Chapter 27 - 24: Your Not Going Anywhere
Ellen stretched her arm—her singular arm—the morning light filtering through the window and casting a soft glow over the room. The events of the previous night lingered in her mind, the unexpected closeness with Miyabi leaving her feeling both awkward and oddly comforted. She glanced at the fox-eared girl, who was sitting cross-legged on the edge of the bed, carefully adjusting the straps of her weapon's sheath. Miyabi's ears twitched slightly, betraying her thoughts even when her expression remained composed.
Ellen stood, her evolved frame made her slightly taller, her movements more fluid and deliberate. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, her missing arm and her increased height staring back at her. Her evolution in Hollow Zero had left its mark. She smiled wryly at the memory of how she and Mira had escaped that twisted dimension, saved by her own desperation and the timely arrival of Section 6. Her thoughts flickered to the moment she met Miyabi for the first time, the enigmatic fox-eared woman offering protection for her and Mira. Little did Ellen know that their paths would become so intertwined.
"You're staring," Miyabi said without looking up, her voice calm but tinged with amusement.
Ellen blinked, caught off guard. "What? No, I wasn't."
Miyabi's ears twitched again, and she turned to face Ellen, her red eyes narrowing slightly in a playful challenge. "You're a terrible liar."
Ellen shrugged, crossing her arm. "Maybe. But you're easy to stare at, short stuff."
Miyabi's cheeks flushed, and her ears flicked upward indignantly. "Short? I'm taller than you."
"Only because of your ears," Ellen quipped, her smirk widening. She stepped closer, standing directly in front of Miyabi to emphasize her point. "See? Same height now. You can't cheat out of this one."
Miyabi's eyes darted to Ellen's, the proximity catching her off guard. Her usual composure faltered, and for a brief moment, she looked away, her blush deepening. "Fine. You've taller. Happy?"
Ellen chuckled softly. "Ecstatic."
The room fell into a comfortable silence as they prepared for the day. Ellen noticed how Miyabi's movements were slower than usual, almost hesitant. It wasn't like her to drag her feet, especially when there was work to be done. Deciding to break the silence, Ellen leaned against the wall, her expression softening.