"Okay! Then I'll grow up to be that kind of girl for you!" she exclaimed, laughter spilling from her lips before she darted back into the room.
Kaivan froze, caught off guard by her earnestness. Before his thoughts could wander further, his gaze settled on something at the corner of the desk. The Tome Omnicent lay there, its dark cover pulsing with a subtle, enigmatic glow. Drawn as if by an invisible thread, he stepped forward and opened it carefully. Within its ancient pages, new words shimmered faintly: he was to return to the last place he had met Felicia, and save her.
A quiet resolve took hold of him. He needed to leave at once. Yet as he turned toward the door, he remembered Thivi. She was still in his home; he couldn't simply walk away. Without hesitation, he decided to bring her along.
Kaivan approached her room and knocked gently. "Thivi, let's go out tonight," he called softly. "We'll grab something to eat."
Before he could finish, the door swung open. Bathed in the soft glow of the room's lamp, Thivi appeared, dressed in casual shorts and a snug tank top. Her smile was wide, brimming with confidence.
"Yay, we're going out tonight?" she asked brightly.
Kaivan paused, momentarily struck by her sudden transformation. His eyes lingered on her, a mix of surprise and hesitation flickering across his face. "Why are you dressed like that?" he asked, voice barely above a whisper.
Unbothered, Thivi answered with disarming innocence. "I'm just trying to be the kind of girl you like. Do you… like it?"
Silence stretched between them, fragile yet full of meaning. Kaivan realized there was something deeper in her words, a quiet bravery, a willingness to open herself for someone she valued.
"Yes," he said at last, his tone gentle. "You're beautiful, Thivi."
Her smile bloomed wider at the compliment, and with a spark of excitement, she skipped toward the door, as though the night belonged to her alone. Kaivan shook his head with a faint smile, then followed after, sensing the evening might hold more than just a quick meal.
Beneath the star-strewn sky, moonlight painted silver across the empty streets. Step by unhurried step, they walked side by side, letting the quiet speak for them. Thivi, cheerful yet tinged with curiosity, rested her arm lightly against Kaivan's.
"So, where are we heading tonight?" she asked softly, her voice a lilting melody breaking the hush, alive with the promise of adventure.
Kaivan kept his gaze ahead, avoiding hers. In a calm but reserved tone, he replied, "Let's head to the park. Who knows what we might find there." It sounded like an effort to keep a gentle distance, even while indulging her curiosity.
They continued toward the city park, its calm atmosphere contrasting with the quiet turbulence growing in Kaivan's chest, the weight of the Tome Omnicent and the responsibility he bore for Felicia. Beside him, Thivi seemed blissfully unaware, content to simply enjoy the night at his side.
Upon arriving at the park, the glow of the lamps cast soft halos among the trees, weaving a quiet, magical scene. But within that calm beauty stood a jarring sight. A man loomed, tense, one hand gripping Felicia's collar as she struggled to stay composed. Her eyes shimmered with fear, though her lips tried to mask it.
Kaivan stopped, his gaze sharpening. He inhaled slowly, then stepped forward. Thivi's hand brushed his sleeve, a silent warning to be careful, but he ignored it. With a steady voice, Kaivan broke the tense silence. "Hey, calm down. No need to start throwing punches. What's going on here?"
The man turned, sneering. "What's it to you? Stay out of this," he snapped. Felicia tried to speak, but the man's grip only tightened.
"That's enough," Kaivan said, his tone low but firm. "Grabbing a girl by the collar? What kind of guy does that?"
The air grew heavier. Felicia's voice trembled as she tried to soothe the moment. "It's okay, Kaivan. I'm fine." But the man's eyes were already fixed on Kaivan, hard and full of malice.
"Oh, so you're Kaivan?" he mocked, stepping closer with heavy steps. Behind Kaivan, Thivi stiffened, sensing danger swelling.
Kaivan moved forward, planting himself between them. His body was taut, though his expression stayed calm. "Stay back, Thivi," he said quietly, glancing at her.
Without warning, the man lashed out with a heavy punch. Kaivan caught part of the blow with both arms, but pain still flared in his abdomen. He staggered, yet refused to yield.
"Stay out of this, kid!" the man snarled, driving a knee toward him. Kaivan gritted his teeth, absorbing the hit, his eyes steady.
Thivi suddenly raised her phone, snapping a photo. "Stop, or I'll call the police!" she shouted, voice sharp in the night. The man's glare swung to her, dark and threatening.
"Thivi, don't!" Kaivan warned, but the man was already moving. In that heartbeat, Kaivan's fist shot forward, striking the man's face hard enough to knock him back.
The assailant charged again, wild and brutal, but Kaivan slipped aside, answering with a swift kick to the head. The blow landed clean, dropping him to the ground, unconscious.
Breath heavy, Kaivan turned toward Felicia. Despite the ache in his body, each step was steady, deliberate, as though to close not just the physical space, but the tremor between them. His once-cool gaze now held a fragile warmth. He knelt at her side, bracing himself with one hand.
"Are you alright?" he asked softly, his voice like a breeze stirring leaves in the night.
Felicia, still caught in shock, slowly lifted her eyes. When their gazes met, time seemed to still. Tentatively, she reached out, her fingers trembling. The touch was more than physical; it felt like a fragile bridge between two wounded hearts. Kaivan helped her up gently, making sure she stood without wavering.
As Felicia steadied herself, her eyes lingered on Kaivan's hand, still holding hers as if reluctant to let go of the safety it offered. Gratitude and quiet confusion flickered in her expression, framed by the soft glow of the park lights.
On the other side, Thivi watched quietly. Her arms were folded, lips pursed ever so slightly, the look in her eyes unreadable, somewhere between curiosity and jealousy.
"So… who are you to Kaivan?" she asked. Her smile was playful, yet a thread of tension ran beneath her voice.
Felicia stayed silent. Her gaze fell to the ground, fingers twisting the hem of her shirt. Her lips parted, but no words came.
Kaivan felt the tension rise. Reaching out, he gently patted Thivi's head. It wasn't just a gesture, but an attempt to soothe.
"Don't ask her now. Felicia's still in shock," he said softly, yet firmly. His eyes urged Thivi to hold back.
Thivi sighed and shrugged, as if giving up. She stepped back slowly, letting the two of them stay in their fragile moment, though her heart still beat unevenly.