Chapter 2

 "And here we are." Blaze opened the door to "Regret's hideout", as she put it.

It didn't stand out all that much, really. It looked like more of a small house as opposed to a hideout. The only thing that stood out about it was that it was smack in the middle of the forest.

Blaze looked at me, wondering why I stood there staring. "What's wrong? Come inside."
I shook my head, "Er, nothing. Right."
She raised her eyebrows, clearly skeptical. Though ultimately decided to say nothing and leave it at that.

I followed after her, staring at the furniture inside.
There was a couch, chairs, tables... Well, the typical stuff you'd expect of a house, I supposed. There were even electronics like a TV, a game console...
Really, it didn't strike me as a "hideout" of a secret organization at all.

I stared at Blaze in disbelief. "Uh... are you sure this is your secret hideout?"
"Yes. ...Why? Is there something wrong with it?" She asked with a frown.
"No, I was just surprised at the atmosphere..."
"...What kind of atmosphere?"

Why is she so hung up on this?

"Homelike, I guess? It just seemed more comfortable than what I expected of a secret organization. "
"I see." She breathed a sigh of relief at my response.

Was she worried I disliked it...?

Ettie smiled at me, "Don't worry! Boss is just worried about making a bad impression on the newbie, so she's kiinda interrogating you to hear what you think. She's not mad at you or anything!"
Blaze flushed, "You don't have to tell her that!"
"If I didn't, you'd just keep scaring poor Luna! You're not exactly great at showing your feelings, so I get why she'd think you're mad at her."
"But I wasn't mad— "
"Sure, sure."

Blaze groaned, looking awfully embarrassed.

Ettie continued on with the tour, cheerfully explaining the different rooms. "So this is the living room! There's also a kitchen and a small dining room— Bathroom's upstairs! Outside we have a little garden, or Cellie does, at least— You saw that when we came in, right? Pretty flowers, huh? Upstairs are the bedrooms— There's four of 'em! Aaand... That's it! I think."
"Your explanations are too simple." Blaze interrupted, sighing.
"I go through it waay faster than you, though."
"Urk. Well, you're not wrong..."

Ettie turned her attention back to me, "So like I was saying, there's four rooms to choose from! Pick whichever you like!"
Robin groaned, "Ugh, don't tell her "whichever". My room is off limits."
"Oh, hush."

I chimed in, "Um, I'm fine with sleeping on the couch..."
Blaze frowned. "And what kind of leader would I be if I let you do that? There's two beds in each room, so it would be a waste if you didn't use one."
"Right! And with that said, let's give her the full tour!"
"Woah!?"

Ettie grabbed my hand, leading me up the stairs. The others followed closely behind.

"First up is Robin's—"
"No."
Ettie pulled back after being given a cold glare, "I was just joking! Lighten up a little!"
Robin scoffed, "Yeah, right."

I glanced at Robin's room. The door had a sign taped on it that said KEEP OUT in bold writing.

He must really not want anyone in there.

"What are you looking at?" He asked with a glare.
"Er, nothing!"
He narrowed his eyes, "Hmm."

I made a mental note to stay away from Robin's room from then on.

Ettie yanked my arm again, leading me to a door with a large violet flower on it.

...The sight almost made my heart stop.

"This is Cellie's room!" Ettie smiled with a large grin, "It's really pretty!"

I couldn't help but stare at the flower on the door, my lips quivering.

Violet...

I clutched my chest, shivering slightly.

"...Huh? Are you okay?" Ettie asked nervously, taken aback by my reaction.
I gasped, quickly trying to regain my composure. "Y-Yeah, I'm fine."
Blaze stared at me, "You don't look fine."
"No, it's just... that violet reminded me of my sister..."

Celine began to panic, "O-Oh... My apologies, I didn't mean to drag up bad memories!"
I shook my head, "N-No, I'm sorry for reacting weird! You didn't do anything wrong!"
"Still, I feel I must apologize..."
"Really, it's fine! Let's just... continue with the tour, okay?"
"I-If that is what you wish..."

Celine nodded, opening the door for me. She entered the room with Ettie and Robin, waiting for me.

Blaze turned her gaze to me, "Are you sure you're okay?" She asked.
"I'm fine, really... You don't have to worry about me so much."

I took a step forward, but Blaze took hold of my arm.

"But I do have to worry. I'm your leader." She stared at me worriedly, "I understand you not trusting me, so I won't press you further. But..."

I merely stood there, at a loss for words. Blaze didn't finish what she was saying, and I didn't answer.

After a moment, she spoke again. "Ione, you—"

"Are you two coming?" Ettie called out.

The two of us looked at Ettie. She was smiling nervously, looking rather worried.

"Y-Yeah, I'll be right there."
I released my arm from Blaze's grip, and followed after Ettie.

*

Celine smiled warmly, "There's not much to look at, but please make yourself comfortable."
She turned her attention to the tea set on the table, "Would you like a cup of tea, Miss Luna?"
I shook my head, "It's fine, I probably won't stay for long."
"I see. Do let me know if you change your mind. There's cookies to go along with it, if you'd like."

"Sweets, huh..." Robin muttered.
"They're not for you, Robin. You can certainly have some if you'd like, but I know you're not a fan of them."
"Yeah, yeah."

I hadn't known Celine for long at all, but she was already going out of her way to be hospitable to me. She seemed to be a kind person. Almost too kind, if you asked me. Even her voice was soothing.
Just being around her felt like being around Violet again...

"...Thank you." I smiled weakly.

Blaze looked at me again. I could feel her red eyes gaze into my soul, almost like she could sense what I was thinking.

But Blaze doesn't have an ability like that, does she? I couldn't help but wonder.

"Of course. This much is nothing." Celine smiled warmly again, "Oh, and I'm sure you haven't decided yet, but you can stay in my room if you wish. I don't mind the extra company."
"I'll keep that in mind."

After Celine escorted us out, we moved onto Ettie's room.

"Ta-daa!" Ettie gestured toward her bedroom door, smiling proudly.
Robin groaned, "...And what are we supposed to be looking at?"
"My room, silly!

Celine chimed in, eyes practically sparkling. "Yes, Miss Ettie's room is just the loveliest! It's filled to the brim with character, and each item was carefully handpicked by Miss Ettie herself! You can tell that she poured her heart into decorating it with cuteness! It's simply adorable! You must see it for yourself!"

Celine was getting unexpectedly excited over this, so much so that I was taken aback by her sudden change in demeanor.

 Ettie laughed awkwardly, "C'mon, it's not that impressive! You're hyping this up waaay too much here!"
"Seriously." Robin nodded.
"I agree with you and all, but it's kinda annoying when you put it that honestly."

I couldn't help but laugh a little at their banter.

Though the others hadn't noticed, Blaze, standing next to me, looked at me with surprise.

"...W-What?"
"Oh. I was just... surprised to see you genuinely laugh."
"......What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, really. Just... surprised since you seemed to be keeping us at a distance."

Blaze ended the subject there, but I couldn't help but think on it.

.......Was it really that unusual?

"Anyway, come on in!"

Ettie's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

She opened the door, motioning us to follow her.

The room was... honestly pretty normal. The overall interior was a pretty lilac color, while the shelves were filled with small mascot-looking characters, romance novels... and what I had assumed was a diary.
There was a white desk in the corner, complete with a pink pencil layed neatly beside a sheet of blank paper. On her bed was a giant huggable mascot plush, seated on a heart-patterned blanket.

I couldn't help but find the whole setup rather cute. 

"It's a nice room." I said honestly. 
"Right!?"
Celine enthusiastically responded to my comment, eyes sparkling.

"C-C'mon, you're embarrassing me!" Ettie giggled nervously, fidgeting slightly.
Robin rolled his eyes. "I don't really see what the fuss is about. It's just a room, isn't it?"
"It's not just a room, Robin! This room belongs to Miss Ettie herself! It's perfectly cute, just like her!"
"Cellie!" Ettie cried out in embarrassment.

I turned to Blaze, "...Are they always like this?"
"Pretty much, yeah. I know they might be a little... odd at times, but they're good people."

Her smile somehow had a feeling of melancholy to it. I couldn't help but wonder why she looked that way.

"...I see." I said with a small nod.

Blaze turned her attention back to the three of them.

"Hey, you three! Did you forget we were giving the new member a tour?"

They stopped arguing in an instant.

"Right, right!" Ettie exclaimed with a clap. "You can decorate your side of the room however you want! I'll even help you out!"
"Assuming she picks your room, that is." Robin teased.
"Quiet."
"Don't worry, Miss Ettie! I'm sure Miss Luna will choose you over myself or Boss! Who wouldn't pick your room?"
"Ah, uh, thanks for the vote of confidence..."

At first, I thought Celine was similar to Violet, but they're really not alike at all...
That aside, she sure likes Ettie.

"I'll think about it."
After I said that, Ettie grinned wide. "Great! I really wanna be friends with you, Luna!"

Before I knew it, I felt my lips curl up.

".....Yeah."

Ettie blinked in surprise, mouth wide open. "You have such a cute smile!"

Wait... was I smiling? I thought, taken aback by everyone's stares.

"Huh. Didn't think you were the type to do that."
"Like you're one to talk, Robin?"
"Oh, shut up."
Robin glared at Celine, muttering under his breath.

Blaze continued staring at me.

"...What is it now?" I asked, frowning.
"I'm just glad to see you're warming up to us."

Then she smiled at me, a look of genuine kindness on her face.

......She really has a pretty smile, after all.

I shook my head of those thoughts again, quickly averting my eyes from her. "......Right. Well, you're my allies, right? So we might as well try to get along with each other."

That girl seriously had a weird way of messing with my head. 

Suddenly, Ettie pounced on me for a hug.

"I'm so happy I was able to make you smile!"
"Woah!?"
"We're gonna be great friends for sure!" She giggled, squeezing me tighter.
"T-That's a little tight..."
"Oh, whoops!"

Ettie released me, laughing sheepishly. "Sorry! I wasn't thinking! I'm kind of a touchy person, but if you're uncomfortable with that, then I'll stop!"
"No... it's fine. I don't mind."

Ettie smiled in relief.

Honestly speaking, the hug felt kind of... nice. I couldn't remember the last time I had hugged someone.

...Was I really so touch starved? The thought was almost embarrassing.

"Next up is..." Ettie turned her attention to Blaze.

Robin and Celine looked at her in turn. I followed their gazes, and ended up staring at her too.

"Er... Why are all of you looking at me like that?"
"Because you're next, obviously!"
"Well, yeah, but it's really not anything to look at." Blaze sighed at Ettie's enthusiasm.

"It's just a regular room, you know? The three of you have already been in there before."
"Yeah, but now we'll get to see the newbie's reaction." Robin said in what seemed like a laugh.
"Wow. Thanks."
"I have to admit I wonder what she'll think of it as well..."
"Not you too, Celine..."

I chimed in, puzzled at the reactions from the other three. "Is it really that impressive?"

"Yup, yup!"
"Totally."
"Very."
The three of them nodded in perfect unison.

"What's it like?"
"Haha. Don't ask." Blaze laughed bitterly at my question.

....Huh. I wonder why she's so annoyed at this.

We made our way to her bedroom door, the three behind us whispering to each other.

"I was reeeally shocked when I first saw it." Ettie said with a giggle.
"Remember when we burst out laughing all those years ago and she threatened to set us on fire?" Robin snickered.
"Ooh, yeah! Memories, huh..."
"Oh, so it was before I joined?" Celine asked with curiousity.

They turned their gaze to me again. Staring in anticipation of my supposedly upcoming reaction.

Blaze visibly twitched as she set her hand on the doorknob.
"Hey, whispering trio over there! I can hear everything you're saying!"

She turned to face the three of them.

"Anyway, you will not be seeing her reaction because Ione and I have something to discuss. Alone."
"Whaaat!? Is this 'cause we were making fun of your room!?"
"I wouldn't kick you out because of that!"
"....Ohhh. I get it."

Ettie made a catlike grin after thinking about something.

"Do you, though? That face can't mean anything good."
"You, like, totally have a thing for her, don't you?"

Blaze smacked Ettie on the head.

"Ouch!?"
"What the hell gave you that impression of all things!?"
"Well, I've read a lot of romance novels and that's usually how it goes! You're totally head-over-heels for her, Boss!"
"Again, might I ask what gave you that impression!? I'm just looking out for her as her leader!"
"Weelll... it hasn't even been a day, y'know? Inviting her into your room like that... Isn't that kinda scandalou—"

Blaze squeezed Ettie's cheeks, clenching her teeth in annoyance.

"Can you not involve me in your weird scenarios!? You're giving the new member the wrong idea!"
"Ouch, ouch! Shtop, shtop! It was just a joke!"

Well, this was getting... awkward.

"Um?" I tapped Blaze's shoulder, to divert her attention.

It seemed to have worked, because her angered expression gradually relaxed.

She released Ettie's cheeks, "Sorry, ignore her. She's a romance fanatic."
Ettie rubbed her cheeks, pouting. "Wow, rude much?"
"I mean, she's not wrong."
"Wow, Robin! I thought you were on my side!"
"...Since when was I on your side?"

Blaze let out a troubled sigh, "Enough, you two. Like I said, we have something to discuss. Can you give us some privacy?"

Ettie pouted again, but seemed to resign to it. "Okay... I'll see you later, Luna!"

 I gave a small wave in response.

"Robin, let's play one of your games! Cellie can join too!"
"...Seriously? Fine, might as well do something while waiting."
"Ooh, is it really alright if I join too?"
The three of them headed downstairs, leaving the two of us alone.

"...Okay then." Blaze cleared her throat. "Sorry about all that. Come on, follow me."
".......Er, right."

Blaze opened the door and I slowly followed after her.