The curtain of the fitting room slid aside.
Selene stepped out.
For a brief moment, the entire clothing store seemed to lose its rhythm. Conversations faded, footsteps slowed.
The dress fit her perfectly — not flashy, not excessive. Simple lines, clean elegance. It didn't try to steal attention, yet attention gathered around her anyway.
Shin froze.
Not just him.
People nearby turned without realizing it. A couple browsing shirts paused mid-motion. A man sitting on a bench across the aisle forgot the phone in his hand, his eyes fixed openly on her.
Shin exhaled slowly, then smiled.
"…Yeah," he said, breaking the stillness. "That's dangerous."
Selene looked at him. "Dangerous?"
He nodded once. "You look good. Too good."
Her ears turned faintly red beneath the veil.
Before she could respond, Shin's gaze shifted.
The man on the bench was still staring.
Shin turned fully and walked toward him.
Each step was unhurried. Calm. No tension in his shoulders, no hesitation in his stride.
He stopped right in front of the man.
Shin didn't lower his head.
He only lowered his eyes.
Just enough.
As if the one seated was beneath his notice.
His voice came out cold, flat, stripped of humor.
"Hey. Where the hell are you looking at?"
The pressure was invisible—but unmistakable.
The man stiffened. His pupils shrank, instinct screaming before logic could catch up. He looked away instantly and stood up.
"I—sorry," he said quickly, bowing slightly before leaving without another glance.
Around them, the atmosphere shifted.
People who had been watching looked away. Conversations resumed, quieter. No one dared to meet Shin's gaze, and no one looked at Selene again.
Selene walked up to him, her steps slower now.
"…How did you do that?" she asked quietly. "That man was stronger than you. Much stronger."
Shin shrugged lightly. "Simple."
He glanced in the direction the man had fled. "I'm weak right now. So I didn't use muscles. I used my head."
He tapped his temple once.
"I stood in front of him without fear. Didn't bow. Didn't hesitate. Just lowered my eyes like I was superior." He smiled faintly. "That black-eyed monster used the same trick when he was weak."
Selene didn't reply immediately.
She looked at him differently now.
After a while, she turned and walked toward the counter with the dresses in her hands. "I'll pay."
Before she could take out anything, Shin's hand stopped hers.
He pulled out a sleek black card and placed it on the counter. "Don't I have money too?"
Selene frowned. "Shin—"
"There are benefits," he said casually, "to being that guy's disciple."
The cashier nodded quickly and processed the payment without another word.
After leaving the store, Selene didn't ask where Shin wanted to go next.
She simply turned and walked into a men's clothing store.
Shin stopped at the entrance. "Hey. Since when did this become your mission?"
Selene glanced back at him. "Since you dress like you don't care."
"I don't care," Shin replied.
"That's the problem."
She walked inside, already scanning the racks. Shin followed reluctantly, hands in his pockets.
Selene picked up a jacket, held it against him, then shook her head. "Too dull."
She moved on, selecting a shirt next. "This one."
Shin raised an eyebrow. "That's not my style."
"It will be," she said calmly.
Before he could argue, she pushed him toward the changing room. Minutes later, he stepped out.
Selene looked him up and down, expression unreadable.
"…Turn around."
He did.
She adjusted the collar slightly, then stepped back. "Better."
Shin looked at his reflection. "…Huh."
She didn't smile, but her eyes lingered for a second longer than necessary.
They bought a few sets before leaving the store.
Not long after, Selene stopped in front of a jewelry shop.
Shin followed her gaze. "Looking for something?"
She walked in without answering.
Inside, glass cases displayed rings of every kind. Selene leaned closer, examining them carefully. After a while, she pointed to one.
"This," she said.
Shin looked at it. Simple. Elegant. Clean design.
"For Nanao?" he asked.
Selene nodded.
The attendant took it out and placed it on the counter. Selene reached for her wallet.
Shin stopped her. "Take one for yourself."
She froze. "No."
"Why not?"
"I don't need it."
Shin leaned closer. "That wasn't a suggestion."
She looked at him, then at the rings again. Her fingers hovered, hesitating.
"…I really don't need—"
"Selene."
She exhaled slowly.
After a moment, she pointed to another ring. Quieter. Less noticeable.
"Just this one," she said.
Shin nodded. "Good choice."
She didn't look at him while the attendant packed both rings.
They returned to Pale Orchard as the sky began to dim, evening light stretching long shadows across the halls.
Shin kicked off his shoes the moment he entered and dropped onto the couch, exhaustion finally catching up to him. His head leaned back, eyes half-lidded, yet the screen in front of him was already playing an anime episode.
Selene placed the shopping bags aside and walked into the kitchen.
A few minutes passed.
Despite clearly being tired, Shin suddenly stood up, rolled his shoulders, and struck a dramatic pose in front of the screen. He spread his arms wide.
"Yare yare…" he muttered.
Then, in a deeper voice, "Yokoso… watashino sour society…"
The moment ended as quickly as it began.
He flopped back onto the couch like nothing happened.
Soon after, Selene returned with two cups of tea. She handed one to him and sat nearby. The warmth seeped into the quiet room as they drank in silence, the tension of the day slowly easing.
Night came naturally.
They had dinner together, the clinking of utensils filling the space between them. Halfway through the meal, Selene hesitated, then spoke.
"Um… hey," she said. "What was your plan before?"
Shin glanced up. "Plan?"
"With Pale Orchard," she clarified. "How were you going to use it before? And… why did you change it?"
He paused for a moment, then leaned back slightly.
"My original plan," he said calmly, "was Flame Emperor's dream."
Selene looked at him.
"Uniting the Earth again," Shin continued. "He would have done it in the past—if the Shigekoku Clan 'that'."
He took another bite, then went on, his tone steady.
"The reason I changed my plan…" He exhaled lightly. "I realized there are too many strong people now. Lin Xuan. His family. His Obsidian Onyx Guild."
He glanced at her briefly. "And now, I'm with someone who wouldn't let me do things that way."
Selene didn't respond.
Shin continued quietly, "Besides—even if I united the Earth… Flame Emperor wouldn't get to see it."
His eyes lowered slightly.
"I would've already killed him."
The room fell silent after that.
Not long later, Selene stood up and cleared the table. "I'm going to take a bath."
Shin nodded without looking up.
She walked toward her room, leaving the quiet behind her.
A few minutes later, Shin wandered into Selene's room without knocking and dropped onto the bed as if it belonged to him. He let out a long breath, sinking into the mattress.
Moments later, the bathroom door opened.
Selene stepped out, a towel wrapped securely around her, her hair still damp. She froze when she saw him.
"…Hey," she said. "What are you doing in my room?"
Shin didn't even lift his head. "I'm tired. And your bed is way too comfortable. So, I'm sleeping here."
Selene stared at him in disbelief. "Then where am I supposed to sleep?"
Shin finally sat up.
Without much warning, he reached out, grabbed her by the waist, and pulled her closer. His voice was lazy, teasing.
"Why don't you sleep with me?"
She shoved him immediately. "Don't mess around!"
He reached out again—but this time, in the brief struggle, the towel slipped.
Shin reacted instantly, turning his head away and half-covering his eyes with his hands.
"I—I didn't see anything!"
"Nope! Nothing!"
Selene's face burned. "At least say that while covering your eyes properly!"
She quickly adjusted the towel, glaring at him.
"I'm your slave," she snapped, "but that doesn't mean you can do whatever you want!"
Shin sighed, still facing away. "Calm down. I said sleep with me, not that."
He waved a hand dismissively. "Anyway, either sleep beside me or take another room. Your choice."
Selene stood there for a moment, conflicted.
"…Fine," she said sharply. "I'll take another room."
She pointed at him. "Close your eyes. I'm changing."
Shin shut his eyes without argument.
There was the faint sound of fabric being pulled on.
A moment later, the door opened and closed softly.
When Shin opened his eyes again, the room was empty.
"Aww, man, I guess I have to sleep alone. That's so boring."