They turned around at the same time.
A young woman was standing behind them.
Aira's eyes widened.
"Professor Xiu…!"
Hearing that name, Ayal blinked in surprise.
"Professor? She's a professor?"
Alya looked at him as if he had said something strange.
"Don't you know? You're in the academy. She's the one who healed your body."
When Ayal finally looked at her properly, he froze.
She was… an elf.
Her long green hair flowed down her back like fresh leaves in spring. Her emerald eyes shone softly, and her red lips curved gently. She looked no older than them—more like a student than a professor.
She doesn't look like a professor at all… Ayal thought.
Professor Xiu noticed his gaze and smiled faintly.
"Ayal," she said calmly, "do you have something you wish to ask?"
Ayal suddenly felt his face grow hot. He quickly turned his head to the side.
"H-How did you fix my body?"
"I used healing magic," she replied. "I also came to check if you were feeling any discomfort."
Aira quickly stepped forward.
"No, no, Professor Xiu. We just came to visit him."
"I see," Professor Xiu nodded. "You may talk with him, but don't disturb him too much. He needs rest."
"Yes, Professor," Aira answered politely.
With that, Professor Xiu quietly left the room.
There were five people inside.
Reinhard suddenly spoke.
"Can the three of you step outside? I need to talk with Ayal alone."
The others were surprised but didn't argue.
"Alright," Alya said. "We'll wait outside."
The three of them stepped out and stood in the hallway.
Hinata looked confused.
"Why are we all standing outside?"
Aira smiled slightly.
"Maybe it's something between friends. That's why."
"I see…" Hinata nodded.
Inside the room, Ayal looked at Koji.
"Did you… want to say something?"
Inside his heart, Ayal wondered, What does Koji want to talk about?
Koji took a deep breath.
"I don't think we should be friends," he said quietly. "Because of what happened… If you stay close to me, you might get hurt again."
Ayal was stunned for a moment. Then he smiled softly.
"Do you really think friendship depends on something like that?" he said. "What happened was a mistake. It's already over."
He looked at Koji directly.
"You didn't do anything wrong. So why are you blaming yourself?"
Koji fell silent.
"…Alright," he finally said.
Ayal chuckled and stretched out his hand.
"So… are you my friend now?"
Koji hesitated for a second, then smiled.
"Yes. I am."
They shook hands.
Outside, the others were trying to guess what was happening inside.
Aira even leaned close to the door, trying to hear something—but she couldn't catch a single word.
Suddenly, the door opened.
Koji stepped out.
Aira jumped slightly in surprise.
"What were you two talking about?"
Koji looked calm.
"Nothing important."
He walked away.
The three of them quickly entered the room again.
Aira immediately asked,
"So? Did you become friends with Koji?"
Ayal nodded.
"He just came to talk."
Alya frowned slightly.
"You know there are many rumors about him, right? If you stay close to him, it might cause trouble."
Ayal's expression didn't change.
"I don't care what others think," he said firmly. "It doesn't matter to me."
The three of them stared at him in surprise.
Then Aira laughed lightly.
"You're right."
But none of them noticed—
Someone had been listening to their conversation from behind.