CHAPTER 133: CH 133: ENJOY THE VACATION? - PART 5

Kana woke up later than she intended, sunlight already streaming through the curtains. She stretched lazily before sitting up, when suddenly, a thought struck her.

"...Ah."

The letter.

She scrambled to her bag and pulled out the carefully folded note she had written for Lysera and Irielle days ago.

But as soon as she glanced at the date, her shoulders slumped. It was the last day of her vacation.

Even if she sent it now, it would arrive after she was already home.

"...Too late."

Kana sighed, setting the letter aside. Since she couldn’t send it anymore, she decided instead to bring back something special for the two of them.

Later that afternoon, she wandered through a small local marketplace, scanning the various stalls.

Bright fabrics, glimmering jewelry, and trinkets were on display, but one small booth caught her attention — an elderly woman sat behind a modest table with a collection of handmade necklaces.

"These necklaces are very special. They were once part of a set of three, said to hold great powers of fate and protection. You should buy them, young lady. They’re meant to bring loved ones together."

The old lady said with a warm smile when she noticed Kana’s gaze.

Kana blinked, listening quietly. Her instincts immediately whispered the obvious: she was being scammed.

The lady’s tone, the overly dramatic story, the faint glint of anticipation in her eyes — it was textbook.

"...Uh-huh."

Kana murmured, raising an eyebrow.

Still, despite knowing it, something compelled her. It wasn’t logic. It wasn’t trust. It was a strange, nagging pull inside her chest, urging her to take them.

"...I’ll take these three."

Kana said finally, handing over the coins.

The old woman’s face lit up as she wrapped the necklaces carefully and handed them to Kana.

But just as Kana slipped them into her inventory, a soft notification from her system chimed:

[Item Acquired: Necklace of Fated Bonds]

[Grade: S — Highest Quality.]

Kana froze.

"...Wait. S-grade?!"

She muttered under her breath, eyes wide. She slowly turned to look at the smiling old lady, who seemed far too pleased with herself.

Kana stared. The old woman stared back.

For a moment, neither spoke.

"...I’m not going to ask."

Kana whispered finally, clutching the necklaces tighter. Her instincts screamed at her that digging deeper into this would only cause trouble she wasn’t prepared for.

"Good choice, dear."

The old lady said softly, her smile never faltering.

Kana decided right then and there that she would never question this further.

She slipped the necklaces away carefully, thanked the woman, and continued browsing through the marketplace.

Before heading back, she also picked out a few small souvenirs — something pretty for

Evaya, a rare charm she thought the High Priestess would like, and other small trinkets she thought Lysera and Irielle might enjoy.

By the time she returned to her room, her bag was stuffed, and she began packing the rest of her belongings with quiet efficiency.

When departure time came, Emma came to see her off.

She looked much more relaxed than she had during the chaotic past few days, though there was still a sharpness in her gaze that Kana had come to recognize.

"You’re welcome to come back anytime. And next time, I’ll make sure you don’t run into the same problems you did this time. You’ve done a lot for us, Kana. You deserve a proper vacation."

Emma said warmly, brushing some stray hair behind her ear.

Kana smiled softly at that.

"I’ll... think about it."

Emma laughed lightly and gave her a small wave before heading back toward the resort’s main hall.

With that, Kana finally left the resort, luggage in hand, her mood lighter than it had been in days.

She couldn’t wait to return home — not just to rest, but to see Lysera, Irielle, Evaya, and everyone else again.

For the first time in a while, she allowed herself to feel genuine excitement for what awaited her.

______

Kana returned home with a spring in her step, a bright smile on her face as she carried her bag inside.

The warm sunlight spilling through the doorway only added to her cheerful mood.

After everything that had happened during her vacation, she was finally back — safe, sound, and excited to see everyone again.

But the moment she stepped inside, her smile faltered.

The air was heavy. Too heavy.

A thick, tense silence hung over the house, so sharp it almost made it hard to breathe.

The usual warmth that greeted her was gone, replaced by a cold, oppressive stillness. Kana glanced around, confused.

"...I’m back...?"

She called softly, her voice hesitant.

There was no cheerful reply, no warm welcome. Instead, a shadow appeared from the hallway — Irielle.

Kana froze.

Irielle’s expression was unreadable, but her narrowed eyes and the way her steps were quick and sharp sent a shiver down Kana’s spine.

Before Kana could even open her mouth to explain, Irielle grabbed her wrist firmly.

"W-Wait, Irielle! I—"

"Not. A. Word."

Kana stumbled as she was dragged down the hallway, her protests ignored. The grip on her wrist was unyielding, and there was no room for negotiation.

Within seconds, she was pulled into the living room and practically shoved down onto the sofa.

"Hey! What—"

Before she could finish, Irielle stepped forward, trapping her in place.

Her hands pressed against the sofa on either side of Kana, her figure looming over her, and her sharp gaze locked onto Kana’s face with an intensity that made Kana freeze.

Kana instinctively leaned back, her heart pounding in her chest. The closeness, the pressure, the oppressive silence — it was overwhelming.

"Irielle, wait—let me expl—"

"Do you have any idea how worried we’ve been?"

Irielle said softly, her voice low and cutting,

Kana opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

Irielle’s expression didn’t soften. If anything, the frustration in her eyes deepened as she leaned in closer, caging Kana against the sofa completely.

"You disappear. You ignore messages. And then you come back smiling as if nothing happened?"

Kana gulped, realizing she was in trouble.