chapter 8

Celestia stood in front of the mirror, studying her reflection curiously. Her long black hair glistened in the room's light, the diamond on her forehead gave off a faint glow. This mortal world was strange, she thought, but there was something interesting about the way it changed and evolved over time.

On the small table next to her, she saw several glass bottles with unique shapes. She picked one up and turned it over, reading the writing on the label that she didn't understand at all.

"What is this glass box thing? Why is there water that's this cloudy?" she muttered softly.

Meanwhile, Lean was sitting at his desk, writing something in his journal. The sound of pen scratching on paper filled the room. He glanced at Celestia who was busy with herself.

"It's called perfume," he said casually without turning around.

Celestia frowned, still holding the glass bottle carefully. "Perfume? What's it for?"

Lean smiled thinly. "To make someone's body smell better."

Celestia was getting more and more curious. She opened the bottle cap and sniffed its contents carefully. A soft scent mixed with the fragrance of flowers immediately filled her senses. She blinked a few times, then brought it closer to her nose again.

Unconsciously, her slender fingers pressed the top of the bottle, and suddenly—

"Hhhaaaacchhhuuu!!!"

Celestia sneezed loudly! The spray of perfume immediately hit her face, surprising her. Her eyes widened, then she waved her hands, as if she wanted to get rid of the scent that suddenly attacked her.

Lean, who was writing, stopped for a moment and turned his head. As soon as he saw Celestia's surprised expression, he couldn't hold back his laughter.

"Hahahaha! Someone is acting silly. Celestia, you are so funny!"

Celestia was still blinking her eyes, then looked at Lean in annoyance. "What are you laughing at? It's not my fault!"

Lean got up from his chair, walked over, and looked at her with amusement. "You looked so cute just now. I wish I could capture that expression."

Celestia snorted and carefully placed the bottle of perfume on the table. "This perfume is cunning! I didn't expect a small thing like this to attack me!"

Lean gently stroked Celestia's head. "It's not the perfume's fault, you're just too curious."

Celestia folded her arms across her chest, still sulking. However, in a few seconds, she chuckled. "Okay, maybe it's a little funny."

"So, what do you think? Do you like the scent?"

Celestia sniffed her arm which still smelled of flowers and nodded slightly. "It smells weird... but it's not bad."

Lean chuckled. "If you like it, next time we can find a perfume that suits you."

Celestia looked at him with sparkling eyes. "Really? I want to smell like... the ocean."

Hm, maybe we can find some ocean scented perfume at the perfume shop in town. How about we go there tomorrow?"

"That's a great idea! I can't wait!"

Lean nodded. "Okay. But for now, let's get some rest. Don't end up spraying yourself with perfume again, okay?"

Celestia stuck out her tongue playfully. "I'm not that stupid!"

They laughed together, and the night felt warmer with their company. Maybe the mortal world was full of unexpected things, but for Celestia, every little surprise she experienced with Lean was part of the magic that made her fall in love with this world even more—and maybe Lean too.

Celestia was still staring at Lean with an annoyed expression after the perfume incident earlier. But before she could say anything, Lean suddenly poked the tip of her nose and quickly stepped back.

"You look so cute when you're upset, Celestia," he teased with a mischievous grin.

Celestia's eyes widened. "What?!"

Lean just laughed and turned around, running away. "If you can catch me, I'll apologize!"

"LEANNNNNNN!! COME BACK HERE, BLUE-HAIRED BOY!!!"

Without thinking, she immediately chased after Lean who had run around the room. Her long hair fluttered as she tried to catch the man, but Lean was more agile. He jumped over the bed and easily avoided Celestia's catch.

"Stop running and accept my revenge!" Celestia shouted, half annoyed, half laughing.

Lean just chuckled, his eyes full of challenge. "You have to be faster, Goddess Celestia!"

Celestia pressed her lips together, trying to find a way to catch Lean. She suddenly grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it with full force at the man.

"Take this!"

The pillow flew and—THUD!—hit Lean's back.

Lean staggered a little, then turned his head with a surprised expression. "You cheated!"

Celestia giggled. "You said I had to be faster. So I just used strategy!"

"Alright then… counterattack!"

He grabbed his own pillow and threw it at Celestia. The girl dodged it nimbly, but another pillow was already flying straight at him

—THUD!

"Waaa!!" Celestia fell to the bed when the pillow hit her.

Lean laughed in satisfaction. "I guess I win."

However, Celestia didn't stay still. Quickly, she got up and jumped at Lean, pushing him so that the man also fell onto the bed.

"Now I win!" she exclaimed as she pinned Lean down and pressed both of his hands to the bed.

Lean looked at her with sparkling eyes, still chuckling. "Alright, alright. I give up."

Celestia smiled in satisfaction, but her smile slowly faded when she realized how close their faces were. Lean's breath was warm on her skin, and his brown eyes stared at her softly.

Silence~

Celestia swallowed, suddenly feeling nervous. She could feel her heart beating faster than usual.

Lean smiled slightly. "You're not really going to punish me, are you?" his voice was soft, almost a whisper.

Celestia blinked, then quickly pulled away. "Of course I'm going to punish you! Your punishment is... to prepare me some tea!" she said quickly, trying to distract herself from her erratic heartbeat.

Lean chuckled and sat back down. "Alright, alright. I'll make some tea for this spoiled Miss Goddess."

Celestia snorted, but her cheeks still felt warm.

That night, the two of them spent time together, teasing and laughing, as if the world belonged only to the two of them. Perhaps, without them realizing it, something deeper was starting to grow amidst the jokes and laughter. Something more than just friendship—something that was slowly starting to connect their hearts.