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“Where have you been?” she asks me, obviously annoyed. “I went by the park and didn’t see you.”
“I went and got these for you.” I hand her a small iris bouquet.
“Oh…” her mouth opens and the word barely escapes. I blush a little as she takes them from my hand.
Flirting. I remember what he said. He’s older, he must know these things. I do feel better after talking to him. He asked me to call him Uncle. I told him I would think about it. It would be nice to have an Uncle, even if it’s one that might kill you one day. Or one you might kill, as Mireille had killed hers...
“Kirika, thank you.” she says softly, breaking into my train of thought. I watch her take the flowers into the kitchen, and hear her rummaging about for a vase. I breathe a sigh of relief.
Uncle said he was glad I was involved with my “Mireille project” as he called it- it meant Soldats had less to worry about Noir. I find I’m glad too, and feel myself smiling.
“Mireille darling, do open up! It’s Anton!” a voice booms from outside the door, followed by knocking.
I go to the door, shaking my head. Anton…
“There- oh hello, little bit!” he gives me an enthusiastic hug. “Ready to go to the carnival?”
“Carnival?”
“We’re going to the carnival this evening. It will be fun.” Mireille comes back into the room, smiling. She sets the vase on the table.
“Well now, what’s this? Another bloke giving you flowers?” Anton walks over to the table and picks up the vase, eyebrows arched. “Do I have competition?”
“Kirika gave those to me.” Mireille says evenly. I watch his puzzled expression as she goes past him to get her purse. “Let’s go, shall we?”

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