When she slowly opened the door, she found Eva already fast asleep. Her breathing was steady, and her hair slightly covered her face. There was a sense of peace that made Eillya unconsciously stand there longer than necessary. Finally, she approached, placed the tray on the side table, and gently stroked Eva's shoulder. "Eva, wake up. Eat first before it gets cold."
Eva stirred slightly, opening her eyes slowly. She looked confused for a moment, then beamed with a wide smile when she realized who was waking her up. "You... cooked?"
Eillya only gave a small nod, sitting on the edge of the bed without much comment.
Eva stared at the food, then turned to Eillya with eyes shining full of intent. "Hey... this reminds me of our childhood."
"Hm?"
Eva leaned back slightly against the pillow, wearing an innocent but clearly exaggerated expression. "Do you remember when I was sick and you fed me? How about we do it again?"
Eillya rolled her eyes. "Spoiled."
"But it's a cute kind of spoiled, right?" Eva smirked.
Without answering, Eillya took the spoon and fed her without any grand expression. But her cheeks... began to show a faint hint of red.
Eva accepted the bites with a satisfied smile. "Eillya... it turns out you're still caring, aren't you?"
Eillya only snorted. "Just eat properly."
After the food was finished, Eva let out a long sigh. "Full. Now, stay with me while I sleep for just a bit, then you can go home."
Eillya stood up, appearing as if she were about to refuse, but finally gave in. "Just for a bit."
They lay down side by side. It was silent for a few seconds... until Eva, who was now only inches away from Eillya's face, slowly leaned in. Her eyes narrowed mischievously, and a thin smile appeared on her lips.
"I'm curious," she whispered, "if I do this..."
Her head rested gently on Eillya's shoulder, then her hand shifted slightly toward Eillya's arm, as if she were about to cling to her. "...will your face turn red like a tomato again?"
Eillya didn't answer. But... her ears were already starting to look red.
Eva stifled a laugh, but also yawned. "Well... it worked after all."
Eillya didn't respond immediately. She only took a short breath and slowly turned toward Eva, who was now still as if asleep with a satisfied, triumphant expression. Her eyes were closed, but her smile clearly couldn't be hidden.
"...You really are something," Eillya murmured softly, almost as if speaking to the wind.
After the conversation and the teasing earlier, Eva's voice slowly faded. Her breathing was now more rhythmic, her shoulders rising and falling gently as she slept by Eillya's side. There was no more chatter or small mischievous movements; all that remained was the warmth of her body leaning in trust.
Eillya turned her head slowly, making sure that Eva was truly asleep. Her gaze was soft, much warmer than her usual calm face. She gazed at Eva's peaceful face a few seconds longer than she should have, as if wanting to immortalize that tranquility in her memory.
"You've grown up... but you're still annoying," she whispered softly, almost like a murmur full of affection.
Carefully, she helped adjust Eva's sleeping position to make her more comfortable. The blanket was pulled up gently to cover Eva's shoulders, then she stood up slowly, trying not to make a single sound. She stepped back from the bed and headed toward the door.
Before leaving, she looked back once more. There, Eva slept with a small smile still lingering on her face, as if the dream she was having still held a remnant of that earlier mischief.
Eillya let out a soft sigh.
"…A song, huh?" she said quietly, more to herself.
Then she stepped out of the room, walked down the stairs calmly, and opened Eva's front door. The sound of the door closing slowly followed, and then silence enveloped the house.
Eillya gazed at the evening sky that was starting to dim, then walked home to her house standing right next door. She didn't hurry, as if her steps carried a gentle burden she didn't want to let go of.
Time passed quickly. Within a week, a new habit was formed.
Every morning, Eillya would knock on Eva's door, then help the girl walk to school. In class, she made sure Eva was sitting comfortably and carried her books. During break time, Eillya would quietly take extra lunch out of her bag and place it on Eva's desk, even though she pretended not to care and immediately sat back in her own chair.
Without them realizing it, all those small attentions became the highlight of the class.
Small whispers began to be heard every time Eillya stood from her seat just to pick up an eraser that had fallen from Eva's desk, or when she, with an expressionless face, handed over an umbrella on a rainy day.
"It looks like... they're really close, right?"
"I thought Eillya didn't care about anyone…"
"She used to be so indifferent, now she's stuck to Eva every day."
Several classmates began to pay closer attention. The perception of Eillya slowly softened. The girl who was previously known as reserved and cold now looked full of care, even though her expression remained flat and her voice rarely came out more than necessary.
That day, the sun shone brightly during the second break. The classroom atmosphere was busy as usual; some students were busy with snacks, others sat in groups discussing assignments.
In a corner of the class near the window, Eillya sat alone as usual, busy with her notebook. However, light footsteps approached and a familiar voice broke her private silence.
"You're always busy on your own," Kisa said casually while pulling out the chair next to Eillya.
Eillya only glanced briefly and then looked down again, "Hm."
Kisa chuckled. "I'm just curious… You're really attentive to Eva, aren't you? Every day you drop her off, help with this and that... it's very rare to see you like that."
Eillya closed her book slowly. Her gaze was calming, but flat as usual. "I'm just helping. She's injured, it's only natural."
"Just because of that?" Kisa raised an eyebrow, slightly teasing. "Not because you two are... ahem, more than just friends?"
Eillya held her breath for a moment, then turned her face to the window. "Your brain speculates too much."
"Well, who told you to be so mysterious all the time," Kisa replied with a small laugh, then stood up again. "But still... you've changed lately. Maybe not everyone notices, but I see it."
Eillya remained silent, staring at her notebook.
While Kisa chatted with Eillya by the window, on the other side of the class, Jeanne and Carol were sitting around Eva, who was no longer wearing an elastic bandage on her ankle.
"Be honest, Eva," Jeanne said with a curious smile, "Eillya is really serious about helping you. It seems like she never misses accompanying you home."
"Even in the morning, sometimes you're seen walking together," Carol added with an amused tone. "Are you two dating?"
Eva gave a small laugh, covering her face for a moment with her hand. "Oh... you guys…"
"So it's true?" Jeanne asked quickly, her eyes widening.
Eva shook her head quickly, then smiled. "No, really, there's nothing going on. Eillya is just too... responsible, maybe. I've told her several times not to bother, but she still insists on helping."
Carol frowned, looking at Eva in confusion. "But she doesn't look like the type who likes to interfere in other people's business."
"That's why I'm also surprised," Eva said while pinching her lower lip with her finger, as if thinking hard. "But yeah... I'm grateful too. If it weren't for her, maybe I would have had a harder time taking care of myself."
Jeanne clicked her tongue softly, "Hmmm, suspicious, but okay. You two are indeed mysterious. But you suit each other."
Eva only gave a small smile. But behind that smile, there was one thing she held on the tip of her tongue—the small truth that Eillya was a part of her childhood. For now, let that remain their secret.
"No, no... I'll ask Eillya first."
The second break ended, and they returned to the lessons that always kept them focused because they didn't want their grades to drop. Lesson after lesson passed without them missing a single word of explanation from their teacher.
Then the final bell rang, echoing throughout the school. Students began to leave the classroom, rushing home. As usual, Eillya approached Eva and quietly helped carry her bag.
"Let's go," she said briefly, yet it felt warm.
Eva smiled; her steps were still halting even though they were much better. They walked side by side along the school corridor which was starting to empty, then walked out through the gate. The evening sun hung lazily on the western horizon, coloring the sky with soft orange nuances.
In the silence that accompanied their steps, Eillya finally spoke, her voice low but steady.
"I… will start a solo concert."
Eva turned slowly with an expression of mild surprise. "Eh? Seriously?"
Eillya nodded. "Live House Horizon. Next week."
She paused for a moment, then added, "I'm sorry... about my promise back then. I still remember it, it's just… I buried it for a while, as if the world I wanted to show had dimmed."
Eva looked at Eillya for a long time, then smiled gently.
"If that world dimmed for a while, maybe it's because you needed someone to reignite the light."
She gently pinched Eillya's arm. "But since you've already started, I'll join. I'm your first member, remember? We can start as a duo and find other people to join later."
Eillya didn't answer directly. However, a thin smile appeared on her lips, faint but honest. That afternoon, their walk home felt lighter, as if their small steps were reviving an old dream that had never truly gone out.
Upon arriving in front of the house, Eillya stayed by Eva's side until she went inside. She made sure the girl was really able to sit quietly on the sofa before nodding slightly and saying, "I'm going home now."
Eva only nodded while smiling. "Be careful."
After that, Eillya stepped out, opened the door to her own house which was only a few meters away, and disappeared inside. The twilight atmosphere hung in silence, leaving the remains of orange light in the sky.
As soon as she reached her room, Eillya put down her bag, then went to the bathroom to clean herself up. Warm steam filled her small bathroom, but her mind remained anchored to what Eva had said earlier—words that didn't just warm her, but also touched the fragile side she protected so tightly.
After bathing, she immediately got dressed and went back into the bedroom. Eillya opened her desk drawer, pulling out a blank sheet of paper. She sat in the chair, gripped a pen, and began to write. There weren't many scribbles, just the opening lines of something like lyrics, or perhaps a small prayer from a heart that was starting to be honest.
On the other side, Eva sat leaning back behind her bedroom curtain. Her balcony directly faced Eillya's bedroom balcony. Even though the curtains were closed, she could see the bright light from Eillya's room piercing through the gap.
Eva stared at that light for a long time, then gave a small smile.
"She's really serious," she murmured.