"Five more minutes until the bell rings!"
The supervisor's shout thundered through the dormitory like a bolt of lightning.
Lyre jolted upright, hair like a bird's nest, her nightgown still buttoned unevenly.
"No—! I forgot to reset my magic clock!"
She leapt from bed as if chased by a demon from the underworld.
In the corner, Gael was... brushing his teeth with magic, reading a book while chewing on a burnt piece of toast like nothing was wrong.
> "Lyre, are you seriously going to class in that?"
His lazy voice floated out, still muffled by the magic toothbrush.
Lyre's eyes widened.
Her pink pajama, printed with stuffed animals, stood out in the most humiliating way.
Her face turned bright red.
"H-hey! Turn around, you damn—!"
> "Too late, I already saw it."
He shrugged, smirking.
"Damn you!"
Lyre screamed, smacking a pillow into Gael's face as he rolled off the bed, laughing like a madman.
---
Class began with an elderly teacher in thick glasses, droning on with a monotone voice.
Lyre stared at the board like a prisoner awaiting execution.
Next to her, Gael… was doodling nonsense in the corner of his notebook.
> "If you keep slacking off, we'll both get expelled," Lyre hissed.
"I've got a plan," Gael grinned. "You do all the work, and I'll handle the moral support."
"...If you don't get punched, I'll change my name."
---
Break time.
A special cake was announced. Both of them dashed to the cafeteria like their lives depended on it.
But there was only one slice left.
Their hands landed on the tray at the same time.
They froze.
Locked eyes.
Sparks flew.
> "Let go."
"No way. I want it too."
"You already had breakfast!"
"But you bit into mine!"
"That was my toast!"
Neither backed down.
Both still clutching the tray.
Then... a cafeteria lady walked by, casually picked up the tray, and ate the cake.
They both stood like stone statues.
Gael looked at Lyre.
Lyre looked at Gael.
No words came.
> "We just lost… to a five-foot-tall cafeteria lady."
"...I hate you."
"At least we were united in defeat."
Gael chuckled—then absentmindedly grabbed Lyre's hand.
For one second.
She blushed.
He noticed.
They both pulled away as if burned.
> "Y-your hand's filthy!"
"Well… yours isn't exactly clean either!"
"...!"
"...!"
Silence.
But their faces were as red as tomatoes.
---
On the way back, a group of noble girls passed by, glancing at the two and giggling.
> "Ooh~ First years already holding hands outside the cafeteria?"
"How cute~ Were you dating since the entrance exam?"
"Wait, the girl's name is Lyre, right? Fiancée material~?"
Gael and Lyre froze.
Lyre could barely breathe.
Gael turned and gave a stiff smile.
> "No, we're not—"
"...We're not."
Lyre cut in, blushing furiously.
"A-and hey! What are you all thinking?! Nosy brats!"
The noble girls walked away, giggling even harder.
Lyre turned to Gael, lips tight.
> "Don't say a word."
"Did I say anything?"
Gael shrugged, his smirk lingering.
---
That evening, they sat on the balcony.
Cool breeze.
Starry sky.
No one brought up the events of lunch.
Gael offered Lyre a cinnamon candy.
She took it.
No thanks.
But she didn't throw it back either.
> "...Study group tomorrow."
"Is it another pair assignment?"
"Who else can tolerate you?"
Lyre looked away.
They both chuckled softly.
Silence followed.
Something warm slipped into that quiet — not yet named, but enough that neither wanted to break it.
---
It had been six months of peace since then.
Back to six months earlier—
A clap echoed through the classroom.
> "Congratulations to the 40 students who passed the three entrance trials."
"Your first lesson begins tomorrow. Do your best — or everything you've worked for will be meaningless."
---
In the dormitory hallway.
Gael:
"Room 43. This is it."
"Hope I don't have a roommate. Too much trouble."
He opened the door.
"Please, no one…"
[His eyes scanned the half-empty room.
The desk was tidy.
One bed had a black bag on it.
Gael's gaze stopped.]
Gael: (whispering)
"…No…"
[Water dripped softly from the bathroom.
Then the door opened.
Lyre stepped out, hair wet, looking at Gael like he was a cockroach.]
Lyre: (frowning)
"…You?"
Gael: (eyes wide)
"NO. No way. Don't tell me—"
Lyre:
"We're... sharing a room."
[They both froze.
No one smiled.
No one laughed.]
Gael: (flatly)
"I don't like sharing rooms."
Lyre (coldly):
"I don't like other people's presence polluting my space."
Gael: (dropping onto the bed, clutching his hair)
"Dear gods… I signed up for the dorms thinking I'd at least get some quiet."
Lyre:
"You're too loud."
Gael (snapping):
"I'm complaining! I have the right to complain!"
Lyre (grimacing):
"Fine. Just don't pollute the air while doing it."
[Awkward silence.
They glance at each other.
Then quickly look away.]
Gael:
"Boundaries. Clear ones."
Lyre:
"Draw a line on the floor if you want."
Gael:
"Don't touch my stuff. Don't ask personal questions. Don't touch my bed. Don't breathe loud."
Lyre:
"Don't talk unless necessary. Don't look at me. And keep your socks out of my space."
[Both step to the middle of the room at the same time, kneel down... and begin drawing a chalk line across the floor. Gael pulls the chalk from his pocket. Silent. Serious.]
Lyre (nodding):
"Now it feels more like a lab."
Gael (sighing):
"At least I can pretend this is a solo room."
[Silence.
A breeze rustles through the window.
Lyre pulls out a book.
Gael turns his back to her on the bed.
Neither of them sleeps.]
Gael (muttering):
"…You're not gonna murder me in my sleep, right?"
Lyre:
"If you snore, I'll reconsider."