It started with a note. A single, pink-frilled envelope placed gently on Rei's desk during class. Neat handwriting spelled his name, with a heart replacing the dot over the 'i'.
"Another one?" Rei muttered, sighing as he cautiously reached for it. "Is this going to explode, melt, or summon a tentacle beast this time?"
He glanced around. To his left, Emilia smiled innocently as she opened her textbook on "Advanced Healing Magic and Ethical Consent." Her presence was disarmingly normal. Like sunshine bottled into human form. No chains hidden in her bag. No threatening aura and no lipstick-stained daggers tucked into her robes.
To his right, the empty seat used by Seraphina was ominously absent. The Princess of Radiance didn't miss class—unless she was plotting arson, kidnapping, or divine vengeance.
Behind him, someone whispered.
"He got another one. That makes five today."
"No, six. I saw the muffin."
Rei's fingers froze over the envelope.
"Muffin?" he whispered.
