The academy grounds were silent. Only the distant chirping of insects and the occasional rustle of leaves disturbed the stillness
beneath the moonlit sky. A shadow descended from above.
Maki.
Her Stealth, Aura Concealment, and Camouflage remained active as she slipped through the dormitory window.
Not a sound.
Not a trace.
Not even a ripple of mana.
The perfect infiltration.
The moment her feet touched the floor, she released the skills, her body became visible once more. The Raven Cloak dissolved into black feathers before disappearing entirely.
A moment later she stood there in her pajamas.
"...Home sweet home."
She stretched lazily before her eyes drifted toward the lower bunk, Keith was sleeping peacefully completely unaware. Maki quietly walked over and crouched beside him.
"..."
She stared.
"..."
Still sleeping.
"..."
A tiny smile appeared on her face.
"Look at you sleeping so soundly, my dear roommate."
Keith rolled over slightly still asleep, Maki chuckled quietly.
"Honestly..."
She rested her chin on her knees.
"I'm a little jealous."
Keith continued sleeping, completely defenseless, completely at peace.
"I wonder what you'd do if you found out what I've been up to."
A small laugh escaped her.
"You'd probably spend an entire hour lecturing me."
She could practically hear it.
"Maki, that's dangerous."
"Maki, stop fighting things that can kill you."
"Maki, why are you like this?"
Her smile widened.
"...Actually sounds kinda nice."
For a moment her gaze softened, then another thought entered her mind.
Hayato.
Her smile weakened, just a little.
"I wonder what you're doing right now..."
The words came out barely above a whisper.
"If you're even in this world."
She looked toward the stars beyond the window, the same stars she had stared at countless times over the last fourteen years.
"Please be here."
Silence.
"I've waited for fourteen years."
Her fingers tightened slightly around her knees.
"I really don't want to be alone anymore."
The confession slipped out before she could stop it.
No jokes.
No teasing.
No smile.
Just honesty.
A lonely girl sitting beside a sleeping friend, hoping another friend still existed somewhere. After a long moment, Maki stood up.
"Tomorrow."
Her expression became determined.
"Tomorrow I'll try harder."
She glanced back at Keith, a small smile returned.
"Maybe you're hiding somewhere in this school."
Then she climbed onto her bunk, the mattress welcomed her immediately.
Warm.
Comfortable.
Safe.
She buried herself beneath the blanket.
"Definitely not dungeon raiding again. Can't believe I left and actually chickened out after remembering my first experience, PTSD is scary."
A pause.
"...At least not this week."
Another pause.
"...Maybe."
Even half-asleep she couldn't commit to the lie, within moments exhaustion claimed her and she drifted into sleep then a dream soon followed.
A familiar school.
A familiar night.
A familiar life.
The old world.
Akira stood beside Hayato near the school gates, the campus was empty, classes had ended hours ago, moonlight illuminated the grounds. Hayato sighed.
"I still don't understand why we're here."
Akira grinned.
"Because night schools are cool."
"They are literally the same school."
"Nope."
"They absolutely are."
"Wrong."
Hayato rubbed his forehead.
"How?"
Akira pointed dramatically toward the building.
"During the day that's a classroom."
"Yes."
"At night?"
A dramatic pause.
"It's a spooky classroom."
"..."
"..."
Hayato stared.
"That might be the dumbest thing you've ever said."
Akira looked proud.
"Thank you."
"That wasn't praise."
"Still counts."
Hayato groaned.
"One day you're gonna drive me insane."
Akira laughed loudly.
"You've been saying that for years. Honestly, I'm impressed you're still sane."
The two continued walking through the empty campus.
Past the sports field.
Past the gymnasium.
Past the old cherry blossom tree, the same place they often sat after school, eventually they sat beneath its branches. For a while neither spoke, the silence felt comfortable.
Natural.
Like it always had then Akira suddenly spoke.
"Hey."
"Hm?"
"What if one day we got separated?"
Hayato looked at him.
"Where'd that come from?"
Akira shrugged.
"Just curious."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"I spent most of my life alone, remember?"
Hayato remained silent.
"People always said I was too much."
Akira laughed awkwardly.
"Too energetic, too reckless, too weird, too childish."
He scratched his cheek.
"I even tried acting normal once."
Hayato snorted.
"That sounds impossible."
"It was."
Akira laughed.
"Lasted about three days."
The two sat quietly, then Akira looked up at the moon.
"Still..."
His voice became softer.
"I was wondering what life would be like if we got separated."
Hayato thought for a moment, then smiled.
"I'd find you."
Akira blinked.
"...That simple?"
"Yeah."
"What if it took years?"
"I'd find you."
"What if it took decades?"
Hayato shrugged.
"I'd still find you."
Akira stared at him, Hayato continued.
"I'd probably spend the entire time complaining."
Akira laughed.
"And then?"
Hayato grinned.
"Then I'd find you married with kids."
"What?!"
"Yep."
"No way."
"Absolutely."
Akira pointed at himself.
"Do I look like someone who could get married?"
"No."
"HEY!"
Hayato laughed, then Akira added.
"Don't just go around saying you'll find me, what if I mean I die."
"Please don't talk like that you're kind of scaring me, is there something you're not telling me buddy?"
"No of course not I'm sorry for scaring you, I was just saying."
"Sure,
For a while they simply sat there, enjoying the night, neither realizing how precious the memory would become.
Then slowly...
The dream began fading.
The school.
The trees.
The moonlight.
Everything became blurry, only Hayato remained standing beneath the cherry blossom tree smiling, just like he always had.
"I'll find you, Akira."
The words echoed softly through the dream.
"I promise."
Then everything disappeared, back in the dorm room, Maki slept peacefully. A small smile rested on her face, for the first time in years, she dreamed of home.
Morning sunlight filtered through the dorm curtains, bathing the room in a warm golden glow. Keith woke up early, very early. In fact, it was nearly two hours before most students would even think about getting out of bed.
"...Morning already?"
He stretched lazily before sitting up.
"Well... now's probably the best time."
After brushing his teeth and washing his face, he returned to his bed and opened his bag.
Inside was an elegant silver enchantment pen, a gift from his mother. A small smile appeared on his face.
"Almost forgot to do this yesterday."
He carefully unfolded his academy uniform and spread it across the bed.
"I'm pretty sure the academy allows enchanted clothing."
The pen began glowing faintly.
"Let's start with fire resistance."
Magical formulas slowly appeared on the fabric as he carefully traced each rune.
One circle.
Then another.
Then another.
An hour passed in complete silence.
"Perfect."
The final rune glowed softly before fading into the uniform.
"Fire resistance. Barrier reinforcement. Mobility enhancement. Physical strengthening..."
Keith nodded proudly.
"Mom would definitely approve."
Just then—
"...Mmm..."
A sleepy sound drifted from the upper bunk, Keith glanced upward.
Then froze, Maki was awake. Well? Partially awake. Silver hair spilled messily around her shoulders, her oversized white sleeping shirt hung loosely from her body, reaching her thighs. One sleeve had slipped slightly down her shoulder, she sat near the edge of the bunk, rubbing one eye while letting out a small yawn.
"...Morning."
Her voice was soft.
Sleepy.
Gentle.
Nothing like her usual energetic self.
Keith blinked.
"...Morning."
Maki stared into space.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Keith frowned.
"Are you awake?"
"No."
"...What?"
"I'm approximately twenty percent conscious."
Keith sighed.
"Then why are you sitting up?"
"I don't know."
"..."
"My body made a decision before my brain did."
"That's concerning."
Maki yawned again before finally noticing the uniform covered in magical symbols, her sleepy eyes slowly focused.
"...What's that?"
"Enchantments."
That woke her up surprisingly fast, she immediately sat straighter.
"Wait."
A pause.
"You can enchant things?"
Keith nodded.
"My family owns an alchemy and weapon shop."
Maki's eyes sparkled.
"That's awesome."
"It's really not."
"It absolutely is."
"Thank you, glad you think so."
"You're welcome."
Maki suddenly leaned over the edge of the bunk.
Far.
Far too far.
Her head dangled upside down as she stared at the uniform.
"Ooooh..."
Keith's eye twitched.
"Maki."
"Hm?"
"You're about to fall."
"Nah."
"Maki."
"I've got this."
"Maki—"
The wooden frame creaked.
"...Oh."
Keith's eyes widened.
"OH NO—"
SLIP.
Everything happened at once, Maki's body tipped forward, her balance vanished completely. For a split second she seemed genuinely surprised, then gravity took over.
Keith moved instinctively, his arms shot forward and he caught her. Sort of.
THUMP.
Maki landed directly in his lap, one arm hooked around his shoulders, the other pressed against his chest. Her body was practically draped across him, their faces were only inches apart.
Silence, complete silence.
Maki blinked.
Keith blinked.
Neither moved.
Neither breathed.
Maki's silver hair had fallen around them like a curtain, Keith could feel her warmth, could see every detail of her face, the long silver eyelashes, the bright blue eyes, the faint sleepy flush still lingering on her cheeks and worst of all she seemed completely unaware of how compromising this looked.
"..."
"..."
"...Good catch."
Keith's face immediately turned bright red.
"MOVE."
Maki tilted her head.
"Oh."
She finally looked down.
Then around.
Then at herself.
Then at him.
"...Oh."
A pause.
"...Yeah that's kinda weird."
"KINDA?!"
Maki casually climbed off him as if nothing had happened, as if she hadn't nearly murdered the poor boy through sheer embarrassment. Keith immediately buried his face in his hands.
"...It's too early for this."
He took a deep breath.
"What was she even trying to do...?" He said under his breath. Maki stretched casually.
"Damn."
Keith looked up.
"Damn what?"
"I think I accidentally activated a critical hit."
"...What does that even mean?"
"No clue."
Keith groaned, Maki laughed then walked over to the window.
"Damn it, what was I thinking, only now I realize how weird that position was, alright just act natural."
The morning sunlight illuminated her silver hair, making it shimmer beautifully. For a moment she looked almost unreal, then she smiled. A bright carefree smile.
"Today's gonna be fun."
Keith stared for a second before sighing.
"...I have a very bad feeling whenever you say that."
Maki pointed at him confidently.
"And that's why we're friends."
Keith froze.
"...Friends?"
Maki's smile immediately faltered.
"..."
"..."
"...Roommates."
She looked away.
"Definitely roommates."
Keith narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"...Right."
Meanwhile, Maki internally panicked. Nice one, Akira, almost called him your friend after two days, real smooth. She coughed awkwardly.
"Anyway."
She jumped down completely.
"I'm hungry."
"You literally just woke up."
"And now I'm hungry."
"Then prepare something for yourself."
"And how am I supposed to do that."
"You'll figure it out."
"You're no fun."
Keith grabbed his newly enchanted uniform and stood.
"...You're impossible."
Maki grinned.
"Yet somehow you keep talking to me."
"..."
"..."
"Unfortunately."
Maki laughed and neither of them noticed how natural everything felt.
The teasing.
The arguments.
The comfort.
Like they'd been having the same
conversation for years, like somewhere deep down they already knew each other.
"Alright, I think there are some ingredients in the kitchen. Maybe I can whip something up."
Keith stood up and grabbed the uniform he had enchanted earlier, Maki's eyes immediately lit up.
"Yay!"
She raised both arms excitedly.
"While you're doing that, I'm gonna take a shower."
Keith snorted.
"Don't get too excited. It's not the fancy noble food you're used to."
Maki waved dismissively.
"Food is food, no matter who cooks it."
"...That's surprisingly reasonable coming from you."
"I have my moments."
Keith shook his head.
"Alright then."
"Okayyyy!"
Maki pointed dramatically at him.
"Better have breakfast ready by the time I'm done."
"That's not how requests work."
"It is today."
"No."
"Yes."
Keith immediately gave up.
"...Just go take your shower."
"Victory."
"You didn't win anything."
"I won breakfast."
Before Keith could argue further, Maki disappeared into the bathroom with far more energy than someone who had just woken up should possess, the door closed then silence returned. Keith stood there for a moment then sighed.
"...What am I gonna do with her?"
A small smile somehow appeared anyway, shaking his head, he headed toward the kitchen.
Meanwhile...
Inside the bathroom, steam slowly filled the air, Maki filled the large bathtub before carefully lowering herself into the warm water.
The moment she relaxed the morning replayed inside her head.
THUMP.
Her falling.
Keith catching her.
Their faces only inches apart.
The position.
The eye contact.
The silence.
Maki immediately sank deeper into the water.
"..."
A few bubbles escaped the surface.
"...What the hell was I thinking?"
She covered her face.
"I can't believe I actually fell victim to a romantic cliché."
The embarrassment hit her all over again.
"I've watched enough anime to know exactly what that looked like."
She groaned.
"And I practically landed on top of him."
The worst part? She hadn't even realized it at first. Her face slowly turned red.
"Nice one, Akira."
She pointed at her own reflection accusingly.
"You spent seventeen years as a guy and somehow managed to become the female lead of a romance manga."
The reflection offered no defense, Maki buried herself deeper into the water.
"This is so embarrassing."
Maki groaned.
"This is why people in romance anime trip over nothing."
Then another thought surfaced.
"...Though he did catch me."
She blinked.
"He moved pretty fast."
Another pause.
"...Wait."
Maki's eyes widened.
"No."
She immediately shook her head.
"Nope, not thinking about that."
She looked at herself again.
"Absolutely not."
Then she immediately smacked her own cheeks and pointed at herself again.
"Bad Maki."
The conversation ended there, mostly because she was losing an argument against herself.
Meanwhile...
In the kitchen, Keith stood in front of the stove.
Vegetables.
Eggs.
Bread.
Simple ingredients.
Simple breakfast.
Simple morning.
Or at least it should've been.
Instead...
THUMP.
The memory returned.
Maki falling, landing on him, her face inches away, her silver hair surrounding them. Keith immediately slammed his forehead against the cabinet.
"..."
A second later—
THUNK.
Again.
"...Why."
He groaned.
"Why did that happen?"
He covered his face.
"...She didn't even realize how bad that looked."
The image refused to leavy, every detail remained painfully clear. Then immediately shook his head.
"Nope."
He resumed cutting vegetables, a few seconds later the memory returned. Maki falling from the bunk, landing in his lap, her face only inches from his, the soft scent of soap lingering from the previous night, the warmth of her body, the way her silver hair had fallen around them. Keith nearly cut his finger.
"...Focus."
He sighed heavily.
"Why am I even thinking about that?"
Because she'd looked beautiful, his knife froze.
"..."
Keith immediately buried his face in one hand.
"Oh, come on."
He wasn't blind and anyone with functioning eyes could tell Maki was beautiful, the entire academy practically reminded him every five minutes.
Still...
Remembering it personally felt different, dangerously different especially for him who literally saw her face up close. He sighed again.
"Get yourself together."
A pause.
Then he remembered her expression afterward, the innocent confusion, mostly because Maki doesn't think straight after waking up, the casual way she'd climbed off him as if she'd merely tripped over a chair.
"...Impossible."
He shook his head.
"No."
"Don't even start."
The last thing he needed was to think about his roommate like that especially not after knowing her for two days.
Besides—
He still had a promise to keep, a promise from another life, because somewhere out there Akira might still be alive.
Waiting.
Searching, just like him. Keith looked down at the vegetables in his hands.
"...I'd never forgive myself if I forgot why I'm here."
The guilt lingered even after fourteen years, even after reincarnation he still remembered Akira's final moments.
His fear.
His smile.
His unfinished sentence.
Keith slowly exhaled.
"...I'll find you, apologize and make things right again."
The words came quietly.
"I promise."
Then he began cooking again unaware that the very person he was searching for was currently sitting in a bathtub only a few rooms away and equally unaware that she was thinking about him too, just for completely different reasons.
Several minutes later, Keith finally finished cooking.
Simple.
Nothing extravagant.
He served scrambled eggs, toasted bread, cooked vegetables and a light soup. Simple
comfort food, the kind he'd grown up eating.
He placed everything neatly on the table.
"Done."
Just as he finished, the bathroom door opened, Maki stepped out with damp silver hair cascading over her shoulders. She had already changed into her academy uniform.
Still, a few drops of water clung to her hair.
Keith looked up then immediately looked away.
"...Breakfast's ready."
Maki blinked then smiled brightly.
"Whoa."
She sat down immediately.
"This looks amazing."
"It's basic."
"It's food."
"You really have low standards."
Maki picked up a piece of bread.
"No."
She took a bite, her eyes widened. Then she pointed dramatically at him.
"You're lying."
"What?"
"This is good."
Keith looked slightly embarrassed.
"It's normal."
"Nope."
She took another bite.
"This is definitely weapon-shop-family cooking."
"What does that even mean?"
"It means I'd trust you with my life."
"...Over breakfast?"
"Especially over breakfast."
Keith laughed despite himself.
"Thanks, glad you like it."
And just like that the awkwardness from earlier slowly disappeared beneath casual conversation. At least for now.
Keith found himself smiling slightly, it wasn't a large smile just a small one, but it was genuine watching Maki enthusiastically devour the breakfast he'd made felt strangely rewarding.
She wasn't pretending, wasn't being polite.
She genuinely enjoyed it and for some reason, that made him happy. In this world, only his parents had ever reacted like that to his cooking. Maki took another bite, then another, then another, the sight felt oddly familiar. Keith paused.
"..."
Where had he seen that expression before?
The pure happiness, the complete lack of restraint, the way she seemed genuinely grateful for something so simple. His mind drifted to his previous life.
Ayase?
No.
Definitely not.
Ayase had appreciated his cooking but not like this, not with this level of excitement, not with that sparkle in her eyes.
Then who—
His eyes widened slightly.
Akira, it was Akira. Whenever they bought snacks together, whenever they ordered food after school, whenever Hayato brought over something new for them to try Akira always reacted like this. Like food was the greatest invention humanity had ever created, Keith looked away, a faint smile lingering on his face.
Another thought surfaced, a dangerous one.
If this had been his life with Ayase...
Living together.
Sharing breakfast.
Talking normally.
Laughing like this.
Back then, he would've been the happiest person in the world, a bitter smile appeared.
Too bad that life ended before it could ever happen. Across the table, Maki was still enjoying her meal, then she noticed something, Keith wasn't eating. She looked up.
"Hey."
"Hm?"
"Aren't you joining me?"
Keith glanced toward the bathroom.
"I'll eat after I take a bath."
Maki frowned immediately.
"No way."
"What?"
"Food tastes better when you eat together."
Keith chuckled.
"You sound weirdly passionate about that."
"Because it's true."
He shook his head.
"You're already dressed and ready for class."
She was, her uniform was perfectly arranged, her silver hair had mostly dried. Meanwhile Keith was still in casual clothes.
"If I eat now, I'll end up delaying us."
"So?"
"So you won't make it to class on time."
Maki looked completely unconvinced.
"I'll wait."
"No."
"I'll wait."
"Maki."
"I'll wait."
Keith sighed.
"You've already started eating."
"So?"
"You should finish."
"And?"
"You can head to class."
"And?"
Keith stared at her.
"...And make it on time."
Maki slowly lowered her fork, then she stared at him silently. Keith immediately became nervous.
"...What?"
Maki continued staring.
"..."
"..."
"...What?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"You're avoiding me."
Keith blinked.
"What?"
"You're avoiding me."
"No I'm not."
"You are."
"Maki—"
"You're avoiding walking to class with me."
Keith frowned.
"That's not what's happening."
"Then explain."
He opened his mouth.
Then paused.
Because the truth was difficult to explain.
"...I just don't want you getting dragged into unnecessary problems."
Maki tilted her head.
"What problems?"
Keith looked away.
"The criticism."
"What criticism?"
"The kind people keep throwing at us."
Maki remained silent, Keith continued.
"You're a noble."
A pause.
"I'm a commoner."
Another pause.
"If people stop seeing us together so often, they'll stop talking."
His voice became quieter.
"They won't spread rumors, they won't question you, they won't get weird ideas."
He forced a small smile.
"So it's better that way."
Silence.
For some reason those words hurt a lot more than Maki expected, she looked down at her breakfast, suddenly she wasn't hungry anymore, because Keith didn't realize something. To him she was Lady Maki.
A noble.
Someone important.
Someone above him.
But to her...
Keith was different, completely different. He never treated her like a noble, never bowed, never worshipped her, never feared her, never tried to gain favor with her family, never saw her as a political opportunity, competition or status.
He just talked to her, argued with her, teased her, treated her normally like she was just another girl, like she was simply Maki.
And now—
He was creating distance between them because of titles, because of social status, because of something she hated.
"Keith."
His eyes shifted toward her.
"What?"
Her voice was unusually quiet.
"Please don't do that."
Keith blinked.
"...Do what?"
"This noble-commoner thing."
His expression softened slightly.
"Maki..."
"No."
She shook her head.
"I don't like it."
For once there was no teasing, no jokes, no playful grin. Just honesty, Keith stared surprised. Maki took a breath.
"What am I to you?"
The question caught him completely off guard.
"What?"
"What am I to you?"
Keith looked genuinely confused.
"A roommate."
The answer came instantly without hesitation, without thought.
A roommate.
Maki's shoulders lowered slightly, something about that answer stung more than it should have. Keith noticed.
"...Was that wrong?"
Maki looked away.
"...No."
But it clearly wasn't the answer she wanted.
And for the first time since meeting her, Keith couldn't understand why.
"What am I to you?"
Maki's expression didn't change but somehow that made it worse.
"A roommate."
She repeated the words slowly.
"Yeah."
Keith scratched the back of his head.
"We literally share a dorm."
Maki continued staring at him.
"...That's all?"
Keith frowned.
"What kind of question is that?"
"A simple one."
Keith felt strangely uncomfortable, not because of the question but because of the look in her eyes. For once she wasn't smiling, she wasn't teasing, wasn't joking. She looked genuinely serious.
"Well..."
Keith hesitated.
"We're classmates too."
Maki's eye twitched.
"Wow."
"What?"
"You somehow made the answer worse."
"What do you mean worse?!"
Maki sighed, then leaned back in her chair.
"Keith."
"What?"
"Do you honestly think I care whether you're a commoner?"
Keith immediately looked away.
"...That's different."
"No. It isn't."
"It is."
"It isn't."
Keith folded his arms.
"Maki, you don't understand."
"Then explain it to me."
He paused.
For several seconds he didn't answer, finally.
"You saw the way people looked at us yesterday."
Maki remained silent.
"You heard the comments."
Another pause.
"People already think weird things."
"Let them."
Keith stared at her.
"...You say that because you're strong."
Maki blinked.
"What?"
"You don't care what people think because nobody can really do anything to you."
His voice remained calm.
"But for most people that's not how it works."
The room grew quiet, Keith looked toward the window.
"When I was younger I learned something."
Maki listened carefully.
"If nobles dislike you..."
He smiled bitterly.
"Your life gets complicated."
His tone wasn't angry just honest.
"I've seen it happen."
Maki remained silent.
"So when I say we should keep a little distance..."
Keith shrugged.
"I'm trying to protect both of us."
The answer surprised her, she'd expected embarrassment, pride or insecurity but not that. He genuinely thought he was helping.
The realization made her chest tighten slightly.
"Keith."
"What?"
"You're an idiot."
"...Excuse me?"
"A complete idiot."
"Why am I being insulted?"
Maki stood up.
"Because you're assuming I need protecting from gossip."
"That's not—"
"And because you're deciding things for me."
Keith opened his mouth, then closed it.
"..."
"..."
Unfortunately she had a point, Maki crossed her arms.
"If someone has a problem with me walking to class with you..."
Her blue eyes narrowed.
"Then that's their problem."
Keith stared, Maki pointed at him.
"And if someone has a problem with you being my friend—"
Keith froze.
Friend.
She said it so naturally, without hesitation, without correcting herself.
Friend.
For some reason the word hit harder than it should have. Maki realized what she'd said then immediately doubled down because retreating would be embarrassing.
"Yeah."
She nodded confidently.
"Friend."
Keith looked away.
"..."
"..."
"...You really decide things on your own, don't you?"
"Pretty much."
A tiny smile appeared on Keith's face, the first genuine smile since the conversation started. Maki noticed immediately.
"There it is."
"What?"
"Your face."
"My face?"
"That smile."
Keith immediately stopped smiling, Maki pointed dramatically.
"Too late you literally can't stop smiling now."
"That's not how smiling works."
"It is for me."
Keith groaned.
"There she is."
"There who is?"
"The annoying version of you."
Maki grinned.
"The best version."
"Debatable."
"Incorrect."
Keith laughed quietly and suddenly the tension disappeared, just like that. Maki sat back down and grabbed another piece of bread.
"Anyway."
"What now?"
"You should hurry up and shower."
Keith nodded.
"Yeah."
Then he paused.
"...Wait."
Maki raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Keith looked genuinely confused.
"If we're friends..."
Maki's eyes brightened.
"Yeah?"
"...Does that mean you're going to steal my breakfast more often?"
Maki immediately pointed at him.
"Absolutely."
"I knew it."
"And your lunch."
"Of course."
"And your desserts."
"Naturally."
Keith sighed dramatically.
"This friendship was a mistake."
Maki burst out laughing, for some reason hearing him call it a friendship made her happier than it should have and she couldn't quite figure out why.
Meanwhile, Keith headed toward the bathroom with a small smile on his face. A strange feeling lingered in his chest.
Comfortable.
Familiar.
The kind of feeling he'd only ever had around one person before.
Akira.
For some reason being around Maki felt exactly the same.
Keith paused at the bathroom door his hand rested on the handle.
"..."
Then he laughed quietly to himself.
"You're overthinking it."
Of course she wasn't Akira. Akira had been a guy, a reckless, chaotic, impossible-to-control guy who somehow turned every normal day into a disaster.
Maki was...
Keith thought back to the past two days, the upside-down wake-up call, the dorm incident, the way she casually declared them friends without asking for permission.
"...Actually."
A pause.
"...They're both disasters."
He immediately shook his head.
"Nope."
Then he entered the bathroom.
Meanwhile.
Maki sat alone at the table, the smile on her face slowly faded. Not into sadness but into thoughtfulness, she stared down at the half-eaten breakfast.
Friend.
The word echoed inside her head. A simple word yet it felt strangely important, because she hadn't made many friends in this world.
Sure people liked her, respected her, admired her, feared her but friendship? That was different.
Most nobles approached her because of her family's influence, others because they wanted something, some because they were intimidated others because they expected perfection. Nobody simply treated her like...
Maki.
Except Keith.
He argued with her.
Teased her.
Complained about her.
Got annoyed by her.
Never once treated her differently because she was an Eldridge. A small smile returned to her face.
"...He's weird."
Then another thought appeared, one she hadn't expected. Would Hayato and Keith get along? Maki immediately imagined it.
"Keith meet Hayato."
"Nice to meet you."
"Likewise."
Five minutes later.
"AKIRA STOP CLIMBING THE ROOF!"
Shouted Hayato knowing her identity at point.
"YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!"
"Maki get down!" Shouted Keith.
"NO!"
Maki burst into laughter the image was too funny.
"Poor Hayato."
She could already imagine his suffering, then the laughter slowly faded. Her gaze drifted toward the bathroom, toward Keith. A strange warmth settled in her chest.
"..."
For some reason she hoped they would get along.
A while later the bathroom door opened, Keith emerged wearing his freshly enchanted academy uniform. The dark academy jacket fit perfectly, the enhancement runes were hidden beneath the fabric.
Subtle.
Professional.
Practical.
Maki looked up then blinked.
"...Whoa."
Keith frowned.
"What?"
"You actually clean up pretty well."
Keith immediately regretted existing.
"Can you stop saying things like that?"
"What things?"
"That."
"That what?"
"THAT."
Maki grinned.
"Looking good, roommate."
Keith grabbed his bag.
"We're leaving."
Maki laughed.
"You're blushing."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"You absolutely are."
Keith pointed toward the door.
"Move."
"Okay, okay."
Still laughing, Maki grabbed her own bag and followed him outside, the academy grounds were already coming to life. Students crossed the pathways, instructors prepared classrooms, the morning sun illuminated the grand buildings of Azure Academy.
Their second day, their first real day of classes. As they walked side by side, Keith noticed something strange, people were staring again, not because Maki was there that happened naturally. Not because he was the four-attribute commoner that was expected too.
No.
They were staring at them together again.
Keith sighed.
"...Here we go."
Maki followed his gaze, several students immediately looked away, others whispered, a few pointed. Maki smiled.
"Good morning to them too."
"That's not what they're doing."
"They're appreciating our friendship."
"They're spreading rumors."
"Same thing."
"Not even remotely."
Maki laughed then suddenly sped up and began walking ahead. Keith blinked.
"Huh?"
She turned around while walking backward. A bright grin on her face.
"C'mon, friend."
Keith froze slightly.
Friend.
Again.
She said it so naturally, like she'd already decided it was permanent, like there was no room for debate and for some reason he didn't mind even though it might cost him his social life at the academy, at least he still has a friend, a small smile appeared on his face.
"You're impossible."
Maki pointed at him triumphantly.
"Aha!"
"What now?"
"You smiled again."
Keith immediately looked away.
"...Let's just get to class."
Maki's laughter echoed across the academy grounds and without realizing it,Both of them found themselves looking forward to another day together.