I could already feel a headache coming on just by imagining what was going to happen next.

"Um, who is that?" Raphtalia asked.

"Raphtalia, rather than think about such deep philosophical questions such as 'who is that random girl who emerged from the bushes', let's just wait for the bus and then you can be on your-" I began, wanting to delay the inevitable. Despite knowing that such was futile, I still wanted to give the universe a chance to make up for all the garbage it had thrown my way by giving me an out just this once.

Needless to say, the universe is a dick.

Atla meanwhile, had regained her composure and ran up to us. Where was her brother? Atla pointed a finger at Raphtalia. "How dare you steal my husband from me!?"

"Eh?" Raphtalia said.

"She's a fan of mine," I explained to Raphtalia. "Uh, she liked my streams when I did used to do them, but she's a bit too obsessed with me now. I've been trying to get rid of her, but haven't been able to." I turned to Atla. "Your brother must be worried sick about you. Why don't you just go home?"

"Heh," Atla said smugly, hands on her hips. "I took care of him no problem!"

Miles away, Fohl was tied up on a bed, wondering how it was that his little sister had suddenly gotten the better of him. Well, the answer was that she had taken him by surprise, he did not want to use real force against her, and she was stronger than she looked.

"Uh... I hesitate to ask what that means," I said, putting a hand over my face. "Atla, we've been over this so many times- why can't you understand?"

"But why can't you understand, RocketBoy?" she pouted. "Clearly I've shown how much I love you! Why can't you just accept me for my love?"

I sighed. How thick was this girl's skull?

"Mr. Naofumi," Raphtalia said. "I think I get what's going on." She approached Atla. "Look, Atla, you're young and... I know how it was when I was your age. To have a crush on someone... you might think that this is love, but it isn't. It's just a fleeting attraction, and Mr. Naofumi is absolutely doing the right thing by rejecting you. You look like you're still in middle school- if it had been someone with ill intent, they would've taken advantage of you. Be thankful that it was Mr. Naofumi you ran into, and not some weirdo." She said this with as much understanding and patience she could muster.

"You just want to steal him from me!" Atla said. "I saw you slobbering over him like a common street whore!"

Atla's reply, in contrast to Raphtalia's understanding and gentle tone, was filled with venom. Atla looked like she was ready to throw hands any minute now. Raphtalia flinched, but to her credit she did not let it affect her next choice of words. "Atla, you might think what I'm saying is wrong, but you'll realize the truth of my words one day."

"No, no, no, no, no!" Atla screamed. Her shrill voice carried over the night, and would no doubt attract some people if she kept things up. "You don't understand- no one does! My love for Mr. Naofumi isn't some small crush or a fad, it's the real deal!"

Raphtalia sighed. "How about this? Why don't you quit bothering Mr. Naofumi and come back home with me tonight?" Huh? What was Raphtalia thinking?

Even Atla hadn't anticipated that turn of events. "Wh... why?"

"I had a friend like you," Raphtalia said. "Long ago- obsessed with crushes. I know Mr. Naofumi well, but I don't think you do. However, if you think that you're some kind of rival for his affection, why don't we talk about it together?"

The lights of the incoming bus were no visible in the distance. "I think it would be good for both of us."

"You... you just want to keep me away from Mr. Naofumi!"

"You're doing that yourself, you know," Raphtalia said. "Unless... you think that you'll lose to me?"

"I would never lose!"

"Your choice then," Raphtalia said.

I had no idea where Raphtalia was going with this. Did she really have a friend like Atla in the past- or was she planning something different and that was just a ruse to drop Atla's guard? I mean, I appreciated her keeping Atla away from me, I just wasn't sure what she was going to get out of it.

"Alright then!" Atla said, taking out a suitcase from the bushes.

"You... brought a suitcase with you?"

"Yup- it has a bridal dress if you agreed to marry me on the spot like I'd imagined," Atla said. I would've found it funny- but she was not joking in the slightest. "So wait for me Mr. Naofumi- I'll teach this wannabe who your real soulmate is!"

The two of them got on the bus and left.

I still could not wrap my head around the sequence of events that had just happened. First, I had kissed Raphtalia, and it had went well! And then Atla had appeared, and was now gone with Raphtalia!

Honestly it was too late to be worried about all of these things. I went back home, with the strange feeling that I'd forgotten something, but I couldn't put my finger on what. Whatever, I'd likely remember later on in the morning. When I got home, I saw Shindo was already fast asleep... yes, why did his presence remind me of something? Something to do with siblings somehow?

Whatever. It had really been not just a long day, but a long week. I sent a message to the SwordMaiden regarding doing a collab and then went to go pass out in my futon.

Meanwhile, miles away, Fohl was still struggling to get out of his binds, and no one had come to help him in a very long time. By morning, it even looked like Atla had completely forgotten about him and the fact that she was supposed to untie him. Where on earth was she?

A/N: Alright everyone, thank you for reading up till now. I'm going on vacation for 2 weeks, meaning the regular upload schedule will be paused for then. See you all in two weeks!