A Line That Does Not Cross

The sound of screams still echoed through the house when Karina appeared before me. My whole body trembled, partly from fear, partly from anger.

"I think I've heard that voice before," she murmured, frowning.

After a few seconds, his expression broke into a dangerous smile.

"Wait... it's the voice of that boy who helped you this morning," Karina said .

"Hey, you wretched thing! The remote control is in the trash!" Hiroshi yelled without thinking.

Katamuta stared at him, horrified.

"Hiroshi, why did you tell him that?!" he asked. Katamuta .

"Because I can't lose my court jester," Hiroshi replied, half laughing, half nervous.

Karina picked up the remote and deactivated the random door field.

"Let's open this door and see what's making the screams," said Karina.

When she pushed open the bathroom door, the sight took my breath away: Shouta , standing in the room, pale, terrified.

"So it was a plan between the three of you?" Karina said , narrowing her eyes.

Her voice sounded like blades gliding across each other.

Then, in an even colder tone:

"No... actually, of the four, right?" Karina said .

" I ... I just wanted to help Yumi ..." Shouta paled, his throat dry.

"Help?" Karina raised an eyebrow.

"How can I help?" Karina asked .

"She's dying!" he shouted. Shouta , desperate.

The silence that followed was heavy. Even Karina seemed to hesitate for a moment.

"And what do I get out of saving her?" she asked , coldly.

— P- please… — Shouta knelt down.

I saw her gaze change, that analytical glint of someone who had just had an idea.

"She's going to use this... to bargain with Katamuta ..."

"I know ! I can save the girl if Katamuta gives me what I want about Merlin," she said with a wry smile.

Katamuta gnashed his teeth.

"It's a shame that I won't be cooperating with this," he said . Katamuta .

"Then she dies," Karina replied simply, dryly.

"Dad, have you gone mad?!" Hiroshi shouted .

Katamuta sighed.

"I'll hire the best lawyers. We'll clear our name," he said . Katamuta .

Karina turned to Shouta .

"Can I see the girl?" Karina asked .

Shouta nodded hesitantly.

"She... is under the bed in your room," he replied . Shouta .

Karina walked over there, and when her eyes met mine, I felt my throat burn.

— Ka… ri… na… — I murmured weakly.

"Don't strain yourself." Her voice sounded almost soft.

Shouta threw himself to his knees.

"Please, save her!" she pleaded. Shouta .

Karina sighed, as if the request were a mere formality.

"Maybe there's a way," Karina said .

"Which one?" he asked. Shouta , anxious.

"Lend me the car and the keys, Katamuta ," Karina asked .

He hesitated, but eventually gave in.

"All right. As long as you bring it back whole," he said . Katamuta .

Karina took the keys, carefully placed them on my back, and signaled to Shouta .

"Come on, boy," Karina said .

We took the elevator down to the garage. The metallic sound of the cables seemed like a clock marking the end of something.

When the doors opened, Karina pressed the button on the key until the alarm flashed inside an expensive, black car.

"Typical of rich people... they need the world to know," he said ironically, opening the back door.

"Come in, boy. You're going with her," Karina said .

Shouta nodded.

"Okay," he said . Shouta .

I was placed in the back seat, and before I could say anything, the engine roared. The night city stretched out, lights cutting through the car window.

A few minutes later, we stopped in front of an elegant house, illuminated by garden lanterns.

Karina turned off the car.

"Wait here," Karina ordered .

I started spitting blood again. Shouta held me back, terrified.

Karina reached out her hand, touching my forehead.

"She just fainted... but it's only been about fifteen minutes, at most," she said seriously.

Then he got out of the car, opened the back door and picked me up in his arms, as if I were as light as smoke.

"Knock on the door, boy," Karina ordered .

Shouta obeyed. The door opened, and Emma appeared, surprised.

— Come in, miss. "Fedorova ," he said, recognizing her immediately.

" Fedorova ? So that's Karina's last name..."

We went inside. Karina sat me down on the sofa. Emma locked the door and turned to face her.

"It's been a while, hasn't it, Karina?" Emma asked in Russian.

Karina smiled. — Davnym-davno , dorogaya . (A long time ago, my dear.)

"Stop speaking to me in Russian," Emma replied impatiently.

"Don't tell me you've forgotten your own language," Karina teased.

"Cure the girl first, then we'll talk," Emma said .

"Okay," said Karina.

Karina raised her hand and traced symbols in the air. A portal opened, and out emerged Elfherinsei , gleaming and enraged.

"What the hell is this, Karina?!" he roared .

"Stop yelling and heal the girl," Karina ordered .

"Why would I heal an ally of Galadriel ?" he asked. Elfhrinsei .

"Because I'm ordering you to. And then you erase her and the boy's memories," Karina said .

I felt the air vibrate. Shouta held me tightly, completely bewildered.

Elfherinsei sighed reluctantly, but then came closer and touched my chest.

A flash. Heat. Then, peace.

I opened my eyes suddenly, breathing with difficulty. I saw Karina, Elfherinsei … and Emma.

— Emma, Shouta … run! — I shouted .

Karina shook her head.

"Don't worry. No one is going to die today," Karina said .

"She will be healed and will forget everything. That's the deal," Elfherinsei said in a dry tone.

— Forget… everything? — I asked , confused.

Emma nodded.

"Yes," said Emma.

"Are you cheating on me?" I asked , almost crying.

"Of course not. But your life is more important than any oath," Emma replied calmly.

The tears streamed down my face without me even realizing it.

— Je suis désolée , Emma... (I'm sorry, Emma...)

Karina laughed, pleased.

"Impressive... her French is perfect," he said . Krina .

Elfherinsei crossed his arms.

"Enough with the sentimentality. I'm going to erase the memories," he said . Elfhrinsei .

"Wait. I want to ask you something first," Karina interrupted him.

She looked at me.

"Do you understand Russian?" Karina asked me.

"A little," I replied.

"Interesting... then I want to hear you speak Russian sometime," said Karina.

"I... I don't want to forget what happened today," Shouta murmured.

Karina stared at him, surprised and amused.

"Don't tell me it's because of Yumi ?" Karina asked .

We both blushed at the same time.

"How beautiful... youth still flourishes, even amidst the chaos," said Karina.

"Stop it..." I murmured, embarrassed.

Elfherinsei snorted.

"Enough of this nonsense or I'll kill everyone here!" he shouted. Elfhrinsei .

Karina smiled, closing her eyes.

"Our time is up, Yumi ," Karina said .

She turned, took off her coat, and kissed Emma on the cheek, before disappearing with Elfherinsei into the light.

Everything went dark.

The following morning...

I woke up in my bed, sweating profusely.

My head was throbbing.

"What happened...? I... can't remember..."

I got up and went to the living room. Emma was there, drinking tea, as if nothing had happened.

"Do you want to talk about Karina? Or about the fact that you suspect she erased your memories?" she asked , without looking at me.

I was speechless.

— I-I … how do you know that…? — I asked, still confused.

"I didn't betray Galadriel , Yumi . But there are things you still don't understand," she said firmly.

"So she used her succubus powers on you?" I asked.

"No. And listen carefully, because you can't tell anyone," Emma replied .

"Okay..." I said.

Emma put down her cup and looked out the window.

"I met Karina more than twenty years ago at a world event. She was a stunning woman, accompanied by a man who seemed to work for the Russian government," said Emma.

My heart ached.

"So she really is someone important... but why is she in Japan?"

"How long ago was that?" I asked .

"About twenty-five years. And I heard that, a few years ago, she had a daughter," Emma replied .

My eyes widened.

"A daughter...?" I said, confused.

Emma took a deep breath.

"Yes. And it's best if I tell you from the beginning..." Emma said.

She leaned back on the sofa, her eyes lost in memory.

"That day, I went into the bathroom. Karina was there… and a man with pointed ears, who I later found out was Elfherinsei . They intended to kill me. But I said something that made them change their minds," Emma said .

Emma blushed.

"Wait... why did she react like that?"

"You must be wondering why I blushed. It's because I told Karina and Elfherinsei that I was... in love with Karina," she said , taking a deep breath.

I blinked, unable to believe it.

"I've loved her since the day I saw her. Everything about her seemed... perfect," he continued .

"So Emma loves Karina..."

"And Karina believed that?" I asked , trying to guess where this was all going.

— Yes. And… we were together a few times. It was intense. I don't know if she felt the same, but… with me, at least, there was no spell. — She looked away .

"So you think you weren't manipulated by the succubus's power?" I confirmed .

"She complained about her husband, Smirnov Alexander. It seemed like she was planning to break up with him and… maybe be with me. But it didn't happen," Emma said .

"Why?" I asked.

"Because she got pregnant," Emma replied .

I swallowed hard.

"So Fujimoto would be... entirely Russian?"

"She was expecting a girl," he added.

"A girl?!" I shouted in astonishment.

"Yes. Why?" Emma asked .

"Because Karina has a son named Fujimoto , who's in my class," I replied.

Emma frowned.

"So she may have separated from Alexander and gotten involved with a Japanese man afterwards…" Emma said.

"Nothing good... really no good."

"Do you know the daughter's name?" I asked .

"Unfortunately, no. She didn't tell me," Emma said .

A beep cut through the room.

"That's my alarm! I'm going to be late for my skating lesson. We'll continue later!" I said.

I took off running. I turned the corner running and… bam! I bumped into a girl.

"Excuse me!" I shouted.

I continued until I could breathe, look at the clock, and give thanks.

"Phew... only four minutes late," I said.

I looked at the backpack. It was open.

"I left without closing the door... hopefully nothing fell out."

I rummaged through the inside. The bag with the skating clothes was missing.

"It must have been when I bumped into that girl..."

I sat on the floor, upset. The same girl appeared in front of me with the plastic bag in her hand.

Was that it?

I hugged her without thinking.

— Thank you! You're a hero. — I said gratefully.

" Alisiya , that's my name. And watch where you run," she said , smiling slightly.

— Alisiya , I'm sorry again. Thank you for bringing my clothes. — I apologized and thanked her.

Just don't fall in love with me. I've seen that in manga before. "Yuri ," he replied with gentle irony.

"Do you like anime and manga ?" I asked.

"I like it. But only when it's a good comedy," he replied . Alisiya .

The gate opened. The teacher glared at me.

"Excuse me!" I said , already going inside.

— It looks like we said goodbye here — said Alisiya .

"It was nice to meet you!" I shouted.

"Can I whisper something?" She leaned closer to my ear, hesitantly.

"You can," I said.

— Never mind . I won't interrupt your class. — Alisiya opened her mouth… and took a step back.

He stepped away. For a moment, the air around me turned… cold. A premonition pierced my skin like a blade. Elven instinct? Silence.

I went in.

The teacher announced:

A new student will be training with us today.

"Ah, great... it must be some pervert trying to get close to the girls."

The door opened. Fubuki Shouta .

Our eyes met.

" Huh?"

(It can't be... she's going to tell the school...) — I read it in his eyes.

" Mayumi and Fubuki , help whoever is having difficulty," the teacher requested.

"Why is Fubuki going to teach?" I grumbled .

"Because he's the best in the boys' class. His level intimidates the others, so he's going to train here today," he explained .

My stomach churned.

"I bet the boys' teacher brought Fubuki here so he could pose as a heartthrob... and he's even friends with Hiroshi."

"Teacher, can we have a competition? Me against Fubuki ," I asked.

She hesitated. Shouta smiled slightly.

"I accept," he said . Shouta confident.

Authorized. Let's begin.

Right on the first lap, I lost my breath.

"He is magnificent... every movement has an absurd elegance."

I shifted gears too late, almost fell, and a firm hand caught me. Shouta .

"How about we stop competing and give a real lesson to those who are watching?" he suggested .

I sighed, giving up.

"Come on, Shouta . Let's go skating," I said, smiling.

And we danced.

We glided like a mirror, crossing invisible lines, lifting the nonexistent ice of that floor as if it were water. The group held their breath and, when we finished, a shower of applause enveloped us.

Hours later, empty seats. I found Shouta in the stands, putting his clothes in his backpack. I sat down next to him.

"You're... amazing," I complimented him.

He chuckled softly.

"I wasn't expecting to see a guy who skates like that, was I, Mayumi-san ?" he asked. Shouta .

"No need for formalities. You can call me Yumi ," I said.

"Okay, Yumi ," she said . Shouta .

"I've been wanting to ask you something since yesterday," I said.

— Send it. — he said . Shouta .

"Why do you hang out with Hiroshi and help with the bullying ?" I asked.

He lowered his head.

"Because he knows I skate... and do ballet," she replied . Shouta .

"Then he should be making your life a living hell. Why do you side with him?" I asked.

"I begged him not to do this to me. I said that... I would be loyal, that I would help maintain his reputation and... turn a blind eye to the rest," she replied . Shouta is sad.

I clenched my fists.

"You're going to stop this. Today," I said.

"I can't. And he can't know you found out. He would blackmail you too. And... he wanted to force you to be 'his.' I don't want you to suffer because of me," she breathed , panting.

I blushed, unable to hide it.

"I know how to defend myself. Can I tell you a secret?" I said.

"Which one?" he asked. Shouta

I tied my hair up. The trimmed, pointed ends were showing.

"My ears," I showed him.

"Why are they like this...?" he asked. Shouta was shocked.

"Because I'm an elf ," I revealed to him.

"An... elf ?" Shouta said, surprised.

I created three silent clones that dissolved into thin air like dust of light.

"Don't worry. Hiroshi won't break me," I said.

He smiled so genuinely it hurt. The late afternoon light streamed through the shed and landed on his face. I felt my chest warm. I leaned in and pressed my lips to his, a brief, shy kiss that was worth more than any fanfare.

We awkwardly moved away from each other.

" Shouta ... do you want to go out with me?" I asked him.

His eyes widened. Then he nodded.

"I accept," he replied . Shouta .

A creaking sound echoed. The main gate slammed shut and… clack . Padlock.

Shouta jumped to his feet.

"Wait... it's just the two of us here," he said . Shouta .

A mischievous smile threatened to escape my face.

"Don't worry. I am in a hurry, yes... but I have priorities," I said.

He blinked.

"Priorities?" he asked. Shouta .

I closed my eyes. I concentrated magic in my hands and touched time; the world slowed down, the hands of the clock lost their haste, and the dust suspended in the air looked like snow. I walked to the motionless padlock and, with a gesture, made the latch give way. The moment breathed again.

"Priority number one: get us out of here," I said, pointing to the exit.

"Priority number two: don't give Hiroshi ammunition to make up stories. And number three…" I rested my forehead against his.

" It's about preserving this moment in the right way," I continued .

Shouta smiled, relieved.

he said . Shouta .

"It's already started," I replied, intertwining my fingers with his.

We walked side by side to the street. The night wind carried the smell of rain and the strange feeling that destiny had just turned a corner.

"Today I chose a line that doesn't cross."

"Tomorrow I will protect you in whatever way I can," he said . Shouta , before saying goodbye.

Smile.

"Tomorrow, I'll protect you," I said.

And we parted ways, each carrying half of the same promise.