Harem Stealing System

As Eiden met Lyra's eyes, he didn't know why, but he gave an awkward smile. Lyra, standing quietly behind the group of girls, returned the energy with an equally awkward wave. There was this strange air between themnawkward, sure but not because something awkward had actually happened. It was just… there.

The group of girls was descending the stairs now, chatting and laughing as the crowd's attention shifted to them. Some guys nearby subtly stole glances, others not-so-subtly blushed. Even some who had arrived with their girlfriends couldn't help but admire them especially Sasha. The group included Sasha, Crysty, Lyra, Deria, and three other girls Eiden didn't recognize. His gaze lingered on Lyra again, and he frowned a little. What is Lyra doing here? he wondered. I don't remember her being close with Sasha, nor have I seen them talk before.

He assumed she must've come along with a friend probably Crysty. It was the only reasonable explanation. As the girls made their way down, many guests stepped forward to wish Sasha a happy birthday, handing her presents. She received them gracefully smiling, thanking them, and placing each gift on a large table already piled high.

Eiden watched from a distance, scoffing internally. She's acting like a noble princess… meanwhile this is the same girl who barges into my room without knocking, steals my bed when she feels like it, and sleeps over in the guest room like it's her personal suite. She even had a second toothbrush stored permanently in his washroom. Yet now, she was all elegance and poise.

He looked around, quietly impressed by the size of the crowd. She sure is popular… and has a lot of friends, he thought. Then again, some of these people just tagged along like Deuel and John, who rode in through Harry.

While Sasha continued receiving her guests, Eiden slipped into a corner, grabbed a drink and a small plate of food, and observed the scene as he ate. His eyes drifted back to Lyra. She was silent, almost blending into the background, simply tagging along as the other girls talked to one another. Doesn't seem like she knows most people here, Eiden thought. Probably came with a friend who got too busy chatting to notice she's left out.

Then their eyes met again. Lyra glanced around and spotted him. Eiden signaled toward the balcony with a slight tilt of his head. Lyra, after a second of hesitation, nodded slightly and began moving toward him through the crowd. Eiden stepped out to the balcony, the cool night air brushing against his face. A few seconds later, Lyra joined him.

"Hi," she said softly. "Hi," Eiden replied, then took the initiative. "I didn't know you were friends with Sasha." Lyra shook her head. "No, I don't talk to her often. I came along with Crysty she's close with Sasha. I've known Crysty since middle school."

"I see," Eiden replied gently. "What about you, Eiden?" she asked. "Are you Crysty's childhood friend?"

"No, Sasha's," he corrected with a small smile. "Oh," Lyra said, realizing, then paused. "I'm not good with crowds." Eiden chuckled. "I want to say 'same,' but… I've gotten used to it. Having a childhood friend who's a social butterfly kind of forces you to adapt." Lyra giggled quietly. It was the most relaxed he'd seen her all evening.

After a few minutes of light conversation, Eiden decided to shift gears. As naturally as he could, he asked, "Your childhood friend is Ruel, right? He seems pretty popular and social too. I thought you'd get used to crowds through him, just like I did with Sasha." Lyra's expression shifted just slightly, but enough. "I… don't hang out with him often," she replied, her tone a bit duller now.

"Ohh, is that so?" Eiden said, pretending to be surprised. He quickly pivoted. "Anyway, I saw you a lot with Linda. You two close?"

Lyra glanced at him oddly. Something flickered in her expression. Eiden noted it and internally sighed. Yep, she definitely knows about the whole Linda rejection thing. Sensing her hesitation, he quickly added, "Don't worry, I'm not trying to get close to her or anything. No hidden motives."

Lyra gave a small, embarrassed smile like she'd been caught thinking exactly that. Then she explained, "She and I are best friends. We've known each other since middle school. Crysty, Linda, and I we're close. Like sisters."

"Must be a great bond," Eiden said.

Lyra nodded. "Yeah… They're like my guardians. I'm kind of… naive when it comes to relationships. They always help me, guide me." She hesitated before adding, "They even made me realize that a certain someone wasn't good company for me."

Eiden didn't react outwardly, but inside, he was grinning. So that's it. The sudden crumble in her feelings toward Ruel… it was because of them. Good job, Linda and Crysty.

Then, noticing something in her hands, Eiden asked, "What's that you're holding?"

Lyra blinked, then gasped. "Oh! Sasha's gift! I forgot to give it to her!" Eiden burst into loud laughter, holding his belly and slapping his thigh. "You were this close to her and you forgot?! Hahaha!" Lyra's face flushed red. "Hey! You don't know what it feels like trying to give a stranger a birthday gift as an introvert!"

"And yet," she added with a pout, "you don't have anything on you either and you're her childhood friend!" Eiden raised his hands defensively. "Okay, okay! Sorry, it was just too funny." He was still holding in laughter.

To get back at him, Lyra smirked. "I heard you've been gifting her pets for the past six birthdays. What are you trying to do turn her into a zookeeper?"

"Hey!" Eiden shot back, "That's a well-thought-out gift! Everyone else gives her soulless things. Mine have real souls!"

"Yeah, yeah," Lyra replied with full sarcasm.

She had started to loosen up around him now.

"Anyway, what's the gift?" he asked. "It's perfume. From my dad's store."

"Oh?" Eiden raised a brow. "Your dad owns a store?"

"Yeah… it's nothing special," Lyra replied, downplaying it. Nothing special, my ass, Eiden thought. They probably earn five times more than my entire family every month .

Lyra turned the tables again. "What about you? What're you giving her?" Eiden smiled. "It's a secret."

"I told you mine!" she argued. "You'll find out soon," he said teasingly.

"Find out soon?" she echoed, tilting her head in confusion. Just then, Sasha's voice rang through the air. "Eiden!" she called from the party, waving in his direction with a big smile.

Lyra and Eiden both noticed her. He turned back to Lyra. "Excuse me," he said gently and began walking away.

But after three steps, he stopped. Only his head turned this time, and with a soft smile, he said, "By the way… you look really pretty tonight. You wouldn't lose to anyone here."

He walked off before she could respond.

Lyra stood still, stunned, her mouth slightly open. Her face slowly turned red bit by bit as she turned around, grabbed a handful of her hair, and covered her face with it.

Looking up at the moon, she mumbled under her breath, "Was he… a playboy?"