The bell rang, signaling the end of their morning classes, and the students of Mystic Academy began to filter out into the halls. Conversations bubbled around them, talk of the upcoming festivals and lingering murmurs of Professor Samuela's lecture.
Zann was stretching his arms when he felt a light tug on his sleeve.
He turned, surprised to find Aranea standing there, her eyes a bit too bright, her fingers nervously clutching the fabric of his uniform.
"Hey," she said softly, her voice almost lost in the crowd. "Can we... talk? Alone?"
Zann blinked, heart lurching. "Uh, yeah. Yeah, sure."
From a distance, Leonel saw it.
The way she tugged on Zann's sleeve, the quiet look in her eyes, the way she leaned in just enough for it to feel… different. Private. Soft.
His steps faltered.
A small knot tightened in his chest.
