In a rather strange silence, the couple walked toward the dormitory. The girl, who had not yet fully recovered, walked beside the boy, who paid no attention to her and looked at the sky.
Noel walked quietly beside the young man, her face revealing nothing about her thoughts. She seemed not at all concerned about the possible awkwardness of the situation.
—Elion, as usual, did not think to break the silence. Elion, as usual, did not think to break the silence. Most likely, he didn't think about that at all.
In this silence, unnatural for the couple, they walked to the dormitory building. The sunny, pleasant courtyard of the building was full of people. First-year students were eagerly getting to know their older classmates, receiving advice from them, and simply enjoying themselves by chatting with each other.
—... The boy wasn't interested in large groups like this, nor did he consider asking his seniors for advice. He walked toward the entrance, wondering if he had forgotten to do something outside.
... The girl followed him silently, apparently lost in thought. At first, she didn't notice that Elion had stopped in his tracks, clearly having come to some realization.
... With his usual impenetrable expression, the guy realized the problem he had briefly forgotten about. It had bothered him while they were eating, but he hadn't given it much thought and only remembered it now.
During the match, Elion's hair tie had broken. Knowing that he would have classes and training almost every day now, the problem was indeed acute.
"Damn, long hair definitely has its drawbacks. The store where I bought the last one is farther away than my old dorm, and I don't want to go back there. What should I do?"
"Hmm... What's wrong?" Noel asked, finally coming to her senses.
"... After a moment of internal struggle, Elion reached for his hair, tied it back, and pointed to where the elastic should be.
"Oh, so that's what it is, huh?" I'd be happy to share mine with you, but I only have one, too. Do you not know where to find a suitable store, or is the store where you bought it last time too far away? She asked after thinking for a moment.
Elion nodded silently.
"Hee... Well, then let me take you to a store nearby that I know of. You're really lucky to have me with you, aren't you?" A joyful smile returned to the girl's face, and she made an enticing offer.
"... Elion grimaced slightly and turned away.
"Still, you're very lucky to have me with you, aren't you?" She quickly ran up to him and stood in front of him again.
With great effort, Elion finally nodded.
"Hehe, I'm glad you think so. Come on, let's go." With a cheerful laugh, the girl nudged him with her shoulder and sat down next to him.
"Haah..." Unable to hold back a sigh of resignation, Elion went with Noel on a shopping trip around the city.
As they passed familiar buildings on the way, the girl shared stories with him about working as a mime in the neighborhood. There were quite a few stories, so time flew by unnoticed.
"Everything would have been fine," she said, "but once I met a guy, showed him a couple of my favorite tricks, and smiled the sweetest smile, asking him to do the same. And you know what?!" she exclaimed, turning to him with a hint of indignation.
The young man had no idea what she was talking about. Even if he did, he wouldn't have answered.
"He looked at the sky and said, 'Maybe another time of day?' And then he just walked away. Can you believe it?" she said, exaggerating.
The guy remembered a similar situation but didn't show it.
"He's the most insolent person I've ever met. If I saw him again, he wouldn't get away so easily." She tried to sound serious, stifling her laughter.
Elion's eye twitched slightly at the outrageous statements, but he managed to control himself.
"Do you understand?" A small smile crept onto her face.
He had no intention of answering, so he quickened his pace.
"Do you understand?" She caught up with him, blocking his path with her arms, and continued to ask him.
Elion frowned and began to look for a way to retreat while Noel approached with her arms outstretched.
"Do you understand?" Her voice changed to a mischievous tone, and a broad smile spread across her face.
He backed away a little, and the girl approached faster and faster.
The guy took steps backward until he felt the wall of a residential building behind him and stopped.
Elion wondered whether he could jump over the girl using the wall behind him. But she stood on her toes, becoming slightly taller than him. She approached him with an artistic gait, her arms wide open.
Noel's smile was mesmerizingly cunning.
— ... Elion's previous plan seemed too childish and costly for the situation, so he missed his chance and the girl came close to him.
"Do you understand?" With a charming smile, she looked down at him from a distance where their bodies were almost touching.
Elion had no choice but to nod, looking dissatisfied.
"Well done!" she exclaimed cheerfully. Taking advantage of their proximity, she patted him on the head like a puppy.
"... After her palm first touched the top of his head, he deftly took advantage of the situation and slipped past her like a fish slipping out of someone's hands.
"Hee hee hee," Noel laughed brightly, clearly enjoying the situation.