"Students, please gather near the stage!" a teacher's voice rang out across the plaza. "The opening address is about to begin."
The hum of conversation shifted immediately as the crowd began moving. Tents quieted, machines left humming on their own, and lines of students drifted toward the small wooden stage set at the center of the square.
Karmeen clicked her tongue, nudging Selene forward. "Come on, creepshow. Save your weird talks for later."
Seul, holding a half-eaten pastry in one hand, waved lazily. "Guess that's us too."
Zeddy was already licking sugar off his fingers. "Yeah, let's go. Hope this speech isn't boring."
The tall man adjusted his round glasses and offered a polite bow. "Hello Dear Students I am Dr.Darius incharge of this magnificent ruins My thanks to the college, and to all of you for your attentiveness. These ruins are more than just stones and vines—they are remnants of a civilization long vanished, their purpose still cloaked in mystery…"
Selene's hand shot up like a spring. "The southern walls collapsed in the second great quake, three hundred and twenty years ago. Sixteen explorers went missing here, though only seven bodies were ever found. One without its head."
A ripple of unease went through the students. Darius blinked. "...Yes, that is correct. Thank you for—"
"And the underground chamber?" Selene tilted her head, grinning wide. "The one that screams if you lean too close?"
The crowd shuffled back a step. Darius coughed awkwardly. "Quite… enthusiastic. But perhaps let me explain in my own words, young lady."
Karmeen groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "Why do I even bother standing next to her?" She reached over and clamped her palm over Selene's mouth, muffling a giggle that somehow still sounded creepy.
Clearing his throat, Darius pressed on. "As you know, the ruins will be open for exploration tomorrow morning. Tomorrow. Going inside at night is strictly prohibited, both for safety and respect for the site."
Selene slipped free of Karmeen's hand, whispering with an eerie sing-song. "But the stones whisper louder at night…"
Several freshmen shivered. Karmeen gave up, muttering, "I should've stood on the other side of the plaza."
Darius ignored it the best he could, smoothing his notes. "Furthermore, no student will be allowed to explore alone. You must remain in groups at all times."
His voice lightened as he closed his folder. "For tonight, however, relax. There will be a bonfire here in the plaza. You'll also be able to enjoy a rare sight—every planet aligning across the night sky. Truly a spectacle worth remembering."
A round of impressed murmurs rose from the students.
"And lastly," Darius added warmly, "my thanks to Lumeira and her team for providing us with today food."
From near the crimson tent, Lumeira paused while arranging trays, looking up at the sky as if the words had pulled her. Her eyes softened, and she whispered just loud enough for herself:
"All aligned… together."
The sun dipped low, painting the ruins in gold and crimson. Shadows stretched long across the mossy stones. Students milled about—some clustered in laughing groups, some sprawled lazily in the grass, and others already tucked away in their tents for a nap before the bonfire.
Solace wiped his brow with a rag, stepping back from the machine he'd been coaxing into life. The gears hummed softly, steady at last. He stretched with a groan that turned into a grin.
"Man, that was a lot of work. My genius should honestly come with a wage," he muttered to himself. His stomach growled right on cue. "And maybe benefits. Definitely benefits. Like… a plate full of food and, hmm—some beautiful company to balance the day out."
He dusted off his hands and casually strolled across the plaza, eyes flicking around like a hunter on the prowl. His gaze landed on the crimson tent with golden letters: Seera Sweets.
"Aha. Food and girls, all in one place. Destiny, you spoil me."
Inside, the sweet aroma hit him like a warm embrace. Rows of cakes, pastries, and gleaming pitchers of juice lined the counter. Solace leaned in on the wooden counter with that practiced smirk of his.
"One slice of that cake—no, make it a large slice. And a tall glass of juice. And if you've got time, maybe a smile to go with it?"
The worker giggled, half-flustered, half-amused, quickly setting his order onto a tray. Solace winked as he slid a coin across.
"Perfect service. Almost makes me want to come back every hour."
He turned, cake fork poised, when his eyes caught a familiar figure across the tent. A woman, apron dusted faintly with flour, her calm presence somehow commanding more attention than the sweets themselves.
For a second, Solace froze, fork midair. His mind tugged at the memory—back in high school, a face he'd never quite managed to forget. The one whose picture had lingered in his drawer long after graduation.
"…No way," he whispered, eyes widening slightly. His smirk wavered, almost dropping. "That's—Lumeira?"
He blinked, watching her hand a pastry to another student, her expression warm but reserved. She hadn't seen him yet.
Solace let out a shaky laugh, recovering his grin as if nothing had shaken him. "Well, if this isn't fate setting the stage…"
Solace accepted the plate the worker slid over, but his gaze couldn't help flicker back toward Lumeira. She was busy with another student, smiling in that effortless way of hers. It was the same smile he remembered from years ago—though sharper now, softer at the edges.
His throat felt dry. The words he always had ready—the flirty lines, the confident remarks—vanished like smoke. For the first time in a long time, he had nothing.
"Thanks—uh, the cake's… perfect," he mumbled, voice uneven as he grabbed the plate and juice. Before the worker could respond, Solace turned on his heel and all but bolted out of the tent.
Lumeira, blinking, tilted her head as she watched him go. "Huh? What was that about?" she murmured, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear
Outside, Solace leaned against the nearest ruined pillar, chest heaving like he'd just sprinted laps. He set the plate down before he dropped it.
"Stay calm. Breathe. It's fine. I only ran away like an idiot in front of her—no big deal," he muttered under his breath, pressing a hand over his face.
His usual grin slipped into a wry, almost panicked smile. "Why… why did I run away? I've never run from a girl in my life. But—it's her. Lumeira."
He stared at the cake, untouched, fork trembling slightly in his hand.
"She didn't even recognize me. Which is good. Or… bad? Ugh—come on, Solace, pull yourself together. You're supposed to make hearts race, not your own."
He slid down the pillar, sitting with his back against the cold stone, muttering to himself like a man unraveling. "Fate's cruel. Cruel, but… wow."