The sun peeked through the trees, spilling golden light over the ashes of the dying campfire.
Birds chirped. The breeze was soft.
And Mika looked like he hadn't slept in days.
Kuro stretched, yawning, blinking blearily.
"Good morning…"
Lucien, perfectly composed even in travel clothes, smiled as he brushed his hazelnut hair out of his face.
"Ah, good morning, Kuro."
[Good morning, sunshine. Oh wait, I mean, welcome back to hell.]
{Elvastia, it's too early for this.}
[It's never too early for sarcasm.]
Kuro chuckled quietly — until Mika turned his sharp gaze toward him.
"What's funny this time?"
"Nothing!" Kuro said quickly, holding up his hands. "Just… uh… good morning to you too!"
Mika's eyes narrowed, but after a moment, he looked away with a small "hmph."
Lucien smiled as he handed Kuro a cup of tea. "I made it this time. Don't worry — no smoke, no fire, no near-death experiences."
Kuro accepted it gratefully. "Thanks, Lucien. It smells nice."
Mika's head turned slightly. "It's just tea, Kuro."
Lucien's smile didn't falter. "Yes, but effort deserves appreciation."
[Ooooh, here we go again. Pretty Boy versus Popsicle Boy: Round 3.]
{Elvastia, stop calling Mika that.}
[What, Popsicle Boy? Fits him perfectly. Cold, tall, looks like he'd melt if someone hugged him too long.]
Kuro bit his lip to keep from laughing. Mika noticed — again.
"You find him funny?" he asked flatly, jerking his chin toward Lucien.
"Wha—no! I mean—"
Lucien blinked, confused. "Did I miss a joke?"
[Yes. The joke is this entire breakfast.]
{You're really pushing it today.}
[Hey, if Ice Boy kills me, you're the one who'll have to find a new voice in your head. Good luck with that.]
Mika exhaled slowly through his nose. "We should move. The town isn't far."
He stood and started packing with sharp, efficient movements — every motion screaming don't test me.
By noon, they reached a small town nestled between rolling hills and tall trees — Velmor, a quiet trade hub known for its guild branches and blacksmiths.
Kuro's eyes widened as they entered. "It's beautiful…"
"It's noisy," Mika muttered.
Lucien laughed softly. "That's what makes it feel alive."
[Alive? More like annoying. Too many people. Too much smell. Too much everything. I hate it already.]
{You hate everything.}
[Exactly. Consistency, baby.]
They passed through the busy streets, drawing a few glances — a tall, intimidating dark-haired man (Mika), a glowing elf with wide eyes (Kuro), and a handsome academy noble (Lucien).
Whispers followed them.
"Isn't that the new student from the capital?"
"And… the elf? Strange pair."
"Who's the tall one? He looks like he could kill someone with a stare."
Mika's hand twitched once near his sword.
Lucien noticed. "Relax, Mika. They're just curious."
Mika's reply was a low, calm, "They should learn where curiosity ends."
[Jesus f***ing Christ, this guy's ready to commit murder over side-eye. You sure he's not a demon, Kuro?]
{He's just… protective.}
[Protective? That's what they call 'possessive' nowadays, huh?]
{Elvastia—}
[Don't get me wrong. It's cute. In a terrifying, I-could-be-killed-in-my-sleep kind of way.]
Kuro sighed softly, though a small smile tugged at his lips.
They stopped at a food stall. Lucien handed a few coins to the vendor and bought three skewers of grilled meat.
"Here," he said, passing one to Kuro.
"Thanks!" Kuro took a bite, eyes lighting up. "It's good!"
Mika took his skewer with less enthusiasm. One bite later, he frowned. "It's burnt."
Lucien laughed. "You're impossible to please."
"I have standards," Mika said simply, tossing the half-eaten skewer back to the plate.
[He's so dramatic. I love it.]
{You would.}
[No, seriously, he could write a whole book titled 'Why Everyone Except Me Is Wrong.' Bestseller, guaranteed.]
Kuro almost snorted, covering his mouth. Mika looked over. "You alright?"
"I—uh—yeah!"
Lucien chuckled. "He's fine. You don't have to worry so much."
"I'll worry as much as I want," Mika said bluntly.
That made Lucien raise a brow, amusement flickering in his blue eyes. "Oh? I didn't realize you wanted to."
For a heartbeat, even Elvastia was quiet.
[...Holy f***. He just flirted back.]
Mika's jaw tightened. "You talk too much."
Lucien smiled faintly. "And you care too much."
Kuro blinked between them. "...Are you two fighting again?"
Both turned to him at once.
"No," Mika said.
"Not at all," Lucien said at the same time.
Kuro tilted his head. "...You sound the same."
[Because they're both full of s***.]
{Elvastia—!}
[What? I'm just saying what everyone's thinking.]
Kuro sighed, staring at his skewer. "Why is every meal with you two stressful…"
That night, they checked into an inn — one room, three beds
.
Lucien was already reading by lamplight. Mika leaned against the window, watching the moon through the glass. Kuro sat on his bed, legs crossed, staring quietly at the floor.
[You look tired.]
{Just thinking.}
[About the insults again? Or about why Ice Boy looks like he's debating whether to kill or kiss Pretty Boy over there?]
{Elvastia!}
[What? Look at him. You can feel the tension from here. And it's not swordfight tension, if you know what I mean—]
{Please stop talking.}
[You love me really.]
Kuro smiled faintly. But Mika, still looking out the window, caught it.
And this time, he didn't look away.
Just quietly said, almost to himself —
"You smile too easily. One day, someone's going to take advantage of that."
Kuro blinked, unsure how to respond.
Lucien looked up from his book, sensing the tone shift. "Or someone could protect it instead."
Mika's reflection in the glass didn't move. But his jaw tightened.
[Welp. This just got spicy again. Someone get popcorn.]
{...Elvastia.}
[What? I'm just narrating the obvious.]
The room fell into uneasy quiet — Kuro's heartbeat the only sound he could hear above Elvastia's muttering.
Mika's eyes stayed on the moon, cold and unreadable.
Lucien's turned a page, too calmly.
And Kuro… was caught between warmth and fear.
Something was shifting.
And the air was thick with something no one dared to name.