Elion took a slow breath.
Okay… patience… don't shove anyone… don't break anyone…
"Guys," he said carefully, "I really just want to get dinner."
A hush fell for exactly half a second.
Then:
"Let him through! He needs food!"
"Move, people! Elion needs protein!"
"Make way for the academy's new monster!"
"Give him space, you clowns!"
Elion blinked as the crowd suddenly behaved like helpful chaos gremlins, pushing each other aside to create a very uneven, messy, zig-zag "path" to the food counter.
He trudged forward awkwardly.
He finally reached the counter, took a tray, and the lady winked up at him.
"Oh. You're the boy everyone's screaming about."
Elion slumped. "Unfortunately."
She nodded sympathetically, then handed him a much larger portion than usual.
"You look like you'll need the extra calories."
He didn't argue.
With his tray loaded, he turned, only to find the crowd waiting. Watching. Whispering.
Vibrating with excitement like a pack of over-caffeinated puppies.
Dozens of eyes stared at him expectantly.
Where will he sit?
Who will he choose?
What will he do!?
Someone gasped dramatically. "He's deciding!"
Elion's eye twitched.
Elion steeled himself, inhaled… and headed straight toward Aria's table.
Her friends were already gossiping loudly.
"I swear he looked right at Aria—"
"No way, he was totally headed toward us—"
"Imagine if he sits here, oh my gods—"
As soon as they actually noticed Elion walking directly at them, their eyes widened in unison, then...
Giggle. Giggle.
Choke-giggle.
Whisper-scream.
"Oh. My. Stars."
"He is coming here."
"Ariaaa~"
"You lucky fox—!"
By the time Elion reached the table, Aria's friends were practically glowing.
One of them stood, tray in hand. "Well! We should let the lovebirds eat in private!"
Another chimed in instantly, "Absolutely! We wouldn't want to interrupt their moment!"
Aria shot them a bright, grateful smile that did not help the situation.
"Thanks," she said sweetly.
Elion blinked once.
Did she… agree?
Aria's friends winked at her, winked at Elion, giggled some more, then scampered off with their trays, immediately ambushed by the surrounding tables.
"ARE ARIA AND ELION A THING!?" someone demanded.
The traitors, Aria's friends, answered without hesitation: "Yes."
The cafeteria detonated.
"NO WAY!"
"I KNEW IT!"
"ARIA GOT TO HIM FIRST!?"
"NOOOOOOOO!"
"HOW DID SHE KNOW ELION WAS STRONG!?"
"HOW COULD SHE! wait, no, actually she's perfect for him, BUT STILL!"
"Aria saves the player from the crowd!"
"She's a hero!"
Elion pressed a hand to his face.
He could hear, crystal clear, a group of girls dramatically lamenting five tables away:
"Aria beat everyone! EVERYONE!"
"It should've been me…"
"He only sits with her… how romantic…"
"Is this a romance arc!? Is this happening!?"
He wanted to jump into the nearest trash bin.
Aria looked up at him from her seat, cheeks faintly pink, eyes playful but nervous.
"Hey," she said softly.
Elion managed a calm, "Hey," back.
He sat beside her.
They started eating in what could technically be called "silence"—if one defined silence as:
a roaring ocean of chaos, screaming, gossip, and dramatic gasps vibrating through the air.
Every few seconds, Elion caught snatches of conversation.
"Aria's so cool, she didn't even scream or fangirl."
"She's playing it smooth!"
"Elion looked so calm walking over, like he already chose her, AHHHH—"
Elion closed his eyes.
This is… fine. This is okay. This is normal. I can still pretend things are somewhat normal—
He felt a gentle nudge.
It was Aria, shoulder brushing his.
"You okay?" she whispered, trying not to smile too much at the cafeteria's mayhem.
Elion exhaled.
"…No," he whispered back. "But I'm adapting."
Aria giggled behind her hand.
And somehow, despite the noise, the staring, and the exploding rumors… sitting next to her did make dinner a little easier.
When they finally finished eating—with only six more groups approaching to "casually pass by" and "accidentally" stare—Elion and Aria rose from the table together.
Instant quiet.
Instant staring.
Instant internal screaming from the surrounding girls.
But no one approached.
Not a single fangirl dared step closer.
Aria walked beside Elion, posture relaxed, expression gentle… but her aura?
Her aura said: Try it. I dare you.
And the fangirls, no matter how dramatic or enthusiastic, valued their lives.
Elion almost sagged with relief.
Bless you, Aria. You angel. You walking barrier of serenity.
They moved through the hallway, side by side.
Without the cafeteria noise, the world felt strangely calm.
The sun outside was dipping below the horizon, warm gold spilling through the tall academy windows, stretching their silhouettes across the polished floors.
Their footsteps echoed softly.
Aria glanced at him, her hands folded behind her back. "You handled everything surprisingly well."
Elion snorted. "If by 'well' you mean not running away screaming, then yes. A flawless performance."
Aria giggled, quiet but bright, like she'd been holding that laugh in for a while.
They walked through another stretch of hallway, students passing by.
Some whispered. Some stared openly. Some elbowed each other with frantic excitement the moment they passed.
But no one came near.
Aria walked close enough that her shoulder occasionally brushed his.
The sunset cast lines of blue light across her hair.
She looked… calm. Comfortable.
Like walking together like this was the most natural thing in the world.
Elion exhaled softly.
Maybe this wasn't so bad.