Caelum stared at Amoriel.
She was still looking at the couple across the cafeteria.
The girl fed the boy another bite of food while laughing quietly. The boy leaned forward without hesitation.
Amoriel watched the interaction with complete focus.
Then she turned back to Caelum.
"We should try that."
Caelum already knew what she meant.
"No."
Amoriel tilted her head.
"It would improve my understanding."
"No."
Lyra, who had been eating quietly, slowed her movements.
She did not look up.
But she was clearly listening.
Amoriel continued calmly.
"If sharing food strengthens emotional bonds, it would be logical to observe it directly."
Caelum leaned back in his chair.
"Observation does not require participation."
"It is more accurate if we participate."
"No."
Lyra set her spoon down.
Not loudly.
But the sound was still noticeable.
Caelum pretended not to notice.
Amoriel looked thoughtful for a moment.
Then she reached toward Caelum's tray again.
Before he could react, she scooped a small spoonful of fried rice.
Caelum narrowed his eyes.
"Do not steal my food again."
"I am not stealing."
She lifted the spoon slightly.
"I am conducting an experiment."
Lyra finally looked up.
Amoriel held the spoon out toward Caelum.
"Open your mouth."
Caelum stared at the spoon.
Then at her.
"...No."
"It will only take a moment."
"No."
Lyra blinked slowly.
Amoriel remained patient.
"This action appears common among couples."
"We are not a couple."
"You said you would teach me."
"That does not involve feeding each other!"
Lyra suddenly spoke.
"Why are you even doing that with him?"
Her voice sounded calm.
Almost too calm.
Amoriel turned toward her.
"Because he is teaching me about love."
Lyra immediately looked at Caelum.
"Why are you teaching her that?"
Caelum rubbed his face with one hand.
"I am not teaching her that."
Amoriel still held the spoon out.
"Open your mouth."
"No."
"It will help the experiment."
Lyra watched the scene in silence.
Her gaze moved from the spoon.
To Amoriel.
Then to Caelum.
For some reason, the way Amoriel leaned slightly forward felt far too natural.
Like she had already decided this was normal.
Lyra looked back down at her tray.
She picked up her spoon again.
"...You're unbelievable," she muttered.
Caelum sighed.
"Tell me about it."
Amoriel did not lower the spoon.
"Caelum."
"What."
"You are interfering with my research."
"It is not research."
"Then what is it?"
"A misunderstanding."
Lyra suddenly pushed her tray slightly away.
The movement was small, but Caelum noticed.
"You know," she said quietly, "you never let anyone do that before."
Caelum looked at her.
Lyra still wasn't looking at him.
She poked at her food again.
"You always hated things like that."
Caelum blinked once.
"I still do."
Lyra finally looked up.
"Then why are you letting her?"
Caelum opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Then glanced at Amoriel, who was still patiently holding the spoon.
"...Because she doesn't listen."
Amoriel nodded.
"That is correct."
Lyra stared at both of them.
Something about the scene felt strange.
Too natural.
Too close.
She didn't like it.
Amoriel moved the spoon a little closer to Caelum again.
"Open."
"No."
Lyra sighed and leaned back in her chair.
"Just do it."
Caelum turned to her in disbelief.
"What?"
"If you don't, she'll keep asking."
Amoriel nodded again.
"That is also correct."
Lyra crossed her arms and looked away.
"It's annoying."
Caelum stared at the spoon again.
Then at the two girls sitting across from him.
One watching with innocent curiosity.
The other pretending not to care at all.
He sighed deeply.
"...Fine."
Before he could change his mind, he leaned forward and took the bite.
Amoriel watched carefully.
Lyra froze.
Caelum leaned back immediately.
"There. Experiment done."
Amoriel smiled faintly.
"I see."
Lyra looked down at her tray again.
She picked up her spoon.
But she didn't eat.
"...Idiot," she muttered under her breath.
Caelum didn't hear it.
Amoriel did.