---
**[Scene - Kuro's Dormitory – Morning of the Festival]**
*Knock knock knock!*
> Rei (From behind the door):
> "Kuro-sama! Did you forget? Today is the first day of the festival!"
Inside, Kuro groaned slightly, sinking deeper under his covers before half-opening his eyes.
> Kuro (Groggily):
> "...Festival?"
> Rei:
> "Is Kuro-sama already hopeless?! Get up! And don't forget—you promised to go with me today!"
A moment later, Kuro opened the door.
He slowly blinked at the scene before him—Rei was dressed in a white and lavender dress, adorned with delicate lace and ribbons, her usual bright aura even more radiant due to her feminine attire and a shy smile.
> Kuro: "...Rei looks different."
> Rei (Pouting): "Hmph, you should at least say I look lovely, Kuro-sama."
> Kuro (Drowsy):
> "You look... beautiful."
> Rei (Reciting):
> "I'll take that as a compliment..."
---
**[Scene - Academy and Capital Festivals – First Day]**
The city came alive with color and energy. Water-borne magic lanterns performed above the streets. Music from strange instruments and delicious scents floated in the air. The Academy held its own festival ceremonies, with exhibits and stages students could visit.
---
🎪 **The Illusion Show**
Rei pulled Kuro towards a crowded stage.
> Rei-
> "Look, a professional illusionist from Silverwood. Let's watch."
As the mage orchestrated flames that burst into butterflies and firework dragons, Kuro simply crossed his arms, his expression unchanged.
> Rei:
> "It's impossible to impress Kuro-sama, isn't it?"
> Kuro:
> "It's just advanced deception formulas... But the butterfly trick is clever."
> Rei (Smiling)
> "That's practically praise."
---
On the other side, Princess Alisa, Ryuto, and Saria also entered the festival and spotted Kuro and Rei from a distance.
Ryuto pointed and said,
"Oh... Who are they?"
Princess Alisa and Saria also saw them.
"Ah... maybe we shouldn't disturb them," said Princess Alisa with a faint smile.
"They look lovely together... They must be on a date," Saria said with gleaming eyes.
Ryuto, however, got an idea to tease them about something.
---
👻 **The Haunted House**
> Rei:
> "Come on, this one will be fun!"
> Kuro (Bluntly)
> "I doubt it."
Yet, he followed her inside.
Inside, ghosts howled and cursed spirits shrieked. Rei jumped and automatically grabbed Kuro's hand.
> Rei (Clinging)
> "K-Kuro-sama isn't scared...?"
(Actually, Rei wasn't scared at all.)
> Kuro-
> "No. They're just operating on ambient mana pressure."
> Rei (Pouting):
> "Kuro-sama is so boring..."
> Kuro:
> "...You're the one trembling."
> Rei (Cheeks flushing):
> "I am not!"
Kuro looked away, saying nothing more, but felt a lightness inside his chest.
---
🍡 **Food Stalls and Snacks**
> Rei:
> "Ooooh! Crackling skewers and meat! Kuro-sama, let's try some together!"
> Kuro (Hesitating)
> "I don't eat festival food..."
> Rei :
> "Wait right there, Master."
Without warning, she fed him one.
> Kuro:
> "..."
> Rei: "Well?!"
> Kuro (After pausing briefly)
> "... It's not bad."
> Rei (Giggling softly)
> "Master is the hardest to please, I dare say."
---
🎭 **The Street Theater**
They stopped at a performance reenacting the battle between a mythical hero and the Demon King. Kuro watched silently, his gaze fixed on the "First Hero" character loudly proclaiming about justice.
> Rei (Noticing his eyes):
> "Kuro-sama thinks that hero is more fake than the real one, don't you?"
> Kuro (Quietly) -
> "Loud voices and bright postures don't make someone righteous."
Rei looked at him gently, understanding more than his words.
---
**[Scene - Park Bench – Evening]**
The sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the academy grounds. Lanterns glowed overhead.
Kuro and Rei sat on a long bench, watching the festival lights in the sky.
> Rei: "Are you happy, Kuro-sama?"
> Kuro (After a moment)
> "...It seems pleasant."
Rei's eyes shone brightly at his words, though his expression remained unreadable.
> Rei:
> "I know Kuro-sama isn't smiling... but I can tell, Kuro-sama is feeling something."
> Kuro (Softly)
> "...Perhaps."
> Rei (Standing up)
> "Tomorrow is the second day. We'll go again, right?"
> Kuro:
> "Alright, Rei. I won't be late."
She waved goodbye and ran off into the evening crowd, her dress fluttering behind her.
---
**[Scene - The Return to the Dorms – Evening]**
Kuro walked quietly back, the evening breeze brushing through his hair.
Then—
> Ryuto (Smiling from a bench)
> "Yo, Kuro! How was your date with that cute girl?"
> Kuro (Deadpan) -
> "You're misunderstanding, Ryuto."
> Ryuto (Laughing at him):
> "Come on, you don't need to hide it. Just admit you enjoyed it."
> Kuro:
> "...Honestly, you're wrong."
The two walked on slowly.
> Ryuto :
> "You know, you're strange. You're cold, but you're warmer than most people here."
> Kuro (Smiling faintly)
> "You're talking too much today."
Under the lit lantern sky, the two laughed softly together.
---
**[Scene - Kuro's Dormitory - Late Night]**
Kuro collapsed onto his bed.
> "What is she trying to get from me...?"
He closed his eyes.
For the first time in a long while, his mind wasn't echoing with shouts or shadows.
Just a quiet warmth.
---
✦ **To be continued...**