If anyone asked me when exactly it became a "second date," I would deny everything.
Because technically—
technically—
The beach walk yesterday was just "two comrades strolling along the shore while ignoring idiots in the background."
Completely professional.
Totally not romantic.
Absolutely not something Edwin would weaponize against me for the rest of my natural lifespan.
But this morning?
This morning was different.
*****
I was still half-awake when someone knocked on my temporary holiday lodging door.
Not a loud knock.
Not impatient.
Just three calm, measured taps.
Which immediately ruled out Edwin.
"Come in," I said.
The door opened.
And there she was.
Alisia Von Valerion.
Silver hair tied loosely today instead of falling freely. She wore a light blue summer dress—simple, elegant, and suspiciously capable of destabilizing my internal balance. No noble ornaments. No formal aura.
Just her.
"You're not ready," she said.
I glanced at myself.
Loose shirt. Bare feet. Hair slightly messy.
"I call this natural charm," I replied.
"You call everything that," she said flatly.
I grinned. "So… to what do I owe the honor?"
She stepped inside and closed the door behind her.
That small click felt way more intimate than it should have.
"We are going out today."
Oh.
"Oh?"
"Yes."
"Is that an order?"
She paused.
"…A suggestion."
"A dangerous one?"
"That depends on your behavior."
I sat up properly.
"Where are we going?"
She hesitated for a brief second—just enough for me to notice.
"There is a coastal town beyond the cliffs. A seasonal festival is being held."
A festival.
I blinked.
"You want to go to a festival."
"Yes."
"With me."
"Yes."
"And no chaperones?"
She stared at me.
"Do you require supervision?"
"Not usually."
"…Then no."
I smiled slowly.
"So this is a date."
"It is an outing."
"Second outing."
Silence.
"…Fine."
Victory.
Minor.
But I'll take it.
*****
The coastal path curved along the edge of the cliffs, overlooking the endless sea. The morning sun wasn't harsh yet—just warm enough to make everything glow slightly.
Wind carried salt and distant laughter from below.
She walked beside me—not too close.
Not too far.
Perfectly composed.
"So," I said casually, "are we holding hands this time, or are we pretending that never happened?"
She did not look at me.
"If you trip and fall, I will not catch you."
"That's not what I asked."
"You are walking steadily."
"…Cold."
"Yes."
I laughed softly.
We continued down the path.
After a moment, I slowed slightly.
She slowed too.
"…What?" she asked.
"Nothing."
"Then why did you change pace?"
"I was testing something."
"What?"
"Whether you adjust to my steps."
She looked forward, eyes steady.
"I do not."
"…You do."
She didn't answer.
Which meant I was right.
The coastal town was alive.
Colorful banners stretched between buildings. Lanterns hung from wooden posts. Stalls lined the streets—selling sweets, handcrafted trinkets, charms, seashell jewelry, roasted seafood.
Music drifted through the air from somewhere deeper in the square.
Children ran past us, laughing.
It was loud.
Messy.
Warm.
Very not-Academy.
Alisia paused slightly at the entrance.
"…It is crowded."
"You don't like crowds?" I asked.
"I tolerate them."
I leaned closer.
"Stay near me then."
She looked at me briefly.
"…I am not afraid."
"I didn't say you were."
A beat of silence.
Then—
Very subtly—
She stepped closer.
Not obvious.
Not dramatic.
But close enough that our shoulders almost brushed.
Progress.
We stopped at a sweets vendor first.
Not my idea.
Hers.
Which surprised me.
The old woman running the stall smiled brightly at us.
"Oh! What a beautiful couple!"
Alisia stiffened.
"We are not—"
"Yes, we are," I interrupted smoothly.
She stepped on my foot.
Hard.
I did not react.
Pain is temporary.
Pride is eternal.
The vendor laughed.
"Young love is so sweet."
Alisia's ears turned slightly pink.
I leaned toward her.
"You're blushing."
"I am not."
"You are."
"Buy something or leave."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
We bought candied fruits.
She took a careful bite.
I watched her.
"…What?" she asked.
"You like sweets."
"I do not dislike them."
"That's not what I said."
She ignored me.
But she took another bite.
A small stall displayed handmade bracelets—woven threads, tiny shells, simple charms.
Alisia slowed.
Barely noticeable.
But I caught it.
"You want one?" I asked.
"I was merely observing."
"Of course."
I picked one up.
Simple silver thread woven with a tiny blue crystal bead.
"This suits you," I said.
"It is unnecessary."
"Most good things are."
I paid before she could protest.
Then gently took her hand.
She froze.
Not resisting.
Just… startled.
Her hand was cool as always—but not cold.
I tied the bracelet around her wrist carefully.
"There," I said softly. "Now it's official."
"What is?"
"Our second date."
She looked at the bracelet.
Then at me.
"…You are insufferable."
"You like it."
She hesitated.
"…It is acceptable."
That's basically a love confession in Alisia language.
There was a ring-toss game.
I should not have approached it.
But pride is a dangerous thing.
"Try," she said suddenly.
I blinked.
"You want me to?"
"Yes."
Ah.
So she wanted to see if I'd embarrass myself.
Fair.
I paid for the rings.
Missed the first.
On purpose.
Missed the second.
Also on purpose.
She raised an eyebrow.
"…You are not serious."
I threw the third.
It landed perfectly.
Prize won.
The stall owner handed me a small plush sea creature.
I turned and handed it to her.
"For the Ice Queen."
She stared at the plush.
"…It is ridiculous."
"Yes."
She held it anyway.
Carefully.
Like it might explode.
And didn't let go.
After an hour of noise and color, we slipped away from the main square.
There was a wooden pier extending into the sea.
Quieter.
Calmer.
We walked to the end and sat down, feet dangling above the water.
For a while, neither of us spoke.
The festival sounds were distant now.
Just waves.
Wind.
And us.
"…You look different here," she said quietly.
"How?"
"Lighter."
I leaned back on my hands.
"I feel lighter."
She studied me.
"You are not calculating every movement."
"I calculate less on holidays."
"You still calculate."
"…Yes."
She looked down at the water.
"Alden."
"Hmm?"
"When the demons attacked… you did not hesitate."
"That wasn't bravery."
"What was it?"
"Logic."
She turned slightly toward me.
"You stepped into danger."
"Because the danger was inefficient."
"…That is not a normal answer."
"I'm not normal."
A small pause.
"…I am aware."
I smiled faintly.
"You were worried."
She didn't deny it this time.
"Yes."
The word was soft.
Honest.
"I don't plan on dying," I said lightly.
"That is not something you control entirely."
"No. But I can try."
She looked at her bracelet.
"…Do not leave me behind."
It wasn't dramatic.
Wasn't loud.
But it carried weight.
I turned toward her fully.
"I won't."
"You say that easily."
"I don't make promises easily."
Our eyes held.
Wind brushed her hair across her face.
Without thinking, I reached out and tucked it behind her ear.
She inhaled softly.
Didn't move away.
"…You are bold today," she murmured.
"Second date confidence."
She shook her head slightly.
But she didn't look displeased.
We stayed there longer than planned.
Talking about nothing important.
Favorite foods.
Childhood memories.
She told me she once froze an entire fountain when she was six because someone called her "cold-hearted."
"…Did you regret it?" I asked.
"No."
I laughed.
"Remind me never to insult you."
"You already do."
"That's different."
"How?"
"I do it affectionately."
She stared at me.
"…That does not improve it."
"It does for me."
Silence.
Comfortable.
Then—
"Alden."
"Yes?"
She hesitated.
Which was rare.
"I… enjoy this."
My heart did something inconvenient.
"Good," I said softly.
"So do I."
She looked at me for a long moment.
Like she was deciding something.
Then—
Very gently—
She leaned her head against my shoulder.
I froze.
Not because I didn't want it.
But because I did.
A lot.
"You may remain still," she said quietly.
"I wasn't moving."
"Good."
Her hair brushed against my neck.
The sea stretched endlessly ahead.
And for once—
I wasn't thinking about threats.
Or hidden enemies.
Or the strange way demons had avoided me.
I was just here.
With her.
When we walked back toward town, the sun was beginning to lower.
Golden light painted everything softer.
We didn't talk much.
Didn't need to.
At the edge of the festival, she stopped.
"…Thank you," she said.
"For what?"
"For coming."
"You invited me."
"You could have refused."
"Never."
She searched my face.
"…You are dangerous."
"How?"
"You make things feel simple."
I stepped closer.
"They can be."
"No," she said softly. "They cannot."
There was something beneath that.
Something unspoken.
But she didn't elaborate.
Instead—
She reached out.
Took my hand.
Firmly.
Not hesitant.
Not subtle.
Just… held it.
"For now," she said.
"For now," I agreed.
We walked back up the cliff path together.
Hands linked.
Sun setting behind us.
Second date successful.
Edwin would absolutely never hear about this.
Ever.
…Unless he interrogates me.
Which he will.
I'm doomed.