Tonight is live band night at the place where Luna works. Rin and Ivy are already there, and the meeting runs longer than expected.
Of course it does.
I check the time again. Still going. My fingers tap lightly against the table, a steady rhythm I don't even notice at first. The conversation drags on around me, voices blending together, none of it sticking.
My phone lights up.
Rin. Then Ivy. Then again.
Photos.
Them laughing, holding drinks.
And—
Luna.
At first she's just in the background. Then closer. Then standing with them and smiling.
Another message from Ivy lights up my phone.
She's performing tonight.
I stare at the screen longer than I should. At her. At that smile.
I try to pull my focus back to the meeting, but it doesn't work. My attention keeps slipping—to the clock, to my phone, back to her.
I exhale quietly.
Grandpa, please end this already.
—
The moment it ends, I'm already on my feet.
"Have the car ready."
"Yes, Miss."
The car is already outside when I step out. The driver opens the door, and I slide into the backseat, pulling my phone out again before the door even closes.
More messages. More photos.
She's closer to the stage now.
I lock my phone, then unlock it again a few seconds later without thinking.
"Drive."
The car pulls away from the curb, merging into the street. For a brief moment, everything feels smooth. Predictable.
Then the brake lights ahead start stacking up.
The car slows.
And slows again.
Until it barely moves.
I lift my gaze, looking through the windshield. Cars stretch down the road, packed tight, barely inching forward.
"...Traffic," the driver says carefully.
Of course.
I lean back slightly, exhaling through my nose, then glance at the time again.
Too slow.
Another notification.
I open it immediately.
Another photo of Luna—this time on stage, guitar in hand, lights hitting her from above.
My grip tightens around my phone.
"Is there another route?" I ask.
The driver checks quickly. "No, Miss. This is the fastest one right now."
I look ahead again.
Nothing moves.
I glance at the time, then back at the screen.
No.
"Pull over."
"Miss—"
"Here. Just pull over."
The car edges toward the side, stopping just enough for me to open the door.
"I'll walk."
"Miss, it's still quite a distance—"
"I know."
I'm already stepping out.
The door shuts behind me, and I don't slow down.
—
At first, I walk quickly, weaving through people, slipping past groups and cutting corners where I can.
But it's not enough.
Not with the time.
Not with the way my chest feels.
So I run.
The sounds of the street blur behind me. Conversations fade. Footsteps echo against the pavement as I push forward, faster, sharper, not thinking about anything except getting there.
One thought stays in my head, repeating over and over.
Please.
Even just one song.
Just let me see her.
—
By the time I get there, the place is packed. Dim lights, warm air, a crowd pressed close.
I push through carefully, trying to see the stage.
And then—
I see her.
Luna. Under the spotlight, guitar in hand.
🎵 Fly me to the moon 🎵
🎵 Let me play among the stars 🎵
It's soft, but it doesn't fade. It settles into the space around me, close enough that it almost feels like she's singing to me. It slips in quietly and stays.
I don't realize I've stopped moving until I'm already standing there, completely focused on her.
🎵 Let me see what spring is like 🎵
There's nothing forced in the way she sings. No tension, no effort to impress. And somehow, that makes it hit even deeper. It pulls me in, steady and constant—and I want more of it.
It does something to me. Something I don't want to name too quickly. A quiet warmth settles in, low and steady, humming throughout my body and making it harder to think about anything else.
🎵 On Jupiter and Mars 🎵
My eyes stay on her, and everything else around me starts to blur into the background. The voices, the movement, the crowd—they fade into something distant and unimportant, like none of it can reach me anymore.
All I can see is her.
Like it's just the two of us standing here.
🎵 In other words, hold my hand 🎵
Her hands move across the strings with ease, each note landing exactly where it should. The way her fingers press and glide along them makes something in me react, like I can almost feel it—soft, slow, and far too easy to get lost in.
🎵 In other words, darling, kiss me 🎵
The moment I laid eyes on her, it was clear she was more than just beautiful. There's something about her that holds your attention without effort, something you don't just look at and move on from. And beneath that, there's something softer. She looks delicate—not fragile, but in a way that makes me instinctively more careful, like even the smallest thing done wrong would feel like too much.
🎵 Fill my life with song 🎵
The light catches along her skin, soft and steady, drawing my attention to the faint warmth in her cheeks—and for a moment, I find myself wanting to reach out, to feel it, to press a soft kiss there before I can stop myself.
🎵 Let me sing for ever more 🎵
And when a strand of her hair slips forward, brushing near her lips before she tucks it back, my attention stays there longer than it should, caught on the way it frames them.
🎵 You are all I long for 🎵
My hand presses over my chest, then lifts before I can think, my fingers brushing lightly against my own lips, tracing the edge of them like I'm already imagining it, like I can't quite let the thought go.
🎵 All I worship and adore 🎵
If you could only see what you do to me when I look at you, you'd understand why this feeling doesn't fade, why it keeps growing stronger than I expected.
It's starting to consume me.
🎵 In other words, please be true 🎵
And it drives me crazy, not because it's too much—but because it doesn't slow down, just keeps building until it's all I can feel.
And I'm not stopping it.
No.
I don't want to.
How could I not fall for you? How could I not fall hard?
🎵 In other words 🎵
🎵 I love you... 🎵
Be mine, Luna.
The last note fades slowly, soft as it settles into the air before it disappears. For a moment, everything feels still, like the world hasn't fully come back yet.
Then the room returns—applause, voices, movement—but none of it reaches me.
Because all I see is her.
—-
Rin and Ivy are already fangirling—loud, unfiltered, right in front of me—but I'm still standing there, stuck.
My eyes stay on her, and everything else loses its shape. Their voices fade into the background, too far away to matter.
I'm just there, completely gone.
Somewhere in the middle of it, Rin and Ivy make their way up to her, talking, laughing—but I don't follow any of it. I don't even notice when her attention shifts.
Luna sees me.
She starts walking toward me, closing the distance, but I don't register it—not at first. I'm still caught in the thought, still stuck on the way her lips looked, the way it felt like I could almost—
"Eline?"
Her voice breaks through, closer than I expect, and suddenly she's right there, our faces only inches apart. That's when I finally snap out of it.
I blink quickly. "Ah—"
"You made it," she says with a bright smile. "I hoped you liked my performance."
I look at her, still a little dazed, the moment not fully settling yet.
"Yes."
"I loved it."
"HEY—"
Rin and Ivy suddenly pop between us.
"Do you two want to grab some food?" Ivy asks. "We're starving."
"Oh yes, come on," Rin adds, already reaching for Luna's arm. "Come with us."
I stay quiet, my eyes still on Luna.
"Uh... let me check," Luna says, glancing back. "I'm still on the clock—"
"Hey," a voice calls from behind the counter.
Her boss.
"Go on. Have fun with your friends. You did amazing tonight—you deserve a break."
Luna brightens immediately. "Really? Okay—thanks, boss!"
We walk through the bazaar together, lights glowing around us as voices blend into the night.
A small restaurant catches our attention—bento boxes with free desserts.
Ivy stops instantly. "No way. Look—desserts."
Rin leans in. "Wait—Eline, they have your favorite. Strawberry shortcake."
"Let's go." I say, already excited.
I don't even pretend to resist. I do love desserts—I have a terrible sweet tooth..
⸻
We head inside and take a table. Everyone orders, and soon the food arrives.
I eat, but my attention keeps drifting to the dessert.
I take a bite.
...oh... my.. god..
It's so gooood..
Soft, sweet—perfect.
I pause, staring at it for a second before taking another bite.
Yeah... I'm not stopping.
Because before I realize it, it's gone.
Rin looks at my empty plate, then back at me. "...That was fast."
"It wasn't."
"It was."
I cross my arms slightly. "Hmph."
Luna notices. She smiles a little, then gently slides her plate toward me, a bit hesitant.
"Here... you can have this."
"Nooo—what about you?"
"I—I don't really like desserts that much anyway," she says, a little too quickly.
I glance at the table.
Ivy is already halfway through a tiramisu. Rin has a plate of mochis in front of her.
Then I look back at Luna's.
Strawberry shortcake.
The same as mine.
I look up at her, a little surprised.
"...Did you order this for me then, since you said you didn't like desserts?"
She freezes.
"Ah—no—I mean—"
Her face starts turning red.
"I just—"
She fumbles slightly, then quickly nudges the plate closer to me.
"So please—eat me—"
She stops.
So do we.
Her eyes widen.
Her face turns even redder.
"...I mean mine."
Rin chokes.
Ivy slaps the table.
I sit there, completely still, even as Rin chokes and Ivy slams the table, everything around us fading into noise, because what she said still echoes through my body—and my face burns because of it.
——
They finish their meal, plates mostly cleared, everyone leaning back slightly, looking full as the energy at the table settles.
Ivy suddenly perks up. "Oh—guys, there's a karaoke bar nearby. Come on, let's check it out. Just for one hour, please. Anyone down?"
Rin immediately sits up straighter. "Obviously. I've never been—it must be fun." She grins. "They serve snacks there too, right? And unlimited fizzle drinks?"
Ivy nods enthusiastically. "Exactly!"
They both turn to me.
I shake my head lightly. "I'm exhausted. I think I'll head back to the dorm."
In my head, I sigh.
I ran all the way here.
My foot shifts slightly under the table, and a dull sting follows.
Yeah.
I think I got a blister.
Probably at the back of my ankle.
I can feel it now.
I glance down briefly, then lean back again like it doesn't matter.
Ivy tilts her head. "Where's your driver?"
"I'll just request a ride," I say casually.
"Oh—" Ivy turns toward Luna, already smiling. "Then you should come with us instead. Sing more for us. Come on, you were amazing."
Rin nods quickly. "Yeah, we barely got to enjoy it properly."
I glance at them, giving a quiet side-eye.
Just as I'm about to say something—
"Ah... I can't," Luna says, a little quickly. "I still have something to do, and I need to wake up early tomorrow."
Then she looks at me.
"If you want... you can ride with me instead."
Ivy looks, then leans forward. "Wait—ride with you? What do you drive?"
Luna pauses for a second. "Ah... yeah. I have a motorcycle."
Rin and Ivy's mouths drop.
Rin turns to her, already catching on. "You sing, you play guitar—"
"And now you're telling us you ride a motorcycle?" Ivy cuts in, eyes wide.
They both stare at her.
Luna nods lightly. "Ah... mhm. That sounds about right."
Ivy grabs Rin's arm. "Oh my god—wait."
Rin keeps her eyes on Luna, still processing. "You can do all that, and you're getting hit on around campus? You're literally becoming popular."
Ivy nods rapidly. "No, seriously—this makes so much sense now."
They both grab each other's hands.
"AHHH—"
"You're literally a heartthrob," Rin says, shaking Ivy's hands.
"No, seriously," Ivy adds quickly. "This is unfair. You're so handsome and cool—what is this combo?"
Rin laughs, but her eyes flick toward me briefly. "Yeah, like what are we supposed to do with you?"
Luna lets out a small chuckle, clearly embarrassed now, one hand coming up to the back of her neck as she looks away.
"Ah... it's not like that," she says, a little awkwardly.
They both look at her like she just confirmed something life-changing.
I exhale softly, already feeling a little worked up.
"You two are so extra," I mutter, shaking my head slightly before I glance at Luna. "Luna, let's go."
For a second, they both just stare at me.
Then—
"Ohhh—"
They start laughing immediately.
"Yeah, Luna, you guys better head now," Ivy says, grinning.
"See you later," Rin adds, already waving us off.
We start walking, but before we get far—
"Take care of Eline!" Ivy calls out, barely holding back her laughter.
"Yeah—don't let anything happen to her," Rin adds, clearly enjoying this way too much.
I feel the warmth creeping up again, but I keep walking.
Luna glances at me, then back at them.
"...Of course I will," she says simply.
That does it.
I can't believe my face can burn even hotter than it already is.
We start walking.
Luna leads the way, relaxed, her motorcycle parked a bit farther out. I walk beside her, but my steps slow slightly, the sting at the back of my ankle making itself known again.
At first, she just matches my pace without saying anything.
Then—
"Ah—"
I catch it quickly, trying to mask it, but the pain spikes sharper than before.
"Are you okay?" Luna asks immediately, stopping and turning toward me.
"Ah... yeah," I say, a little too casually. "I think I got a blister on the way here."
Her expression shifts, more focused now. "Let me see."
Before I can argue, she crouches slightly, her hand steady as she checks the back of my ankle.
"...Ah," she murmurs. "That looks bad."
Her fingers move carefully against my skin, precise but gentle, and the contact pulls my attention in completely—more than it should for something this simple.
"It's fine," I say, even though it isn't.
She shakes her head slightly. "Good thing I always carry band-aids."
Why am I not surprised at all.
She pulls one out, then places it over the blister, smoothing it down with a light press of her fingers.
The sensation stays with me longer than it should, sharp in a way that has nothing to do with the pain.
"Does that help?" she asks quietly.
"...Yeah," I answer, my voice softer than before.
She stands, a little closer than necessary, and for a moment neither of us moves.
Then we start forward again.
I try to keep my pace steady, but there's still a slight limp.
She notices.
Without saying anything, she reaches for my arm, gently linking it with hers.
"Just in case," she says.
My breath catches before I can stop it.
"...Okay."
The contact settles in quietly, just enough to make me pause without breaking stride.
A quiet warmth builds, subtle but steady, and before I realize it, there's a small smile pulling at my lips.
I keep my gaze forward, letting the moment unfold without overthinking it—just enjoying this moment with her.
Our steps fall into an easy rhythm as we move forward, the silence between us no longer empty.
Then—
"I heard you had a clan meeting today," she says.
I glance at her. "Yeah. It ran longer than expected."
She nods, not pushing.
And for a moment, I almost leave it at that.
I know the rules. Where I come from, you don't talk about things like this—you don't disclose more than you should, you don't let people in that far. Rules are absolute. They always have been, and I've never had a problem following them.
But with her... it feels different.
My gaze shifts slightly, just enough to catch her in my peripheral. With Luna, I don't want to keep things at the surface. I want her to know—not just what's easy to say, but everything underneath it.
I don't let people get close. I never have.
But with her, I don't just allow it—I want her closer than she should be.
A quiet breath leaves me as the thought settles, and this time, I don't stop it.
So I continue.
"It's just... a lot. There's always something to decide, something to fix, something to carry."
I let out a quiet breath.
"By the time we graduate, I'll be taking over. I'll be leading them."
I look ahead.
"And that means every decision I make... affects them. Their lives."
My hand tightens slightly at my side.
"I can't fail them."
Silence settles between us, softer now.
"It's a heavy burden," I add more quietly. "And sometimes it feels like I'm not allowed to break under it."
I stop talking.
For a moment, there's only the sound of our footsteps, steady and in sync.
Then Luna looks up at the sky.
"You know why I like the moon?" she says softly. Then, with a small smile, she adds, "Aside from the fact that my name literally means moon."
I glance at her. "Why?"
"It's quiet," she says. "It doesn't try to stand out. Most people don't even think about it that much... to the point they forget to appreciate it."
She pauses, eyes still on the sky.
"I guess it's like when there's too much light around," she adds. "You stop noticing it."
Her gaze lingers.
"But when it's clear... when everything's quiet, and there's nothing else competing with it... the moon stands out. So do the stars."
She lets out a small breath.
"And you realize how much light was there the whole time."
I don't say anything.
I just listen.
"I think you're like that," she adds.
"Me?"
She nods.
"You don't have to say everything out loud for it to matter. Just listening to you—I can tell you're doing everything you can."
Her voice softens just slightly.
"And that already means something."
We keep moving forward, still linked together.
"It's okay to be tired," she says. "It's okay if you don't get everything right all the time."
She glances at me briefly.
"The moon disappears sometimes too. Eclipses happen. It gets dark."
I look at her.
"But that doesn't mean it failed," she continues. "It still comes back."
A quiet breath.
"So you don't have to be perfect. You just have to keep showing up."
She looks at me then and holds my gaze.
For a moment, it feels like she sees straight through me, past everything I try to keep composed.
Then she smiles, soft but bright.
And her eyes smile with her, warm and gentle, like that smile isn't just on her lips, but in everything about her.
Something in my chest shifts.
She saw me?
The real me?
It touches something deeper than I expect—more than I've ever let myself admit.
...
"Oh—here we are," Luna says.
We've reached her motorcycle.
She lets go of my arm and steps toward it, opening the compartment and pulling out an extra helmet.
"Here," she says, stepping back toward me.
I start to reach for it—
but she doesn't hand it over.
Instead, she lifts it slightly, her other hand coming up as she steps closer.
Her fingers move through my hair, brushing it back from my face, tucking it neatly behind my ear.
I go still.
Once it's out of the way, she lowers the helmet over my head herself, adjusting it so it sits properly.
Her hands stay there, shifting it into place.
Then she leans in—close enough that I can feel her breath, hear the steady rhythm of her heartbeat.
Her fingers find the strap beneath my chin, fastening it with a soft click.
"There," she says quietly.
She smiles then—that same beautiful smile of hers that gets me every time.
She swings onto the motorcycle first, settling in easily before glancing back at me.
"Careful," she says, her voice softer now.
Her hand reaches out, steady as she helps me up, guiding me as I climb on behind her. My balance shifts slightly, but she keeps hold of my arm until I'm properly seated.
"Got it?" she asks.
"...Yeah."
I adjust, still aware of the sting at my ankle, but before I can settle—
her hands find mine.
She takes both of them and brings them forward, wrapping them around her waist.
My breath catches.
"Hold on tight," she says, a hint of a smile in her voice. "I ride fast."
My grip tightens without thinking, pulling myself closer until the space between us disappears, my chest pressed against her back, my head resting near her shoulder.
In my head, a quiet thought forms—just the scent of you... it makes me hurt, and somehow, you're the one who makes me better.
So don't worry. I would never let you go.
Tonight is live band night at the place where Luna works. Rin and Ivy are already there, and the meeting runs longer than expected.
Of course it does.
I check the time again. Still going. My fingers tap lightly against the table, a steady rhythm I don't even notice at first. The conversation drags on around me, voices blending together, none of it sticking.
My phone lights up.
Rin. Then Ivy. Then again.
Photos.
Them laughing, holding drinks.
And—
Luna.
At first she's just in the background. Then closer. Then standing with them and smiling.
Another message from Ivy lights up my phone.
She's performing tonight.
I stare at the screen longer than I should. At her. At that smile.
I try to pull my focus back to the meeting, but it doesn't work. My attention keeps slipping—to the clock, to my phone, back to her.
I exhale quietly.
Grandpa, please end this already.
—
The moment it ends, I'm already on my feet.
"Have the car ready."
"Yes, Miss."
The car is already outside when I step out. The driver opens the door, and I slide into the backseat, pulling my phone out again before the door even closes.
More messages. More photos.
She's closer to the stage now.
I lock my phone, then unlock it again a few seconds later without thinking.
"Drive."
The car pulls away from the curb, merging into the street. For a brief moment, everything feels smooth. Predictable.
Then the brake lights ahead start stacking up.
The car slows.
And slows again.
Until it barely moves.
I lift my gaze, looking through the windshield. Cars stretch down the road, packed tight, barely inching forward.
"...Traffic," the driver says carefully.
Of course.
I lean back slightly, exhaling through my nose, then glance at the time again.
Too slow.
Another notification.
I open it immediately.
Another photo of Luna—this time on stage, guitar in hand, lights hitting her from above.
My grip tightens around my phone.
"Is there another route?" I ask.
The driver checks quickly. "No, Miss. This is the fastest one right now."
I look ahead again.
Nothing moves.
I glance at the time, then back at the screen.
No.
"Pull over."
"Miss—"
"Here. Just pull over."
The car edges toward the side, stopping just enough for me to open the door.
"I'll walk."
"Miss, it's still quite a distance—"
"I know."
I'm already stepping out.
The door shuts behind me, and I don't slow down.
—
At first, I walk quickly, weaving through people, slipping past groups and cutting corners where I can.
But it's not enough.
Not with the time.
Not with the way my chest feels.
So I run.
The sounds of the street blur behind me. Conversations fade. Footsteps echo against the pavement as I push forward, faster, sharper, not thinking about anything except getting there.
One thought stays in my head, repeating over and over.
Please.
Even just one song.
Just let me see her.
—
By the time I get there, the place is packed. Dim lights, warm air, a crowd pressed close.
I push through carefully, trying to see the stage.
And then—
I see her.
Luna. Under the spotlight, guitar in hand.
🎵 Fly me to the moon 🎵
🎵 Let me play among the stars 🎵
It's soft, but it doesn't fade. It settles into the space around me, close enough that it almost feels like she's singing to me. It slips in quietly and stays.
I don't realize I've stopped moving until I'm already standing there, completely focused on her.
🎵 Let me see what spring is like 🎵
There's nothing forced in the way she sings. No tension, no effort to impress. And somehow, that makes it hit even deeper. It pulls me in, steady and constant—and I want more of it.
It does something to me. Something I don't want to name too quickly. A quiet warmth settles in, low and steady, humming throughout my body and making it harder to think about anything else.
🎵 On Jupiter and Mars 🎵
My eyes stay on her, and everything else around me starts to blur into the background. The voices, the movement, the crowd—they fade into something distant and unimportant, like none of it can reach me anymore.
All I can see is her.
Like it's just the two of us standing here.
🎵 In other words, hold my hand 🎵
Her hands move across the strings with ease, each note landing exactly where it should. The way her fingers press and glide along them makes something in me react, like I can almost feel it—soft, slow, and far too easy to get lost in.
🎵 In other words, darling, kiss me 🎵
The moment I laid eyes on her, it was clear she was more than just beautiful. There's something about her that holds your attention without effort, something you don't just look at and move on from. And beneath that, there's something softer. She looks delicate—not fragile, but in a way that makes me instinctively more careful, like even the smallest thing done wrong would feel like too much.
🎵 Fill my life with song 🎵
The light catches along her skin, soft and steady, drawing my attention to the faint warmth in her cheeks—and for a moment, I find myself wanting to reach out, to feel it, to press a soft kiss there before I can stop myself.
🎵 Let me sing for ever more 🎵
And when a strand of her hair slips forward, brushing near her lips before she tucks it back, my attention stays there longer than it should, caught on the way it frames them.
🎵 You are all I long for 🎵
My hand presses over my chest, then lifts before I can think, my fingers brushing lightly against my own lips, tracing the edge of them like I'm already imagining it, like I can't quite let the thought go.
🎵 All I worship and adore 🎵
If you could only see what you do to me when I look at you, you'd understand why this feeling doesn't fade, why it keeps growing stronger than I expected.
It's starting to consume me.
🎵 In other words, please be true 🎵
And it drives me crazy, not because it's too much—but because it doesn't slow down, just keeps building until it's all I can feel.
And I'm not stopping it.
No.
I don't want to.
How could I not fall for you? How could I not fall hard?
🎵 In other words 🎵
🎵 I love you... 🎵
Be mine, Luna.
The last note fades slowly, soft as it settles into the air before it disappears. For a moment, everything feels still, like the world hasn't fully come back yet.
Then the room returns—applause, voices, movement—but none of it reaches me.
Because all I see is her.
—-
Rin and Ivy are already fangirling—loud, unfiltered, right in front of me—but I'm still standing there, stuck.
My eyes stay on her, and everything else loses its shape. Their voices fade into the background, too far away to matter.
I'm just there, completely gone.
Somewhere in the middle of it, Rin and Ivy make their way up to her, talking, laughing—but I don't follow any of it. I don't even notice when her attention shifts.
Luna sees me.
She starts walking toward me, closing the distance, but I don't register it—not at first. I'm still caught in the thought, still stuck on the way her lips looked, the way it felt like I could almost—
"Eline?"
Her voice breaks through, closer than I expect, and suddenly she's right there, our faces only inches apart. That's when I finally snap out of it.
I blink quickly. "Ah—"
"You made it," she says with a bright smile. "I hoped you liked my performance."
I look at her, still a little dazed, the moment not fully settling yet.
"Yes."
"I loved it."
"HEY—"
Rin and Ivy suddenly pop between us.
"Do you two want to grab some food?" Ivy asks. "We're starving."
"Oh yes, come on," Rin adds, already reaching for Luna's arm. "Come with us."
I stay quiet, my eyes still on Luna.
"Uh... let me check," Luna says, glancing back. "I'm still on the clock—"
"Hey," a voice calls from behind the counter.
Her boss.
"Go on. Have fun with your friends. You did amazing tonight—you deserve a break."
Luna brightens immediately. "Really? Okay—thanks, boss!"
We walk through the bazaar together, lights glowing around us as voices blend into the night.
A small restaurant catches our attention—bento boxes with free desserts.
Ivy stops instantly. "No way. Look—desserts."
Rin leans in. "Wait—Eline, they have your favorite. Strawberry shortcake."
"Let's go." I say, already excited.
I don't even pretend to resist. I do love desserts—I have a terrible sweet tooth..
⸻
We head inside and take a table. Everyone orders, and soon the food arrives.
I eat, but my attention keeps drifting to the dessert.
I take a bite.
...oh... my.. god..
It's so gooood..
Soft, sweet—perfect.
I pause, staring at it for a second before taking another bite.
Yeah... I'm not stopping.
Because before I realize it, it's gone.
Rin looks at my empty plate, then back at me. "...That was fast."
"It wasn't."
"It was."
I cross my arms slightly. "Hmph."
Luna notices. She smiles a little, then gently slides her plate toward me, a bit hesitant.
"Here... you can have this."
"Nooo—what about you?"
"I—I don't really like desserts that much anyway," she says, a little too quickly.
I glance at the table.
Ivy is already halfway through a tiramisu. Rin has a plate of mochis in front of her.
Then I look back at Luna's.
Strawberry shortcake.
The same as mine.
I look up at her, a little surprised.
"...Did you order this for me then, since you said you didn't like desserts?"
She freezes.
"Ah—no—I mean—"
Her face starts turning red.
"I just—"
She fumbles slightly, then quickly nudges the plate closer to me.
"So please—eat me—"
She stops.
So do we.
Her eyes widen.
Her face turns even redder.
"...I mean mine."
Rin chokes.
Ivy slaps the table.
I sit there, completely still, even as Rin chokes and Ivy slams the table, everything around us fading into noise, because what she said still echoes through my body—and my face burns because of it.
——
They finish their meal, plates mostly cleared, everyone leaning back slightly, looking full as the energy at the table settles.
Ivy suddenly perks up. "Oh—guys, there's a karaoke bar nearby. Come on, let's check it out. Just for one hour, please. Anyone down?"
Rin immediately sits up straighter. "Obviously. I've never been—it must be fun." She grins. "They serve snacks there too, right? And unlimited fizzle drinks?"
Ivy nods enthusiastically. "Exactly!"
They both turn to me.
I shake my head lightly. "I'm exhausted. I think I'll head back to the dorm."
In my head, I sigh.
I ran all the way here.
My foot shifts slightly under the table, and a dull sting follows.
Yeah.
I think I got a blister.
Probably at the back of my ankle.
I can feel it now.
I glance down briefly, then lean back again like it doesn't matter.
Ivy tilts her head. "Where's your driver?"
"I'll just request a ride," I say casually.
"Oh—" Ivy turns toward Luna, already smiling. "Then you should come with us instead. Sing more for us. Come on, you were amazing."
Rin nods quickly. "Yeah, we barely got to enjoy it properly."
I glance at them, giving a quiet side-eye.
Just as I'm about to say something—
"Ah... I can't," Luna says, a little quickly. "I still have something to do, and I need to wake up early tomorrow."
Then she looks at me.
"If you want... you can ride with me instead."
Ivy looks, then leans forward. "Wait—ride with you? What do you drive?"
Luna pauses for a second. "Ah... yeah. I have a motorcycle."
Rin and Ivy's mouths drop.
Rin turns to her, already catching on. "You sing, you play guitar—"
"And now you're telling us you ride a motorcycle?" Ivy cuts in, eyes wide.
They both stare at her.
Luna nods lightly. "Ah... mhm. That sounds about right."
Ivy grabs Rin's arm. "Oh my god—wait."
Rin keeps her eyes on Luna, still processing. "You can do all that, and you're getting hit on around campus? You're literally becoming popular."
Ivy nods rapidly. "No, seriously—this makes so much sense now."
They both grab each other's hands.
"AHHH—"
"You're literally a heartthrob," Rin says, shaking Ivy's hands.
"No, seriously," Ivy adds quickly. "This is unfair. You're so handsome and cool—what is this combo?"
Rin laughs, but her eyes flick toward me briefly. "Yeah, like what are we supposed to do with you?"
Luna lets out a small chuckle, clearly embarrassed now, one hand coming up to the back of her neck as she looks away.
"Ah... it's not like that," she says, a little awkwardly.
They both look at her like she just confirmed something life-changing.
I exhale softly, already feeling a little worked up.
"You two are so extra," I mutter, shaking my head slightly before I glance at Luna. "Luna, let's go."
For a second, they both just stare at me.
Then—
"Ohhh—"
They start laughing immediately.
"Yeah, Luna, you guys better head now," Ivy says, grinning.
"See you later," Rin adds, already waving us off.
We start walking, but before we get far—
"Take care of Eline!" Ivy calls out, barely holding back her laughter.
"Yeah—don't let anything happen to her," Rin adds, clearly enjoying this way too much.
I feel the warmth creeping up again, but I keep walking.
Luna glances at me, then back at them.
"...Of course I will," she says simply.
That does it.
I can't believe my face can burn even hotter than it already is.
We start walking.
Luna leads the way, relaxed, her motorcycle parked a bit farther out. I walk beside her, but my steps slow slightly, the sting at the back of my ankle making itself known again.
At first, she just matches my pace without saying anything.
Then—
"Ah—"
I catch it quickly, trying to mask it, but the pain spikes sharper than before.
"Are you okay?" Luna asks immediately, stopping and turning toward me.
"Ah... yeah," I say, a little too casually. "I think I got a blister on the way here."
Her expression shifts, more focused now. "Let me see."
Before I can argue, she crouches slightly, her hand steady as she checks the back of my ankle.
"...Ah," she murmurs. "That looks bad."
Her fingers move carefully against my skin, precise but gentle, and the contact pulls my attention in completely—more than it should for something this simple.
"It's fine," I say, even though it isn't.
She shakes her head slightly. "Good thing I always carry band-aids."
Why am I not surprised at all.
She pulls one out, then places it over the blister, smoothing it down with a light press of her fingers.
The sensation stays with me longer than it should, sharp in a way that has nothing to do with the pain.
"Does that help?" she asks quietly.
"...Yeah," I answer, my voice softer than before.
She stands, a little closer than necessary, and for a moment neither of us moves.
Then we start forward again.
I try to keep my pace steady, but there's still a slight limp.
She notices.
Without saying anything, she reaches for my arm, gently linking it with hers.
"Just in case," she says.
My breath catches before I can stop it.
"...Okay."
The contact settles in quietly, just enough to make me pause without breaking stride.
A quiet warmth builds, subtle but steady, and before I realize it, there's a small smile pulling at my lips.
I keep my gaze forward, letting the moment unfold without overthinking it—just enjoying this moment with her.
Our steps fall into an easy rhythm as we move forward, the silence between us no longer empty.
Then—
"I heard you had a clan meeting today," she says.
I glance at her. "Yeah. It ran longer than expected."
She nods, not pushing.
And for a moment, I almost leave it at that.
I know the rules. Where I come from, you don't talk about things like this—you don't disclose more than you should, you don't let people in that far. Rules are absolute. They always have been, and I've never had a problem following them.
But with her... it feels different.
My gaze shifts slightly, just enough to catch her in my peripheral. With Luna, I don't want to keep things at the surface. I want her to know—not just what's easy to say, but everything underneath it.
I don't let people get close. I never have.
But with her, I don't just allow it—I want her closer than she should be.
A quiet breath leaves me as the thought settles, and this time, I don't stop it.
So I continue.
"It's just... a lot. There's always something to decide, something to fix, something to carry."
I let out a quiet breath.
"By the time we graduate, I'll be taking over. I'll be leading them."
I look ahead.
"And that means every decision I make... affects them. Their lives."
My hand tightens slightly at my side.
"I can't fail them."
Silence settles between us, softer now.
"It's a heavy burden," I add more quietly. "And sometimes it feels like I'm not allowed to break under it."
I stop talking.
For a moment, there's only the sound of our footsteps, steady and in sync.
Then Luna looks up at the sky.
"You know why I like the moon?" she says softly. Then, with a small smile, she adds, "Aside from the fact that my name literally means moon."
I glance at her. "Why?"
"It's quiet," she says. "It doesn't try to stand out. Most people don't even think about it that much... to the point they forget to appreciate it."
She pauses, eyes still on the sky.
"I guess it's like when there's too much light around," she adds. "You stop noticing it."
Her gaze lingers.
"But when it's clear... when everything's quiet, and there's nothing else competing with it... the moon stands out. So do the stars."
She lets out a small breath.
"And you realize how much light was there the whole time."
I don't say anything.
I just listen.
"I think you're like that," she adds.
"Me?"
She nods.
"You don't have to say everything out loud for it to matter. Just listening to you—I can tell you're doing everything you can."
Her voice softens just slightly.
"And that already means something."
We keep moving forward, still linked together.
"It's okay to be tired," she says. "It's okay if you don't get everything right all the time."
She glances at me briefly.
"The moon disappears sometimes too. Eclipses happen. It gets dark."
I look at her.
"But that doesn't mean it failed," she continues. "It still comes back."
A quiet breath.
"So you don't have to be perfect. You just have to keep showing up."
She looks at me then and holds my gaze.
For a moment, it feels like she sees straight through me, past everything I try to keep composed.
Then she smiles, soft but bright.
And her eyes smile with her, warm and gentle, like that smile isn't just on her lips, but in everything about her.
Something in my chest shifts.
She saw me?
The real me?
It touches something deeper than I expect—more than I've ever let myself admit.
...
"Oh—here we are," Luna says.
We've reached her motorcycle.
She lets go of my arm and steps toward it, opening the compartment and pulling out an extra helmet.
"Here," she says, stepping back toward me.
I start to reach for it—
but she doesn't hand it over.
Instead, she lifts it slightly, her other hand coming up as she steps closer.
Her fingers move through my hair, brushing it back from my face, tucking it neatly behind my ear.
I go still.
Once it's out of the way, she lowers the helmet over my head herself, adjusting it so it sits properly.
Her hands stay there, shifting it into place.
Then she leans in—close enough that I can feel her breath, hear the steady rhythm of her heartbeat.
Her fingers find the strap beneath my chin, fastening it with a soft click.
"There," she says quietly.
She smiles then—that same beautiful smile of hers that gets me every time.
She swings onto the motorcycle first, settling in easily before glancing back at me.
"Careful," she says, her voice softer now.
Her hand reaches out, steady as she helps me up, guiding me as I climb on behind her. My balance shifts slightly, but she keeps hold of my arm until I'm properly seated.
"Got it?" she asks.
"...Yeah."
I adjust, still aware of the sting at my ankle, but before I can settle—
her hands find mine.
She takes both of them and brings them forward, wrapping them around her waist.
My breath catches.
"Hold on tight," she says, a hint of a smile in her voice. "I ride fast."
My grip tightens without thinking, pulling myself closer until the space between us disappears, my chest pressed against her back, my head resting near her shoulder.
In my head, a quiet thought forms—just the scent of you... it makes me hurt, and somehow, you're the one who makes me better.
So don't worry. I would never let you go.