The new day dawned, crisp and clear. After the turmoil of Arien's kidnapping and Shiro's dramatic rescue, the morning felt almost unnervingly normal. Sato woke up early, as always, while Shiro slept sprawled out like a man at a crime scene, limbs at impossible angles.
It was definitely an ordinary day—until Shiro and Sato met Arien on their way to class.
Sato: Well, like always, this is where I split. So... see you at the interval.
He waved as he headed toward the Artificer wing. Both Shiro and Arien waved back before turning toward the SR classroom. Almost immediately, Arien pounced on the unanswered question from last night.
Arien: What did you say yesterday?
Shiro: About what?
Arien: About that man.
Shiro: Ohhhh.
He acted like he'd just remembered, but his next words were pure deflection.
Shiro: What about it?
Arien: My god! You said something about Shadow Art!
Shiro clapped his hands together as if it had just come back to him.
Shiro: Oh, that's what you're talking about. Well, yeah, there's no doubt about it.
Arien: So you're saying his Art Style was Shadow? Is something like that even possible?
Shiro glanced at her sideways as they walked.
Shiro: Well, I think you'll get your answer in class today.
Arien fell silent, and they entered the classroom. The lesson began, and just like any other day, Professor Kareth started teaching. Time passed, the bell rang, and class ended. It was interval time.
Every student filed out until only Arien and Shiro remained. Arien slowly walked over to Shiro, grabbed his sleeve, and pulled him out into the hallway.
Her voice was low, but her anger was palpable.
Arien: She didn't say a thing about that!
Shiro: Well, yeah. Why would she?
Arien's anger was reaching its peak, like a volcano about to erupt.
Arien: (Through gritted teeth) Then why did you say, 'You can find that in the class'?
Shiro answered straightforwardly, looking directly into her eyes.
Shiro: To avoid you.
Arien cracked her knuckles, ready to bury Shiro in the ground.
Shiro: --Well, before you do anything, let me tell you.
Arien: Tell me what? Your final words?
Shiro let out a sigh and finally gave her a real answer.
Shiro: He was a non-element Art user. And from the look of it, it seemed like his Art Style was Shadow.
With that, they began walking toward the canteen.
Arien: A non-element user, standing on equal footing with the strongest student in the academy...
Shiro looked at her, a spark of interest in his eyes.
Shiro: So he is the strongest. Wonder how strong.
For most of the time, Shiro avoided fighting, but now he seemed to be itching for one. Just as he said that, Arien punched him in the arm, snapping him back to his senses.
When they reached the canteen, it was already packed. As they waited in line:
Arien: Oh! Tomorrow's a free day, right? Let's head out tomorrow!
Her face was full of excitement, as if the outing had already happened.
Shiro made a pained expression.
Shiro: Whaaaat? Just stay in your room and sleep the day away.
His expression said it all—he had no intention of sacrificing his free day wandering around the city.
Their turn came to get lunch. Shiro ordered a long bun filled with spiced meat, shaped like a submarine. Arien ordered something simpler. As they looked for a seat, they spotted Sato sitting alone at a table.
Shiro: Yo.
Sato: Oh. It's you two.
Arien: Hi.
They sat down without asking.
Arien: Looks like someone has no friends.
Sato: Ya, ya, I'm a loner. So how's the day going for you two?
Shiro: Well, nothing special. Same as before, I guess.
Arien: Well, putting that aside—Shiro and I are planning to go for a walk outside, in the town tomorrow.
Arien's eyes sparkled as she asked the question.
Arien: Well, you coming?
Sato: Well, I have some other pla—
Arien finished her food and stood up.
Arien: Okay. Well then, see you two at the entrance gate at around 10 AM.
Then she walked out of the canteen, calling over her shoulder.
Arien: Shiro, I'm going to the practical class, so come on.
Shiro, still sitting and not having taken a single bite, just nodded.
Shiro: Okay.
Sato was confused by what just happened—Arien had decided everything on her own and walked out. He turned to Shiro to explain that he had plans tomorrow, but in the split second Sato looked away, Shiro had already finished eating and was clearing his desk to leave.
Shiro: Ahhhh. That was some good bun. Well then, time for a nap. See you tomorrow, Sato.
Sato tried to speak, but Shiro was already gone.
Sato put his hands over his eyes and sighed.
Sato: Why...?
Meanwhile, Shiro walked back to his dorm room to get some good sleep after his meal.
Shiro: Well, the practical class doesn't have that partner thing, so she'll be fine.
He stopped for a moment.
Shiro: Nah. She'll be fine.
Then, without even looking around, Shiro walked straight into his room, jumped onto the bed, and was out in two seconds—the perfect, instant sleep.
Hours passed. Shiro slept, Arien attended practical class, and Sato went to the Artificer class. The day ended with Shiro never showing up to the practical class.