The infirmary's ethereal glow dimmed as the head healer adjusted her ledger, her quartz eyes softening with concern. "Yuki, you are to rest in your dorm while we investigate the archives," she rasped, her voice carrying the weight of years. "The gash on your side is stable but healing slowly, so expect some soreness. Kaname, please see her there safely and ensure she doesn't overexert herself."
Yuki nodded slowly, her raven-silk black hair shifting as she eased herself off the cot with deliberate care. Her turquoise eyes, brighter now after the tonic, flickered with a sense of relief, though a sharp ache pulsed from the crimson gash on her side, concealed beneath her school uniform's red-tied jacket. The older wound on her arm, already scarred from a past skirmish, throbbed faintly but remained manageable. She stood up carefully, wincing as the movement tugged at her injury, and leaned on Kaname, whose onyx-black hair caught the dawn light streaming through the infirmary's arched windows. His green eyes scanned her with deep concern, his posture tense yet supportive as he steadied her.
They left the infirmary together, the fractured violet sky casting long, wavering shadows across Rose Academy's stone paths. The air grew fresher as they approached the dorms, a welcome change from the heavy scent of lavender and sage that lingered in the healing ward. Yuki paused, her breath becoming shallow, the soreness in her side making each step a quiet challenge. "Kaname, can we stop in town for a little while?" she asked, her voice soft but determined. "I just want to breathe some fresh air and maybe grab some things for dinner. I really need to get out of these walls for a bit—it's suffocating in here."
He hesitated for a moment, his gaze drifting to the horizon where the town's rooftops peeked beyond the academy gates. Then he sighed with resignation, the sound carrying a hint of reluctance. "Fine, we can go," he agreed. "But we need to be quick about it and avoid any trouble. Your health comes first." His blue uniform rustled as he adjusted his pace to match her slower steps, his posture steady and attentive, a silent promise to keep her safe.
The town buzzed with life beyond the academy gates, a vibrant contrast to the quiet tension of the infirmary. Market stalls glowed with vibrant herbs, freshly baked goods, and colorful fabrics, their vendors calling out in cheerful tones. The air was crisp, filled with the scent of warm bread and the faint tang of earth from nearby fields. Yuki leaned on Kaname for support, her side sore but her steps steady enough to manage the short journey. They stopped at a stall where an elderly woman offered them potatoes and a loaf of bread, her wrinkled hands moving with practiced ease. As Yuki reached for the items, a handsome man brushed past them, his dark hair falling neatly over sharp, chiseled features. His movements were discreet, almost silent, like a shadow slipping through the crowd. He paused briefly, turning to face them, and Yuki's breath caught. His crimson-red eyes, deep and mesmerizing, held a strange allure, drawing her attention with an intensity she couldn't ignore. "Nice day for a walk," he said smoothly, his voice low and rich, a hint of charm in his tone, before offering a polite nod and continuing on his way without another word.
Yuki's cheeks warmed slightly, her turquoise eyes lingering on his retreating figure with admiration. "He seemed… captivating," she murmured, adjusting the bread in her arms with a thoughtful expression, her interest piqued by his enigmatic presence. Kaname's jaw tightened, a strange unease settling in his chest like a stone. Something about the man felt off—those crimson eyes, the way they seemed to command attention, unsettled him deeply. Her fascination struck him as odd given her usual caution, and he couldn't shake the feeling that the man's presence carried a hidden edge. He kept his thoughts to himself, though, guiding her onward with a gentle nudge. "Let's keep moving," he muttered, his tone neutral but laced with restraint.
As they continued their shopping, weaving through the bustling market, they paused at a spice stall, the air thick with the aroma of cinnamon and cloves. It was here that a girl with chestnut curls bumped into them, her hair bouncing as she carried a small basket. A short while later, at a fruit stand, the wooden table laden with apples and berries, the same girl approached again, her steps casual but deliberate. "Oh hey, no way… Yuki? Is that really you?" she said, tilting her head with a mix of surprise and warmth. Her brown eyes studied Yuki closely, a faint smile playing on her lips as she adjusted the basket on her arm.
Yuki blinked, the pain in her side easing as recognition dawned slowly. The girl's voice, the familiar tilt of her head—it clicked after a moment of quiet reflection. "Rin?" she asked, her voice tentative, laced with a thread of uncertainty. "From Hometown Hollow? The treehouse we used to hide in?" Her mind raced with questions. How did Rin end up at Rose Academy? Was she still the same playful girl from their childhood? What brought her here, to this moment? The memories flooded back—laughter echoing in the wooden structure, scraped knees, and shared secrets—and Yuki's expression softened.
Rin nodded, her smile widening with a touch of nostalgia. "Yep, that's me! I'm at Rose now, Star faction. Been a while, huh? How's your family doing these days? Are you okay with that injury I heard about? The dagger incident sounded crazy! Maybe we could catch up, cook something together to reminisce?" Her questions tumbled out in a steady stream, each one layered with genuine curiosity but also a hint of eagerness that filled the space between them.
Kaname's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed Rin, his suspicion simmering beneath the surface. He didn't trust her yet—her chatter and overly friendly demeanor rubbed him the wrong way, though it wasn't the same unease he felt with the crimson-eyed stranger. This was different, more personal, as if her presence stirred an instinct he couldn't name. Still, he saw the spark of interest in Yuki's eyes, the way her face lit up at the rediscovered connection. For her sake—and the potential power Rin's shard suggested—he tolerated her presence, though grudgingly. "She talks a lot," he whispered to Yuki, his voice low and edged with restraint, "but we might need allies like her later on. Just be careful." He forced a nod, masking his wariness with a neutral expression.
Rin beamed, oblivious to his reservations, her enthusiasm undimmed. "I'll bring spices! Let's make it fun and catch up properly!" she suggested, her hands gesturing animatedly as she shifted her basket.
As they continued their shopping, weaving through the bustling market, they paused again at the spice stall, the air thick with the aroma of cinnamon and cloves. Rin, still chatting animatedly, accidentally bumped into the crimson-eyed man as he turned a corner. The collision sent a small pouch of saffron tumbling from her basket, and she gasped, her face flushing red. "Oh! I'm so sorry!" she stammered, bending to retrieve the pouch. As she straightened, her brown eyes widened, taking in his handsome features. "Wow, uh… you're… I mean, I didn't mean to—your face is, um, really striking," she babbled, her awkwardness growing with each word, her hands fumbling with the basket.
The man chuckled, a warm, easy sound that seemed to lighten the moment. "No harm done," he said, his crimson eyes glinting with amusement. "It happens more often than you'd think. Enjoy your day." With another polite nod, he stepped away, leaving Rin staring after him, her cheeks still flushed.
Once he was out of earshot, Rin leaned toward Yuki, her voice dropping to an excited whisper. "Okay, that guy was hot. Did you see those eyes? I nearly melted!" She fanned herself dramatically, her grin wide and unguarded.
Yuki giggled, a rare, goofy sound escaping her as she shared the moment with her friend. Her curiosity about the man simmered beneath the surface—those crimson eyes hinted at a power she could faintly sense, a strength that intrigued her and drew her admiration. She kept her thoughts private, though, her reserve holding firm. "He was something else," she said lightly, her laugh trailing off as she adjusted her grip on the bag, the ache in her side a quiet anchor.
They lingered a bit longer, chatting about old times as Yuki's strength held steady enough to enjoy the moment. Rin shared snippets of her journey to Rose, her voice warm but careful, avoiding deeper details about her past. Yuki listened, her questions forming but held back for now, the ache in her side a quiet reminder to pace herself. Kaname stayed close, his gaze occasionally drifting to Rin, noting the steady glow of her shard but also the way she seemed to watch Yuki a fraction too intently. He pushed the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand, though the image of those crimson eyes lingered in his mind, tugging at his unease.
As they moved to another stall to pick up a few herbs, Yuki's thoughts drifted back to the handsome man. There was something about his voice, the way his crimson gaze seemed to hold secrets, that intrigued her and sparked her admiration. She wondered if he was a student or perhaps a visitor, her curiosity piqued despite the pain that grounded her, sensing a great power beneath his calm exterior. Kaname noticed her distraction, his frown deepening, and he stepped closer, adjusting the bag on her shoulder to help lighten her load. She returns his gentle jester with a warm smile.
With their bags now full—potatoes, bread, apples, and a small bundle of herbs from Rin's insistence—they began the return journey. The town's fresh air provided a brief but welcome respite, the market's hum fading as they walked. Yuki's side still ached with each step, a dull throb that promised more soreness to come, but her spirit felt lifted, buoyed by the rediscovery of Rin and the unexpected allure of the stranger. Kaname walked beside her, his mind turning over the day's encounters—the crimson-eyed man's odd pull on Yuki and Rin's unexpected return. He kept his suspicions buried, though a seed of caution had taken root, especially about the man whose gaze seemed to linger in Yuki's thoughts.
As they neared the academy gates, the violet sky deepened, the lanterns along the path flickering to life. Yuki glanced at Rin, a small smile tugging at her lips. "It'll be good to cook together," she said, her voice carrying a hint of anticipation. Rin nodded, her expression warm but her eyes holding a flicker of something unreadable—something Kaname caught but couldn't decipher. He tightened his grip on the bag, his thoughts a quiet storm, but he kept his peace, letting Yuki enjoy the moment.
The path ahead stretched toward the dorms, the weight of the day settling into their steps. Unseen by them, the handsome man watched from a distance, his crimson-red eyes narrowing as he noted their departure. Rin glanced back once, a subtle movement lost to Yuki's notice, her smile masking the currents of her past. The town's air lingered in their lungs, a fleeting escape that promised more connections—and perhaps more secrets—to unravel in the days ahead.