See You

She squeezed her pillow tightly.

They had talked so much the other week—or rather, exchanged blades. But still, it was communication through the sword. How romantic!

"Eeeeee!" She squealed, her heart fluttering. "He's so handsome!!"

Rolling around in her bed, she squeezed the pillow tighter, wishing it was him in her arms instead. But lately, she hadn't seen Alphie at all!

It was strange. Before, she'd spot him around campus often, but now? Now, he seemed to have disappeared. Was he sick? Did he go home for a break?

Her thoughts kept racing, but the emptiness in her chest only grew with each unanswered question. Well, as long as nothing bad happened to him, she could always wait until their next meeting.

"Alphie, I want to see you again!" she squealed, her heart racing with excitement.

A loud knock echoed from the door. "Could you please shut up? Some of us are trying to study!"

Mitina flopped back onto her bed, groaning. Great, now she was getting on her dorm mates' nerves.

"What in the world are you doing?" Liam asked. Alphard didn't even glance at him as he leaned against the wall, trying to stay out of sight from the hallway.

"I'm just... feeling this wall. Wow, it's so smooth," Alphard said, his tone flat and completely unconvincing.

Liam raised an eyebrow. "If you keep doing that, I could report you for harassing that wall."

"Shut up," Alphard muttered.

Suddenly, he heard a familiar laugh echo down the hallway. The memory of it—the way her laughter had rung through the air when his glasses had fallen on her—flashed in his mind.

It had been days since that embarrassing incident, and he'd tried to push it to the back of his thoughts. But for some reason, he kept thinking of her.

Mitina Decoris.

She was one of those weird personalities that didn't interest him much. A little too loud, too bright, too full of life. Everyone liked the Decoris sisters. The contrast between her and Bitina, her cool, calm sister, couldn't have been more striking. Mitina's eyes were so inquisitve and radiant, and her smile—warm, welcoming—made everything feel lighter.

Liam's grin widened as he caught on. "Ah, I see. You're hiding from the cotton-candy-looking girl."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Alphard replied, as he adjusted his glasses.

"Sure you don't," Liam teased. "You've been thinking about her ever since the sword fight. You're not fooling anyone."

Alphard let out a deep sigh and pushed himself off the wall, rolling his shoulders. "Maybe I'm not hiding anything, Liam."

Liam snickered. "You're a mess. If you'd just admit it—"

"I said shut up," Alphard shot him a look, but the blush he'd been trying to hide was still there. His mind wandered back to that bright, warm laugh, and the way his heart had raced during that duel. "I'll face her when I'm ready. I do thing properly, Liam."

"What? Like you're gonna marry her?" Liam chuckled, clearly enjoying the discomfort he was causing. "Alphard, you just met the girl! Ask her out on a date first. Why are you so serious?"

Alphard rolled his eyes, though he couldn't stop the warmth creeping into his cheeks.

"Um, you're Liam, right?" A sweet, familiar voice perked up Alphard's ears, making him freeze in place. He was still hiding just out of sight, but if she took a step forward, she could easily spot him.

Liam, always quick with his tongue, smirked. "Oh? What of it, sweet cheeks?" He couldn't resist a playful tease.

Mitina's voice softened but remained steady. "You're friends with Alphie, right?"

"Alphie?" Liam raised a dark eyebrow.

"Alphard Valdur," she clarified.

Liam leaned against the wall with a casual shrug. "What of it?"

"I was just wondering... is he sick or something? I haven't seen him in a while," Mitina asked, concern slipping through her words.

"Oh? You concerned, or something?" Liam smirked, unable to resist poking at her.

Mitina didn't flinch. "Well, yes." Her gaze sharpened slightly. "But it's really none of your business, though?"

Liam chuckled, a knowing glint in his eyes. "He's my friend, of course, it's my business."

Mitina huffed, her arms crossing over her chest. "He's my friend too. That's why it's my business."

Liam gave her a sly grin. "Friend, huh? But don't expect me to spill all the details. If you're that concerned, maybe you should just ask him yourself."

Mitina paused, considering his words. "Maybe I will." Her voice was firm now.

Alphard held his breath, his heart racing as he quietly watched the exchange between Liam and Mitina. He rested back against the wall, mentally cursing his own awkwardness for putting him in this situation.

The way Mitina spoke about him, the genuine concern in her voice just made his chest tighten in a way he hadn't expected.

What the hells was going on with me?