Frying up more of this food, it’s honestly really delicious. I’m glad I decided to try making it… even if it’s now more or less my job to work with these two to make them. But I’m fine with it, it’s oddly relaxing.

  Plus, I work in the kitchen with Lumi. It’s nice to spend time with her, and I’m away from people.

  Yuna’s been in a slowly improving mood, and later tonight we’ll be watching a movie together. Lumi and I will go on a run for some snacks when we close up beforehand.

  “Salka, we need three more of those!”

  “On it boss!”

  Her voice is annoyed, but playfully so. “Hey, I said not to call me that!”

  Laughing, I continue to work. “But your reactions are so good~”

  “Ugh, you’re spending too much time with Yuna! Just for that I’m picking the movie tonight!”

  “Haha, fine fine.”

  Smiling genuinely for once, I continue to work. Such an odd feeling, working with an honest smile on my face.

  Only Reta has ever gotten this out of me… I see why she sent me to these girls now. They’re… what I needed.

  ***

  Walking through the aisles with Lumi, I smile a bit and grab a laser pointer. ‘I wonder… either she’s going to give me an attitude, or it’ll be really funny.’

  Pointing it at the wall next to her, she stares at it for a moment… before shaking her head. “Salka, what are you-”

  Wiggling it around in front of her, she gives in and smacks at it with her hand.

  ‘That’s amazing, haha.’

  Sending it down the aisle, she keeps chasing it, before I eventually turn it off.

  “Salka…” And that’s the angry voice, her tail low and twitching.

  “Yes?”

  Lunging at me, she tackles me to the floor. “You bully! Don’t do that!”

  “Hahaha~ but it was so cute~”

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Blushing even more at the comment, she stares at me for a long moment… before quickly climbing off me and pushing the cart. “Don’t tell anyone about this, you hear me?”

  “Yeah yeah I won’t…” ‘She never said not to do it again though… I’m totally doing that to Yuna later.’

  Pocketing the laser pointer, I follow her through the aisles. “Some chips and dip are a good idea. You girls like guac?”

  “Huh? I’ve never had it before.”

  “Wait, really? Alright, I’m making you two some good guac then. Think I can still do it.”

  Her face grows smug. “Are you sure you don’t know how to cook? Not some secret chef sent to scope out the competition?”

  Chuckling, I shake my head. “No no, nothing like that. Honestly, I’m surprised my memory is sharp enough to remember these recipes.”

  “Mhm, suuuure. Next you’re gonna tell me you’re also a secret cat.”

  ‘Huh… is that a good idea? I was wondering how to fix up my implants… maybe cat implants would work?’

  Noticing my silence, she turns and gives me an ear cock. “Salka?”

  “No, no I’m not, just messing with you. But it was your cooking that I took reference from to fill in the gaps of my own.”

  “What? You…”

  Smiling, I pat her head for a moment, before dodging out the way of a lighthearted slap. “Don’t do that in public!”

  Chuckling a bit, I grab some ingredients I’ll need.

  “Could you grab the cheese… it’s too high up…”

  Looking over, the cheese dip is indeed on a high shelf. “Sure, I got it.”

  Reaching up, I peek through the gap of the aisles as I grab hold… and see a red eyed cat staring back at me from the other side.

  She gasps-

  The glass around us cracks-

  Dropping the cheese, I grab Lumi close to my chest and drop to the floor, surrounding her body with my own as a shield.

  With a loud thundering crash, the glass bottles explode around us, raining glass down on me. It hurts, and the amount of cheese in my wounds would be comical if not disgusting.

  But that’s not where my mind is focused.

  Paying mind to the hyperventilating cat in my arms, I quietly speak. “She’s here… she’s a revenant after all…”

  “I-I… M-mira…”

  “Hey hey, calm down. It’s not her, it’s not her. Just like the Other wasn’t you, that wasn’t her. And now we know, now we can handle it.”

  I can hear the sheer panic in her voice. “B-but… how?! You said it yourself, she’s too strong!”

  With a dim chuckle, I nod. “I did… we can’t kill it… but I have a plan. Remember how true names have power? Well… the one I taught you, will save us… or we’ll die trying.”

  “...do you really have a plan?”

  Nodding slightly, I realize after a moment she can’t see it, buried into my chest. “Yeah, but saying it might let her hear it.”

  “...then whatever happens… I trust you. Do whatever you need to, to protect Yuna. To protect us. Just make sure you come back to us. To me. Got it?”

  My chest warms and aches in the same moment, scared of not seeing her again. “...yeah, yeah of course.”

  ‘I can already hear Reta calling me an idiot for trying to fight a damned Revenant on my own… but at the same time, she’d be an idiot with me then.’

  ___

  What kind of spell might she be planning? Maybe try guessing! Hint, true names can be used for spells, as can runes.