The whole lunch time, Aediva honestly didn’t expect for the 2nd year student with strawberry blonde hair to be persistent. It irks her when she finds her while flying on her broom after all those efforts hiding among the leaves.

“Please, wait a bit~ I just want to talk~” she said.

Then, it ended up with the female student trying to coax her into helping the Efren Dorm with their preparation for Obelesia Grace. More specifically the part with the hard physical labor.

“Tch. You’re annoying. Get the hell off my back, senior Fay!” Aediva hissed, casually running away from the girl who had been ready with her broom to chase after class ends. To think that the high committee member of Efren Dorm who had been given half a day leeway to skip classes for the event preparation, is using so much of her time to chase after the frost mage.

She thought it would be over that day but she underestimated the level of persistence Fay had.

Before class.

“Good morning, Aediva~ How about it? Would you help us~?”

During lunch.

“Arthur and Eden would love it too if you help”

After class.

“Aediva-chan~~~ You’re carrying sweets? Where are you going~~?”

That day included, it’s the second day of the young woman chasing after Aediva.

“Agh! You’re like a fly. I said, I refuse. I won’t step a foot into that damn dorm of yours!” Aediva shouted, annoyed at Fay who let out a tired sigh.

“But I apologized for the Dorm Leader~ Can’t you consider helping us? If it’s you you’re gonna help us a lot!” Fay pleaded from on top of the flying broom. Aediva clicked her tongue.

“I don’t do free labor. You want my help, pay me with cold hard cash” she said.

“Eh~~~ But--”

“Then no deal. Now stop following me, damn you. Have you any idea how much time I’ve wasted trying to get you off my damn back? I’d rather practice my magic than entertain you” Aediva said, suddenly speeding up after quite some time walking from the school main building - alarming Fay who quickly perked up and sped up with her broom to chase after Aediva who was running towards the Aval Dorm. Or so she thought.

At the little square before the stairs leading to the Aval Dorm, Aediva quickly makes a sharp turn towards the bushes and runs up the road leading to the garden. Aediva was almost weirded out when Fay suddenly panicked and told her to come back in such a frantic manner when she realized where she’s going. The silver-eyed girl also realized how Fay was staying off the road she was on.

“Aediva-chan~! That’s not fair~ You can’t go over there~~~!” Fay shouted at her - her tone still a bit playful as usual but Aediva didn’t miss the slightly panicked tone lacing in her voice.

“Good. Stay there” Aediva said, turning to her back and kept walking down the road to the garden where “Blackhorns” grows his flowers.

“He’s never around if I brought Cath along. Wonder if he’s allergic to cats or something. If that’s the case, I’m glad Cath went running off somewhere today” Aediva said, looking at the small pack of cookies she brought as an offering for not being able to attend as she promised the other day to “Blackhorns”. Aediva frowned when she still heard Fay’s shouting for her.

“Damn, that woman is so noisy. Just leave already” Aediva said. The time she turned around, her eyes widened. She was about to fall for no reason at all when she felt someone stopping her from falling face first to the ground. Aediva blinked, confused as to what just happened. Fortunately, it didn’t take her long to notice she was nowhere near the garden anymore. She’s at the cliff.

When she realized it was “Blackhorns” who had saved her from unceremoniously face-planting herself to the ground, she straightened up with a smile.

“Blackhorns!” she called out, excited. That smile immediately disappeared however when she saw his face.

Those golden eyes were narrowing at her with questioning look. His eyebrows knitted together as he scowled. His arms crossed to his chest.

“... Blackhorns?” Aediva called out to him - stepping a step back when seeing those big fangs bared towards her, resulting in her stumbling to her back with bewildered look as “Blackhorns” straightened himself after the rather intimidating showcase of fangs to Aediva.

“I’m sorry…” Aediva apologized, still a little dumbfounded but understanding that “Blackhorns” was definitely upset.

Hearing her meek apology, that young man quickly looked less agitated. Although the hints of ire are still in his eyes.

“I’m really sorry…” Aediva apologized again.

It was rather abrupt.

Her lips trembled as her eyes turned glassy.

“... Please don’t be angry…” she suddenly said with teary eyes - prodding at Blackhorns’ heart as he looked at the girl who is starting to look a bit like a little kitten. As expected, he really can’t maintain his anger at that girl any longer.

In the end, they settled at the bench. Naffael munching on the peace offering cookies Aediva brought with her while sitting on the bench. Aediva herself is hugging her knees while sitting on the ground as she leaned her back against the bench - facing the same way as Naffael, facing off the cliff.

She peeked at him, idly examining his long legs crossing right beside her. He always looks so pristine and immaculate.

Crunch.

She looked up and saw the cryptic male crunching the cookies with an impassive look - smiling a bit when seeing the shine in his eyes.

“I’m glad you like the cookies, Blackhorns” Aediva broke the silence between them. Naffael looked at her, sighing right after before joining her down the bench. Aediva raised an eyebrow.

“I thought you’re sulking. Don’t wanna be my friend anymore” Aediva teased, almost grinning when the male student beside her pout.

“Are you making fun of me?” Naffael said to Aediva who giggled in response. Seeing she is clearly teasing him, the young dragon didn’t waste any time to cup both sides of her face, squishing her cheek together. Amused, Naffael let out a chuckle.

“Hm, you’re starting to look like a fish” he teased her. Aediva pout in response, puckering her lips further - serving to amuse her secret mentor more.

“Where have you been yesterday, Blackhorns?” Aediva asked, feeling Naffael letting go off her cheeks as he looked at her with the same upset look from before. This time it’s more mild than angry. He didn’t answer,

“So you were sulking,” Aediva said, getting her cheeks squished again.

“Bwuh! Twhesh nwotwing tu be shawefwul abowt (There’s nothing to be shameful about)” Aediva mumbled.

“I was not sulking,” he insisted.

“...You brought along that little monster around when he’s awake” he mumbled afterwards. Aediva blinked at him.

“You mean Cath? Ah… I thought you didn’t mind that he’s around… Do you have some sort of allergy to cat monsters?” Aediva asked, chuckling right after. Naffael frowned, eating the last cookie in the pouch in silence.

“No” he answered her question - looking away quickly right after.

“I don’t want other intruders sharing this place but you…” he mumbled to himself - probably aware that Aediva could hear him but decided to ignore that fact brazenly. Aediva only grinned at the sulky giant who had just realized he was out of cookies to eat. She chuckled. If he got those cute ears like those Syurins she saw around her, she wonders if it'd go flat on his head as he pouted at the empty cookie packaging. His golden eyes glanced her way, snapping Aediva out of her short daydream.

“Can you teach me again today, Blackhorns?” she asked him.

Hearing her request, Naffael stood up and looked at the girl who is much smaller than him.

“Okay” he said, pointing at the bunch of logs at the side. Aediva stepped away from the bench and walked to the logs - not before looking at the black scorched spots on the ground near the stump.

“I feel like I really have to try harder than this,” she said, placing a piece of log on the stump.