[The orb spun, red light sweeping across each face, before finally—coming to a stop, pointing straight at... Lyre.]
Boy 2:
"Oho~ Looks like it's the Ice Queen's turn. Truth or dare?"
[The room held its breath. Lyre crossed her arms, eyes half-closed as if entirely disinterested.]
Lyre (even-toned):
"…Dare."
[The blonde girl raised an eyebrow, grinning mischievously.]
Girl:
"Well then~ wear this for the rest of the game."
[She pulled out a pastel pink tiered mini dress, along with a sparkling bunny-eared headband that lit up. A cosplay outfit that would make anyone want to crawl into a hole if worn in public.]
[The group burst into laughter. Gael stared at the outfit in disbelief, then turned to Lyre—who was slowly standing up, fist clenched tightly around the hem of her shirt.]
Lyre (dangerously calm):
"I could kill every one of you in three minutes."
Girl:
"Sure, but then you'd be expelled. And the teachers would definitely hear about that little 'shower incident'~"
[Silence fell. Lyre looked at Gael—he had his head turned away, clearly not willing to interfere.]
...Finally, she took the outfit.
---
A little later…
[The door creaked open. Lyre stepped out, wearing the frilly pink dress that clashed horribly with her usually cold and serious aura. The bunny ears on her head blinked gently. Her face was flushed red, her glare murderous—but she wouldn't meet anyone's eyes.]
Boy 1:
"What the… That's so freaking cute I can't—"
Girl (laughing hysterically):
"Can't believe how well it actually suits her!!"
Gael (covering his face, trying not to laugh):
"…Sorry… I was just imagining you chasing them down in that outfit."
Lyre (sitting down, gripping the hem of the dress):
"If you say one more word, I will throw you out the window."
[She said it, but her ears were glowing red. The dress made her seem smaller—almost no longer the cold, terrifying Lyre Gael knew.]
Boy 2:
"Alrighty then~ next round!"
---
[After a few rounds, the orb spun again. The red glow flickered and landed on... Gael.]
Girl:
"Gael! Truth or dare?"
Gael (tired voice, eyes already dead inside):
"…Dare."
Boy 1 (glancing at Lyre, then smirking):
"Simple. Hug Lyre for one minute."
[The room exploded with "OHHHH!" from the other two pairs. Lyre choked on her sip of water, nearly spitting it out. She whipped her head around, glaring.]
Lyre:
"No. Pick another."
Girl:
"No can do~ rules are rules~ Otherwise, the penalty is posting that bunny outfit photo on the academy bulletin board."
[Gael rubbed his forehead, eyes downcast. Lyre gritted her teeth. They locked eyes for a moment—an exchange filled with helplessness.]
Gael (quietly):
"…Just one minute."
Lyre (deep breath):
"…Don't look."
[They both stood. Neither wanted to move first, but Gael eventually leaned forward slightly, reaching out like approaching a dangerous creature.]
[Lyre stepped in, stiff as a board. She wrapped her arms around Gael lightly—more like she was trying not to touch him. But Gael gently placed his arms over her shoulders, pulling her in a bit—knowing if it wasn't convincing, the others would never let them go.]
[Laughter erupted, voices shouted, "Closer!" "Don't be shy!" Meanwhile, Lyre remained absolutely still.]
Lyre (in a tiny, strained voice):
"…You're breathing on my neck."
Gael (murmuring):
"Well… I'm taller than you."
[They stood there, frozen in the awkward embrace. No one spoke. For a fleeting moment, the space between them softened. It felt warm. And… strange.]
[Lyre could feel Gael's heartbeat—not fast like in movies, but steady enough to make her feel lost in an unfamiliar quiet. Her fingers tightened on his shirt, just a little.]
Lyre (muttering):
"…Idiot."
[One minute passed.]
Boy 2:
"Time's up, looooovebirds~!"
[They broke apart like magnets repelled. Lyre turned away, Gael coughed into his hand. The room burst into laughter again.]
---
[The orb spun once more, stopping at Gael.]
Gael:
"I'll take a dare."
Girl 2:
"Then... bend down and kiss the top of Lyre's foot."
[Murmurs filled the air. The mood turned heavy.]
[Lyre sat to Gael's right. She blinked, stunned. Then… her face went pale.]
Lyre (sharply, almost instinctively):
"That's not funny."
Girl 2 (mocking):
"It's just a game. Don't make it a big deal."
[Gael looked up at Lyre. Her expression wasn't angry—it was hurt. But she masked it with a frown and a cold, defiant voice.]
Lyre (icily, leaning back slightly):
"Do it, if that's what you think you need to win."
[Everyone held their breath. Gael stood. No one could tell what was going through his mind. One step. Two. He knelt down, gently taking Lyre's ankle.]
Gael (softly, only for her):
"…I'm not the kind of person who would touch you like that."