The last bell of the day rang louder than it needed to.
Or maybe it just felt that way.
Chairs shifted. Bags zipped. Conversations rose all at once, filling the classroom with the kind of energy that only came at the end of the day.
Caelum didn't move immediately.
He sat there for a second, staring at his desk like he needed to confirm something.
Then he let out a quiet breath and finally stood up.
"…We survived," he muttered.
Beside him, Amoriel looked up from her seat.
"This concludes today's learning?"
"Yeah."
He slung his bag over his shoulder.
"For better or worse."
"I see."
She stood as well, her movements as calm as ever.
Around them, students were already leaving in groups, talking about plans, complaining about homework, or arguing over something small.
Normal things.
Normal life.
Caelum adjusted the strap of his bag and glanced back without thinking.
Lyra was still at her seat.
Her things were already packed.
But she wasn't moving.
Just sitting there, looking down at her desk.
He hesitated.
Only for a moment.
Then—
"Let's go," he said.
Amoriel nodded and followed him out of the classroom.
The hallway was crowded again, though lighter than in the morning. Sunlight stretched across the floor from the open windows, giving everything a softer glow.
They walked side by side.
For once, neither of them spoke.
It didn't last.
"Caelum."
"…Yeah."
"What do humans typically do after this period?"
He glanced at her.
"You mean after school?"
"Yes."
"Depends."
"On what?"
"On the person."
She waited.
He sighed.
"Some go home. Some hang out. Some waste time doing nothing."
"Which category do you belong to?"
"…Mostly the last one."
"I see."
They reached the stairs and started heading down.
Students passed by them, some in a hurry, others moving lazily like the day had drained all their energy.
Amoriel continued,
"Then today, you will waste time?"
"That's the plan."
"I will accompany you."
"Of course you will."
They stepped outside.
The late afternoon air felt different from the morning.
Warmer.
Slower.
The sky had softened into a pale gold, and the usual noise of the street drifted faintly beyond the school gates.
For a brief moment, everything felt… calm.
Too calm.
"Caelum."
He already knew that tone.
"…What."
"Is this an appropriate time to continue learning about love?"
He stopped walking.
Slowly turned to her.
"…You waited all day just to ask that again, didn't you."
"I was being considerate."
He stared at her.
Then let out a quiet laugh.
"…That's new."
She tilted her head slightly.
"Is that good?"
"Yeah. Actually, yeah."
She seemed to process that.
"I will continue this behavior."
"Please do."
They resumed walking.
This time, a little slower.
A group of students passed them, laughing loudly about something that didn't seem important.
Amoriel watched them for a moment.
"They appear happy."
"They probably are."
"Without discussing love in detail."
"Most people don't analyze it like you do."
"I see."
A short pause.
Then—
"Then how do they understand it?"
Caelum thought about that.
Really thought about it this time.
"…They don't. Not completely."
Amoriel looked at him.
"Explain."
"They just feel it," he said. "And then they figure it out as they go."
"That sounds inefficient."
"It is."
She nodded slowly.
"But it works?"
"Most of the time."
She seemed satisfied with that answer.
They reached the school gate.
Students were already leaving in smaller groups now, the crowd thinning as people went their separate ways.
Caelum stepped out onto the sidewalk.
Then stopped.
"…Right."
Amoriel looked at him.
"What is it?"
He scratched the back of his neck.
"…We walk home from here."
"I understand."
"No, I mean—"
He gestured vaguely.
"This is where people usually split up. Go different ways. Talk with friends."
"We are not doing that."
"Yeah. I figured."
They started walking again.
Side by side.
Just like before.
For a while, neither of them said anything.
Then—
"Caelum."
"…What now."
"Earlier, you said humans 'feel' love."
"Yeah."
She looked straight ahead as she walked.
"Then I will observe that process directly."
He raised an eyebrow.
"…How."
She stopped.
He took one more step before realizing and turning back.
Amoriel was looking at him.
Calm.
Focused.
Serious in a way that felt just slightly dangerous.
"Starting with you."
He blinked.
"…That sounds like a bad idea."
"It is the most efficient."
"That word again…"
Before he could say anything else—
"Hey."
A familiar voice called out from behind them.
Caelum turned.
Lyra stood a few steps away, one hand holding her bag.
Her expression was normal.
Too normal.
"You're heading home?" she asked.
"Yeah."
She nodded.
"…Same direction?"
He hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then,
"Yeah."
Lyra stepped closer.
Not too close.
Just enough.
"I'll walk with you."
Silence.
Then—
Amoriel spoke.
"This increases observational value."
Caelum covered his face with one hand.
"…I'm going to regret this."
Lyra frowned slightly.
"…What is she talking about?"
"Nothing," he said quickly. "Absolutely nothing."
Lyra looked at him.
Then at Amoriel.
Then back at him.
"…You look tired."
"I am."
She let out a small breath.
"…You always get like this when something's bothering you."
He didn't answer.
For a moment, none of them moved.
Then Lyra turned slightly and started walking.
"Well? Are you coming or not?"
Caelum sighed.
"…Yeah."
Amoriel followed without hesitation.
And just like that—
The walk home became a little more crowded.
A little more complicated.
And somehow—
A lot less quiet.