"I'm glad you're safe."
The words were quiet, genuine, barely above a whisper.
Elion's heart skipped a beat.
Her sincerity… it was disarming.
Before he could respond, Aria's cheeks reddened, and she looked away quickly, grabbing at the hem of her sleeve.
"I—I shouldn't keep you," she said, suddenly flustered. "You'll probably be summoned soon, just like Celeste said."
"…Celeste?"
"Y-yes," Aria muttered. "The second year DC member. She is a Vampire. And apparently, scary."
"Oh? Glad I'm not the only one who thinks so. She does look scary."
Aria huffed a small laugh despite herself. "Elion…"
Her voice softened again.
"…please be careful. I don't want you getting hurt."
He wasn't sure what came over him, maybe the leftover adrenaline, maybe her concern, maybe the fact that she was standing there looking at him like he mattered more than he ever expected, but Elion stepped closer.
