The classroom feels calmer in the morning, sunlight stretching across the floor in soft lines.
I step inside and spot Mira already at her desk, focused on something in front of her—small boxes, ribbons, wrapping things carefully.
I pause beside her. "...What are you doing?"
She looks up, a little startled, then smiles. "Oh—today's Hearts Day. It's kind of a campus thing. It only happens once a year. People usually give chocolates, stuffed toys, cute things to the person they like. They even unlock all the lockers for the day so anyone can leave things inside."
I glance toward the lockers for a second, taking that in. Good thing there's nothing important in mine.
"...Ah, gotcha."
I watch her for a moment. "So... who is that for?"
She lets out a small laugh, a little embarrassed but not hiding it. "This is for Eline."
"...You really like her, huh?"
Mira shakes her head immediately. "Not just like—a huge crush. Since first year. I know everything about her. Even her classes."
"...Everything?!?"
"Yeah!!
...Oh—wait.
Don't you share the same class with her?"
...Damn. Mira is kind of creepy.
"...Who are you talking about?"
Mira looks at me like I just said something impossible. "The one in your Biochemistry class. The prettiest one there."
I go quiet, thinking for a moment. There is someone—the girl from yesterday.
"...Ah—maybe it's the girl in that class.
Yeah... she's beautiful."
The thought stays with me longer than I expect, settling more clearly now. She was beautiful—like a sunset. Even from afar, it's enough.
Mira looks at me for a moment, her eyes narrowing just a little. "Hmm... I don't think we're talking about the same person."
She shrugs and picks up the neatly wrapped box. "Anyway, I've got to go. I need to put this in her locker."
"...Alright."
—-
The first class passes easily. By the time it ends, Mira and I head toward the lockers to grab the books for our next class.
She opens hers first.
A giant teddy bear is stuffed inside, barely fitting, its head tilted awkwardly against the door. Around it, there are neatly arranged boxes of chocolates, a few wrapped gifts, several letters tucked between them, and a bundle of roses tied together with ribbon.
Students nearby immediately react.
"Aww, that's so cute."
"I expect nothing less from Mira."
"Well, she is a total cutie anyway."
Mira lets out a soft laugh, clearly pleased as she adjusts the bear so it doesn't fall out, brushing a hand lightly over the roses like she's already used to this kind of attention.
"Careful," she says lightly, glancing at the others. "You'll make it sound like this is surprising."
Someone snorts quietly. "Of course it's not," another adds. "It's Mira we're talking about."
She smiles, just a little smug now, but doesn't deny it.
I step over to my locker and open it—and something immediately tips forward.
Boxes. Flowers. Chocolates. More than I expected.
They spill out all at once, and I instinctively catch what I can before the rest hit the floor.
"Oh—"
I pause for a second, then let out a quiet laugh, a little embarrassed as I start gathering everything. "...I didn't expect this."
As I reach down, something small slips from the pile and lands near my feet.
I pick it up.
A keychain.
A small, round piece of clear glass, filled with deep blue liquid that shifts like an ocean when I tilt it. The color moves slowly, catching the light as it sways inside.
Attached just above it is a small moon, solid and pale against the glass.
I turn it slightly between my fingers, watching the blue inside move.
For a second, something about it feels familiar.
...I've seen this before.
Without thinking, I set the rest of the things in my hands aside and clip it onto my backpack, letting it hang by the zipper.
Mira leans closer, her attention immediately drawn to it. "Oh—what did you get there?"
She tilts her head, looking at it more closely. "Wow... that's cute." Her eyes linger for a second before she smiles. "Can I have it?"
"Nope.. No way.. This one's mine."
She pouts immediately, her expression exaggerated. "Seriously? You have all of that and you won't even give me one thing?"
"Mira, you got tons of stuff," I say, adjusting the strap of my bag. "Leave this one alone."
She sighs dramatically, still pouting, but doesn't push it any further.
—
Lunch.
I'm seated at the usual table, a drink in hand, but I haven't touched it much. My fingers keep shifting around the straw, turning it slightly, then letting go, only to do it again. My gaze drifts toward the entrance, then back down, then up again.
Rin notices. "Are you waiting for someone?"
Before I can answer, Ivy leans forward slightly, already smiling. "Let me guess—Luna, huh? You're looking for her?"
"Yes. So? Shhh."
They both laugh quietly.
Rin leans back a little, still watching me. "Okay... but why? You're going to give her something?"
"I already did."
Ivy looks at me, surprised. "No way. Like—seriously?"
Rin's expression shifts, more curious now. "Eline... you're really serious about her, huh?"
"Yes. Okay, yes... it's way more than that. Last night, I went straight to the charm shop at the bazaar right after our clan meeting—just to get her something."
Ivy just stares at me. "Wow."
Rin lets out a quiet breath, shaking her head slightly. "Yeah... that's definitely a first."
Before either of them can say anything else, the doors open.
Luna walks in with Mira, the two of them talking as they step inside. My gaze follows her—then stops.
There, hanging from her bag—
the keychain I bought her. The Lover's Charm.
The shopkeeper said it was a lucky charm for couples, something meant to strengthen a bond.
My hand slips into my pocket as I pull mine out—the same piece.
...
She's wearing it.
My hand lifts, covering part of my face. "You must be kidding me..."
She accepted it.
A small smile slips through before I can stop it.
Rin glances at me. "What are you looking at?"
I straighten slightly, fixing my composure. "Nothing. Focus on your food."
My fingers brush lightly against my lip, and I feel the heat rise. I look away, trying to steady myself, but it doesn't quite work. A small smile slips through before I can stop it, staying just a second too long.
This is bad.
—
The next class comes quickly.
I make my way back to the same room, stepping inside as low voices and scattered conversations fill the space. A few students are already there.
Near the front, I catch part of a conversation.
"Why is she sitting back there?"
"I don't know."
"Since when does she sit in the back?"
"Eline!" someone calls out. "What are you doing all the way back there?"
Then, from the back—"Shh. This is my new seat. Stay there."
The room quiets, though a few whispers remain as I make my way up the steps. That's when I see her—Eline—already seated at the back.
...In my seat. Wait... why is she sitting back here? Weren't her friends at the front?
Oh no—why is she sitting there?
Should I look for another seat? Should I move? What do I do?
Damn... most of the seats are already taken.
Uhh... here goes nothing.
I stop beside her. "Uhm... excuse me—sorry, but that's my seat."
She looks up at me, and for a moment, our eyes meet.
"...Oh." She stands without hesitation. "Sorry."
She removes her bag from the seat beside mine and sets it aside, taking that seat instead.
I sit—
...wait.
She's sitting here?
Right next to me?
My fingers tighten slightly around my pen as I stare forward, trying not to react.
"My name is Eline," she says, her tone steady—but there's a faint warmth on her cheeks as she glances at me. "You're Luna, right?"
I glance at her, caught off guard for a second.
Wait—she knows me?
"...Yeah. Luna. Happy to meet you, Eline."
She smiles, just a little—something warmer than before.
The professor walks in, setting his materials down at the front. "Alright, everyone. You'll need to pick a partner. Choose carefully—this will be your partner for the entire semester. You won't be able to change it. You pass together, or you fail together."
The room shifts as students begin turning toward one another.
I glance slightly to the side as someone nearby starts to approach Eline, but I stay where I am, my fingers idly turning my pen as I try to act normal. Before I can say anything, she's already looking at me.
"Do you want to be my partner?"
I blink, caught off guard, my pen pausing between my fingers as I swallow, my throat suddenly dry. I've heard she's pretty much good at everything... top of the class for most.
"...Uhm... are you sure? It sounds like it matters a lot... what the professor said. We either both pass or both fail..."
She shakes her head lightly, a small smile still on her lips. "Yes! I'm very sure. So... would you like to be my partner?"
I look at her, and I feel it—something soft, something real. A quiet happiness spreads through me as I smile. "...Yes. Of course."
After everyone settles with their partners, the professor goes over a short lecture before stepping aside. "Alright, begin. Follow the instructions carefully."
A quiet shuffle moves through the room as everyone gets to work.
I glance down at the materials in front of us—small beakers, measuring tools, labeled bottles, and a sheet of instructions. One bottle sits slightly off to the side, missing a label.
"...Okay," I murmur, scanning the steps. "We need to measure this one first."
"I'll get the beaker," Eline says, already reaching for it.
"...Okay."
I pick up one of the labeled bottles while she steadies the beaker between us.
"...Like this?"
She leans in slightly, watching closely. "...Yeah... that looks right."
I pour it in slowly.
"...Next one?" she asks, glancing at the instructions.
"...Yeah, I think so."
She picks up the next bottle and hands it to me. Our fingers brush briefly, and I take it.
"...Thanks."
"...Mm."
I measure it out while she keeps the beaker steady. We both watch as the liquid shifts, then slowly changes color.
"...Oh ...It worked."
"...It actually worked," she says, a small smile forming.
I smile a little too, glancing down at the setup again—then my eyes drift back to the unlabeled bottle sitting off to the side.
I reach for it, turning it slightly in my hand.
"...Uhm," I say, glancing at her. "Do you know what this one is?"
She leans closer, looking at it with me. "...No."
"...It's not on the instructions either."
She glances at the paper. "...You're right... it's not."
"...That's kind of weird."
"...Yeah."
I turn it slightly again.
"...Should I mix it here?"
"...Okay."
"...Okay???"
She nods, meeting my eyes. "Go for it. I trust you."
I nod once and pour a small amount in as she steadies the beaker.
For a second, nothing happens.
Then—
POP!
A sharp burst, louder than expected, followed by a quick puff of smoke.
"Ahhh—!"
"Oh shit!" I blurt out.
We both flinch at the same time—then look at each other and start laughing.
I cover my mouth, but it doesn't help much. Eline laughs openly, soft at first, then a little brighter as her shoulders loosen.
I'm still smiling, my hands resting lightly near the beaker.
"...Okay," I say, glancing at it. "Maybe... not that one."
Eline lets out another small laugh, still smiling. "...Yeah. Not that one."
We get our experiment done just in time.
And just like that, something between us felt... closer.