Reborn As An Extra : I'm gonna mess up everything

Kaelith's voice was like a calm breeze carrying the promise of a thunderstorm. "Oh, of course, I know who you are," she said, her golden eyes narrowing with annoyance. "What I don't know is why in the hell you just fell out of nowhere into my arms."

Maruti felt a chill run down her spine at Kaelith's sharp tone. That annoyed smile on Kaelith's face was a clear warning: she was in deep trouble.

Her mind spun desperately, searching for an escape plan. Then, a ridiculous thought popped into her head. "What was that in the survival guide? If a wild animal pursues you… play dead!"

"Yeah, play dead!" she decided, determined to go through with her harebrained idea.

Maruti let her eyes roll dramatically, her tongue lolling out of her mouth as she slumped in Kaelith's arms like a rag doll. "Oh no… I'm dead!" she croaked out in an exaggerated, comical tone.

Kaelith didn't seem remotely amused. Her eyebrow twitched as she raised a single finger and flicked it against Maruti's forehead with enough force to make her wince.

"Stop playing around," Kaelith said coldly. "You still haven't given me an answer." She remained perfectly poised, still holding Maruti like some kind of unruly princess.

Maruti opened one eye, her dramatic act abandoned in favor of a sheepish grin. "Umm… well, it's a crazy story, really! I don't have a clue myself!" she said shamelessly, shrugging as though her explanation made perfect sense.

Kaelith's annoyed smile didn't waver. Without a word, she released Maruti, letting her fall unceremoniously to the ground with a loud *thud*.

"Ouch! Holy cow… my back!" Maruti yelped, clutching at her spine. She groaned theatrically, but Kaelith didn't spare her so much as a glance.

Instead, Kaelith stepped forward, her boots clicking against the ground, and then—without warning—sat down squarely on Maruti's stomach.

"Ugh!" Maruti's breath hitched as the full weight of Kaelith pressed down on her. She wheezed, her hands flailing helplessly. "H-Hey! Shameless woman, get off! You're way too heavy for this!"

Maruti's face flushed crimson as the crowd around them watched, some with wide eyes and open mouths. It was clear everyone was asking the same question: "What the hell is going on?"

Maruti's grin turned into a nervous, bitter smile. "W-Wait! Why here, in front of everyone? Let's go somewhere quiet, okay? And… and if you really have to do this, Bareback would be much nic—"

SMACK!

Kaelith's hand landed firmly on Maruti's forehead again, making a sharp sound that echoed in the garden. 

"Stop thinking unnecessary things and just answer my question," Kaelith said with a sigh, her silver eyes narrowing. "Then be on your way." 

Maruti winced, rubbing her forehead. "Okay, okay! I'll answer. Just get off my stomach first!" 

---

The two of them sat cross-legged in the middle of the academy garden. The surrounding trees swayed gently in the wind, but the air between them was heavy with awkward tension. Both girls had serious expressions, like they were about to discuss the fate of the world. 

Maruti tilted her head slightly, raising an eyebrow. "Alright, so… what's your question?" 

Kaelith hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line as her gaze flickered between Maruti and the grass beneath them. For someone so confident, she suddenly looked uncertain, like she wasn't sure how to put her thoughts into words.