The Grimhour Institute library was the kind of place where even the sound of a pencil scratching across paper could draw glares. Yet one sound persisted- a steady rhythm of fingers tapping against a laptop keyboard.
Aidera's eyes remained fixed on the glow of her screen, jaw tense, fingers moving with mechanical precision. Three straight hours of typing, editing, and taking notes.
"Ugh… Today's workload just keeps piling up," she muttered, stretching until her shoulders popped.
As she leaned back, her gaze drifted... and stopped. Because someone was sitting beside her.
"…W-what?"
She was certain the seat had been empty just minutes ago. Now, a young man occupied it. His attention fixed on a muted game flickering across his phone.
Her brows knitted together. "Since when did you…?"
He turned slightly, slipping one earbud free. His expression remained neutral, almost bored, until their eyes met.
Recognition flickered between them.
"Oh- It's you!" Aidera breathed.
