C14 Nightmare

Lin Mu and Shido picked up some breakfast to take back home. By the time they got back, Itsuka was already up and had finished getting ready for the day.

As the trio sat at the dining table, an odd tension hung in the air. Shido was unusually quiet, Itsuka seemed to be avoiding eye contact, and Lin Mu was visibly uncomfortable.

"Um, I'm full," Itsuka announced abruptly. She set her chopsticks down and headed upstairs without another word.

Eventually, only Lin Mu and Shido remained, the silence between them as palpable as it had been in the café. They ate in quiet until Shido couldn't stand it any longer and addressed the elephant in the room, "Mu, about Itsuka..."

Lin Mu's mouth twitched. He had sensed something was off, but hearing Shido bring it up made his head spin, "Uh... there's been a misunderstanding..."

Shido's brow furrowed, and after a brief pause, he pressed, "So, what's your take on this?"

With a wry smile, Lin Mu thought to himself that some issues just couldn't be easily resolved. Novels and anime really do stretch the truth...

"What I think isn't important. It's all about how Itsuka feels," Lin Mu resolved to face the issue head-on.

Shido nodded, and a heavy silence settled once more.

Post-meal, Lin Mu retreated to his room and lay on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

After some time, he noticed through the window that Shido had also returned to his room. Their windows were close enough that they often chatted across the gap, but today neither felt like talking. Shido lay on his bed in silence, lost in thought.

Itsuka, too, was hidden away in her bed, cocooned in her blanket.

It wasn't until noon that Shido invited Lin Mu to join them for lunch. The time apart seemed to have given them all a chance to reflect, and the mood was no longer as heavy as it had been. The atmosphere was gradually returning to the lively and cheerful banter they were used to.

"Mm... Brother's cooking really doesn't hold a candle to Mr. Lin Mu's," Itsuka commented, popping a shrimp into her mouth with a playful smile.

"Uh... really? I'm a bit bummed out, but I'm not against it," Shido said, scratching his head with a smile.

Lin Mu turned his head away and covered his face in a playful gesture, "Stop, stop, you're making me blush."

And just like that, the usual joyful atmosphere was restored.

After dinner, as was customary, Shido began tidying up the table and kitchen. Lin Mu yawned, sneaking a peek at Itsuka, only to be surprised to find her already watching him.

In the midst of Lin Mu's scramble to look away, Itsuka spoke up, "Hey, Mr. Lin Mu, how about playing a game with me for a bit?"

Caught off guard, Lin Mu paused, then with a knowing smile, he replied, "Sure."

That afternoon, Lin Mu received a call from the café where he worked part-time, informing him that he could come in for his regular shift. So, at around half-past two, Lin Mu bid farewell to Shido and Itsuka and set off for the café.

Once Lin Mu had departed, Shido and Itsuka sat together on the living room sofa.

"Tell me, Itsuka, what are your thoughts on Mu?" Shido asked with an easy smile, as if the question was nothing more than small talk.

Itsuka, momentarily stiff with the game controller still in hand, seemed taken aback by her brother's sudden inquiry. She turned to Shido, smiling, "What do you mean? How do I see Mr. Mu? Well, just like you, I see him as a brother, of course."

Satisfied with her response, Shido smiled approvingly, gently patted Itsuka's hair, and let out a quiet sigh of relief.

...

Meanwhile, as the Itsuka siblings engaged in their heartfelt conversation, Lin Mu, now at work in the café, found himself in a predicament.

"Excuse me, may I have a moment of your time?" asked a girl with a devilishly enchanting presence to Lin Mu, who was clad in his waiter's uniform.

Lin Mu, back turned to her, flashed a welcoming smile as he turned to greet her, "How can I assist y—"

But as Lin Mu's eyes met hers, a flood of memories washed over him, leaving him frozen in place.

"No way..."

Ding! Elf: A Nightmare has appeared. Apostle 10086, please be on alert.

The system notification, silent for many days, suddenly echoed in Lin Mu's mind.

"Um, are you alright?" A voice, both magnetic and mysteriously alluring, pulled Lin Mu back to reality.

"Ah... sorry, I spaced out for a moment. So, how may I assist you?" Lin Mu intended to feign ignorance of the other's identity, despite her being the kind of striking that one never forgets...

"Ahhh, have you forgotten me? Lin ~ Mu ~ Jun ~" The elf girl known as Nightmare closed in, her words a soft caress at Lin Mu's ear.

Lin Mu's heart raced as his eyelids twitched. If she knew his name, she must have done her homework on him. He was now firmly in the sights of this dangerously enchanting elf...

While Lin Mu's nerves were on edge, he overheard his fellow attendants' banter.

"Ah, figures it's him again."

"Yep, ever since he arrived, every girl that comes in asks for him. Makes us feel pretty useless."

"Heh, can't blame them; the guy's got looks."

"Still, the girl this time is stunning. Lin Mu's one lucky dude..."

The conversation didn't miss Lin Mu's ears, but the compliments about his looks brought him no joy. Instead, he thought bitterly, "If you're so capable, go ahead! I sure can't handle it!"

Amidst his internal turmoil, a stern yet mature voice cut through from backstage, "Mu, you're on the clock! Save the romance for after hours!"

Manager Shan's voice, though seemingly scolding, was music to Lin Mu's ears at that moment.

Lin Mu quickly turned and called back, "Sorry, Manager. I'm on it, attending to the guests now."

With a silent thank you to the manager, Lin Mu turned back to Nightmare, his expression a masterclass in contrition, "What can I do for you, dear customer?"

The Nightmare Elf offered a graceful smile, her cherry lips parting slightly. "Oh dear, I do apologize for intruding on Lord Lin Mu's valuable time. If it's not too much trouble, may I request a cup of black tea?"

Her demeanor and speech were flawless, reminiscent of a noble's daughter, so much so that even Lin Mu, who had been schooled in the ways of aristocracy from a young age, couldn't spot a single flaw.

Lin Mu then gave the elf known as Nightmare a warm, accommodating smile, tinged with a hint of playful charm.

"It would be my pleasure to assist you."