Chapter 5: classroom

Footsteps and voices echoed around them.

Ever since they stepped outside, the number of people nearby had noticeably increased.

The cafeteria must be packed right now, Liam reminded himself.

A few students glanced in their direction during the walk, but nothing more.

They stepped out from the shadow of the building, forcing them to squint slightly.

After a few seconds, Liam noticed a fellow classmate heading toward him. He slowed his pace.

"Oh! Liam, good morning. The weather's nice today, huh? Not something we see often," the student greeted him, extending a hand.

"Yeah, it's rare to see a completely clear sky," Liam replied, shaking his hand.

"How've you been? And Yu? You guys headed somewhere?"

"Same as usual. Yu's doing fine too. Probably heading to the classroom."

"This early? There's still more than two hours until lectures begin. But then again… why am I even surprised? And hey, let Yu say something too! You keep answering for her, poor thing's just standing there silent," the student teased lightly.

"You were talking to me," Liam replied, his tone calm and unchanged.

"A-ah… well, yeah." The student scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"Something else?"

"No… I guess not. See you before class then. Later, Liam!"

"Yeah. See you, Tenrik."

With those words, they parted ways.

After calmly reaching the classroom, they stepped inside. The room was completely empty.

"Yaaawn~" Yu let out a sleepy sigh.

Liam and Yu walked to the window seats in the back row and sat down.

As soon as they were settled, Yu lay down across Liam's lap, and before long, her breathing deepened.

Once she had fallen asleep, Liam pulled a notebook and a magical pen from his bag.

He opened the notebook, raised the pen above the page, and…

Wrote nothing.

For a while, he just stared at the blank sheet with his green eyes.

He would've continued staring even longer, if not for a lock of his reddish hair falling across his face and distracting him.

Calmly brushing it aside, he set the pen down, folded his arms on the desk, and rested his head on them.

A moment later, he too fell asleep.

…

…

"Liaaam!!!"