"Uh..."
Mie hesitated for a moment.
She naturally braced an elbow against the shoe cabinet, then gently patted Alice's back and said:
"Alice, I'll come stay with you in your dorm."
Before opening the door, Mie had hidden Dekan's shoes.
She couldn't let Alice find Dekan's shoes in the cabinet.
Though there was nothing improper between her and Dekan,
if Alice saw them, there'd be no explaining it.
"I haven't tidied up my place in days..."
Alice murmured.
"That's fine. I can help you clean up while I'm there."
"But I can't do that. I'm the one who came to bother you in the middle of the night and woke you up..."
Alice's voice grew softer and softer.
"It's fine. I was actually staying up late to work on an experiment."
Speaking gently, Mie tried to lead Alice out of the dorm.
But Alice clung tightly to Mie, her body still trembling. She seemed deeply reluctant to go out into the pitch-black hallway.
"Mie, just stay with me for a little while..."
Alice's tone was almost pleading.
"Phew."
Mie let out a helpless sigh.
She slowly turned away, out of Alice's sight, and took a pair of slippers for her from the shoe cabinet.
Then she led Alice into the living room.
Mie settled Alice on the sofa, handed her a light blanket, and poured her a cup of hot water.
Even as Mie walked back and forth around the living room, Alice never took her eyes off her.
After having a nightmare, Alice was still in a fragile state.
It seemed she'd been badly frightened.
Mie sat beside Alice, gently stroked her hair, and said softly:
"Alice, don't worry. There are no demons in the academy."
"But I'm still so scared. I dreamed I'd fallen into Demon Academy. I