But Kai forgot one important detail. Andy and Akito were very energetic. This realization dawned on him when Akito and Andy ran towards Ray. In those few seconds, Kai winced and felt almost every emotion in the world, resigning himself to it all. Akito ran towards Ray, shouting, and when he stopped, Andy crashed into him. Both fell to the ground, and the bouquet Akito was holding flew out of his hands and scattered, the flowers flying everywhere, their petals slowly dancing around Ray and Eliza – a truly touching moment, if you disregarded Andy and Akito lying on the ground.
Eliza started to laugh, and Ray tried to laugh too, mimicking her, though he wasn't quite succeeding. His gaze flew to Kai, who had already gone through all stages of acceptance and simply nodded.
Fortunately for Ray, everything ended on a pleasant note; they even hugged! All four of them had lunch at one table, surrounded by the academy students' chatter, each talking about their own things. Only they sat in their small world when Andy started to giggle.
"Ray, didn't you say that all aristocrats are disgusting, fake, and hypocritical? Or is your Eliza special?"
Akito silenced Andy by stuffing a piece of chicken leg into her mouth. Kai watched Andy carefully, as if saying, "Don't you dare touch him." Ray sat quietly, smiling softly, seemingly detached from all of them.
Closer to night, when classes ended, Shollar entered Kai and Akito's room.
"Shollar, can you imagine, our friend fell in love! And we skillfully helped him, especially me."
Kai looked strangely at Akito, and Shollar twisted his face.
"I don't care; I'm here to study, not to make acquaintances or fall in love."
"Evil wizard... Oh! I mean, Schiller, I mean Shorrarr, why are you so serious and angry? Akito just wanted to start a conversation with you, that's all."
Shollar clicked his tongue in displeasure and fell onto his bed, turning to the wall, showing his disinterest.
In the morning, Kai and Akito met Andy on their way to the cafeteria. Closer to the entrance, Kai abruptly grabbed them by their collars.
"Say one word, and I'll kill both of you."
Akito tried to say something, but Kai covered their mouths and pressed them agaithe wall. They breathed into his palms and blinked. They shifted their gaze to the table Kai was looking at, where Eliza and Ray sat. Ray was now more composed and daring. He said something to Eliza, and they laughed. Kai quickly turned back to Akito and Andy.
"Today we're having lunch far away from them, not bothering the lovers. If they truly fall in love with each other, it's a victory, not just for Ray, but for all of us."
The three of them sat far from Ray and Eliza. Akito waved his fork, spreading food around his plate, poking at vegetables and meat. He broke the silence.
"Don't you think you're too serious in this whole love drama where you're not even the one in love?"
"Oh, by the way, Kai, why are you helping Ray so much?"
Kai sighed heavily and leaned back.
"You see, Ray is our friend. I fell in love three times, two times unsuccessfully, and the third time, one girl did accept my feelings. That was the happiest time of my life, but no union can last forever. We broke up, and my parents sent me to the academy a month later. So you understand what love is, and I just want to support Ray and for things to work out for them."
Akito listened attentively.
"Are you, like, taking important lessons with Ray where they teach you how to speak?"
"I totally agree with Akito, love is cool, I think, but why do we need such a big story? No, of course, you're our friend and we listened to you, but you don't have to make yourself some enlightened martyr. Especially after you shouted 'whoever gets to the cafeteria last will be visited by the evil wizard!' the day before yesterday."
Kai clenched his teeth, then laughed.
"Andy, you could have at least let me feel like a real orator for a little longer."
Several hours passed like this, and the trio of Akito, Andy, and Kai met the duo of Eliza and Ray.
"Oh, so you're the ones who fell to the ground? You're Ray's friends, right? My name is Eliza, and what are your names? Oh, excuse me, and you're here too, Kai."
Akito and Andy exchanged glances, then looked seriously at Ray as if to say, "Why didn't you tell her about us?".
"My name is Akito, and this is Andy, our friend."
Days and weeks passed like this. Eliza became part of their team, and now the five of them hung out, experiencing various funny moments. One day, Ray called Kai, Andy, and Akito. They sat in the academy park, the sun shining and the grass seemingly whispering.
"Friends, I need your help, it's about Eliza. Summer will start soon, and it's her birthday. What should I get her?"
Akito and Andy exchanged glances.
"Just give her something cool. We're allowed to leave the academy on weekends, so maybe you can just buy her something and that's it."
Kai looked at them with an annoyed face.
"Fools! Ray LOVES Eliza! You need to choose something that will truly impress her and show Ray's feelings for her. For example, a piece of jewelry, but one she will definitely like."
"It seems... She once said something about a piece of jewelry she lost a long time ago... At a festival or something."
"That's a lead! If that piece of jewelry existed?"
Akito smiled and looked at Ray.
"Let me guess, the jewelry was in the shape of a bouquet with white and blue roses?"
Kai and Ray looked at Akito. Ray nodded.
"Yes... And how do you know?"
"You'll thank me later."
After these words, Akito dashed out of the park, leaving Kai, Ray, and Andy bewildered.
Akito ran through the academy, passing students and almost crashing into some. In the room, he saw Shollar sleeping, but Akito had no time for him now. He pulled out his bag from under his bed and took out a cloak.
Checking the pockets, he finally found the piece of jewelry. Running out of the room, three girls blocked his way. Akito stopped, his blue eyes widened; they were in history class with Akito.
One of them blushed and approached him.
"M-maybe we could get acquainted? My name is..."
"I have much more important things to do right now; we'll talk later."
Akito looked away from them and continued running, and one of the girls shouted, "Rude!"
Akito finally reached them, breathless, and handed the jewelry to Ray. It was a medallion or something similar.
"Here's what you asked for!"
Andy's eyes widened.
"That's the same jewelry you found at the festival! Ray then so pompously said it was just a trifle for aristocrats."
Summer was approaching. Day after day, Kai tried to coach Ray after classes to prepare him for almost any conversation. And that day arrived. Ray had everything planned. It was a weekend morning. He called Eliza, and they walked to various places, from shops to lakes and parks. When they returned to the academy, they sat on a bench. Akito, Andy, and Kai approached them, saying "Happy Birthday" and giving her sweets. Ray stood up and faced Eliza.
"Happy Birthday, now it's my turn for a gift."
He took the medallion from his pocket and handed it to Eliza. She began to cry. Kai clearly didn't expect this, so he hadn't prepared Ray for such situations.
"R-Ray, this is the very jewelry I told you about. I searched, truly searched everywhere for it, but couldn't find it, and now you're here, my hero."
She smiled gently, wiping away tears. Ray's heart constricted and seemed to melt. He put the medallion on Eliza. She stood up, and they looked into each other's eyes for a long time. Suddenly, Andy and Akito couldn't resist.
They pushed Ray, and he pressed against Eliza, their lips meeting. It was the first kiss for both of them. Eliza hugged Ray. Kai was in pure shock, while Akito and Andy ran around them, shouting. For Eliza, this was the most unusual birthday of her life. Today, she turned sixteen.