Seraphina was only five-foot-four, the very picture of petite beauty, which was why she always clung to Mika so needily.
In her past life, Mika had believed this behavior proved how close they were.
But looking at it objectively now, she noticed that Seraphina only ever initiated this kind of physical affection when a male audience was present.
When one girl constantly acts like a helpless toddler around another girl of the same age...
Unless it's a mutual inside joke, it usually means one of them is actively infantilizing herself, forcing the other woman into a mature, almost maternal role to coddle her.
Add to that Mika's lack of physical appeal, and the stark contrast made Seraphina look even more dainty and adorable.
Mika subtly pulled away from the embrace, though she maintained her usual gentle smile.
"How's the ankle? Nothing serious, I hope?"
Seraphina pouted pitifully. "It still hurts a little."
Remembering Mika's limping gait, she asked casually,
"What's wrong with you? Your walking looked a bit off just now."
In the past, Mika would have swallowed the pain and shaken her head, insisting she was fine so Seraphina wouldn't worry.
But today, she let a bitter smile slip across her lips naturally.
"I think I carried too much weight yesterday. The strain messed up my knees again."
Seraphina froze.
She had called Mika here specifically to have her carry her back to the dorms.
Now that Mika was admitting her knees were hurt—and it was technically Seraphina's fault—how could she possibly ask her to play pack mule?
While she scrambled for a response, James walked up behind her, flashing Mika a warm, half-joking smile.
"You two really are sisters in misery. Looks like you'll just have to support each other on the way back."


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