The lecture ends, and the room fills with movement as students pack their things.
"Eline!"
Two girls walk straight up to her.
So those are her friends—I think their names were Ivy and Rin.
One has short hair and an easy smile. The other has long hair, just as friendly, standing beside her.
Looks like she's busy now.
I pick up my bag and head down the steps, slipping out of the classroom.
I'm already out in the hallway, heading toward my next class when—
"Luna."
I stop.
Then turn.
It's her.
Eline walks toward me like she had no intention of letting me leave.
"...Hey. Where's your next class?"
"Oh—" I lift the small schedule card in my hand, the edges already a little creased. "It's—"
"Discrete Numbers?" she says, glancing at it. "Wait... I'm heading to the same building."
She holds out her hand slightly. "May I?"
"For sure."
She takes the card, her eyes moving over it quickly.
"...Yeah. This one." She taps lightly on it. "My class is right next to yours."
"...Really?"
I take the card back, looking at it again.
"Oh... yeah."
I glance up at her, a small smile forming. "That's actually great. I've been getting lost all day."
"What about you?" I ask. "What class do you have?"
"Abstract Systems."
"That sounds as challenging as the one I have."
She smiles a little. "Yeah... I've heard they're about the same."
We start walking.
Students pass by, and a few of them greet her as we move through the hallway.
"Hey, Eline."
She gives a faint smile in return, just a quiet acknowledgment.
A guy suddenly falls into step beside us. "Hey, Eline. Are you free later? Do you want to hang out?"
"No."
Simple. Direct.
She doesn't slow down. She doesn't look at him.
He lingers for a second, then falls behind.
Like that was the end of it.
I glance at her briefly, then keep walking beside her.
It's quiet, but not awkward. Just calm.
"...I guess we can walk together after Biochem too," I say. "Since we're heading the same way."
She glances at me, a small smile forming. "Yeah... that would be nice."
By the time we reach the next building, I recognize the classroom.
"This is mine," I say.
She stops with me. "Alright. I'll see you tomorrow."
Then she smiles.
A real one—not small, not restrained.
I blink slightly, caught off guard.
That's the second time I've seen her smile like that.
Then I head inside.
I step into the classroom and head toward the back.
Ahh... back row. This is my place.
I take a seat closer to the door, setting my bag down—
"Psst—hey, Luna."
I pause.
Then glance toward the doorway.
Mira.
She's standing just outside, leaning in slightly like she wasn't even trying to be subtle.
I let out a quiet breath and get back up, walking over.
"...Hey. Your class is around here too?"
"Yeah," she says, pointing across the hall. "Right there."
Then she leans in a little closer.
"But that's not important."
I narrow my eyes slightly.
"...Did I just see you with Eline?"
"...Yeah."
Her eyes widen instantly.
"No way."
She grabs my arm slightly, pulling me a little closer. "How? When? Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't think I had to," I say, pulling my arm back. "We just had the same class."
"We're lab partners."
She freezes.
"...You're joking."
"I'm not."
She stares at me for a second, then leans in again, lowering her voice.
"Help me get closer to her."
I look at her.
Hmm... This girl is trouble. "...No way I'm doing that. Do it yourself." I say.
"...What?!?"
"You heard me."
She narrows her eyes. "...You're hiding something."
"...I'm not."
She doesn't believe me. Not even a little.
The sound of chairs moving inside the classroom cuts through.
Mira glances past me, then clicks her tongue softly.
"Ugh. Class."
She points at me.
"We're not done with this."
"O—kay?"
I turn and head back inside, slipping into my seat just as the lecture begins.
—
The rest of the class passes quickly.
By the time it ends, I gather my things and step out into the hallway—
...and Mira is already there. Leaning against the wall like she never left. She straightens the moment she sees me.
"So," she says, stepping closer, "have you thought about it?"
"...Why would you even want me to do that?" I say. "Did she reject you or something?"
"Excuse me?" she says, straightening. "No." Her tone sharpens slightly. "As a matter of fact, I'm probably the only one on this campus who actually has a shot with her."
She folds her arms, completely unfazed.
"We talk," she adds casually. "We have things in common. Inside jokes... stuff like that."
...
Oh.
She tilts her head slightly. "Since you're already there, you could at least say something good about me."
I narrow my eyes slightly. "...Like what?"
She shrugs. "I don't know. That I helped you on your first day. That I'm the nicest girl you've ever met... that anyone who ends up with me is seriously lucky. Something like that."
...
What?!?!
I let out a small laugh.
I can't with this girl.
"...I think someone's living rent-free in your head."
She clicks her tongue. "...Shut up."
"...Mira, I've got to go," I say, already stepping back. "I have work."
"Wait—you work?"
"...Yeah. I have a part-time job at the bazaar."
She lets out a small laugh."You actually work?"
There's something in her tone—light, but not quite. Like she doesn't get it.
I don't say anything.
"...See you tomorrow," I add, turning away.
"Tomorrow," she repeats.
I walk off before she can say anything else.
Damn.
She really doesn't quit.
What a pain in the ass.
—
The walk there would take a while, but I don't bother.
I unlock my motorcycle and slide the helmet on before settling into the seat. The engine hums to life beneath me, smooth and familiar. The ride is quiet, the wind brushing past as the city shifts around me.
By the time I arrive, the sun is already setting, the sky fading into soft shades of orange and purple.
The park feels different at night.
Brighter.
Livelier.
Stalls line the pathways, each one lit with warm lights, drawing people in. Toys are neatly arranged for kids, colorful treats displayed in rows, decorations hanging from wooden frames.
I walk along the familiar path, passing different stalls—including a small keychain and decor shop near the corner—before heading further in.
My stop is just ahead.
A small music stall sits nearby, instruments neatly displayed—guitars hanging from the frame, ukuleles lined up on a rack, flutes and other instruments placed carefully on the table.
I step behind the stall and set my bag down.
"You're late," a voice says.
"...I'm not."
"Two minutes."
"...That doesn't count."
They laugh.
I pick up a ukulele, running my fingers lightly across the strings before adjusting the tuning pegs. The notes shift slightly, off at first, then settle.
A kid stands nearby, watching. "Can you show me?" He is holding a small ukulele.
I crouch slightly and adjust his grip. "Like this." I guide his fingers into place, then strum once.
A soft, clean sound follows.
"...Try."
He does. Not perfect. But close.
"That's good."
His face lights up.
I straighten and place the instrument back before reaching for a guitar, checking the strings and tuning them just enough.
I don't have to work this job—I just like it. Playing, not thinking about school. It keeps me relaxed.
More people start gathering nearby, more than usual, and a small line begins to form.
"Hey boss," one of my coworkers says, amused, "don't you think Luna made our shop packed? Look at these people lining up just to be her student."
I look at him. "...You are exaggerating."
The boss laughs. "I've never seen our shop this packed before." He crosses his arms, grinning. "Luna will make me rich soon. Mwahahaha."
I grin. "...Does that mean I get a raise tomorrow?"
They both burst out laughing.
"Nice try," the boss says.
I tilt my head slightly, smirking. "Hey, I thought it would work. I guess I need to use my charm even more."
They laugh again.
I pick up another instrument, and while I'm playing, for some reason, I find myself thinking about Eline.
That reminds me.
Last night, just as I got off my motorcycle, I saw her near the keychain shop, holding a box of chocolates, and in her other hand... that keychain. The same one I got from my locker.
She was looking at it closely, then she smiled—a bright one. That was the very first time I'd seen her smile like that, like she was genuinely happy.
...Yeah, the same smile she gave me earlier when we parted ways.
...But no. That keychain can't be from her. Why would she even give me one? She didn't know me back then—we barely just met earlier. It doesn't make sense. Maybe it was just a coincidence. Or a mistake.
...Yeah. Probably a mistake.
"Hey, Luna."
I glance up.
"One of the customers needs help picking a guitar."
"...Got it."
I set the instrument down and step forward. "I'll be there."