The last stack settled neatly into place.
"…It is complete."
Lunivara's voice remained calm.
Jude leaned slightly over the table, looking at the organized piles.
"…That was faster than before."
He let out a small breath.
"…I think you just saved me an hour."
Lunivara adjusted one edge of the documents.
"…It was inefficient as it was."
"…Yeah, well—" Jude scratched the back of his head lightly, a faint grin appearing, "—some of us don't fix things that fast."
A pause.
"…You could," she replied.
Jude blinked once.
"…That didn't sound like encouragement."
"…It was not."
A brief silence—
Then—
"…You're honest."
Not offended.
Just… amused.
Lunivara didn't respond.
But she didn't deny it either.
Jude moved around the table, stopping a little closer this time.
Not invading her space—
just not keeping as much distance as before.
"…So," he said, glancing at the stacks again, "do you always work like this?"
"…Like what?"
"…Like you already know where everything goes."
A short pause.
"…It is easier that way."
"…For you, maybe."
Jude crossed his arms loosely.
"…Most people look at this and give up first."
"…Then they lose time," Lunivara replied simply.
Jude huffed lightly.
"…You really don't like wasting time, huh."
"…No."
Another pause.
But this one—
was lighter.
Jude looked at her again.
More directly now.
But not intensely.
Just curious.
"…You're different from what they say."
Lunivara's hand paused for a fraction.
"…Is that so?"
"…Yeah."
He shrugged.
"…I expected someone more…"
He trailed off slightly.
"…loud, I guess."
"…I see."
She resumed adjusting the papers.
Jude watched for a moment.
Then—
"…Guess rumors don't organize documents either."
A quiet breath left Lunivara.
Not quite a laugh.
But close.
"…No. They do not."
That was enough.
For now.
The room settled again—
but it no longer felt unfamiliar.
Jude picked up a stack, glancing at her.
"…We'll probably have more of these tomorrow."
"…Understood."
"…You'll come?"
A simple question.
But more direct than before.
Lunivara didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
Jude nodded once.
"…Good."
No further comment.
But the tone was lighter.
More settled.
For the first time—
the space felt less like a task.
And more like…
routine.
Not close.
Not yet.
But—
no longer distant.
End of Chapter 13