dry mouth, I replied to Aunt Vora, "A-Auntie… C-can I just sleep with you? Or Silky?"

"Hmmm," Aunt Vora thought deeply. "My husband, your uncle, is at home right now so we'll be sharing rooms and you know, be lovey-dovey."

'Ack! T-that was unnecessary information! Unnecessary! Auntie! Why would you go saying that? This is really so embarrassing.'

"And Silky… hmmm… She might not like the idea of sharing rooms. I'm sorry about that. But you would need to share on this one. We don't have extra futons or mattresses, either."

I slammed my palm to my face once again. This has turned out to be so chaotic. Was she not even concerned that her beloved niece would be sleeping with a man?

"Don't worry, Hora. You can take the bed and I'll sleep on the couch," Verrill kindly offered.

'Ahhhh… Verrill is really so kind.'

"Oh my, what a sweet boy," Aunt Vora giggled. "Now, I'll go and leave you two alone so you can rest. See you both tomorrow. Good night!"

And just like that, my aunt left me alone… with a man. Last time I was alone with Verrill, we ended up kissing lots. Would I even be able to sleep tonight?