Cravings I can't control...

"Aria?" A girl with blonde hair and green eyes called out, her gaze fixed on another girl walking toward a private training room, a book clutched tightly to her chest.

"Zelly," Ariana replied softly, her grip on the book tightening.

"Where are you going? I haven't seen you around lately," Rizel said, her eyes lingering on the book in Ariana's arms.

"Oh… I took some time off from class to train," Ariana replied, her voice quiet but firm.

"You can do that?" Rizel raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"It's… complicated," Ariana said with a vague shrug. Then, as if changing the subject, she asked, "What about you? Where are you headed?"

"My dorm. I just came from the cafeteria," Rizel answered casually.

"I see…" Ariana hesitated, looking uncomfortable. "Um… Have you, by any chance, seen El around?"

"You mean Ryan?" Rizel tilted her head slightly.

"…Yeah, Ryan," Ariana said, her voice faint but tinged with irritation.