First Time

Inside a lounge, where the tables were more than half full and the air leaned warm with quiet conversation, Noel sat with Serah across from him, as she continued scanning the menu.

After a short walk — one where the tension in the air only seemed to rise — they had decided to sit down. And now, here they were.

Noel kept observing Serah as she ordered all kinds of sweets, while he chose something cold to drink for himself.

He pondered what kind of information he could try pulling from her, when suddenly — without warning — Elysia appeared behind Serah, stepping out from empty air.

No one around them seemed to make a fuss about her sudden appearance, and that naturally intrigued him.

"I'll get jealous if you keep staring at Elysia like that," Serah said.

Her tone was one of playful pouting, but her expression carried something darker.

Noel didn't comment on any of it though. He simply turned his gaze back to her and changed the subject.