It was the first morning at the magic academy, and the sky was still pale with dawn. A gentle breeze carried the soft chirping of birds across the courtyard.
Kairos had already awoken, his golden eyes fluttering open before the sun had properly risen.His movements were swift, more fluid than usual. A faint spark of anticipation danced in his chest.Although his expression remained calm and stoic as always, deep inside, a tide of uncertainty churned.
Stepping out of his dormitory, he found other students already making their way toward the main hall. Laughter echoed through the air, mixed with excited chatter and bright smiles.
That is, until they noticed him.
Kairos passed them in silence, yet an invisible wall seemed to rise wherever he went. Eyes flicked away. Conversations trailed off. Smiles faded into awkward expressions.
Even in Classroom No. 1—the one reserved for the most gifted students—no one dared sit near him.
(Seriously… what are they so afraid of? I haven't even done anything to anyone. Though... maybe it is because of what happened during the exam. I guess I did overdo it a little...)
He slipped into the seat at the very back, shrinking slightly as if trying to vanish from the world entirely.
And then—she arrived.
Fiona.
With her calm eyes and gentle presence, she had also come early.Her gaze swept across the room... and found him.Alone.
She understood immediately.It wasn't that he wanted to be alone.It was that no one else dared to approach.
She didn't hesitate.
Without a word, she walked straight toward him—and sat down beside him.
(Did I just pull it off…? Is this divine grace, or just pure luck? Or maybe… maybe it's because he chose to walk this path alone. And because of that… I get to sit beside him like this. Hehe.)
She smiled softly to herself, amused by her own thoughts—yet, now that she was actually seated beside him, her heartbeat grew restless, and her lips froze shut.
The two of them sat in silence.One minute passed. Then another.No words.
(Ugh... Why is she sitting here...? Does she want to talk to me? Or is she just pitying me? Should I say something first...? But what if I just make things worse...)
The atmosphere grew heavier, the room oddly quieter than before.More and more students began glancing at them—the odd, silent pair.
Just as Kairos struggled to decide what to do—
"…Um, excuse me…"
His shoulders tensed slightly, turning to see her looking at him with a bashful expression.
"Yes?"
"Nice to meet you," she said with a small bow of her head. "I'm Fiona Elvareth… Though I suppose you already know that."
"A-ah… Yes. I do. I'm Kairos Arkelis. It's nice to meet you as well."
Silence again.
(Argh… why is it so quiet!? I wanted to talk to him, didn't I? But now that I'm here, I can't get any words out. He's even harder to talk to than back when we were married... in the previous timeline.)
Fiona began to panic internally. Meanwhile, Kairos glanced at her, hesitating before speaking in a soft, careful voice.
"Miss Fiona… If you're feeling uncomfortable or pressured, you don't have to sit here. I don't know why you chose this spot, but if it's bothering you… I'll understand."
His words struck her like a gentle blade.Her chest tightened with guilt.
(I came here to help him… and yet, I've only made him feel worse. What… what am I doing…?)
She took a deep breath, then summoned all the courage in her heart to respond—honestly.
"No… that's not it. I really do want to get to know you."She paused, lowering her gaze for a moment. "I'm sorry. For staying so quiet and making you feel even more isolated."
"…I see. Then… I'm sorry, too. I'm not really good at talking to people. But, well… I hope we can become friends."
A faint smile appeared on both of their faces.
That small, gentle exchange was enough to change the atmosphere of the entire room.
The tension lifted.
Conversations began to rise again, and some students who had previously avoided Kairos even started approaching him.
Fiona had become a bridge—softly, quietly—helping Kairos open the door to a world he had long kept shut.
The soft chime of the academy bell echoed in the distance, signaling the beginning of their first class.Fiona turned to look at Kairos once more.
There was still a shadow of fatigue in his eyes—but now, beneath it, a subtle warmth flickered like morning sunlight through dew.
She would never forget the image of him—alone in a world that rejected him.
But not anymore.
He wasn't alone now.
And she would never let him face anything alone again.
(I'll stay by his side… and protect him. Even if he doesn't remember who I am yet.)
She glanced sideways at him, smiling quietly as her heart danced with unsteady rhythm.
Kairos, in turn, stole a small glance at her. He couldn't quite understand why she was being so kind to him when everyone else kept their distance…
But something about her…It felt warm.Safe.
"People like you… really do exist, huh?" he whispered, more to himself than to her.
There were still no clear answers.
But for now…Just having someone beside him—That was enough.
Golden sunlight spilled through the large classroom windows, casting a soft glow over their faces.As if the heavens themselves were gently blessing this small, quiet beginning.