The cafeteria was loud.
Not just noisy—alive.
Plates clinked together. Chairs scraped across the floor. Dozens of conversations overlapped into a chaotic wall of sound. The smell of fried food and soup floated through the air.
Amoriel slowed the moment they stepped inside.
Her golden eyes widened slightly as she looked around.
"So many humans are gathering in one place."
Caelum walked forward without stopping.
"It's called lunch."
Students were lining up in front of several food counters. Above them hung boards with pictures of different meals.
Amoriel stared at the pictures.
"They display food on the wall."
"So people know what they're ordering."
She kept looking.
"Is this where humans obtain energy to maintain their bodies?"
Caelum glanced at her.
"...Yes."
"Fascinating."
The line moved forward.
For exactly three seconds.
Then Amoriel stepped out of line and walked straight toward the counter.
Caelum grabbed the back of her sleeve.
"Hey. No cutting."
She looked back at him.
"But the food is right there."
"That's why everyone is waiting."
She looked at the line again.
"They are waiting peacefully."
"That's called manners."
"...Humans have complicated systems."
When their turn finally came, the cafeteria lady looked at them.
"What do you want?"
Before Caelum could speak, Amoriel leaned forward slightly.
"What meal do humans commonly eat when sharing emotional bonds?"
The cafeteria lady blinked.
"...Fried rice?"
Caelum immediately sighed.
"Two fried rice, please."
A tray slid across the counter.
He grabbed it quickly before Amoriel could start another philosophical discussion with the staff.
"Let's go."
They found a table near the side of the cafeteria.
Amoriel sat across from him.
And almost immediately—
People started looking.
Students whispered to each other from nearby tables.
"Is that the transfer student?"
"She's with Caelum again."
"They're eating together?"
Caelum heard every single one of them.
Normally he would have cared.
But now?
He picked up his spoon.
He didn't even look up.
"I'm tired," he muttered.
Then he started eating.
Amoriel watched him for a moment before slowly picking up her spoon.
"So this is lunch."
"Yes."
She examined the rice carefully before taking a bite.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"The flavor balance is impressive."
"It's fried rice."
"It contains egg, vegetables, and protein."
"It's still fried rice."
She tilted her head thoughtfully.
"Humans seem to enjoy eating together."
Caelum pointed his spoon at her without looking up.
"Do not finish that sentence."
She paused.
"...Is this related to love?"
He dropped his spoon onto the tray.
The sound clinked loudly.
"Amoriel."
"Yes?"
"We are eating."
"Yes."
"That's all this is."
She thought for a moment.
"Understood."
He resumed eating.
Peace lasted for exactly five seconds.
Then a voice spoke beside their table.
"...Caelum?"
He froze.
That voice was familiar.
Slowly, he looked up.
Standing beside their table was a girl with long ash-brown hair tied loosely behind her head. Her eyes were a deep violet, sharp yet calm. The school uniform sat neatly on her shoulders, and she carried a tray of food in her hands.
For a moment, she simply stared at him.
Then her eyebrows lifted slightly.
"So it really is you."
Caelum blinked.
"...Lyra?"
The girl smiled faintly.
"Took you long enough."
Lyra Valenne placed her tray down and pulled a chair beside Amoriel before sitting.
Amoriel calmly observed her.
Lyra looked between the two of them.
Then back to Caelum.
"So," she said casually, "since when do you eat lunch with girls?"
Caelum rubbed his temple.
"It's not like that."
Lyra leaned her chin into her hand.
"That's exactly what people say when it is like that."
Before he could respond—
Amoriel spoke.
"He is teaching me about love."
Lyra blinked.
Once.
Twice.
She slowly turned her head toward Caelum.
Her expression was completely blank.
"...What?"
Caelum covered his face with one hand.
"This is a misunderstanding."
Amoriel looked between them.
"But that is accurate information."
Lyra leaned back in her chair.
Her violet eyes moved between them again.
Then she looked at Caelum like she was trying to solve a puzzle.
"...You disappeared for one day," she said slowly.
"And now you're tutoring a beautiful transfer student about love?"
Caelum dropped his hand onto the table.
"I swear it sounds worse than it is."
Lyra glanced at Amoriel again.
Amoriel returned the look calmly.
"...Interesting," Lyra murmured.
Then she looked back at Caelum.
And smiled slightly.
"You better start explaining."
Caelum stared at the ceiling.
I'm going to die again.
And this time—
It might actually be from embarrassment.