This ti, it was Leo who rushed straight to the restroom the mont the ride finally halted—thanks to none other than Ophis and her conveniently magic, of course.
And not just him—the entire crew that had the misfortune of joining them on that insane, reality-defying roller coaster ride stumbled off like traumatized survivors.
Pale faces, trembling knees, and more than a few groans of regret followed in their wake.
anwhile, Ophis skipped out of the ride with a cheerful hum, her steps light and bouncy like she’d just stepped off a cloud instead of a death machine.
"That was super~" she bead, practically glowing with joy as she twirled once mid-step.
Raphael awkwardly laughed, wiping invisible sweat from her brow.
"T-Thank goodness I didn’t go on that ride..." she muttered under her breath, her legs wobbling just from watching it.
A few minutes later, Leo finally erged from the restroom—his face pale, his hair windswept, and his eyes haunted.
"...That freaking brat," he mumbled, stumbling like a broken war veteran.
Ophis burst into laughter. "You okay there, soldier?"
He gave her a dry glare.
Ophis skipped over, grinning ear to ear. "Aww~ Did Daddy get dizzy~? Mommy help ~"
Leo’s lips twitched violently, ’This little brat!!’
Raphael blushed as she turned subject instantly, "C-Co on. Let’s go for sothing peaceful this ti. A calm ride. Okay?"
Ophis nodded with innocent face.
Leo sighed and continued to enjoy the ride.
They stopped by a few smaller rides first—Raphael tried a spinning teacup ride, laughing as Ophis made it spin wildly while Leo watched from the sidelines, sipping from a soda cup and looking both amused and emotionally scarred.
Then ca the bumper cars—Ophis grinned like a demon, using the car like a guided missile and ruthlessly crashing into strangers. Leo tried to drive away from her. It didn’t help. Raphael nearly flipped her own cart trying to dodge them both.
Ti went on as they enjoyed the ride and... Leo’s face started to show the happiness instead of being gloomy and... that’s what Raphael wanted.
Seeing her nephew smiling that’s all she wanted.
Soon their stomachs definitely started reminding them of reality.
"I’m starving..." Leo muttered, rubbing his belly as they walked past a row of food stalls.
The scent of spicy fries, sugary churros, fried noodles, and lted cheese hit them all at once like a delicious punch to the face.
Raphael nodded eagerly, her eyes lighting up the mont she spotted a rotating spit of juicy, sizzling at being carved at a corner stall. The sll alone had her floating. "Let’s eat first! Before we even think about another ride," she said, practically dragging them toward the food court.
She made them sit at a shaded table surrounded by colorful lanterns and sizzling food aromas, then jogged off toward the vendors, excitedly scanning the nu boards.
anwhile, Ophis sat down like a queen on a plastic throne, her arms crossed, her face proud and slightly puffed with indignation.
"Hey, little boy," she called out to Leo, her tone lofty, filled with royal smugness. "I need real food this ti. No more of those pathetic child als you keep giving . If you dare bring that again... I’ll eat both of you instead," she warned, flashing her tiny, razor-sharp fangs with a growl that was more dramatic than threatening—but still enough to raise goosebumps.
Leo’s brow twitched.
"Looks like soone’s finally co back to her usual self..." he muttered, shooting her a tired look before sighing in surrender.
Without arguing, he stood up and walked off toward the food stalls.
Ophis smirked with pride, watching him leave with obedient footsteps. Her chin raised in approval.
’Hmph! Finally acting properly. That’s right. I’m not just so kid... I’m Ophis Dracula, you fools.’
She leaned back in the chair, folding her arms with satisfaction as she glanced around the bustling area.
Just then—
"Hello, cutie... are you alone?"
A stranger’s voice slithered into her ears.
Ophis slowly turned her head.
A chubby man stood beside her table, slightly hunched, with a slick grin stretched across his face. His eyes scanned her lazily as he leaned in a little closer than necessary. His tone was casual, but his presence was already setting off alarms.
Her eyebrows furrowed imdiately.
"I asked if you’re alone," he repeated with a chuckle, clearly mistaking her silence for shyness.
Ophis narrowed her eyes dangerously, her gaze sharpening like daggers.
’I was having such a good day...’ she thought with annoyance building. Her foot began tapping under the table.
The man leaned closer again. "Want to get you sothing, sweetie? Cotton candy? A drink?"
Ophis didn’t respond.
She just tilted her head once—slowly.
Then smiled.
But it wasn’t the sweet kind of smile.
It was the kind that made the air feel colder.
A twisted, feral curve ford on her lips.
Her voice dropped low and sweet, like venom dipped in honey.
"Do you like having fingers?"
The man blinked. "Huh?"
"Because if you touch this table again," she continued, voice flat, "I’ll bite off all ten of yours. And maybe your nose for dessert."
The man stared at her, baffled.
Until her pupils shrank—those vampire-like slits narrowing as a dark aura shimred faintly around her. Even though she was in a human body, the pressure in the air suddenly felt... wrong.
The man stepped back, confusion replaced with unease.
"What the hell...?"
Just then—
Leo returned, balancing a tray packed to the brim—juicy at skewers still sizzling, a mountain of fried noodles, and what could only be described as a double-sized burger monstrosity threatening to spill over the sides.
But just as he reached their table, he stopped in his tracks.
Raphael ca jogging in from the side, carrying drinks and a few small al boxes in both hands. Her cheerful expression dropped the mont she noticed the unfamiliar man hovering near Ophis.
Her eyes flared with fury.
"Bastard! What do you think you’re doing to my child!?" Raphael shouted without hesitation, practically throwing the drinks onto the table as she stord over.
"I—I didn’t—I swear, I—!"
She didn’t give him a chance.
"What do you want? Huh?! Why’re you creeping around her!?" she yelled, stepping between him and Ophis like a protective wall.
Before she could unleash another verbal barrage—
"M-Monster!!" the man suddenly scread, face going pale as he spun around and bolted off into the crowd like he’d seen a ghost.
Raphael blinked, montarily stunned. "...Huh?"
She looked around, confused for a mont, then turned toward Ophis.
The girl was already back in her seat, nibbling on a piece of fried at with a perfectly innocent, childlike smile on her face. The dark, threatening aura from before was gone—as if it had never existed.
"Oh? That big brother was just asking for directions," Ophis said sweetly, tilting her head with the sa mischievous glint hiding behind her eyes. "But maybe he got scared of sothing... weird."
Raphael stared at her for a beat before sighing. Her face softened as she dropped to one knee and gave Ophis a gentle, worried hug.
"Geez... Are you okay? Don’t talk to strangers, alright?" she said, her voice warm but trembling with concern. "Even if they seem nice... so people are just bad news."
Ophis blinked, montarily caught off guard. She stared at Raphael’s face.
Her lips twitched upward, slowly curling into a small smile.
"...Okay," Ophis whispered softly, leaning just a bit into the hug.
Leo finally arrived and placed the tray down with a sigh, ’Thank goodness there is no blood bath...’ he thought looked at Ophis who was... kind of smiling?
Leo smiled softly, "Well then let’s eat!"
Raphael munched happily on a warm cup of buttery corn, her cheeks puffed slightly as she moaned with each bite, "Mmm~ this is sooo good..." Her voice was soft, almost dazed with joy, eyes half-lidded as the buttery flavor lted on her tongue.
Leo, anwhile, was busy tearing into a thick chicken wrap, sauce dripping dangerously from the edge. He tried to catch it mid-drip with his tongue but missed, sighing as it stained his fingers.
Between them, Ophis sat cross-legged, eating in complete, focused silence. The potato spiral in her hands disappeared rapidly, each crunch sounding sharp, deliberate, like she was punishing it. She didn’t even look up.
Within seconds, the stick was clean—no crumbs, no oil—nothing left behind.
Then a mountain of fried noodles, and double-sized burger...
Raphael surprised by her hunger, ’I guess, children her age need more to grow’
Soon finished eating and, They settled on a nearby bench under a colorful shade... the temperature warm and gentle, the breezes cold, everything made,
"I feel... tired... Le-Let’s... zzzzz..." Ophis murmured in a small, sleepy voice,
Her words lted into soft breathing as her body gave up mid-sentence. She slumped sideways, curling herself unconsciously against Leo’s lap, her small fra relaxing completely.
Leo blinked, then looked down at the girl snuggling against his thigh.
Her face was peaceful now, mouth slightly open, cheek pressed against his leg as if she’d claid it.
’Seriously... she really is a child sotis,’ Leo thought with a low chuckle. He let out a soft sigh, watching her chest rise and fall in steady rhythm.
He brought a hand up and slowly, gently brushed her bangs aside, resting his palm lightly over her hair. His fingers began to move on their own, ruffling and stroking softly.
Raphael, who had been quietly watching the whole ti, shifted a little closer.
"Are you happy now?" she asked in a voice barely above a whisper.
Leo glanced at her, montarily caught off guard.
He stared at her for a mont, then slowly nodded. "Yeah..." he muttered.
But Raphael didn’t look away. Her gaze stayed fixed on him, her brows barely furrowed.
Leo t her gaze... then turned his eyes back to the sleeping girl on his lap. He ran his fingers through Ophis’s hair again, gently brushing it aside as he exhaled.
"... Do you believe in magic?"
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