Arien practically dragged Shiro through the corridors, her pace unrelenting even after they had left the scene far behind. She didn't dare look back, as if the very presence of that student could still reach out and grip her. Her hand was clamped around Shiro's wrist, pulling him along in her frantic retreat.
Suddenly, Shiro planted his feet, forcing her to a jarring stop.
Shiro: ......
He said nothing, his silence more demanding than any question. Arien kept her head down, her breathing shallow.
Shiro: Who was that?
His voice was calm, but it cut through her panic. Arien didn't answer, her gaze fixed on the floor. Shiro's tone didn't change, but the pressure behind it did.
Shiro: Who is that student?
Arien grabbed his hand again and resumed walking, her strides quick and tense.
Arien: You don't need to know that.
The conversation died, the only sound being their hurried footsteps echoing in the empty halls. Only when they reached the main corridor, bathed in the softer light of evening, did the adrenaline finally begin to recede from Arien's veins. As the immediate fear faded, the memory of the man in black surged to the forefront of her mind.
She whipped her head toward Shiro, her mouth opening to ask, but the words caught in her throat. She remembered Sato's warning: Act like nothing happened.
They walked aimlessly as the sky outside darkened, the time for practical class long past. To break the heavy silence, Shiro ventured another question.
Shiro: So... who were those girls?
Arien turned to answer, but the question only soured her mood, stirring up the humiliation and fear of the ambush.
Seeing her expression darken further, Shiro seemed to decide to hell with caution.
Shiro: What was that Artificer item that made me not see you? Do you know what it was?
This time, Arien answered, her voice low.
Arien: So you really didn't see me?
Shiro: You think I'm lying?
Arien: Well....... I think it was some kind of barrier. One that cut off sound and sight from anyone outside.
After answering, Arien stopped dead in her tracks and turned to face Shiro, who looked confused by the sudden halt.
Shiro: Eh? Wha—
Arien: How did you find me?
It was a valid question. Even she wasn't entirely sure how she had ended up in that room.
Shiro lifted his katana slightly, a faint, knowing smile on his lips.
Shiro: Well... I have my ways.
Arien didn't understand. What could a boy without an Art Style possibly mean by that gesture?
Arien: Well, none of that matters. Because I'm safe.
She said it with a forced, prideful tone, as if she had been the one to resolve the situation.
Shiro: And me too. That man in black was powerful, you know.
Arien was surprised he brought him up.
Arien: Like, how much?
She asked, probing to see if Shiro had any connection to him.
Shiro: Well, in terms of magical power, I think he could kill everyone there, including me, at least twice.
He said this while scratching his head and smiling softly, as if discussing the weather. Arien was shocked.
Arien: Then- why? Her voice creaked.
Shiro: It seems he knew me. Can you believe that? I've never seen that man before.
Arien thought to herself: YES, I can believe that.
Shiro: I wonder if he got the wrong person.
Arien screamed internally: He literally said he was looking for you! Oh my god, this idiot!
Then something else snapped into place for her.
Arien: You said he was strong, right?
Shiro: Eh? Oh, yeah, he was strong.
Arien: Well- gulp compared to the student who showed up... how was he? Is he stronger than him?
Shiro started thinking, his head tilting as he pondered.
Arien: Surely not, right?
Shiro finally answered.
Shiro: Equal, I guess. Can't tell. I didn't fight either of them. Well, even if I did, I'd be dead the second I stepped forward.
Arien grabbed Shiro's hand again and started walking, her face a mask of calm while her mind screamed.
AHHHHHHHHHH! That man is equal to HIM? You're kidding me, right? And we made both of them angry!
What she actually said was:
Arien: Ohhh.
Then she asked another question.
Arien: How did that man walk into th—
Just before she could finish, a familiar voice called out from down the hall.
???: Oh, it's you two. What are you doing at this time? The academy's been over for a while, you know.
Arien and Shiro turned, surprised to see Sato, who had come back to the Artificer classroom to retrieve something he'd forgotten.
Shiro: Yo.
Sato looked at both of them, and then his eyes landed on Arien's hand, still holding Shiro's.
Sato: Oh. Did I disturb you two? Maybe...
Arien, confused by his tone, went to touch her hair, but Shiro's hand came up with hers. It was only then she realized she had been holding his hand this entire time.
Arien quickly threw Shiro's hand away as if burned and started yelling.
Arien: Why didn't you say anything?!
Shiro: Wha—?
Shiro grew angry at the sudden accusation.
Shiro: Oh, now I'm the one in the wrong?
Arien: Yes! If you realized, why didn't you say anything?!
Shiro: Aren't you the one who should be careful?!
At that moment, Sato stepped between them, halting the argument before it could escalate.
Sato: Stop this. It's late. Both of you, go and sleep. Whatever this is, you can finish it tomorrow.
Both Arien and Shiro turned to leave. Just as Arien was about to go, Shiro leaned close and whispered into her ear, his voice barely audible.
Shiro: It was Shadow Art.
Arien, shocked, whirled around to ask him to repeat it, but he was already gone, disappearing down the dimly lit corridor.
And just like that, the day ended.