Marionette's offer?

Lillian cleared out her room and stored whatever she found valuable, including the plushies. She looked around once more and internally noted how much more spacious it was without all the bunnies around.

She then stared at her state-of-the-art white PC with an unsure look. After thinking it through, she clung to it lovingly and stored it away inside her ring, as well as all the others. (5)

"Can't leave behind a good PC!"

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Hm? Who's at the door?" Lillian walked to the apartment door and opened it, revealing Marionette patiently waiting behind it.

"Are you finished?"

"Just about... you?"

Marionette nodded softly in response, "I had very little." She then took a curious peer inside Lillian's apartment, "But I suspect it might be the opposite with you..."

Lillian rubbed the back of her head sheepishly, "Hehe... just a tad bit..." (3)

"Could it be because of... rabbit-based plushies...?" Marionette asked, folding her arms.

Lillian stiffened, "How'd you know about that?" she asked.

Marionette pointed towards the floor. Lillian looked down to find a conspicuous small plushie under her foot.

'How'd it even get there!?' She quickly reached down and grabbed it, hiding it behind her back. Was what she had intended to do before Marionette snatched it out of her hand.

She gazed at it curiously, "It's cute..." she commented, pinching its ears.

"I-I see... I'm glad you think so." Her face slightly reddened from embarrassment. After being handed back her bunny and storing it, they made their way back to the elevator, where Marionette would begin a conversation. (2)

"You did very well in the exam. Far beyond any expectations I had, Miss Arius." Marionette shockingly complimented. Lillian widened her eyes as she stared at her, blushing slightly. (2)

She bashfully turned away. She then raised her index finger to her hair and twirled it, "I-Is that so... I'm glad... again..." (18)

BAM!

'Eh...?' Lillian gazed up at Marionette as she pinned her back to the wall. She glanced at Marionette's hand, which was placed against the wall beside her head.

"M-miss Roselle—!

Marionette stared down at Lillian, "...I appreciate if you would look at me when I am talking to you, Miss Arius..." She interrupted, leaning down near Lillian's face.

Lillian was beginning to grow slightly flustered.

Marionette, seeing that she had Lillian's full attention on her, continued. "Your tenacity to win was admirable. Even to me. And your cunningness in the final few dozen minutes of the exam was... endearing in a way..." Marionette whispered into Lillian's ear.

Lillian's face at this point was so red to the point it would practically be a tomato. Having had enough, she pulled Marionette away from her and breathed heavily, "What was that about!? Was there a need for you to be so close?" (10)

"Do you perhaps dislike it?" Marionette tilted her head. This left Lillian speechless. Was this woman who had difficulties with directions... seducing her...? This can't be!

"... I... what is it that you want anyway?" Lillian decided to change the subject.

Marionette noticed this and decided to let it slide, "What I want is..." Before she could say, the elevator door opened, revealing a crowd of people wanting to get in.

Marionette sighed, "Let's leave first..." Lillian nodded timidly and followed suit. She gave several brief glances at Marionette, avoiding her gazes when she looked back. (3)

After they had exited the building, Marionette opened up another portal for them to enter—appearing back in the academy's realm. They walked towards the female dormitory.

Marionette reached her hand out towards the door handle before a subtle beep resounded beside her. She looked to the left and saw Lillian holding her card over a black scanner.

"You need a Student ID belonging to a girl to get into this place," Lillian stated.

Marionette nodded and pushed against the door, "Thank you." After entering, they appeared in what seemed to be a lounge belonging to the bottom floor.

The floor was laid with a comfy red carpet and had a couple of couches for those who wished to reside on this floor to socialise.

It was currently quite empty.

They moved towards the elevator on the side of the walls, pressed the button, and waited. After entering the elevator, Marionette turned towards Lillian.

"What floor are you on? It seems I'm on the 36th floor." Marionette asked while staring at her own card, which, looking at the last three digits after the fifth, read 900.

Lillian looked down on her card and saw that it read 365, "I believe I am on the... 14th floor."

Marionette nodded and pressed for the 14th and 36th floors before leaning her back against the wall. She then turned back to Lillian, "Now then... where was I?" Marionette asked.

"... You mean back then in the other elevator?" Lillian asked, slightly nervous. Marionette gave a brief nod. "You were about to tell me what you wanted." Lillian reminded, staring her in the eyes with a slightly reddened face—remembering what happened just a few minutes ago.

"Ah... yes..." Marionette then pulled her hand out to Lillian, "I wish for us, Miss Ar—... no... Miss Lillian... I wish for us to be acquaintances..."

Lillian stared down at the hand with wide eyes, "Not friends...?" (2)

"... Do you accept my offer or...?" Just before Marionette pulled back her hand, Lillian immediately clutched and shook it. (3)

"N-no! Just a bit surprised..." Lillian smiled brightly at Marionette, causing her eyes to shake briefly. (2)

"I see..." With a sudden turn of events, Marionette wrapped her right arm around Lillian's waist and pulled her in, "I look forward to us working together... Miss Lillian... I hope you can work hard to exceed my expectations and... stay by my side."

Marionette leaned and pulled her in tighter, "Because I'm not going to lose... to you... again, Miss Lillian." She spoke in a deep and low tone.

DING!

The elevator door widened, revealing a long corridor of doors. Lillian quickly bursted out from Marionette's embrace, "I-I too, look forward to it, Miss Roselle!" Lillian then ran off with a highly flustered expression.

Marionette stared at her and then back at her hand. "Was I too touchy...?" she reflected—soon being hidden away from the closing of the doors.