The courtyard fountain sparkled in the noon sun.
Water arced gracefully, shimmering in the light, and clusters of students milled around the benches, sipping juice boxes and chatting between classes.
But in the center of it all—
Caelum stood.Silent.Expression unreadable.
A girl stood in front of him, flushed red and gripping something in her hands.
The Confession
"I... I really admire you!"
Her voice trembled, but she pushed forward.
"You ranked first in everything, and you're calm and quiet and... and really handsome, and—"
She held out a letter. Pink. Neatly folded.
"Please! Will you go out with me?!"
The Crowd Holds Its Breath
Whispers.
Gasps.
Even teachers peeked out from classroom windows.
The entire courtyard paused.
All eyes on him.
Caelum looked at the letter.
Then at the girl.
Then…
"No."
Just one word. Simple. Final.
The girl flinched. "W-Why?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"I'm not available."
Enter: Lysia
Before another word could be said—
Lysia appeared.
From the side path, calm and unhurried, her shoes tapping softly against the stones.
She wore her blazer unbuttoned, hair in a soft braid today, expression composed.
She walked past the girl, straight up to Caelum.
And without asking, without a word—
She slipped her hand into his.
Fingers intertwined.
Caelum didn't resist.Didn't look surprised.He simply let it happen.
The Smile That Wasn't Sweet
Lysia turned to the girl and smiled.
But it wasn't the kind of smile that forgave.
"I'm sorry," she said politely. "He already belongs to someone."
The girl blinked. "B-Belongs?!"
"Yes." Lysia nodded.
"To me."
Silence
The courtyard went dead quiet.
Students stared.
Even the fountain's gentle splashing sounded louder now.
Caelum looked sideways at her.
"You're being forward."
"You're being slow," she murmured back.
He didn't argue.
Aftermath
The girl ran off. Not crying — but stunned.
The pink letter fluttered to the ground.
Lysia bent, picked it up, and calmly tore it in half before tossing it into the nearby trash bin.
"I'm recycling," she said.
Caelum raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't know jealousy was eco-friendly."
She smiled without shame. "It is now."
System Log – Claim Reinforced
[GENESIS CORE SYSTEM – OBSERVER MODE]— External Confession Rejected— Subject LYSIA: Assertive Mode— Subject CAELUM: Passive Acceptance— Public Status: "Taken"— Synchronization: 74.8%— Note: "She said what she had to say. And he let her."
Later That Day – Rooftop Lunch
Caelum bit into his sandwich slowly, watching the clouds drift by.
Beside him, Lysia sat with her legs tucked up, eating quietly.
"You didn't have to do that," he said finally.
"She confessed in public."
"So?"
"So I responded in public."
He looked at her.
"You're bold today."
"I'm always bold," she muttered.
He didn't reply.
Instead, he reached out and flicked a grain of rice off her cheek.
"Next time," he said, "let me say no first."
"Next time," she said, leaning closer, "don't hesitate."