Are You?

A voice she had never heard before entered Firefly’s ears, a voice carrying magic, capable of soothing anyone’s emotions.

A pleasant fragrance entered her nose, like the warmth of sunlight, slowly healing her broken heart.

Firefly’s face had bumped right into Edinia’s chest, and with Edinia hugging her tightly, her head was pressed firmly against the softness there.

After a while like this, having calmed down somewhat, Firefly squirmed a little in Edinia’s embrace, lifted her head, and finally saw clearly who was holding her.

Then, she showed a surprised expression.

“Pink hair… a presence like a god… could it be that you are…?”

The pink-haired girl before her matched perfectly with the rumors in the church, and not in any exaggerated way.

Being near her brought warmth. From her aura and her very being, it was clear she could never be an ordinary person.

Most of all, her face was as beautiful as a starry sky, paired with girlish pink hair that made Firefly instinctively regard her as a goddess.

“Mm-hm ♪ You mean the rumors in the church? That’s right～ they’re talking about me.

Honestly, I never thought just appearing a few times would cause such a big reaction～

But, seeing how happy it makes everyone, that’s not so bad, isn’t it ♪”

She playfully winked at Firefly, making her blush at the cute gesture.

All the negativity that weighed her down moments ago mysteriously vanished when faced with this pink-haired girl.

It was as though no bad feelings could exist in her presence. Even the flowers and trees around them seemed to bloom at their most beautiful because of her.

Looking at this infinitely charming girl, Firefly suddenly recalled the rumor that she only appeared when someone needed help.

If she was here now… was it to help her?

Her heart leapt with excitement at the thought, but the memory of her true identity quickly crushed the feeling.

‘She’s clearly on the church’s side. How could she ever help someone like me, a demon?’

Her mood fell again. Yet the warmth radiating from this girl made her unwilling to leave her side.

And strangely, even though it was their first meeting, there was a familiar aura about Edinia—an aura that belonged to Su Mo.

But why would she give off that feeling?

“Ara ♪ Now that you’ve met me, don’t wear such an abandoned-puppy expression～”

She gently patted Firefly’s head, speaking tenderly.

“I… am a demon.”

At last, Firefly didn’t want to lie to the girl who made her feel so good. Her voice trembled as she spoke.

She lowered her head afterward, unwilling to see the disgust she expected to find—disgust that would feel like even Su Mo rejecting her.

“Mm-hm ♪ And what of it～”

The rejection she had imagined never came. What answered her was still that sweet, magnetic voice.

“Eh?”

Confused, Firefly lifted her head and still saw the same warm smile on Edinia’s face.

“I’m a demon, the church’s enemy. Don’t you hate me?”

“Why would I hate you? Firefly is so cute ♪”

Her hand stroked Firefly’s cheek now, gently kneading the soft face with a baby-like roundness.

“B-but…”

Her words came out muffled under the playful kneading, yet her heart brimmed with happiness.

The feeling of being accepted—especially by someone so beautiful—nearly brought her to tears.

“A person’s identity doesn’t define them. What matters is what they do.

If you judge someone’s worth only by their identity, that’s terribly unfair.

So, Firefly, do you think of yourself as someone who spreads evil and does wicked deeds?”

Hearing this, Firefly shook her head vigorously like a rattle drum.

“I’ve never done that! But if I’m a demon, then I can’t be a Saint. No one would accept me.”

“Firefly, what do you think it means to be a Saint?”

“Eh?”

Edinia’s question left her silent.

And as footsteps approached from not far away, Edinia gently released her.

“Firefly ♪ Don’t overthink things～ Those who love you will always love you.

The meeting of miracles sparks endless possibilities, so you don’t need to feel lonely or afraid.

After all, you still have me, don’t you～”

Hearing this, Firefly’s eyes widened.

Because someone had once said these same words to her—and that person was Su Mo.

“Why would you…?”

Firefly was about to ask when she noticed the mask hanging from Edinia’s waist—the very same mask Su Mo had once worn.

Seeing this, an unthinkable thought surfaced in her mind.

“You still have a family member you’ve yet to reunite with～ So, sleep for now ♪”

Before Firefly could voice her question, Edinia pressed a finger to her forehead.

A wave of drowsiness swept over her, and Firefly’s eyes slowly closed as she drifted into sleep.

Holding the now-slumbering Firefly in her arms, Edinia smiled and gently kissed her forehead.

“Everything will be fine in the end, so don’t worry.”

A pink light wrapped around Firefly’s body, and then she dissolved into glowing starlight and vanished.

By now, Edinia could see the blurred figures of the church members chasing after Firefly.

They were bewitched, still unwilling in their hearts to believe Firefly was truly a demon.

They only pursued her to follow orders, and even if they caught her, they would not harm her.

“After all, she’s someone I’ve already accepted as dear ♪”

With a faint smile on her face, Edinia walked toward the church. With each step, an invisible aura spread outward from her.

It was a sleep-inducing mist. Edinia had no wish to harm the church members, but to keep them from finding Firefly, she would make them rest until everything was over.