Chapter 4: Dining hall
Liam and Yu walked down the corridor.
It was early morning. Not everyone had even woken up yet.
Yu held Liam's hand as they walked.
...
On their way to the dining hall, they passed almost no other students, but each one they did meet turned to look at them.
Inside the hall, only two people were eating—
well, one person and one elf.
Both were instructors.
The elf woman noticed them.
Her face twisted for a moment, but she quickly turned away and didn't look at them again.
As if she's never seen us here before.
...
"Sit there and wait," Liam said, pointing to a table in the back.
"Yes."
Yu walked over to the spot.
Meanwhile, Liam picked up two trays at the counter and made his way to her.
Yu was already half-dozing at the table.
Calmly reaching the table, Liam set down the trays beside her.
Yu's ear twitched. She sat up straight.
Liam sat down next to her.
He raised his hands slightly, letting tiny specks of dust fall off.
Yu did the same.
Then they began to eat.
Liam cut off a piece of egg and sausage and ate it.
Yu did the same.
As they ate, the elf woman stood up and headed toward the exit, throwing a brief, disdainful glance in their direction.
Elves are like spoiled kids—someone else has the same toy, and they throw a tantrum…
Liam had thought that more than once.
"Liam, why does Aeryl always look at us like that?" Yu asked after taking a sip of tea.
"Did we do something to her? Why won't she say anything?"
"We didn't do anything to her.
She doesn't even know why she acts like that."
"She doesn't know? Stupid?"
"You could say that."
...
By the time they finished eating, a few more people had entered the dining hall.
Liam noticed one student staring at him, not blinking.
She had to awkwardly shift her gaze once he made it clear he noticed.
"Yu, let's go."
Yu stood up and held out her hand to Liam.
He took it.
And they walked away.