This wasn’t supposed to happen.

“Let’s get the contract done right away. While we’re dawdling, Obo-chan’s soul is in danger.”

Hearing Voal’s words, Elen panics.

“G-Gadiel, are you okay?”

“…I can’t really feel it, even if you say it’s dangerous.”

Gadiel checks his own body from arm to foot, within visible range, but nothing seems to be happening.

From Elen’s view, nothing about Gadiel’s body looked abnormal either.

Maybe it’s just because we’re in a dream. Maybe we can’t tell.

“Does it hurt at all?”

“Not really. Thanks for worrying.”

“Huh? Oh, uh…”

When Gadiel says thanks with a smile, Elen’s face suddenly burns hot.

( Ugh… why does this feel so embarrassing… )

Blushing again, she steals a quick glance at Gadiel. Never thought I’d be too shy to look him straight in the eye.

(Why does this feel so embarrassing…?)

Elen presses her hot cheeks with her hands, trying to hide them. Closer inspection reveals her wrists are red too. Looks like her whole body’s heating up.

“Might be better to hurry up before Elen-chan starts running a fever.”

Origin, clearly seeing through her state, says it with a light tone.

I’m not getting sick! she almost says—but Gadiel’s the one who panics first.

“Are you really okay, Elen?!”

“Y-yeah, I’m fine!”

They’re both fussing over each other, and Elen’s starting to feel a little weird.

“I never thought I’d be able to talk to Gadiel like this, so I’m kinda excited. Let’s talk a lot more from now on, okay?”

Elen smiled sweetly, and Gadiel nodded happily in return, “Ah,” he said.

"Elen... that's not excitement, you know..."

Ah... I noticed...

The Dual Goddesses hold their breath, muttering such things under their breath, but Elen and the others don’t hear a word.

"Ah, but... how does the contract thing work again?"

You wouldn’t know unless you’d done it yourself.

I blurted out, gripped by worry, and Origin said, “It’s fine,” placing both hands on Elen’s shoulders.

Close your eyes. Feel it in your heart. Elen, you were already on my mind during the spirit festival, weren’t you?

"...huh?"

"Spirit Festival...?"

Gadiel let out a startled cry. No wonder, really.

After the curse activated and she collapsed, Gadiel had been speaking to Elen for a long time in front of the stone monument, alongside his younger brother, Rasuel.

Back then, you were already starting to notice each other, weren’t you? A contract’s just a bond of souls, you know. I kind of suspected something, so I warned myself not to get involved back then… but no matter what, things you can’t help noticing just keep catching your eye, don’t they?

Hehehe, I remember feeling the same way~ Origin chuckled, lost in memory.

Elen’s face flushed slowly, warm and prickly. Gadiel looked thoroughly flustered.

“M-Mother, why’d you have to spill the beans like that!?”

“Hohohoho…”

“Elen… the Spirit Festival… were you really there… that time?”

“Eh… um…”

“Elen-chan, you were listening all along to your daddy’s voice from behind the stone monument of a different world… crying, all alone.”

“Elen…”

“Elen-chan’s a spirit, yes… and even a goddess… but she still holds humans close, very close.”

“Is that why… you said you’d listen?”

…

Thank you, Elen. I’m happy.

Uh… yeah…

Gadiel extended his right hand. Prompted to place hers on it, Elen hesitantly set her left hand atop his.

Gadiel knelt on one knee, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand like a knight swearing loyalty.

Elen’s heart fluttered. She didn’t know how to react—just froze stiff, like a wooden doll. Then, looking up at her, Gadiel spoke.

“Elen… I know you’re binding yourself to me to protect my soul… but I want to protect you, too.”

“Gadiel…”

“Let me stand beside you.”

…

Elen tightened her grip on his hand.

Gadiel seemed surprised by her reaction.

“I’ve already been protected. Thank you.”

With a smile so soft it melted bones, Elen gave her thanks.

Elen’s eyes shimmered, reflecting light in a kaleidoscope of colors. Maybe it was just tears catching the glow.

Gadiel, who’d just realized how much Lovell had bragged about Elen’s mysterious eyes, was utterly transfixed by them.

From the hand still clasped between Elen and Gadiel, a burst of magic unfolded into a swirling sigil.

The sigil encircled them both, forming a glowing ring that spun slowly.

“The contract is sealed,” Origin said. “I, your mother, shall watch over this bond with Elen.”

The Dual Goddesses echoed in blessing.

“The All-Seeing Vaul watches over it.”

“The Judge of Judgment, Vaul, watches over it. No cheating, now?”

Elen nearly laughed at Vaul’s reminder—couldn’t help it.

It was obvious, really. This was it.

This was what binding two souls meant.

Blessed by the goddesses, Elen opened her mouth.

『I am Elen, daughter of the Spirit King Origin—goddess of elements!』

As Elen spoke, her power wrapped around Gadiel.

It was like threads of fate, binding Elen and Gadiel together.

Light burst from Elen, flooding the black dream with white, spreading like ink in water.

Gadiel squeezed his eyes shut, overwhelmed by the brightness.

＊＊＊

【……oh, …………】

When the light faded, Origin and the Dual Goddesses clapped their hands, shouting, “Congratulations～～!”

I’d expected some kind of change… but nothing seemed different.

“Um… is this really okay?”

“Yes, it’s fine. Good job, Elen-chan.”

“Yes. Gadiel, you’re okay now…”

【……that was it】

“Huh?”

I thought I heard something. When Elen instinctively strained to listen, Gadiel, who had just noticed the light had settled, said the same thing aloud: “Is the contract… over?”

Gadiel didn’t seem to feel it either.

【I love you】

“Huh?!”

【I’ve always loved you. I’m so happy… I never thought this day would come…】

Clear as a bell, it echoed inside her head. That was Gadiel’s voice.

【Elen, I love you】

“~!~!~!~!~!~!?!”

Elen flushed crimson, her whole body going hot, and stared at Gadiel like she’d been struck.

Gadiel and Origin, noticing her reaction, tilted their heads in unison.

【I’ll be with Elen forever】

“Wait, wait, wait! What is this—?!”

Blushing furiously, Elen clapped both hands over her ears and darted behind Origin, hiding like a startled mouse.

Elen was losing her mind to Gadiel’s voice echoing in her ears.

“Ah, right… that’s what it was.”

“Yeah, I’d forgotten.”

“Ooh, ooh~”

Origin and the others seemed to have noticed Elen’s flustered state.

When Gadiel blurted out, “Your voice?” Vaul replied.

“Once you’re bound by contract, your soul connects. So your thoughts just… leak straight into Elen.”

“Huh…?”

“Elen’s hearing every single bit of your affection for her.”

“H…?!”

“Maybe she’s actually hearing your love confession, Elen-chan?”

By the time she said that, Gadiel was bright red.

“M-M-M-M-M-Stop…! My feelings… to Elen?!”

“Elen-chan, what does my heart’s voice sound like to you?”

“～～～～～～!!”

Elen clamped her hands over her ears, shaking her head violently. Her face was crimson, ripe and flushed from neck to fingertips.

Her eyes were watery, clearly unable to meet Gadiel’s gaze straight on.

Seeing her reaction, everyone seemed to think, *Of course.*

Gadiel’s eyes were wide with shock, but he quickly seemed to grasp the situation.

“I—I didn’t want to be found out by Elen like this…!”

The Origin group felt a flicker of pity for Gadiel, who looked on the verge of tears.