The hallway after class buzzed with the usual chaos—people spilling out of rooms, voices echoing, lockers slamming. It should've overwhelmed Velithra the way it always did.
But with Kai walking beside her, everything felt… muted.
Not silent.Not easy.Just less heavy.
Kai didn't hover, didn't crowd her, didn't act like she needed guarding. He simply matched her pace, hands in his pockets, eyes scanning the hallway with quiet awareness.
When someone bumped her shoulder a little too hard, Velithra stiffened—but before she could retreat inside herself, Kai spoke.
"Hey," he said softly, turning toward her. "Are you okay?"
Velithra nodded too quickly. "Yeah. I'm fine."
Kai tilted his head—not accusing, just noticing. "You don't have to say that every time."
Velithra looked down, her fingers curling around the strap of her bag. "It's just… easier."
"For everyone else," Kai replied. "Not for you."
She didn't answer.
They walked a few more steps before she finally exhaled. "I don't know how to be… open. I barely know how to be normal around you."
Kai's steps slowed.
"Why me?" he asked gently.
Velithra swallowed. "Because you see too much."
There. She said it.It felt terrifyingly honest.
Kai didn't move for a moment. Then he stepped slightly closer—not touching, but close enough that she could feel his presence.
"Seeing isn't a bad thing," he murmured. "Not unless you want it to be."
Velithra looked up at him, unsure what she wanted—unsure how to even begin untangling the knots inside her.
Kai held her gaze, steady and warm. "Do you want me to stop?"
Velithra froze. The hallway noise faded into a blur. The question hung between them like a held breath.
"No," she said quietly, surprising herself. "I… don't want you to stop."
Kai's expression shifted—barely, but enough. His shoulders relaxed, the tension in his jaw softening.
"Good," he said, voice low. "Then I won't."
They started walking again, slower this time.
As they turned the corner, Velithra's sleeve brushed his—not much, barely anything. But Kai glanced down at the fabric touching his, then back at her.
He didn't comment.He didn't move away.
He just let it happen.
For a few seconds, they walked like that—sleeves touching lightly, breaths aligning, steps falling into rhythm.
Velithra felt warmth rise in her chest, spreading slowly, carefully, like she was letting herself believe something new.
And Kai?
He didn't look at her directly.But the faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth said enough.
The shift between them wasn't loud.It wasn't dramatic.It was soft—almost invisible.
But it was real.
And neither of them pretended not to notice.