The classroom froze. Heads swiveled toward the voice, searching for its source. From the doorway stepped Daniel. His hair was damp, a few dark strands plastered against his forehead as though he'd run through morning drills in the rain. His uniform, though tidier than most, was slightly askew, betraying the rush that had carried him here. With calm precision, he pulled a rag from his pocket and dabbed his brow before speaking again—his tone even, polite, utterly composed. " Forgive me for my tardiness. Practice ran longer than expected. "
Starfania blinked, stunned. Her forked thoughts scattered as Daniel's gaze flicked briefly toward her—measured, unreadable. Beside her, Aeron's confusion was just as clear, his brows knitting in disbelief. Daniel strode forward without hesitation, placing himself squarely before Professor Shadow. His voice carried sincerity, unflinching: " I asked Starfania and Aeron to do me a favor. I'd left my homework at home in my rush to training. I asked them to retrieve it for me. Their delay was mine."
The words hit the room like a stone in still water. Shadow faltered, thrown off-balance by Daniel's brazenness. Everyone knew the claim wasn't true—but the composure with which he offered it made it difficult to cut down. Aeron and Starfania exchanged a bewildered glance; whatever game Daniel was playing, he was staking his own standing to shield theirs. At last, Shadow exhaled through his nose, his tone clipped but softened: " Very well. Consider this your first and last warning. All of you—see to it you arrive on time in the future."
Relief—shaky, incredulous—swept over the trio as they moved toward their seats. But just before Starfania lowered herself into hers, Shadow's voice rang out once more, his eyes sharp as blades. " And, Ms. Night–just because you are Cesar's daughter does not give you liberty to flout discipline. Next time, I will not hesitate to place you in detention myself."
Starfania's fingers curled white-knuckled around the back of her chair. Forcing her tone level, she managed only: " I understand, sir."
Shadow gave a small, satisfied nod. She sat at last, her body still humming with tension. Aeron leaned toward her, voice a low whisper. " That was…intense. But Daniel just saved our hides."
Starfania turned slightly, her eyes drawn to the back row. Daniel had already settled into his seat, posture relaxed, lips curved in the faintest of smiles—directed at her. Something in her chest fluttered. She met his eyes, and for a heartbeat her own shone like starlight.
" Yeah," she whispered, almost to herself. " He did."
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Aeron watching her closely. He had caught the look—the flicker of light in her expression that wasn't there a moment ago. His mouth parted slightly, then shut again, a muscle tightening his jaw. He leaned back in his chair, trying to appear indifferent, but the weight in his silence lingered between them. Starfania exhaled, fingers brushing her desk as though grounding herself. For the first time in a long while, she wasn't just thinking about the pressure of her father, her duties, or her grief. She was thinking about the way Daniel had looked at her—and the way Aeron's presence beside her suddenly felt heavier.