Blushes and Breathlessness
That way, we made it back to the dorm without anyone spotting us.
The way back was rougher than I'd expected.
Aria's legs kept giving out on her.
Every time she wobbled, I had to steady her.
"D-don't get so close...!"
Aria pushed weakly at my shoulder, her voice barely above a whisper.
But there was no strength in her hands at all.
"No way. How am I supposed to support you if I don't?"
I wrapped my arm firmly around her waist and scolded her lightly.
"St-still... you're touching too much...!"
"Touching what?"
"Ev-everything...!"
Aria couldn't bring herself to specify, mumbling with her face flushed red.
And just like that, we made it back to C Dorm in the academy.
The moment we stepped inside, Aria bolted to her bed like she was fleeing.
"I-I'm gonna sleep till evening! Don't wake me!"
Her muffled voice leaked out from under the covers.
She looked just like a rabbit burrowing into its hole.
The blanket lump wriggled a bit, then abruptly rolled to face the wall.
"Fine, whatever."
I ignored her and plopped down on my own bed.
Afternoon sunlight stretched long through the window, bathing the room in orange hues.
Hot.
After just one trip out, my clothes were soaked with sweat.
Probably because I'd been pressed up against Aria in that box—her scent clung to them now, too. Sweet, mixed with soap.
It felt sticky; I wanted to change. But with her like that, it was awkward.
Just rest a bit.
I propped my head on a pillow and stared at the ceiling.
Silence settled over the room.
The only sounds were occasional rustles from Aria's side.
I closed my eyes and replayed the day's events. Heading out on impulse because there was no food.
Eating delicious skewers.
Hiding in the box to dodge the Prefect Club.
What a spectacle.
Still, it wasn't bad.
No, it was actually fun.
Academy life, which would've been boring alone, felt alive now.
How much time passed?
Aria was still tossing and turning over there.
"Um... Lady Elise?"
A tiny voice came from under her blanket.
I answered without opening my eyes.
"What. Aren't you sleeping?"
"I... can't sleep."
Aria peeked out just her eyes, pulling the blanket down a little.
Her face was still flushed.
I chuckled and rolled over.
"What, thinking about that box?"
"Eek! N-no, it's not that!"
Aria jolted in surprise and yanked the blanket up to her nose.
"I-it's just... I still can't calm down."
"Scaredy-cat."
"I'm not a scaredy-cat! You're too calm, Lady Elise! If the Prefect Club caught us, it'd be demerits, scholarship cuts... just thinking about it is terrifying!"
Aria shuddered for real, scared out of her wits.
Fair enough. For a lifelong goody-two-shoes like her, today was a once-in-a-lifetime rebellion.
I gazed at the ceiling and asked softly.
"So, any regrets?"
"Huh?"
"Coming out with me. Regretting it?"
Silence fell over the room at my question.
Aria fiddled with her blanket, saying nothing for a long while.
Even if she said she regretted it, I had no comeback.
I was the one who'd dragged her along against her will.
But her answer, when it came, surprised me.
"...No."
Small but clear.
"No regrets."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. The skewers were delicious... and seeing outside was fun..."
She slowly lowered the blanket and looked at me.
"And most of all... it was fun because it was with you, Lady Elise."
"What?"
The words tumbled out, and embarrassment hit her like a wave—she sprang up and fled to the bathroom.
"I-I'm going to wash up! Don't bother me!"
The door slammed, and water roared on loudly.
I pictured her cute retreating figure and let out a soft laugh.
///
The next morning.
I woke even earlier than yesterday.
"Mm..."
As my bleary eyes fluttered open, the first thing I saw was Aria crouched right by my bed, staring intently at me.
Her nose almost touching mine.
"Eek!"
"Kyaa!"
The second my eyes opened, she yelped and toppled backward.
"What the hell are you doing?"
I patted my pounding chest and sat up.
Damn, my heart nearly stopped first thing in the morning.
"G-good morning! I was just trying to wake you... but you were sleeping so soundly...!"
Aria scrambled up and straightened her clothes.
Her face was red as a ripe apple.
"Then just wake me. Why were you creeping on me like that?"
"Cr-creeping?! What do you mean?!"
Her flailing denial was pretty adorable.
I chuckled and got out of bed.
"Kidding. Here."
I grabbed my uniform from the chair.
And naturally spread my arms, looking at Aria.
"..."
"..."
Our eyes met.
She glanced between me and the uniform, sighed deeply, and stepped forward.
"Now you're just ordering me around like it's normal."
"You do it best."
"Haa... come here."
Aria grumbled but took my shirt.
Her fingers started buttoning it up, one by one.
Growing more skilled by the day.
"Weren't you learning how to dress yourself?"
"Why bother when I've got you?"
"...All done."
"Nice. Thanks as always. Wanna grab breakfast?"
"...Sure."
Unlike before, she didn't refuse.
We left the dorm room side by side.
Maybe because of yesterday's commotion, the stares poured in the moment we entered the cafeteria. Seemed even more crowded—rumors must've spread.
We grabbed a corner seat and ate.
"I'm off."
"Have a good day!"
With Aria's send-off, I headed to the main building.
Back at the office door.
Esilla removed my mana restraints, and I went in.
"You're here."
Adrian greeted me from a mountain of papers, looking pale.
Dark circles hung under his eyes, and his blond hair looked drier than usual.
"You look like hell. Did you sleep?"
He irritably set down his pen at my question.
"Thanks to someone, my workload doubled."
He glared at me.
"Me?"
"Yes. Breaking out of prison and blowing up the auditorium means mountains of admin. Budget revisions, parent complaints..."
Adrian gnashed his teeth and tossed a stack of papers at me.
"So quit whining and work. You clean up your own messes."
"Harsh much."
I grumbled but took the papers.
No denying it was my fault.
I sat at my spot and silently sorted documents.
Scratch, scratch.
The office filled only with the sound of pens on paper.
Adrian seemed edgier than usual.
Frowning at tiny noises, sighing constantly.
Sometimes clutching his chest and groaning.
Is he hurting somewhere?
I glanced over.
He was gripping his chest tight, sweating coldly.
Like he could barely breathe.
"Hey, Adrian. You okay?"
"Mind your own business."
He snapped back and gulped water.
But his trembling hand splashed it everywhere.
"Doesn't look okay. Maybe take a break?"
"Shut up. I know my own body."
Stubborn as ever.
Fine, if he says he'll handle it, let him. We're not close enough for me to fuss anyway.
Call Esilla if he collapses.
I dove back into the papers.
But the quiet didn't last.
Thud.
His pen rolled off the desk.
Ragged breathing followed.
"Hah... hah..."
I turned—Adrian had slumped over the desk, clutching his swollen chest.
"Hey!"
I shoved my chair back and rushed to him.
"Wake up! Can you hear me? Breathe! Breathe!"
"Urgh... ngh... haa..."
No response, not even registering my touch.
Cold sweat poured like rain, soaking his shirt.
This is bad.
Hyperventilating? Heart attack?
I quickly checked him over.
He was clawing at his chest like it hurt.
Can't breathe?
First, I roughly yanked off his tie, which seemed to be choking him.