Morning sunlight spilled softly through the windows of the small house, painting the kitchen in a warm, golden glow. The smell of toast and brewed tea filled the air. Serena sat at the table, carefully picking at her breakfast, her glasses perched slightly crooked on her nose. Across from her, Yuma fidgeted nervously, poking at his food while stealing glances at her. He seemed torn between curiosity and caution.
"Um… Serena?" he finally asked, his voice hesitant. "Why are you wearing glasses today?"
Serena sighed, adjusting them with a faint frown. "I dropped my contact lenses earlier… and I think I left my spare ones at home. So these have to do for now."
Yuma's eyes widened. "…Do… do I look bad?"
Serena blinked at him, slightly caught off guard. "…Wait. Since when did I care about my appearance?" she muttered, as if surprised that the thought even occurred to her. She tapped her fingers lightly on the table, lost in her own reflection on how strange it felt to be so conscious of herself.
Yuma just stared, unsure how to respond, his curiosity burning quietly beneath the surface.
Then his foot caught the edge of the rug. "Whoa—!" he exclaimed, flailing as he tried to keep his balance.
Serena instinctively stepped back—but it was too late. Yuma's momentum carried him forward, and he fell chest-first against her.
"Y-Yuma!" Serena shrieked, immediately slapping him across the face.
Yuma clutched his cheek, eyes wide. "…I-I didn't mean to—!"
Serena crossed her arms, her expression sharp but controlled. "What did I say about boundaries?! Even though we're 'married,' that doesn't mean you can crash into me. We are partners, teammates, friends—nothing more. Got it?"
Yuma swallowed hard, cheeks burning. "…Partners… teammates… friends… got it."
Serena let out a small, satisfied sigh. "Good. No sneaky advantages, no touching, no flirting. You respect me, I respect you, and we survive school, training, and everything else together. Understand?"
"Y-Yes!" Yuma nodded frantically.
Serena continued, tone calm but firm. "I may be your 'wife' on paper, but that doesn't mean I am one. Not in the way you're thinking. So don't even try."
"…Not in the way I'm thinking?" Yuma stammered, a bead of sweat forming on his temple.
"Yes." Serena sipped her tea, shrugging. "I am your partner. Your teammate. Your friend. That's it. You respect me, I respect you, and we survive this life together. Got it?"
Yuma gulped. "P-Perspective… got it."
Serena finished her breakfast and stood, setting her cup in the sink. "Now get ready. Alumna offered to drive us to school. Behave like normal human beings—at least until we get there."
Yuma groaned but complied, gathering his things while Serena tidied up the kitchen.
Outside, the driveway gleamed under the morning sun. Serena and Yuma froze when they saw Alumna leaning casually against his car, hands clasped behind his back, a teasing smile on his face.
"U-U-Uncle Alumna! What are you doing here?!" Yuma exclaimed, startled.
Alumna chuckled, clearly amused. "Good morning, Yuma… and Mrs. Ikaragi. I see that both of you are so lovey-dovey already this morning."
Serena's face immediately flushed crimson. "D-D-Don't call me that! We're not married yet, Alumna-sensei!"
Yuma's mouth opened, then closed. "…Uh… why are you here, uncle?"
Alumna laughed. "Your aunt Melda asked me to guide you to the faculty room to meet your homeroom teacher. Come on—I'll drive."
The teens climbed into the car, still flustered by his teasing. Serena's glasses caught the sunlight as she settled into her seat, while Yuma tried to calm his racing heart.
As Alumna drove, Serena's thoughts drifted back to a memory from just a few weeks ago. She had been on the rooftop with Alumna and Reige, arguing about her future. She remembered Alumna brushing imaginary dust off his coat, clearly amused.
"I couldn't help overhearing your little debate," he had said, his grin already mischievous.
Serena had crossed her arms, suspicion in her eyes. "If you're here to side with him—"
"Oh, not at all," Alumna replied cheerfully.
Serena remembered herself asking, her tone both frustrated and curious. "Alumna… since when did you and my father decide that Yuma and I would be engaged?"
Alumna's grin had widened. "Ah… so you want the story?"
"Yes," Serena had said, pouting slightly.
"Well," Alumna had continued, "we originally planned this when you and Yuma were just thirteen. The plan was for you two to meet when you turned eighteen."
Serena blinked. "…Eighteen? And then what?"
Alumna chuckled. "After the rooftop incident with Reige, we decided it would be better for you to meet him earlier, at sixteen. You're mature enough, and it gives Yuma someone to guide him into the Geist world."
Serena's lips formed a small pout as she stared out the window. "…So my life was already planned back then. Before I even had a choice." She hugged herself, cheeks pink with a mix of irritation, embarrassment, and reluctant acceptance.
"And my last name?" she asked quietly, still looking out at the passing scenery.
Alumna's grin softened. "Don't worry. You'll keep your surname until graduation. The wedding and formal name change happen after that. Plenty of time to adjust."
Serena's lips twitched into a reluctant smile. "…I guess that's… okay," she muttered.
Yuma glanced at her, still processing everything. "…I… I'm curious too," he said quietly.
Alumna laughed. "Well, now you know. Tomorrow, he arrives. Your meeting with him is set. Training starts. Your partnership begins. That's enough for today."
The conversation drifted naturally to school logistics, teasing, and rules. Serena, cheeks still flushed, reminded Yuma firmly: "Partners, teammates, friends. And no flirting at school. Got it?"
Yuma nodded quickly. "Understood."
Serena let out a small sigh of relief. "Good. Because if you forget… I will make sure you regret it."
When they arrived at Hijikara High, Alumna parked. "Listen to your teacher, Yuma. Behave. I'll see you later during P.E."
Serena tugged Yuma aside before stepping out. "Remember what we talked about. Focus on your studies. No touching, no flirting, no advantages. Partners, teammates, friends—nothing more."
Yuma nodded again, heart pounding. "Understood."
Serena adjusted her glasses and walked toward her classroom, determination in her eyes. She had set the rules, drawn the boundaries, and made it clear: she controlled the terms of their relationship.
Yuma followed Alumna toward the faculty room, aware that this morning had set the tone for what would undoubtedly be a chaotic, teasing, and challenging year ahead.
Even in this small span of a morning, their lives had shifted into a delicate balance of friendship, partnership, and teasing, with the looming complexities of the Geist world—and a certain inevitable tension that neither of them could ignore.