CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: Holding on to Now

"Rin! Let's have lunch."

Without waiting for her response, I anchored my arm around hers and pulled her toward the school cafeteria. The midday sun filtered through the hallway's glass windows, casting long, golden streaks of light across the polished floors. Students hovered in groups, their laughter and chatter filling the air, but I barely noticed anything happening around me for one reason—I was holding Karina. To anyone watching—especially those familiar with my easygoing nature—it might have seemed like nothing more than a playful gesture—light, easy, harmless. But this… this was my way of marking her.

A silent warning to the beasts lurking in the shadows, a message for Achilles Dimitri's lackeys: the Karina Azalena they thought they knew was no more. And anyone foolish enough to approach her now… would answer to me.

"I know I agreed to be friends with you," Karina muttered, her irritation evident as I led her through the busy cafeteria, my grip unwavering. The scent of freshly baked bread and simmering broth filled the space, mingling with the sharp tang of spilled coffee and the crisp, cool air from the AC. "But do we really have to eat together every single day? You're rich, I get it, but I have my own money to—"

I cut her off by gently pressing a macaron to her lips—the very same treat she used to snack on back in the kingdom.

Her protests faltered the moment she took a bite.

The delicate crunch gave way to the soft, airy sweetness within, and for a moment, she forgot to argue. Her lips parted slightly as her eyes widened, mirroring the same delight I had seen before—once upon a time, in a life that she used to have.

"Tastes good, right?" I asked, amusement curling at the edges of my voice.

She answered with a reluctant nod, chewing slowly as if savoring the nostalgia embedded in the flavor.

Chuckling, I steered her toward a more secluded corner of the cafeteria, away from prying eyes and whispering mouths. "I keep dragging you around because I have too much time on my hands. It's the least I could do for taking up most of yours."

She rolled her eyes as she settled into her seat, fingers curling around the warm cup of matcha latte—the same drink she always paired with macarons. Steam rose in delicate swirls, carrying its earthy aroma, and for a moment, she seemed content.

"You have club activities, right? And yet you still have time for this?" she asked, raising the cup to her lips.

I took a sip of my coffee, the bitterness grounding me in the present as I watched her feigned exasperation. "I knew you only had eyes for one person, but do you have to make it so obvious?"

Karina frowned, confusion flickering across her face.

Shaking my head, I put down my cup and reached for a sandwich. My voice was quieter now, the weight of unspoken things pressing against the words.

"It's been three months since I quit."

Her brows lifted in quiet surprise, the flicker of curiosity unmistakable—but, as expected, she didn't press for answers. Not even when it came to why I'd walked away from the club I'd poured so much of my life into since being reborn in this world. That silence, that restraint, was so like her—understanding without needing every explanation.

"And besides, you quit your club too. So, there's no harm in dragging you around," I added, teasing her just to see her reaction.

She sighed, setting her cup down, a flicker of amusement crossing her face. "You're quite something. Don't you have any friends?"

Her words made me pause, my sandwich halfway to my mouth. "Aren't we friends?"

"I mean… other friends."

For a moment, Keiran's face crossed my mind—his sharp eyes, that familiar smirk. The urge to let her meet him flickered in me, but I knew better. As much as I wanted to, I doubted she'd take it lightly—not when the one who ended his life in our past… is none other than Achilles Dimitri.

The weight of that truth pressed down on me, but I pushed it aside with a smile. "I prefer hanging out with you," I answered, my voice soft but certain.

She shook her head but didn't say anything, quietly eating instead. Her eyes wandered around from time to time, and I couldn't help but be amused by the quiet fascination in those lovely, mismatched eyes. Even now, I still found it hard to believe how easily she had adapted to this world. Yet there were moments when she still spoke and carried herself like a noble—and oddly enough, that side of her made me feel relieved.

Because it meant she was really here.

Her elegance and grace were a constant reminder that the Karina Azalena sitting in front of me was the same Karina Azalena I had longed for—the one I would sacrifice my soul to, if that's what it took, just to stay by her side.

"What do you plan to do in your free time?" I asked casually, trying to sound offhand while hoping she wouldn't notice that I was fishing for information — curious about her plans now that she was starting to live the former Karina's life on her own terms.

"Beats me. Probably just do whatever comes to mind," she answered simply, reaching into her bag. She pulled out a small notebook and a pen, and without another word, started sketching something that had caught her attention.

My eyes followed her gaze, and my lips twitched when I spotted Lila and Jaxon not too far from our table — their contrasting outfits making them stand out even more. But the light amusement I felt was quickly overshadowed when my heart began to race.

Because standing with them, his back turned to us, was a figure I knew all too well.

It still wasn't time for them to meet.

"Do you want to go somewhere with me?" I asked, hoping to get her attention. "I know a perfect place to draw," I added, only realizing a beat too late that I'd slipped—I'd completely forgotten the former Karina had been good with words, not art.

She looked at me for a moment, her mismatched eyes studying me in a way that made my throat tighten. The silence between us grew heavier, more deafening than the steady hum of noise in the cafeteria.

My pulse quickened with the weight of everything I wasn't saying. I could make excuses—come up with some easy explanation—but I didn't want to lie to her. And yet… I wasn't ready to tell her the truth. Not yet.

"Is it quiet?" she finally asked, her soft voice breaking the tension.

The relief hit me so hard I nearly sighed.

"Yes, and the view from there is amazing," I said, trying to coax her, my mind drifting to the former Karina's favorite spot in the library. It was quiet, secluded—safe.

"If you're done eating, we could go," I added, doing my best to keep my voice light, casual—not like I was in a hurry.

Because she was too perceptive. One wrong move, one hint of urgency, and she'd realize exactly what I was trying to do—get her out of here before it was too late.

A sigh of relief escaped my lips when she started cleaning up. I quickly moved to help her, my fingers brushing against hers as we gathered our things. "Why don't you wait for me outside?" I suggested, keeping my voice light. "I'll take this to the washer station."

She glanced at me, her eyes narrowing slightly — like she sensed something off — but thankfully, she didn't question it. With a small nod, she slung her bag over her shoulder and headed toward the door.

The second she stepped outside, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. But the moment of relief was short-lived.

"Who's that girl you're with?"

That voice froze me in place. Low, familiar—and far too amused.

I turned slowly, my heart slamming against my ribs as Keiran approached, hands in his pockets and that ever-present smirk tugging at his lips.

"Did you start dating again?" he added, his eyes glinting. "Are you done with your fixation with my favorite writer?" Keiran added with an annoying grin on his lips.

"Shut up," I grumbled, marching toward the dishwashing station and placing our tray down with more force than necessary.

But, of course, Keiran wasn't one to take a hint.

"I heard she quit her club after missing class for a few days," he said, falling into step beside me like he had nothing better to do than annoy me. "Did something happen to her?"

"She's fine," I replied curtly, trying to keep my patience in check. "I was with her just now."

That got his attention. His eyes widened, surprise flickering across his face before he could mask it.

"Are you serious?" he asked, already glancing toward the door—ready to go after her.

I stepped in his path immediately. "We're on a date," I said, the words slipping out faster than I could think of a better excuse. "So, would you mind not interrupting?"

It wasn't a lie—at least not for me. Because every moment I spent with her, I considered it a date.

"Are you serious?" Keiran asked, his voice laced with utter shock. "You really asked her out? How? When?"

I took a deep breath, tapping his shoulder in a way that was probably more forceful than necessary. "I'll tell you later," I said with a calmness I didn't quite feel. "I need to go." I turned on my heel, flashing him a quick smile. "My lady is waiting."

Keiran burst out laughing at the endearment, but I didn't care. How could I? I'd called her that long before this life—and some habits were impossible to break.

"Introduce her to me next time. I want to be friends," Keiran called out behind me.

Stepping outside the cafeteria, my eyes immediately found her—standing near the entrance, absentmindedly watching a group of freshmen playing in the open ground. Her mismatched eyes were distant, lost in thought—perhaps reminiscing about the days when we did the same, before duty consumed our lives.

The afternoon light cast a soft glow around her silhouette, making her seem almost unreal—like the protagonist of a story, effortlessly drawing attention without even trying. Even though she was right in front of me, an unshakable fear lingered in the back of my mind, whispering that if I so much as blinked, she might disappear.

Just like she did in our past life.

She turned in my direction as I approached, tilting her head slightly. "Took you long enough."

I chuckled, reaching for her shoulder as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Shall we go?" I asked, guiding her toward the library, my arm draped loosely around her.

She didn't pull away, didn't question it. Instead, she fell into step beside me, matching my pace as we walked together—completely indifferent to the curious glances thrown our way.

And just like that, the rest of the world faded into the background.