Knock… knock…
A soft knocking sound echoed outside Iren's room.
Inside, Iren paused while removing his jacket.
"…Hm?"
Knock… knock…
The knock came again.
Iren walked toward the door and opened it.
Creak…
A girl from the academy stood outside.
The moment she saw him, she stiffened.
Her thoughts rushed wildly.
'It's him…'
'Mr. Iren… the champion of the tournament…'
'The most popular student in the academy…'
Her gaze lowered immediately.
"U-Um…"
Her voice trembled.
Iren blinked, noticing how nervous she was.
He sighed lightly.
"Relax."
"I'm not going to do anything to you."
The girl's face immediately turned red.
"N-No! That's not what I meant!"
She lowered her head shyly.
Then suddenly she blurted everything rapidly.
"M-Miss Lyra wants to talk to you! She's waiting for you at the lake behind the academy!"
Iren blinked once.
Then a small smile appeared.
"I see."
"Thanks for telling me."
He began walking down the hallway.
But suddenly—
"Mr. Iren!"
Iren stopped and turned around.
"Yes?"
The girl hesitated before gathering courage.
"C-Can I have your autograph?"
Iren raised an eyebrow.
"…Autograph?"
"What for?"
The girl didn't answer.
Instead she handed him a paper and pen.
Iren looked at them for a moment.
Then sighed.
"…Fine."
Scratch… scratch…
He signed his name.
Then handed the paper back.
"There."
The girl stared at it like it was treasure.
Iren gave a small wave.
"Good night."
Then he walked toward the back of the academy.
The girl watched him leave.
Then suddenly—
Her face lit up with excitement.
'Yes!'
'I got it! Mr. Iren's autograph!'
Clutching the paper happily, she skipped away down the corridor.
---
A few minutes later…
Iren reached the lake behind the academy.
The night air was calm.
The surface of the lake was perfectly still, reflecting the bright moon like a mirror.
Standing near the water was Lyra.
Her silver hair swayed gently in the night breeze.
Moonlight shimmered across it like strands of silver.
Iren walked toward her quietly and stopped behind her.
Lyra slowly turned around.
Her blue eyes glowed softly under the moonlight.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Then Iren broke the silence.
"So…"
"Why did you call me here?"
Lyra looked at him calmly.
"I just wanted to talk."
She gestured toward the ground.
"Sit."
Iren shrugged.
"Alright."
Both of them sat beside the lake.
The water reflected the moon clearly.
Lyra suddenly spoke.
"Did you know you're quite popular among the students?"
Iren glanced at her.
Lyra chuckled lightly.
"Especially among girls."
Iren sighed.
"I've already been teased about that."
"Please don't start too."
Lyra smiled.
"Alright."
"I won't."
She looked up toward the sky.
"Look… the moon looks beautiful tonight."
Iren followed her gaze.
"…Yeah."
"It really does."
Then Lyra pointed toward the lake.
"Remember?"
"You fell into the water right there."
Iren groaned in embarrassment.
"…Yeah."
"How could I forget?"
"That was such a horrible night."
He rubbed the back of his head.
"You chased me like a monster."
"I nearly drowned that night."
Suddenly—
Silence.
Iren slowly turned toward Lyra.
She was staring at him with narrowed eyes.
Iren raised both hands quickly.
"Wait."
"I didn't do anything this time."
Lyra stared at him.
Then suddenly—
"Hahaha!"
She burst into laughter.
"Relax."
"I won't hit you again."
Iren exhaled in relief.
"Good."
Then after few minutes he stood up.
"Well…"
"It's getting late."
"We should head back."
But suddenly—
Lyra grabbed his hand.
"Wait."
Iren froze.
Iren looked at her quietly.
"Please…"
"Stay with me a little longer."
Iren blinked in surprise.
Lyra continued softly.
"I just want some company."
"And right now…"
"You're the one I trust the most."
A moment passed.
Then Iren sighed.
"…Fine."
He sat down beside her again.
Lyra smiled faintly.
"The real reason I called you here…"
"…was to thank you."
"For helping me during training."
Iren scratched his cheek.
"You've already thanked me many times."
Lyra shook her head.
"Maybe."
"But it still isn't enough compared to how much you helped me."
Iren said nothing.
A small smile appeared on his face.
Then Lyra asked quietly,
"Iren… will you keep helping me train?"
Iren nodded.
"Of course."
"We're a team now."
Silence returned.
Both of them looked quietly at the lake.
After a moment Iren stood again.
"Alright."
"Now we should really go back."
Lyra nodded and stood up too.
Iren turned and began walking toward the academy.
Then—
"Iren."
He stopped.
And turned back.
Suddenly—
Thump.
Lyra hugged him.
At that exact moment—
Whooooosh…
A gentle wind swept across the lake.
The calm surface of the water trembled.
Ripple… ripple…
The perfect reflection of the moon shattered into countless shimmering waves.
Iren froze instantly.
"H-Hey!"
"W-What are you doing?!"
He began stammering.
"L-Leave me—!"
But Lyra didn't move.
She held him quietly.
Iren stood completely frozen.
Then Lyra spoke softly.
"Thank you, Iren."
"For everything you did for me."
"Thank you so much."
Iren's face turned bright red.
"O-Okay…"
"That's fine…"
"But you can let go now…"
Lyra replied softly.
"No."
"Just accept it as my thanks."
Iren struggled to speak.
"…Alright."
"I appreciate it."
His face was still burning red.
Then he muttered awkwardly,
"…Maybe you should let go now."
After a moment—
Lyra slowly released him.
She smiled.
"Well."
"Let's go back."
Iren was still standing there.
Frozen.
Lyra tilted her head.
"Oh come on."
"That was just a friendly hug."
"Nothing else."
Then she grabbed his hand.
"Let's go."
She began walking toward the academy.
Iren followed silently.
His face was still red.
Lyra glanced back and whispered quietly,
"…You're such an idiot."
Soon they reached the academy.
Lyra walked with him to his room.
"Well."
"Good night."
She waved and turned away.
Iren slowly raised his hand.
"…Good night."
He entered his room.
Click.
The door closed.
Iren stood there silently.
Still unable to process what had just happened.
"…What just happened?"