Time flew by. A few days later—it was Friday, the last day of their review sessions. Only three days remained until exams.
Eiran was discussing exam centers with Kael and Valerian.
"That far? Wow! It's going to take quite some time to get there," Kael said, loud enough for the whole class to hear. Even Valerian frowned at that.
"Shh! Why are you so loud?" Eiran groaned, shaking his head. "Looks like yours is in the southern part."
Kael slumped into the seat next to him.
"Vale's center is almost in the opposite direction from yours," he said, resting his elbow on the table and propping his chin on his palm, puppy eyes glinting with mischief. "Weren't you guys planning to stay together?"
Eiran turned his head slightly, avoiding Kael's teasing gaze. He really couldn't understand how those puppy-like eyes could be so mischievous.
"Yeah, but that won't be con—"
"We will," Valerian said at the same time, cutting Eiran off. He was sitting right beside him.
"Huh? What?" Eiran blinked, his almond-shaped eyes wide with astonishment.
"We'll still stay together. Don't worry. It won't take long by car," Valerian added, his face full of certainty, as if no one could argue with him.
Eiran tried to reason with him.
"But that won't be convenient, Vale."
"Do you think I decided to live together for convenience?" Valerian's rare pitiful expression softened his usual sharpness. "We'll stay near your center. I'll just get ready earlier."
Eiran hesitated, then tried again.
"No—we can't take the risk. There's too much traffic during exams. And your dad won't agree either."
Valerian's dark green eyes sharpened, his tone unusually firm.
"You don't need to worry about him. It's my life. No one gets to decide for me."
Seeing Valerian in this mood, Eiran finally gave up.
"Alright, alright. Don't be so serious," he said, half-hugging him from the side, trying to ease the tension. "We'll do as you say."
Valerian didn't answer right away.
Instead, his arm slid around Eiran's waist—slow, deliberate—pulling him just a little closer than necessary. The gesture was calm, almost casual.
"That's more like it," he said quietly.
Eiran's breath hitched before he could stop it.
He had the distinct feeling Valerian knew exactly what he was doing.
Kael, who had been forced to witness the entire thing, finally snapped.
"Ah… since you guys have already decided," he said dryly, "shouldn't we plan where to go for dinner tonight?"
Valerian glanced at him without breaking the hug.
"Who said we're taking you?" he replied, half-joking.
"I'll go anyway. You can't exactly throw me out once I'm inside," Kael scoffed, retorting.
Valerian smirked, teasing further.
"Who knows? Maybe I want to throw you out."
"Ran! See him!" Kael nudged Eiran.
"Vale, don't tease him," Eiran said, taking pity on his best friend. "God! We're in class—let it go." He gave Valerian a gentle push, breaking the hug.
"Fine. It's our final day here anyway," Valerian finally relented, sitting up straight.
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As planned, after the last class, the three of them rode in Valerian's car to their usual place for dinner.
They'd known each other for years and were close—but Kael and Valerian didn't always get along. If it weren't for Eiran, they might barely exchange two sentences.
Valerian didn't like people getting too close. It was only after he was certain that someone was trustworthy that he'd allow them near him—and even then, reluctantly. His distrust was strong.
It wasn't entirely his fault. His parents divorced twelve years ago, when he was just seven. His mother left and never returned.
Loveless marriages never lasted long.
If it weren't for Eiran's mother, Mila, it would have been nearly impossible for him to survive in that family.
Though his father never remarried, he didn't truly care for Valerian. He did his duty as a father, but that was it. No warmth, no emotional support—it was all formal obligation. He raised his son because he had to, not because he wanted to.
And now he wanted him to step into a loveless marriage—just like his own.
How ironic.
Valerian stared at the message he had just received from his grandfather, his gaze filled with quiet self-mockery.
Truly ironic.
He turned off his phone and leaned his head against Eiran's shoulder, seeking quiet comfort.
At the moment, the three of them were seated in a restaurant—one of many under Kael's family's Silvaris Group, which had been in the gourmet and food-chain business for generations. They had booked a table for three and were now waiting for their food to be served.
As they sat there, Eiran absentmindedly played with Valerian's deep black locks, his fingers threading through them gently. Across from them, Kael appeared far too focused on his phone.
After a few seconds, he let out a sigh and set it aside.
"Let's finish up soon. We still need to prepare for exams," he said, looking up.
"Mine's almost done," Eiran replied casually.
Kael's eyes widened slightly.
"Weren't you full of doubts just yesterday?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion.
Eiran glanced at him, then shifted his gaze toward Valerian, who had been quietly listening the entire time.
"Oh," Kael said slowly, a knowing look spreading across his face. "I get it now."
He leaned back in his chair.
"The class president really lives up to his reputation. So helpful," he added, unable to hide the sarcasm in his tone.
Then, clasping his hands together dramatically, he continued,
"I have a few doubts too. Would you mind lending a helping hand to this poor citizen of your class?"
Valerian lifted his fox-like eyes and stared at him for a moment before replying flatly,
"Dream on."
Eiran couldn't help but chuckle.
Valerian turned to look at him, his gaze lingering, eyes locked on Eiran alone.
Kael felt almost offended—but before he could retort, a waiter arrived at their table. Swallowing his pride, he decided to stay quiet.
He really didn't want to lose face in public.
This Valerian guy was way too ruthless.
Once the waiter left, they began eating, exchanging only a sentence or two every now and then.
When they were about halfway through their meal, two women seated behind them started talking.
"So tall—and beautiful," one of them whispered.
Their voices weren't particularly loud, but they were close enough that every word carried.
"Handsome fits better," the other replied. "He's a man, after all."
"I don't usually like basketball, but I think I need to start liking it today!"
"You don't even know his name, and you're already planning to chase him? It seems like he's a high schooler."
"So what?"
"Huh— nothing!"
"Oh! I just saw it—his name is Saelior Aurexiel."
"Isn't that—"
"M-ma'am, could you please lower your voice? Other guests are being disturbed," a waiter interrupted politely, wearing an apologetic smile.
"Oh, we're so sorry,"
"Yes, sorry,"
the two women replied in unison.
"These girls really seem to like talking about tall, handsome guys," Kael said, glancing back once again before he finally couldn't hold it in anymore.
"Ran, what do you think? I'm considered pretty tall too, right?"
"Hm? What's your exact height?"
Eiran looked him up and down thoughtfully.
Kael thought for a moment, then replied hesitantly, "I think… 6'2?"
Eiran nodded, then turned toward Valerian.
"You're fine. But Vale is taller than you."
Valerian seemed quietly pleased by that. Though his expression didn't change much, the corners of his lips lifted ever so slightly.
"Hey! Look who's talking," Kael snapped. "Aren't you shorter than me?"
Eiran pouted, clearly offended.
"I never said you're short. I just said Vale is taller. That's true, isn't it?" He huffed. "And who said I'm short?"
"You're not short, Ran," Valerian said calmly. "You're just… cute."
He carefully placed more food onto Eiran's plate.
"Eat more, okay?"
Kael scoffed, stuffing a few vegetables into his mouth and pointedly turning away. He decided to ignore the existence of this unofficial couple.
They finished their meal soon after and called their drivers to pick them up. Valerian offered to take them home himself, but it wasn't very convenient—they all still had things to take care of.
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After Eiran got home, he freshened up and studied for a while.
He had always been a good student, so there wasn't much left to review. And if anything came up, he could always ask Valerian.
Just as he was about to go to bed, something crossed his mind.
He stood up and walked toward the corner of his room. A canvas stood there, covered by a cloth. He pulled it aside and stared at it for a moment.
The painting depicted two figures. It looked unreal, almost ethereal—once your eyes settled on it, it was hard to look away.
"Still not finished yet…"
he muttered under his breath.
Picking up his paintbrush, he began to work again.
His mom wasn't in the city right now. He might as well finish it soon.
After all—
His birthday was coming.
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