The midday sun filters through the branches, casting dappled light over the university courtyard. A soft breeze carries the distant hum of conversations, blending with the occasional laughter of students unwinding between classes.
Mira sits with Camille and Elara on a stone bench, casually sipping her iced tea. The three of them have taken up their usual spot, a little away from the main crowd, chatting about weekend plans when Camille suddenly nudges Mira's arm.
"Look at that," Camille whispers, tilting her head toward the faculty hall.
Mira follows her gaze and spots Adrian Vale, standing near the walkway, as composed as ever. But more interestingly, in front of him stands a girl—a first-year, judging by her hesitant posture—holding out a small, neatly wrapped box.
A gift.
From where they sit, they can't hear the exchange, but the girl's nervous fidgeting and the way she's looking up at Adrian with hopeful eyes make the situation clear.
Elara clicks her tongue. "Oh no… that poor girl."
Mira doesn't need to ask why. Because just as expected, Adrian barely even acknowledges the gift. He doesn't take it, doesn't react—he simply looks at the girl for a second, his expression unreadable, and then steps around her, walking away without a word.
A hush falls over the courtyard. A few gasps, a stifled laugh from a group nearby, and then hushed whispers.
"Damn," Camille mutters, wide-eyed. "That was brutal."
"Cold as ice," Elara agrees. She leans forward, watching the girl clutch the box to her chest before slowly turning away, clearly embarrassed. "Seriously, does he even have a heart?"
Mira sips her drink. "The least he could've done was acknowledge it. That was a perfectly good gift."
Camille smirks, giving Mira a playful nudge. "Would you try, then? See if you can get a reaction out of him?"
Mira scoffs. "Please. If I ever start throwing gifts at Adrian Vale, one of you needs to check if I've lost my mind."
Elara chuckles, shaking her head. "Honestly, I don't think anything could get a reaction out of that guy."
"Exactly." Mira exhales sharply, her gaze lingering on Adrian's retreating figure.
Unbothered. Detached. Like the world and its affections have nothing to do with him.
❧
The greenhouse was quiet in the early morning, filled only with the soft hum of the ventilation system and the occasional drip of water from the misting nozzles. Mira stepped inside, inhaling the fresh scent of damp soil and leaves.
The place was massive—far more advanced than any student-run club should have been. Sunlight streamed through the glass ceiling, supplemented by solar-powered grow lights. Everything was carefully maintained, from the automated irrigation system to the temperature-controlled sections for delicate species.
Rare plants surrounded her—ghost orchids suspended in midair, Wollemi pines growing in carefully monitored soil, and even a section dedicated to bioluminescent fungi, glowing faintly in the dim corners.
She thought she'd be the first one here.
But at the far end, near the digital control panel, someone was already working. Adrian.
Even from a distance, she recognized him—the genius research student who was practically a legend on campus. He wore his usual white shirt, sleeves buttoned neatly at his wrists, amber eyes focused on the data in front of him.
Mira slowed her steps, watching him for a moment. It was strange seeing him here, in a student club of all places. She knew he was deeply involved in neuroscience and biotechnology research—so what did rare plants have to do with that?
Before she could overthink it, she continued forward, her presence finally catching his attention.
He glanced up.
She smiled politely. "Good morning."
Adrian gave a small nod—acknowledgment, but nothing more. Not that she expected anything else.
A beat of silence passed before the sliding door opened again.
"Mira! You made it early," Valeria—Val—called out as she entered, grinning.
Val Moreau was a Biology major, specializing in plant genetics. With long wavy blonde hair and a confident stride, she had a natural presence that drew people in. Unlike most biology students, who buried themselves in research, Val had the energy of someone who could be at the center of any social event yet still ace her exams.
Mira grinned back. "Of course! I wasn't going to miss it."
Two more students followed Val inside. Noah Laurent, a Botany major with a quiet, thoughtful demeanor, and Ren Takahashi, a Biomedical Science student who looked perpetually unimpressed with everything.
Noah had a relaxed air about him, his light brown hair tied back in a low ponytail. He was the type who preferred plants over people—Mira could already tell. Ren, on the other hand, was sharp-eyed and precise, adjusting his lab coat as he stepped in.
Once everyone gathered, Adrian finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. "I'll start by showing you around."
He didn't waste words or overexplain, just gave clear, direct instructions as he led them through the greenhouse. He explained the irrigation system, the different sections for rare species, and the strict care guidelines for each plant. He moved efficiently, as if this were just another research task.
Mira listened carefully, though she noticed Val nudging Noah whenever Adrian got too technical, as if daring him to keep up. Ren, meanwhile, absorbed every word with a calculating look, clearly assessing the information.
By the time they circled back to the workstation, the professor had finally arrived.
"Ah, my young botanists," Professor Aldric greeted, stepping in with an easy smile. He was an older man, silver-haired with round glasses and a casual sweater over his button-up. Unlike Adrian, who carried an air of cool detachment, the professor was warm and approachable.
"Now that you've seen the place, let's introduce ourselves properly," he said. "Name, major, and why you're here."
Val went first, flipping her hair. "Valeria Moreau, Biology major. I'm specializing in plant genetics, but I also think plants are just cool."
Mira rolled her eyes with a laugh.
Noah was next. "Noah Laurent, Botany major. I like plants more than people. That's about it."
"Straight to the point," Val murmured.
Ren adjusted his sleeves. "Ren Takahashi, Biomedical Science. Medicinal plants and their properties are my focus."
Then all eyes turned to Adrian.
Adrian, standing with his usual composed posture, spoke evenly. "Adrian Vale. Research student in neuroscience and biotech."
That was all he offered, and no one pressed him for more.
Mira held back a laugh at Noah's unimpressed expression. Then, realizing it was her turn, she brightened.
"I'm Mira, an International Relations major," she chirped.
Silence.
Ren frowned. "You're not in a science field?"
Mira shook her head. "Nope! I just love plants."
Val nudged her. "And because I forced you."
"That too." Mira grinned. "But honestly, I think this club is amazing, and I want to help however I can."
The group exchanged glances before Noah sighed. "Well, that's new."
Ren crossed his arms. "Unexpected, but not necessarily bad."
Even Adrian, though he said nothing, looked mildly surprised.
Professor Aldric chuckled. "That's the kind of enthusiasm we need." Then, shifting the conversation, he added, "Now, aside from taking care of our plants, we have a bigger goal ahead. This club may be small, but we're working on raising funds and public awareness about rare plant conservation."
He turned to Mira. "That's where you'll be especially valuable."
"We need someone to handle outreach, funding proposals, and networking. Organizing events, too. It's a lot, but I think you're the perfect fit."
Mira hadn't expected to be assigned something so soon—but the idea excited her. Mira nodded, her tone bright and sincere. "I hope my participation can somehow help the group. I might not have much knowledge about the technical side of things, but I can handle paperwork, scheduling, public relations, and even design if needed."
"Perfect." The professor smiled, looking around at the group. "Then let's get started."
Feeling encouraged, Mira added, "Actually, would it be okay if I bring my camera here to take pictures of the plants? It could help with outreach."
The professor nodded warmly. "Of course. To make the public aware of our work, we need good visuals too."
Adrian, however, added in his usual calm tone, "Some plants may be sensitive to camera flash. If you want to take pictures, you must strictly follow those guidelines."
Mira turned to him and nodded. "Got it. Thank you for letting me know." Then, thinking for a moment, she added with enthusiasm, "We could even make signs to warn about flash sensitivity—for the club members and later for visitors."
The professor nodded in satisfaction. "It's good to see a mix of expertise and interests. This club isn't just about growing rare plants—it's about understanding them, protecting them, and sharing that knowledge with others."
Noah adjusted his glasses. "I can focus on the daily care and growth tracking. I'm especially interested in monitoring how certain species adapt to controlled conditions."
Ren, still leaning against a table, added, "I'll look into medicinal properties and possible pharmaceutical applications. If we get anything promising, I'd like to study its biochemical composition."
Valeria stretched her arms. "I'm more into genetic diversity and adaptability. I'd love to see if we can crossbreed or enhance certain traits in these plants."
As the club meeting wrapped up earlier than expected, the students parted ways, each heading back to their respective dorms. Mira and Adrian, by coincidence, found themselves walking in the same direction, their footsteps echoing softly in the quiet corridor.
Mira glanced at Adrian briefly, noting how he walked with an effortless, composed pace—white shirt crisp as always, sleeves rolled just enough to hint at a routine rather than style. She was used to chatting with people, filling silences with light conversation, but something about Adrian's presence made her hesitate. He wasn't unfriendly, just… distant, like someone who existed in a separate space even when walking right beside you.
Still, she wasn't the type to overthink awkwardness.
"Looks like we're neighbors," she remarked casually, her tone light.
Adrian gave a small nod, acknowledging the fact but not adding anything to it.
Silence settled again, but it wasn't uncomfortable. The walk was short, and neither seemed to feel the need to force conversation.
As they reached their rooms—directly opposite each other—Mira turned the handle to her door and, out of habit, glanced at him again.
"See you next time," she said, as naturally as if they had been doing this for years.
Adrian paused for a fraction of a second, then gave another slight nod before unlocking his door.
Mira smiled to herself, not minding the lack of response. If anything, she found it amusing. Some people were just like that.
❧