Riser didn't let go of her hand immediately.
Not on purpose.
Just—
A fraction of a second too long.
And apparently, that was enough.
The red-haired girl noticed.
Of course she did.
Her fingers tightened slightly around his before she pulled away, her smile widening just a bit.
"Careful," she said lightly, "people might misunderstand."
Riser raised an eyebrow. "You started it."
"And you didn't stop it."
"Didn't seem like a problem."
Mirai's voice cut in, calm but sharper than before.
"It is."
Riser glanced sideways.
She hadn't moved.
Still standing there, arms crossed—
But something had changed.
Subtle.
Her gaze.
Focused.
Not on the situation.
On him.
The red-haired girl noticed that too.
Her eyes flicked briefly toward Mirai, then back to Riser.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
"So," she said casually, "are you always this bold, or am I special?"
Riser shrugged.
"Still figuring that out."
She laughed softly.
"I like that answer."
"Of course you do."
Mirai stepped forward then.
Not aggressively.
But enough to shift the space between them.
"You're done here."
The red-haired girl tilted her head.
"Are we?"
"Yes."
"That's not very fun."
"That's not the point."
Riser exhaled quietly.
"…Am I part of this conversation, or—"
"No," both of them said at the same time.
He blinked.
"...Wow."
The red-haired girl smiled sweetly.
"Stay quiet."
Mirai didn't repeat it.
She didn't need to.
Riser looked between them.
Then—
"...Yeah, I'm definitely in trouble."
Neither denied it.
The crowd hadn't fully dispersed yet.
If anything—
They were more invested now.
Because this—
This wasn't just a fight anymore.
This was something else.
Something more interesting.
The red-haired girl turned slightly, placing a hand on her hip.
"You've been spending time with him already?"
Mirai didn't react much.
"I tested him."
"That's what you call it?"
"Yes."
"Hm."
Her gaze shifted back to Riser again.
Lingering.
Evaluating.
Then she smiled.
"I think I'll test him too."
Riser immediately shook his head.
"Nope."
Too fast.
Too firm.
She laughed again.
"You're not in a position to refuse."
"I disagree."
Mirai spoke calmly.
"He's right."
That made both of them pause.
Slightly.
The red-haired girl's eyes narrowed just a fraction.
"Oh?"
Mirai's tone didn't change.
"He's not obligated to entertain you."
Riser blinked again.
"...I like this version of you."
Mirai ignored him.
The red-haired girl, however—
Smiled wider.
"Now that's interesting."
She stepped closer again.
Not to Mirai.
To Riser.
Closing the distance deliberately.
"You're already defending him?"
Mirai didn't answer.
Which—
Was answer enough.
Riser scratched his cheek lightly.
"…I feel like I should say something."
"You shouldn't," Mirai replied.
"Definitely shouldn't," the red-haired girl added.
He sighed.
"Right."
A brief silence followed.
But it wasn't empty.
It was—
Charged.
Then—
The red-haired girl clapped her hands lightly once.
"Alright, enough of that."
She turned back toward Riser fully.
Eyes bright.
Focused.
Playful—
But calculating underneath.
"You passed her test."
Riser nodded slowly.
"Apparently."
"So now I'm curious."
"That sounds dangerous."
"It is."
She stepped even closer.
Now firmly inside his personal space.
"You're not strong enough to matter yet."
"Harsh, but fair."
"But—"
Her finger lifted slightly, pointing toward him.
"You're growing fast."
Riser didn't respond.
Didn't deny it either.
"And more importantly—"
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"You don't act like the others."
Mirai's gaze sharpened slightly at that.
Riser noticed.
So did the red-haired girl.
That made her smile again.
"That's rare."
Riser finally spoke.
"…So what do you want?"
Straightforward.
No games.
For a moment—
That seemed to surprise her.
Just slightly.
Then—
"Simple."
She extended her hand again.
Not for a handshake this time.
More like an invitation.
"Spend some time with me."
Riser stared at her hand.
Then at her face.
"...That sounds like a trap."
"It is."
"At least you're honest."
"Always."
Mirai spoke again.
"Decline."
The red-haired girl didn't look at her.
"Accept."
Riser closed his eyes briefly.
Then sighed.
"...Of course it comes down to this."
He looked between them.
Two completely different presences.
Mirai—
Calm. Direct. Sharp.
The red-haired girl—
Playful. Dangerous. Unpredictable.
Both watching him now.
Waiting.
Not forcing—
But definitely expecting.
"…Alright," Riser muttered.
Then he looked at the red-haired girl.
"What's your name?"
She blinked once.
Then smiled.
"That's better."
She leaned slightly closer.
"Elira."
Riser nodded slowly.
"Alright, Elira."
Then—
He smirked faintly.
"I'll think about it."
A pause.
Then—
Mirai's lips curved ever so slightly.
Elira, on the other hand—
Laughed.
A real one this time.
"Not bad."
Riser shrugged.
"Didn't say yes."
"You didn't say no either."
"That's the point."
Elira's eyes gleamed.
"Good."
She stepped back finally.
Giving him space again.
"For now, I'll take that."
Mirai turned away slightly.
"Training's over."
Riser exhaled.
"Yeah… I figured."
Elira started walking off.
Then paused.
Without turning—
"Don't take too long, Riser."
Then she left.
Just like that.
Leaving behind—
A shift.
Riser stood there for a moment.
Then looked at Mirai.
"...So."
She glanced at him.
"You attract trouble."
"I'm starting to notice."
A brief pause.
Then—
"You didn't accept."
"Didn't decline either."
Her gaze lingered on him for a second.
Then—
"Be careful."
Riser smirked slightly.
"You too."
She didn't respond.
But she didn't walk away immediately either.
And somehow—
That said more than words.
At the edge of the field, the whispers had already started again.
Louder this time.
Faster.
Spreading.
"That was Elira."
"And Mirai…"
"He's surrounded already."
"Who is this guy?"
Riser glanced toward them briefly.
Then looked forward again.
"...Yeah."
A quiet breath left him.
"This is getting out of hand."
But—
He didn't hate it.
Not really.
Because this—
This was exactly what he needed.
Attention.
Interest.
Opportunity.
Even if it came with complications.
And a lot of trouble.
Riser rolled his shoulders once.
Then started walking.
"Alright."
A small grin formed.
"Let's see where this goes."