A Day of Study, A Night of Care

**The Next Day in BLUE...**

"Get ready, you're late for college," Ember's mom called out from downstairs.

"I'm not going," Ember mumbled, still half-asleep.

"Why not?" Her mom sounded puzzled.

"My legs hurt," Ember complained, hoping that would be enough to convince her.

"But your exams are coming up," her mom reminded her, concern in her voice.

"I'll attend tomorrow. Just let me sleep," Ember pleaded, pulling the covers over her head.

There was a brief pause before her mom sighed, "Alright, as you wish. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Ember whispered back, already drifting off.

---

When she fell asleep again, Ember found herself in SHINE.

"What... happened? Why am I here?" she wondered aloud, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings.

Was she in a party hall? The lights, the atmosphere—it felt so surreal.

Then it hit her. Oh, now she knew. She was back in her room. Dylan must have brought her here. But her clothes... they were different. Who changed them?

"Dylan?" she called out, though the silence swallowed her voice. Ember needed to check on him. The lights in the hallway were off, and she had almost forgotten that in this world, night existed too.

Ember reached his room, hesitating at the door. Should she really check on him? One step forward, then one step back. Her mind raced.

*Okay, I'll just take a quick look,* she decided, pushing the door open slowly. The soft creak of the hinges filled the silence.

There he was, sprawled across the bed. Why was he sleeping like that? His position seemed off, like someone had thrown him onto the bed. He must have been so exhausted; he hadn't even removed his shoes.

With a gentle sigh, Ember moved closer and carefully took off his shoes, along with his tie and coat. He looked peaceful now, completely at ease.

*Huff,* she thought, feeling her own exhaustion creeping back. "I'm so tired… let's go back to my room." She glanced at him one last time from the doorway, her heart warming at the sight of him. He looked too cute when he slept.

"Goodnight... love you," she whispered softly before tiptoeing back to her room.

---

The following morning in BLUE, Ember woke up and followed her usual routine: eat, study, eat, watch some TV, study again... and finally, sleep. Her day felt like a blur, repeating the same motions over and over.

---

**In the Shine...**

Ember woke up to the familiar voice, "Good morning, Ember."

She opened her eyes, but something felt off. Dylan wasn't there today. Every morning she expected to see his face. *Where is he?* she wondered, feeling a pang of disappointment.

She freshened up and made her way downstairs.

"Nana..." Ember called softly.

"Come, eat something," Nana replied.

"Thank you... Hmm, where's Dylan?"

"He's still sleeping," Nana said. "Do you want to know something about Dylan?"

"Please, call me Ember. I'm just like your daughter, no need for 'madam'."

Nana smiled. "Okay, Ember. Are you interested in knowing more about Dylan?"

"Yes, tell me," Ember nodded.

"Every time Dylan comes home after a party, he sleeps late—usually until noon," Nana explained.

"Really?" Ember raised her eyebrows.

Nana chuckled. "Yes, if we don't wake him, he could sleep until night."

Ember hummed thoughtfully.

Nana continued, "He's such a sweet boy. When I first met him, he was so kind and humble to me and others. When his parents sent him to a foreign school, they followed him after a month because Dylan didn't want to be away from his friends. His parents decided to handle their work from abroad to stay with him. Dylan can get aggressive when someone bullies his friends. Once, he fought for his friend Adrien and got badly injured."

"Oh! Why did they fight?" Ember asked, curious.

"I don't know, but Dylan asked me not to tell his parents about it. So, I told them he fell down the stairs," Nana confessed.

"Oh, I see. Does he have any bad habits?" Ember wondered.

Nana shook her head. "No, he doesn't have any bad habits."

"Does he drink?"

"He only likes wine, and even then, in moderation. But when he's really upset, he sometimes drinks too much. I've only seen him drunk twice in his life," Nana admitted.

Just then, a voice came from upstairs. "Nana…"

Nana glanced up. "I think he's waking up. Let me go check."

"Can I go?" Ember asked, eager to see him.

Nana smiled. "Okay. Take this water for him."

Ember took the water and headed upstairs.

---

**In Dylan's Room**

Dylan stirred as Ember entered the room. "Nana…" he mumbled in a sleepy tone.

Ember smiled softly. "Dylan, open your eyes."

He groaned. "I'm still sleepy… What time is it? Did she wake up?"

"Yes, I'm up," Ember teased, "and waiting for you at breakfast. She said if you don't join her, she won't eat."

"What?" Dylan's eyes flew open.

Ember burst into laughter. "Just kidding! Please forgive me." She playfully held her ears in mock apology.

Dylan smiled and grabbed her hand, pulling her toward him. "What are you doing?" Ember asked, a bit flustered.

"A morning kiss," he said, a mischievous look in his eyes.

"In your dreams!" Ember replied, pushing him back onto the bed. "Go freshen up. I'm waiting for you at the breakfast table, and the water is on the side of your bed."

"Okay…" Dylan sighed as Ember left the room.

---

**Downstairs**

Ember came back downstairs and told Nana, "I'm going to study. Tell Dylan that I've already eaten."

---

**In Dylan's Room (Later)**

Coming out of the bathroom, Dylan noticed his shoes, watch, and coat neatly placed. He frowned in confusion, remembering he had fallen asleep wearing them.

"Butler Feng," Dylan called.

"Morning, sir," Feng greeted him.

"How many times have I told you not to call me 'sir'?" Dylan muttered.

"But what happened?" Feng asked. "Why do you look curious?"

"Did you come into my room last night and put my things away?"

"No," Butler Feng replied, "but I saw madam enter your room, and she came out after a while."

"Hmm... Okay," Dylan said, his mind spinning.

---

**A Little Later**

Dylan came downstairs, glancing around. "Nana, morning."

"Morning," Nana greeted him, setting a plate of breakfast in front of him. "Here's your breakfast. I'll tell you where she is when you finish."

"Did she eat breakfast?" Dylan asked, already digging in.

"Yes," Nana nodded. "She waited for you, but you woke up late, so I told her you always do that when you come home."

Dylan sighed. "Nana…"

"Finish your breakfast," she insisted.

Dylan reluctantly continued, murmuring, "Okay… omnomnom…"

"Slowly…" Nana cautioned, watching him gobble up his food.

"I'm done!" Dylan said with a grin.

"Good. She's in the study," Nana informed him.

"Thanks, Nana."

"Where are you going?" Nana called after him.

"You know where," Dylan replied with a smirk.

---

---

**In the Study**

Ember stood in the middle of the study, looking up at the shelves. "Where is that book?" she wondered. Her eyes scanned the shelf until they landed on the desired book, far out of her reach.

"Oh, it's here... but why is it placed so high?" Ember muttered to herself. "Did Dylan think everyone was as tall as him?" She huffed in frustration, trying to reach the book.

She jumped once, then again, stretching her arms. "It's too high," she complained, attempting another jump. Her hand finally grazed the book, but as she did, a cascade of books began tumbling off the shelf.

"Oh no!" she yelped, bracing herself.

Suddenly, Dylan was behind her, pulling her close. They both fell, landing in a heap on the floor, with Ember on top of him.

"Are you alright?" Dylan asked, concern flashing in his eyes.

Ember's heart raced. "Yes... and you?"

Dylan chuckled. "Me too."

She realized her hands were resting on his chest. Embarrassed, she quickly removed them and stood up. "Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean it…"

Dylan laughed lightly, sitting up. "It's okay. But if you'd gotten buried under those books, people would've laughed at me for letting my girl die under them."

"Dylan!" Ember pouted, shooting him a playful glare. "How dare you say that!"

Dylan grinned. "Alright, alright. Stop making that face. I won't say it again."

Ember crossed her arms. "But why didn't you use a ladder to get the book?"

Dylan stood, towering over her. "Ladder? Here." He motioned toward the corner, where a ladder was stashed.

Ember groaned. "You're so tall you probably never even need to use it."

Dylan laughed, a rich, deep sound. "Ember…"

She giggled. "Hahaha!"

His gaze softened. "Why are you up so early, studying?"

Ember sighed. "I have exams in three days, and I'm so stressed. I don't know what to do!"

Dylan smiled warmly. "It's just an exam."

"Just an exam?" Ember's eyes widened. "Do you know what happens when I see the questions? Every answer I've learned just vanishes from my mind. It's terrifying!"

Dylan stepped closer, his voice calming. "Don't take stress. I'll help you."

"Really?" Ember looked at him hopefully.

"Of course," Dylan said confidently. "Which year are you in?"

"First year," she replied.

"I'm in my final year. I can definitely help you," Dylan assured her, pulling up a chair. "Come sit down, Ember."

Ember hesitated for a second, then sat on the chair. "So, what's my fee for helping you?" Dylan asked with a teasing glint in his eye.

Ember tilted her head. "What do you want?"

"I want you," he said softly.

Ember's eyes widened as she quickly stood. "You... Dylan…?"

Dylan leaned forward, a smile playing on his lips. "Don't you understand? Let me make it clear." He stepped closer to her, backing her against the wall.

Ember's breath caught in her throat. "W-what are you doing?"

"I want you to come with me to Turkey," Dylan said, his voice low, eyes locking with hers. "To celebrate his birthday."

Ember blinked, caught off guard. "That's what you meant?" she stammered.

Dylan smiled, enjoying her flustered reaction. "What did you think I meant?"

"Nothing!" Ember blurted out, her face turning a shade of red.

Dylan's eyes gleamed with mischief. "You're blushing, Ember. What are you thinking?"

"N-nothing!" she exclaimed. "I... I need to go to the bathroom!" she stammered before darting out of the study.

Dylan's voice followed her, amused. "She looks too attractive when she blushes."

---

**In the Bathroom**

Ember leaned over the sink, splashing water on her face. "What am I thinking?" she scolded herself. "First, he says he wants me, then my heart starts racing like crazy!" Her hand rested over her chest, feeling the rapid thudding of her heart. "What's happening to me?"

She stared at her reflection, her face still flushed. "Ahh! Why am I thinking such... naughty things?" She scolded herself again, shaking her head. "Focus on your studies, Ember. You've got this!"

---

**Back in the Study**

Ember returned to the study, still trying to calm her nerves. Dylan glanced up at her with a smirk. "You made a mess of my study, you know."

Ember sighed. "Sorry about that…"

Dylan stood and stretched. "Tell me about your schedule. I'll make a study timetable for you."

"Okay…" Ember agreed.

"Let's go outside to the garden," Dylan suggested.

Ember blinked. "Why?"

"I can't study in a messy room," Dylan replied nonchalantly.

She couldn't help but laugh softly. "Sorry for that."

"Next time, when you enter any situation, use your brain," Dylan said, sounding almost like a teacher.

Ember pouted. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Dylan smiled. "Just a tip."

She crossed her arms, feeling a bit annoyed, but after a moment, she realized he had a point. *Maybe he's right,* she thought.

Dylan walked to the door. "I've arranged everything in the garden. Let's go."

Ember followed him outside.

---

**In the Garden**

"Wow, this is beautiful," Ember murmured as they stepped into the lush greenery.

"This is your first time here, right?" Dylan asked.

"Yes," Ember nodded.

Dylan smiled. "Would you like a tour?"

"Yes!" she said excitedly.

Dylan raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Ember looked around the garden, momentarily distracted by the vibrant flowers and trees. "Hm…"

Dylan crossed his arms, leaning against a tree. "Do you remember why we're here?"

"Oh... right. To study," Ember said, sheepishly rubbing the back of her neck.

Dylan smirked. "Exactly. Now, focus."

As soon as they sat down, Dylan's demeanor shifted. "Tell me about your exams."

Ember sighed, listing them off. "First is English, second is logistics, then business law, accounting, management... and economics."

Dylan nodded. "Okay, today we'll focus on economics."

Ember groaned. "I hate economics."

"Why?" Dylan asked, a little amused.

"Because of national income," she admitted.

"Let's start with national income, then," Dylan suggested.

"Nooo…" Ember whined.

Dylan smiled, shaking his head. "Do you want me to teach you?"

"Yes…" she finally admitted.

"Then follow my rules," he said, with an air of authority.

"Okay…" Ember muttered, feeling like a student in his class.

Dylan began explaining national income, and despite her initial reluctance, Ember found herself understanding it better than before.

After an hour of studying, Ember slumped back. "I'm so tired! Can we continue tomorrow, please?"

Dylan, ever the taskmaster, simply shook his head. "No."

At that moment, Butler Feng entered the garden. "Sir, I have something to tell you."

Dylan stood up. "Coming!"

Ember looked at him hopefully. "Can I come with you?"

Dylan gave her a teasing smile. "No, you're staying here and finishing these questions."

Ember stared at him, speechless.

"Okay…" she sighed, defeated.

---