#Aoi
I put another book back on the library shelf, sighing.
There weren't many people around this time of day, so work was lighter. The well-practiced monotonous task always left me with plenty of time to think. And with nobody around to bother me, my familiar worries rose back up.
Me and Cerulea were secretly heroes of the city. But recently, I was getting worried about her. She kept disappearing somewhere. And it was getting difficult to track her down sometimes.
"If you're that concerned about her, why don't you talk to her about it?" Shia said from beside me.
Shia looked like a small bluebird, but she was actually an extension of the same powers that let us fight monsters. And I could control who could perceive her. So at least nobody was going to complain about a bird inside the library.
"Concerned about who?" I asked, feigning ignorance.
Shia hopped up onto the shelf I was working on, fluttering her wings. "You know who. You really should talk through your concerns with her. Rather than-"
"I don't need advice from some artificial personality construct," I replied. "Cerulea is probably fine. She is my sister after all."
Although Cerulea wasn't technically my actual sister, I cared about her like one. And I had finally convinced her to start calling me a sister too. But really, I cared about her like she was more than a sister. My feelings for her could never be summed up in one word like that.
I was always watching out for Cerulea. I protected her from the filth of this world. She was like a pure flower sprouting in a muddy swamp. And I would be the one to protect her pristine petals. I would ensure the sins of this world never tainted her. Just seeing her always filled my heart with comfort. Even now, I wanted nothing more than to-
"You're getting distracted again..." Shia chirped out.
Blinking, I refocused my eyes on the bookshelf in front of me. I had to finish putting these books away. I couldn't let myself get distracted like that.
"Right, thanks," I nodded, and got back to work.
-
Later that day, I headed over to Cerulea's apartment.
I had long since acquired the key to her apartment and let myself in. She always left a spare hanging up by the door. So I made a copy a while back. It was useful for checking in on her, making sure she was okay.
Walking around, there was no sign of her. But she was usually back in her apartment by this time on Tuesdays...
"Cerulea?" I called out into the apartment. But there wasn't any response back.
Sighing, I plopped down on the couch. I could just wait for her to return. She didn't have anything on her calendar today, and it was rare for her to stop anywhere before home on Tuesdays. So I was sure she would get home soon enough.
But as the sun began to set, there was no sign of her. And soon enough, it was completely dark.
Sitting in the dark, my anxiety started to take hold again. What could she be doing out so late? There was no way she was out with friends. She didn't have any friends that I didn't know of, right? But what if she had a boyfriend? My stomach lurched at the thought. There was no way she would do that... Not my Cerulea... I couldn't let her get tainted like that...
Finally, the door clicked unlocked and Cerulea walked in. My anxiety was washed away in an instant, she was alone. But as she closed the door, a flood of questions returned.
"Where were you? And so late at night?" I demanded.
"Aoi?!?" Cerulea asked back, flipping on a light.
"Where were you!?" I demanded again.
"Uhm... I was just..." she hesitated. "Y'know, I was just out surveying the town!"
"It might be a little more peaceful right now, but you can't let your guard down!" I replied. Uncrossing my legs, I stood up, walking over to her. "You should tell me before you do stuff like that!"
"Sure, sure, I'll do that!" Cerulea said with a smile.
Why was she always so lackadaisical like this? When I was trying so hard to protect her too. She just didn't understand how dangerous this world was.
"You worry too muchο½" she said, wrapping me in a hug.
As she hugged me, her breath came hot on my neck. She suddenly kissed my cheek and my face grew hot for some reason. She was much taller than me, and with her arms around me like this, my face was buried in her chest.
But she didn't break the hug, still kissing my cheek. Her tongue suddenly got bolder, licking at my face, and then at my ear. I couldn't help but squirm in her grasp.
"H-Hey Cerulea! What do you think you are doing!?" I shouted out, my face now bright red. The innocent flower I was trying to protect had suddenly done something so indecent... And yet my head was spinning.
"Sorryο½ I'm just a bit tired."
I let out a shaky sigh, trying to get control of myself. "Th-that's fine. Sorry for coming over so late unannounced..."
But she just grinned mischievously down at me, her eyes still half-lidded in exhaustion. And without warning, she suddenly wrapped me in another hug.
"I love youο½" she breathed into my ear. And I squirmed in her grasp.
She suddenly bit down gently on my earlobe, sucking on my ear. And despite the situation, I began melting into her embrace. Was she coming onto me? Had the beautiful flower I protected finally come to reward my perseverance?
"C-Cerulea..." I stammered. "We're sisters though..."
She pulled back, confused, "Just cause we're in a sisterhood? I can't tell you I love you?"
"Uhm- I mean, maybe that might be so. We aren't blood relatives or anything... B-But... It's no good!" She was the innocent flower I needed to protect... "We can't! Our love is forbidden! We're Saints after all! We must remain chaste!"
That was a lie. I made it up long ago to make sure Cerulea wouldn't see other guys. But now I was using it to push her away...