Claire's Friends!

Absolutely! Here's your story expanded into a vivid, flowing scene over 2,000 words, keeping your style, characters, and playful tone, but adding rich details, inner monologues, small character moments, and lively dialogue.

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"Maybe I'll go and visit Claire."

Aether muttered to himself, stretching slightly before he stepped out of his dorm room into the corridor.

It was early evening, the sun only just beginning to set beyond the academy towers. The halls were starting to quiet down, with most students either in study rooms or relaxing in their dorms. Still, there were enough patrols and stragglers that Aether instinctively kept cautious.

After all, while it was technically allowed to visit other dorm buildings during most hours, there was an unspoken understanding that boys rarely wandered into the girls' residential wings — especially not unannounced. Even if it was evening and before curfew, it was a recipe for awkward misunderstandings.

As he neared the staircase that led to the wing where Claire's dorm was located, Aether instinctively scanned around.

"All clear. Man, this really does feel like I'm doing some spy work."

He couldn't help but snort at himself. His sister would probably laugh and say he was being overdramatic.

When he finally arrived at Claire's door, he paused, glancing left and right. The hallway was silent, the soft glow of crystal lamps lighting polished wood floors. Most seniors were probably still caught up in evening training sessions or private studies.

"Good. No witnesses."

He knocked gently.

Once.

Twice.

Silence.

Aether's ears pricked, but he didn't hear any shuffling or movement inside.

"She's probably got extra classes. That or out hanging with her mage friends."

He exhaled, shrugging.

"Guess I'll just head back."

But after taking two steps, he stopped.

"Ah, screw it. Might as well wait inside. No point making the trip for nothing."

He pulled out the spare key Claire had forced on him — the same one he still pretended he didn't need. With a careful click, he unlocked the door and stepped inside.

Immediately, a light breeze of residual mana brushed against his skin. The room felt different from his own. As he closed the door behind him, Aether took a slow breath.

"Man… even the air is different. It's like I'm inhaling power."

The mana was thicker, richer. It made his skin tingle faintly, like gentle sparks dancing along his arms. The furnishings were neat and polished — bookshelves with arcane tomes, a small crystal orb on the desk that slowly rotated, and even a neat rack holding spell scrolls. Aether's own room felt barren in comparison.

"Figures. Child of Lights benefits. Good for you, sis."

He shook his head, a faint grin on his lips despite his words.

He wandered in, careful not to touch anything. The bed was perfectly made, the sheets a soft blue. The curtains were tied back to let the fading sunlight pour in.

"Looks like she didn't change at all. Still a neat freak."

Then he caught himself and snorted.

"Not like I'm any different."

As he drifted through her small kitchen area, he could almost feel echoes of Claire. Memories flashed through his mind — Claire as a kid, face buried in a book about legendary mages, mumbling spells under her breath. Then later, after she awakened, staying up late by candlelight to practice mana threads while their parents were asleep.

"She knew what she wanted from the start. Mage, chosen, all that. And here she is now, actually living it."

He felt a weird twist in his chest. It wasn't quite jealousy — more like a rough sort of pride that he never said out loud.

"Anyway, enough sentimental crap. I'm hungry."

His stomach gave a mild grumble, agreeing.

He opened her fridge. Inside were rows of carefully stacked vegetables, sealed containers, some cuts of high-quality beast meat — all clearly meant for planned meals.

"Meh. I could cook… but what if she's planning to use this later? Wouldn't wanna get stabbed over missing steak."

He shut it again with a tiny sigh.

Just then, the door latch clicked. Aether froze.

He heard a voice outside — light, familiar, teasing.

"Come on, let's go guys, you'll love it."

"…Shit."

Aether barely had time to duck back near the kitchen when the door opened. Claire stepped in, laughing as she held it for a small group trailing behind her.

"Ohhh, it always smells so good in here. Claire, your dorm's a slice of heaven," chirped one girl, her auburn hair tied in a playful braid.

"Stop your nonsense and just come in already," Claire huffed, though her smile ruined the scolding.

And then —

"Ahh, you're back," Aether blurted out before his brain could stop his mouth.

Four sets of eyes swung toward him at once.

He stood there like he'd been turned to stone by Medusa.

Claire blinked. Then her eyes went wide.

"…Aether?"

A ripple of confusion and surprise washed over the other girls. They all glanced at Claire, then at Aether, then back.

Inside Aether's mind, chaos reigned.

"Brilliant. Just brilliant. What a perfect day for my sister to bring half her social circle back home. Fantastic timing, genius."

He felt the weight of their stares, half expecting them to start shrieking that there was a boy in the girls' dorm.

Finally one of them — a short girl with dark hair tied up in little buns — pointed straight at him.

"I-It's that handsome boy from the hallway the other day! What's he doing here?"

Aether's mind flicked back.

"Ahh. The seniors from three days ago… so these are Claire's friends. Huh."

Claire stammered, looking between them and Aether.

"Ehh, it's A-Ahh—"

She struggled, then met Aether's eyes. He gave her the faintest nod, resigned.

"Tell them. No way out of this now."

Her face broke into an excited grin.

"Guys, he's my—"

"—Little boyfriend?!" blurted the girl with auburn hair. Her eyes went huge, sparkling with scandal.

"Oh my GOD, Claire, you didn't even tell us—"

WHACK.

Claire smacked her on the head.

"IDIOT. He's my brother!"

There was a beat of stunned silence.

Then —

"…What?"

"Wait, you have a brother?"

"And it's THIS handsome kid?!"

The three girls reacted at once. Claire's friend with the braided hair was already gawking at Aether, while the one in buns seemed to be hiding a tiny squeal.

Claire took a moment. Her chest rose as she inhaled, face lighting with a quiet, smug pride.

"Yep. He's my younger brother, Aether Ryens."

She glanced at Aether expectantly.

"Come on, introduce yourself."

"Ah, nice to meet you all again. I'm Aether Ryens."

He rubbed the back of his neck, offering them a small, lopsided grin.

The girl on the right — Zheny — gave a bright little clap.

"Ryens? Oh wow, same last name, so you really are siblings."

Claire puffed her cheeks slightly.

"What's with that tone? You didn't believe me when I said I had a brother?"

Zheny giggled.

"Well can you blame us? If I could, I'd go around claiming someone like him was my brother too."

"Don't you dare," Claire growled, making a little fist.

"Anyway, Aether, these are my friends," Claire continued, calming down.

"That's Lena Known," she gestured to the playful auburn girl.

"Zheny Shin," she indicated the giggler.

"And Hinata Lyes." Hinata, the quiet one with dark buns, simply nodded solemnly at Aether.

"Good to meet you."

"Hello Aether!"

"…" Hinata gave a very slight bow.

Then Lena's eyes sparkled mischievously.

"Soooo… why exactly are you here in Claire's dorm, hm? Late evening visit, alone?"

Aether's mouth twitched.

"I was free today, thought I'd come check on her. Since she's clearly busy with you guys, I'll just come back later. Bye—"

He spun on his heel, already halfway to the door.

"Stop right there." Claire's voice dropped to a flat monotone.

"You're hungry, aren't you?"

"I—I'm not."

His stomach instantly betrayed him.

"GRRRRROOOOWL."

Aether's face went red.

"Damn you, stomach, you traitor."

Claire smirked, eyes glinting.

"Hinata. Catch him."

Before Aether could react, Hinata moved like a silent shadow, grabbed his wrist, and pulled him back inside, shutting the door firmly behind them.

"Ahahah! How did you know he was hungry, Claire?" Lena asked, wide-eyed.

Claire folded her arms smugly.

"He walked out of my kitchen just now. And I know there's nothing left in there. Besides — I'm his sister. I know everything about him, hehe."

"Everything, huh? Except that's creepy as hell," Zheny teased, earning a loud "Heyyy!!" from Claire.

Meanwhile, Aether stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, watching the banter.

He cracked a small smile.

"Who would've thought. She's always been clueless back home, but here she is — reading me like a book. Not bad, sis."

"Did you say something, Aether?"

Claire's voice cut in sharply.

Aether instantly straightened.

"Nope!"

And as the girls laughed and pulled him to sit with them, Aether found himself relaxing, just a tiny bit.

✦ Mini Claire POV ✦

"Ahh finally back. My head's spinning after that lecture…"

Claire let out a tiny sigh as she led Lena, Zheny, and Hinata down the quiet hallway toward her dorm. Honestly, she just wanted to collapse on her bed. But hearing her friends chatter excitedly behind her, teasing each other and poking her about her neat little 'mage paradise' of a dorm, she couldn't help but smile.

"If only they knew it's mostly because I can't stand a single book out of place," she mused.

As she pushed open the door, still half-laughing at something Lena was saying, her breath suddenly caught.

Because standing there — right in the middle of her room like he belonged there — was Aether.

"Ehhh…Aether?"

His name slipped out before she could stop herself.

A flood of thoughts slammed into her all at once.

"What is he doing here?! Wait, he actually used the spare key? Is he okay? Did he eat? Oh no — why today of all days?!"

She felt her heart squeeze tight — then her cheeks went hot when she realized all three of her friends were staring at him, mouths slightly open, eyes wide.

She caught Aether's eyes. For a second, he looked just as shocked — then she saw it. That tiny nod. A little silent go-ahead.

"Tell them. Might as well."

Her heart leaped.

Because for once, her brother wasn't brushing her off. He was letting her proudly say it.

"Guys, he's my—"

Her voice nearly broke with excitement. But then —

"—Little boyfriend?!"

Lena's shriek practically rattled the walls.

Claire's entire brain crashed.

"WHAT—!?"

Heat exploded across her face. Without thinking, she smacked Lena square on the head.

"IDIOT! He's my brother!"

Silence.

Then wide eyes.

Then—

"Wait… that's your brother?"

"THIS handsome guy??"

Claire stood there, taking it in. The stunned faces, the disbelief, the way they looked from her to Aether like they'd just uncovered the world's juiciest secret.

And deep down — a warm, giddy bloom in her chest.

"Yes. He's my brother. My Aether. The person I'd protect no matter what. Look at him — even my friends can't take their eyes off how cute he is."

When she introduced Aether, and he actually greeted them (even if awkwardly), Claire felt like her heart might burst.

"He's always trying to act cool and distant, but he's here. Talking to my friends. Maybe he doesn't hate it as much as he pretends."

And when Hinata caught him before he could run?

Claire just laughed.

"You can't escape me, dummy. I've always known you better than you think."

✨ [End of mini Claire POV] ✨

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[To Be Continued…]

(cue JoJo's theme playing dramatically in the distance)