Faultlines of the Heart

There was softness beneath her, a comforting warmth that felt distant from the agony she vaguely remembered. A cool breeze brushed against her skin, and she slowly became aware of her surroundings—a white ceiling above her, with a fan spinning lazily, sending weak gusts of air across her face. The chill contrasted with the warmth of the blanket that covered her. The room was silent, save for the rhythmic beeping of some unseen machine, steady and unchanging. The scent of flowers mingled with the sharp, sterile smell of medical equipment. Nearby, a small white table came into view, adorned with a single flower pot. A white lilac rested inside it, its delicate petals offering a soft, calming fragrance to the otherwise sterile atmosphere.

Something else caught her attention. A mass of yellow hair was spread out across the bed's edge, its strands glowing faintly under the dim light. Slowly, her eyes followed the hair down to where a familiar figure lay. Claire was there, resting with her head on the edge of the bed, her arms curled beneath her head, covered by her cascading locks. She had been there all night.

For a moment, nothing else existed. The sight brought with it a gentle sense of relief, but just as quickly, the feeling was interrupted by the slightest tickle at her nose. The fan had blown a petal from the lilac onto her face.

"Hacchoo!" The sneeze broke the quiet, a soft, feminine sound that echoed faintly in the small room.

At the sudden noise and movement, Claire stirred. Her eyes opened slowly, blinking as if trying to adjust to the light, her yellow eyes still hazy with sleep. For a moment, she seemed dazed, but then her gaze sharpened as she noticed the figure in the bed. Recognition dawned on her, and her eyes widened.

"Rose!" Claire squeaked, her voice cracking with a mix of relief and disbelief, cheeks flushed with the force of her sudden outburst.

Rose blinked, still taking in the situation, a mess of emotions swirling inside her. Claire had been there all along. She was fine.

"Hi, C-Claire... I didn't expect you to wake up, but hey, good morning. Geez, you scared the crap out of me," Rose said, a little breathless, as her usual energetic tone faltered. She laughed lightly, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. The suddenness of Claire's wake-up startled her, and her hands trembled slightly as she brushed back her hair.

Claire immediately sat up, her body stiff as she looked at Rose with wide eyes. Her hands twitched, unsure whether to reach out or keep her distance. She glanced at Rose's face, noting the discomfort that masked her usual bright demeanor.

Rose forced herself to smile, but Claire could see right through it. "A-Are you okay? You're... you're not hurt more, are you?" Claire stammered, her voice wavering in anxiety.

Rose held up a hand, trying to calm her down. "I'm fine, Claire, really," she said, her voice cracking as she adjusted herself on the bed. "Just... a little banged up, you know? Nothing I can't shake off."

Claire's face twisted with worry, eyes locked on Rose's shoulder as she instinctively stepped forward. "I—I can get someone to help! You... you need a healer or something," Claire sputtered, panic creeping into her voice. Her hands shook as she fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve, torn between wanting to help and being unsure how.

"Hey, hey, I said I'm fine, Claire," Rose interrupted gently, her voice softer now. "No need to panic. I'm just... being dramatic, that's all." She gave Claire a weak grin, trying to push through the discomfort. "You're not gonna get rid of me that easily."

Claire froze, her heart hammering in her chest as she stared at Rose, torn between fear and frustration. "But... but you're hurt," Claire said in a tiny voice, her eyes wide, almost pleading. "I can't... I can't just sit here and do nothing."

Rose caught her hand, still trying to maintain some semblance of cheer. "You're not doing nothing, Claire," she said with a gentle squeeze. "Just being here with me is all I need right now."

Claire bit her lip, still uncertain but trying to steady her shaking hands. "O-Okay... I'll stay... just... just don't get worse, okay?" she said, her voice a little more steady now, though her worry lingered in every word.

Claire's body trembled with uncertainty, her arm shaking slightly in Rose's grip. Her mind spun with doubts and worry, a whirlwind of worst-case scenarios she couldn't stop imagining. But Rose's smile, fragile yet unwavering, pulled Claire back just enough to stay grounded. Hesitant, Claire sank back into her seat, though the storm inside her refused to settle. She forced a thin smile, an unconvincing attempt to mask her unease.

Rose, meanwhile, glanced at Claire, her lively demeanor faltering for a fleeting moment. Guilt clawed at her chest. She hated lying—especially to Claire. But what else could she do? The last thing she wanted was for her timid friend to shoulder even more worry. With a quiet sigh, Rose steeled herself and put on her usual exuberance.

"So… how are you really feeling?" Claire finally asked, her voice soft but tinged with hesitation. Concern bled through her words, her wide eyes searching Rose's face for any sign of discomfort.

Rose clapped her hands together with a loud, exaggerated cheerfulness. "Like the amazing, unstoppable Rose you know, of course! Geez, Claire, you stress too much! I'm fine!"

"How could I not stress?" Claire shot back, her voice rising slightly with frustration. She wrung her hands together, then nervously fidgeted with the edge of her cloak. "You're—" she faltered, then tried again. "You're hurt. I saw it myself…"

Rose flashed a playful grin, leaning closer. "Oh, come on! Don't look at me like that! I'll heal faster if you stop frowning so much. It's practically science."

Claire's brows furrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line. She opened her mouth to protest but hesitated, caught off guard as Rose poked her lightly on the nose.

"Boop!" Rose announced triumphantly, her finger still lingering near Claire's face.

Claire blinked in surprise, a faint flush creeping onto her cheeks. "W-what? Hey!" She instinctively reached out, grabbing Rose by the cheek and giving it a gentle, teasing pinch. "How'd you like that?"

"Ow, ow, ow!" Rose yelped, laughing despite herself as she wriggled free from Claire's grasp. "Okay, okay! Mercy!"

Claire released her with a soft huff, though the corners of her mouth twitched upward in a smile. She couldn't help it—Rose's relentless energy was infectious. For a brief moment, the room felt lighter, the shadows of their troubles forgotten.

But the reprieve didn't last long. As Claire's laughter died down, her gaze lingered on Rose's bandaged arm. Her smile faded, replaced by a soft, worried expression. She clasped her hands together tightly, resting them near her lips as she looked down.

"But really, are you actually fine?" Claire asked, her tone soft yet serious, her wide eyes locking onto Rose's face with unrelenting concern. She leaned forward slightly, her fingers tightly gripping the edge of her cloak.

Rose hesitated for a moment, her usual energy dipping as she met Claire's gaze. "Really, I feel okay," she said, her voice quieter now, more measured. The exaggerated cheer she had displayed moments ago softened into something more genuine. "I mean… it's not great, but it's like… sleeping on the wrong side of the bed, you know? Just uncomfortable. Nothing I can't handle."

Claire's lips pressed together into a thin line. She wasn't sure if she believed her. "What happened yesterday in Starfield?" she pressed, her voice lowering but losing none of its sincerity.

Rose stiffened for the briefest second, but she quickly masked it with a shrug and her usual bright smile. "Nothing you need to worry about, really," she said, her voice light and breezy, though there was an undertone of something she didn't want to linger on. "Just… got caught up in some chaos. You know how it is."

"B-but—" 

Her thoughts flashed back to the moment they had been teleported to the starting position after she, Takumi, Liene, and Kazuki defeated the Akumo that had haunted them. As the blue light faded, her blurry vision zeroed in on Rose lying on the ground, unconscious and gravely wounded. Claire's knees had buckled as she rushed to her side, trembling as she brushed away the half-burnt spruce leaves and branches covering Rose.

"R-Rose!" she had cried out, her voice cracking. Tears spilled down her cheeks as her hands hovered uncertainly before cradling Rose's dirt-smudged face.

Takumi and Liene had pushed through the gathering crowd of students, their faces tight with worry. Around them, others tended to the injured, the atmosphere thick with tension. Takumi stood frozen, scanning the sea of unconscious classmates, his sweat-drenched face full of helplessness. Isaac moved swiftly, his palm glowing faint lime as he cast healing magic, his jaw set with determined focus.

Ann arrived moments later, descending gracefully, her brows furrowed with urgency. Her sharp gaze softened when it landed on Claire's tear-streaked face.

"W-will she... b-be okay?" Claire had stammered, her voice cracking as she looked up at Ann, desperation flooding her eyes.

"You have my word," Ann had said gently before teleporting Rose to the academy clinic. With a flick of her wand, she vanished again, leaving Claire clinging to that promise.

Now, sitting in the same spot where Rose had been taken, Claire's hands trembled as the images refused to fade. She bit her lip, willing herself to focus on the present, but her chest still felt heavy.

Rose noticed Claire's distant gaze and tilted her head with a curious smile. "Hey, you're staring again," she teased lightly, pressing a finger to her chin as though deep in thought.

Claire's cheeks flushed, and she quickly looked away. "S-sorry! I-I didn't mean—uh, I mean…" Her voice wavered before fading into a mumble.

Rose leaned forward, her smile softening. "It's okay, Claire. Really." She tilted her head again, her expression turning playful. "Hmm… What did happen? Uh… I dunno." She shrugged, her tone light but with a flicker of unease. "Maybe it was an Akumo or something. Honestly, I can't remember."

"W-well, so much for that…" Claire mumbled, her voice barely audible as she fidgeted with her sleeves. A faint frown flickered across her face despite her effort to keep calm.

Rose grinned and gave Claire's shoulder a playful nudge. "Come on, don't worry so much, ya hear? I'm still here, aren't I?" Her energy seemed to bubble over, coaxing a tiny, shy smile from Claire despite herself.

Claire forced a smile, attempting to mask her fear. The terror from yesterday still gripped her, making her hands tremble. She discreetly tucked them beneath her legs, out of Rose's sight, though her fingers fidgeted nervously. The thought that this might not be the last time something so dangerous could happen terrified her—especially if it involved Rose.

Meanwhile, Rose, ever observant, noticed the trembling Claire tried to hide and the fear lurking beneath her forced smile. She chose not to reveal that she actually remembered what had happened. While the details were still blurry, Rose suspected that her attacker might have been a fellow student. But saying that aloud wouldn't help. If anything, it would only worry Claire more—and Claire, selfless to a fault, might even do something reckless to protect her.

Rose wasn't going to let that happen.

"So," Rose began with an exaggerated casualness, her voice bright as she shifted the mood, "how are you even here? Like, during class, on the second day of the academy, in the afternoon?"

Claire blinked, startled by the sudden question. "Oh, um, I was... uh, I was given permission t-to stay here. Miss Ann said it was okay," she mumbled, her voice soft and slightly uneven.

"Miss Ann herself? Really?" Rose asked, her curiosity piqued.

Claire nodded quickly, her tone gaining a hint of excitement. "Y-yeah! It surprised me too, b-but she was really nice about it." She hesitated, then added with a shy smile, "S-she even said you'll heal completely soon because of her magic."

"Hmmm... okay," Rose replied with a dramatic whine, though the lightness in her tone betrayed her relief.

Claire couldn't help but smile at Rose's antics. The sound of her friend's whining tugged at something deep within her, a faint memory. For a moment, the world around her faded, and her thoughts drifted back to a time long ago.

There were green hedges, neatly trimmed grass, and sunlit stone paths. Claire and Rose had been playing tag in the garden, their laughter ringing through the air.

"Catch me if you can!" Claire had teased, her voice full of playful energy.

"Claire! Come on!" Rose had whined in frustration, her shorter legs struggling to keep up.

They darted through the maze of hedges, narrowly avoiding startled maids. But then Rose tripped, her foot catching on uneven ground. She tumbled onto the stone path, landing hard.

"Ow! That hurts!" Rose cried, clutching her knee as tears welled in her eyes.

Claire froze, panic flashing across her face. She glanced around desperately before shouting, "I'll be back! Don't move, okay?" Her small feet pounded against the stone as she sprinted off to find help.

"Sure..." Rose murmured, her voice barely audible as she hugged her leg, trying to endure the pain.

Moments later, Claire returned with a roll of bandages clutched in her hand, two worried maids trailing behind her. Without waiting, Claire knelt beside Rose, her tiny hands trembling as she unrolled the bandages.

"Hey, you're gonna be okay," Claire said softly, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes.

"Y-you promise?" Rose asked between sniffles, her tears streaming freely.

"I p-promise! Pinky swear," Claire replied, holding up her little finger with a shy, awkward smile.

Rose tilted her head, confused. "W-what's that?"

"It's, um... a sign of a promise," Claire explained, her voice brightening slightly.

Rose hesitated before slowly lifting her hand, her pinky timidly linking with Claire's. They exchanged a quiet smile as Claire finished wrapping the bandage, the maids standing quietly in the background, ready to assist if needed.

Back in the present, Claire's smile deepened as the memory faded. Glancing at Rose, who was now whining dramatically about how slowly the healing spell worked, Claire felt the same protective instinct she'd felt that day.

Rose might be stronger now, but to Claire, she would always be that same girl—someone who needed her care, her reassurance, and her quiet promise to always be there.

By around 2 PM on September 11, 958 S.E., the rain began to fall, its soft dripping sound gradually filling the quiet air. A moderate cold wind swept through the clinic, and the sky outside darkened as the day wore on. Claire and Rose turned their attention to the window, their gazes following the dark blue clouds that had gathered. Raindrops began to blur the glass, streaking and splattering against its surface as the rain grew heavier. The chilly air inside the room mirrored the somber atmosphere outside.

Though the healing spell had fully restored Rose's wounds, the cold breeze slipping through the cracks of the window made her shiver slightly. She instinctively wrapped her arms around herself, trying to suppress the movement, not wanting to worry Claire.

By now, the once-bustling white room was almost empty. Most of the other students who had been treated earlier had already left, leaving only Claire and Rose. Their contrasting hair—yellow as sunflowers and pink as cherry blossoms—swayed slightly in the drafts of wind sneaking in.

Noticing Rose's subtle shivering, Claire hesitated, her fingers twitching as she rummaged through her bag. A faint pink tint crept up her cheeks as she pulled out a soft pink sweater, adorned with a cartoonish bunny head on the front. She shyly held it up, tilting her head to the side and aligning her face beside the sweater in an almost comically timid way.

Rose blinked at the sight, caught off guard. Her cheeks turned red, and she stammered, "Uh... W-what is t-that?"

Claire fidgeted slightly but mustered a grin. "A sweater! O-obviously... L-like it? I, uh, made it a while back... A-and you're going to wear it!"

Rose's jaw dropped slightly as she let out a squeaky, "Ehh...?" Her disbelief was tinged with embarrassment as she quickly turned her gaze back to the rain-streaked window, hoping to hide the grin tugging at her lips.

"Oh, come on, Rose! I know you wanna wear this, capisce!" Claire teased, her confidence growing as she playfully stretched her arms forward, holding the sweater out like a prize.

"What makes you say that?" Rose muttered, feigning resistance, though her voice wavered with barely-contained excitement.

Claire smirked, her usual shyness melting away for just a moment. "Because the window reflects your smile..."

Rose whipped her head around, her face burning a deep red. "W-what—?!" she sputtered, but the sight of the cute sweater, paired with Claire's earnest grin, broke her defenses.

Her eyes sparkled with delight as she finally gave in, throwing up her hands dramatically. "Ooh! You know me so well, Claire, darn it!" she squealed, practically bouncing in her seat.

Claire giggled softly, her initial shyness fading into warmth as she watched Rose eagerly grab the sweater. Rose's enthusiasm startled Claire, making her release it sooner than expected. With a grin, Rose quickly slipped it on, her face lighting up as she twirled slightly, showing off the sweater's snug fit.

Claire smiled nervously, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear before standing up. She extended her hand toward Rose, her voice gentle but encouraging. "W-well... let's go. We should probably head to your dorm now, capisce?"

Rose pouted, crossing her arms. "Why? It's perfectly fine here!" she protested, her voice rising into a playful whine.

Claire tilted her head, placing her hands on her hips. "We can't stay here all day, can we?" she replied softly, though her tone carried a hint of firmness.

"Geez, fine..." Rose relented with an exaggerated sigh, her reluctance clear but good-natured.

Taking Claire's hand, Rose attempted to stand. The moment her feet touched the floor, however, her legs and hands began to tremble slightly. Claire's eyes widened in alarm, and she instinctively moved closer, wrapping an arm around Rose to steady her.

"Hey, b-be careful!" Claire stammered, her voice filled with concern.

Rose offered a reassuring smile, though her face was tinged with embarrassment. "I'm fine, really..." she murmured, her voice soft yet unconvincing.

Claire tightened her hold just slightly, steadying Rose until she found her balance. Though the healing spell had mended her wounds, the day and a half she'd spent bedridden had clearly left her legs weak.

Once confident Rose could manage small steps, Claire adjusted their footing and helped her move forward. Reaching the sliding door, Claire used her free hand to push it open, and together, they stepped out of the clinic. Before leaving, Claire nudged the door closed behind them with the tip of her left foot, a small click echoing in the otherwise quiet hallway.

Outside, the rain continued its steady rhythm, droplets falling at a moderate pace. The cold breeze swirled around them, tugging at their hair and clothes. Claire paused for a moment, her gaze flicking to the overcast sky before scanning their surroundings. They passed by several rooms—offices, lounges, and libraries, their doors closed, emanating an air of calm stillness.

The absence of other students confirmed what Claire already suspected: classes were still in session.

"It's afternoon, after all..." she thought, sighing softly. The quiet halls, combined with the muffled sound of rain, lent the academy an almost serene, dreamlike atmosphere.

With Rose's arm draped over her shoulder, Claire led the way, though their pace was slow due to Rose's condition. They made their way through the long hallways, the sound of their footsteps echoing softly. After taking the elevator, they finally reached Rose's dorm. Rose fumbled for her keys, slipping them into the keyhole and pushing the door open to her empty room. Unlike Claire, Rose had no roommate. 

Claire gently guided Rose to the bed, her face flushing with the effort. "H-here we are... careful..." Claire murmured, her hands trembling as she helped Rose sit down. 

Rose raised an eyebrow, noticing Claire's exhaustion. "Geez, you make it sound like I'm heavy or something..." Rose teased, a grin tugging at her lips. 

Claire's cheeks turned pink, and she quickly shook her head. "D-definitely not... I-I mean, you're... not heavy to b-bear, I guess..." Her words stumbled out, embarrassed at her awkwardness. 

"And what exactly does that mean?" Rose asked with a playful glint in her eyes, raising an eyebrow. 

Claire bit her lip, her eyes darting away. "Well, y-you're reckless... you were injured and still wanted to move b-before you were ready, and when I tried to help you to your dorm, y-you didn't want to go...," Claire mumbled, her voice laced with concern and mild frustration. "Oh... don't get me started on..." 

"Hehe, yeah, okay, I get it!" Rose interrupted with a soft laugh, cutting Claire off. She waved her hand as if to brush away the scolding. 

Claire smiled, the tension easing from her shoulders. She stood up straighter, catching her breath as she looked around the room. The emptiness of the space caught her attention—there were no personal touches, nothing to make it feel like Rose's own. 

"You didn't unpack?" Claire asked, her voice hesitant. 

Rose shrugged nonchalantly, not noticing the slight nervousness in Claire's voice. "Well, with no roommate and all... I kinda... forgot." 

Claire chuckled softly, nodding as she moved toward Rose's bags. "It's o-okay, I'll help." She unzipped the bags and began pulling out clothes, books, and other personal items. She went back and forth from the bags to the shelves, placing everything carefully in the room. Rose watched, her eyes warm and full of affection. 

Despite the quiet, Claire felt a sense of peace in the room, the simple act of helping her friend bringing a smile to her face. It didn't need to be perfect, just real—just like them.

"So anyway, how'd yesterday go? You know, aside from me being wounded and all..." Rose asked, her voice teasing but with a hint of genuine curiosity.

Claire hesitated, her gaze shifting toward the floor. "We... well, like you, we ran into trouble too..." Her words trailed off, her discomfort evident.

"Wait, really? Some bad luck we have..." Rose interrupted, a playful smirk tugging at her lips.

Claire nodded, her hands still moving as she hung clothes in Rose's closet. "Yeah, some black Akumo—a really big one—swooped down on us out of nowhere. It took down three of us, despite all my planning and strategy..." She bit her lip, her voice faltering as she recalled the chaos of the previous day.

Rose's eyes widened, a mix of shock and curiosity in her gaze as she tried to piece together the situation. "That sounds... terrifying," she said quietly, though the excitement in her voice couldn't quite mask the concern. Claire, meanwhile, continued to move around the room, trying to keep her hands busy.

"Oh, and I also ran into Takumi, by the way," Claire added, her tone shifting as she focused on the task at hand. "He was with this blue-haired girl... who, uh, I didn't catch her name. I'm... really stupid," Claire muttered, face-palming at her own forgetfulness.

Rose let out a small laugh, her smile widening. "Well, you're socializing, that's something at least!" she said, her voice teasing but filled with encouragement.

"I wouldn't call it something..." Claire replied, her face turning pink as she shot Rose an embarrassed smile.

Rose's expression softened, her voice gentle. "Hey, it's nice that you're hanging out with others besides me..." she said quietly, as though the thought meant more than it let on.

Claire blinked, her cheeks warming at the softness in Rose's voice. She stopped for a moment, meeting Rose's gaze. "You're saying that like you're trying to steer me away from you, which... I'd never do," Claire replied, her tone tender and reassuring, her voice catching slightly in her throat.

Claire continued to carefully arrange Rose's belongings, her hands trembling slightly as she hung another dress in the closet. She glanced back at Rose, who sat quietly on the bed, smiling softly but unusually subdued. Claire hesitated before speaking, her voice faltering as if testing the waters.

"Um... so, apparently," she began, her words slightly uneven, "the Akumo that... attacked us... wasn't even supposed to be there..."

Rose tilted her head, her expression shifting to surprise. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity and concern.

Claire fidgeted, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she continued. "W-we were told... after everything happened... that someone, um, cast a spell to summon it." Her voice lowered, and she paused, glancing at Rose nervously. "It wasn't... random. Someone meant to summon it."

Rose's eyes widened, her mouth parting slightly in shock. "Really?" she exclaimed, leaning forward slightly. "Who would do something like that?"

Claire swallowed hard, her fingers tightening around the hanger she was holding. "I-I don't know. No one does," she admitted, her tone growing softer. "The staff said the spell was so... strong, and because the Starfield is underground, it's likely... whoever did it was inside... a student or maybe even a staff member." She shifted awkwardly, glancing at Rose again. "And... and there's this theory that it might've been... the same Akumo that attacked you and the others."

Rose froze, her breath catching as her thoughts raced. She bit her lip, choosing to keep her suspicions to herself. The rhythmic patter of rain against the glass door seemed to echo the tension in the room. Claire shifted uncomfortably, sensing the weight of her own words as she returned to unpacking.

"That's... that's terrifying," Rose finally said, her voice quieter than usual. "But... who defeated it? Miss Ann?"

Claire paused, her hands stilling as she glanced over her shoulder. "No... it wasn't her," she said softly. "It was, um... my roommate, Kazuki."

Rose's jaw dropped, and she stared at Claire in disbelief. "Wait, what?! You mean that guy—the guy who saved you from that group of men before?!" Her voice rose in astonishment, her energy returning in full force.

Claire winced, her cheeks turning a soft pink. "Y-yeah, t-that's him," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "He... h-he jumped right in front of the Akumo, even after being thrown off. It was—it was like he didn't even hesitate. And then... he just—" Claire swallowed hard, her words catching in her throat. "He singlehandedly took it down... the creature that defeated the three of us... H-he did it all on his own." Her voice faltered, and her gaze dropped to the floor, clouded with unease and self-doubt. 

For a moment, Claire's mind drifted, her thoughts tangling as questions began to pull at her. Why does he keep showing up? How can someone be so... unshakable? The sound of the rain tapping against the glass door echoed faintly in her mind, a backdrop to her swirling thoughts. But before they could spiral further, Rose's excited squeal snapped her back into reality. 

"Whoa, cool! Like, how cool is that?!" Rose's voice bubbled with energy as she leaned forward on the bed. "He jumped in and saved you again! Ooooh, maybe he's like your knight in shining armor!" 

"Wh-what?!" Claire sputtered, her face growing redder as she whipped around to face Rose. "N-no! What are you even saying?! That kind of thing only happens in... in those shows you watch!" She fidgeted with the hem of her cloak, her voice softening as her gaze fell. "Besides, he barely even talks to me... or notices me. It's like I'm not even there to him..." 

Rose's grin widened, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You never know! Maybe he's just shy... or doesn't talk much." She winked teasingly, causing Claire to huff and turn away. 

"I—" Claire paused, crossing her arms as her tone shifted to something firmer. "I doubt it." 

Rose pouted dramatically, throwing her hands in the air. "Geez, Claire! You're such a fun killer," she teased, though her tone softened as she shifted on the bed. "Anyway, thanks for helping me... I can take it from here." 

Claire turned back, hesitating as she adjusted her cloak. "A-are you sure? I still have time. I could—" 

Rose waved her hand lazily, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Yeah, I'm good. Besides..." She smirked, her tone turning teasing. "Pretty sure Mr. Mysterious is waiting for you... heh!"

"R-Rose!" Claire's voice shot up as her face turned bright red. "W-what are you even talking about?! Cut it out!" She fidgeted awkwardly, her eyes darting everywhere but at Rose.

Rose leaned back, laughing. "Oh, come on, don't act like it's not a little true!"

"It's not true!" Claire huffed, her hands clenching into fists by her sides. "You're just making stuff up!"

Rose grinned even wider, tilting her head. "Sure, sure. Whatever you say, Claire."

Claire groaned, her face buried in her hands for a moment before she spun toward the door. "I-I'm leaving! You're so annoying!"

"Love you too!" Rose called out, still laughing as Claire hurried out, her cloak swishing dramatically behind her.

As she moved to the door, Claire paused, glancing back at Rose. She offered a small wave, her fingers trembling slightly, before slipping out and gently shutting the door behind her. 

Outside, Claire leaned her back against the door, her head tilting upward as the rain began to taper off. The cold wind swayed her long yellow hair, brushing against her flushed cheeks. But as the chill settled into her skin, so did a heavy weight in her chest. 

The memory of Rose lying unconscious played on repeat in her mind, a sharp contrast to the bubbling energy Rose always carried. Claire squeezed the fabric of her shirt over her chest, her vision blurring at the edges as flashes of memories—blurred and fractured—flooded her. 

It's always him, she thought, biting her lip to suppress the trembling in her body. He's the one who saves everyone... the one who shows up when I—

Her head bowed, her hair hiding her face as a painful thought echoed loudly in her mind. 

"Why do I even bother trying..." Claire murmured, her voice breaking as the words hung in the air, heavy and hollow, like a distant echo she couldn't escape.