Scene: The Academy – Cafeteria Balcony (Evening)
The air buzzed with excited chatter.
Students packed every table, screens replaying highlights of the match. Over and over again, the scene of Alina Velth knocking down the Silver Fangs' captain played with glowing slow motion and dramatic music.
Whispers followed her everywhere.
"She really did that…?"
"With old tech! Who even fights like that anymore?"
"She's scary. Like… trained scary."
Aeris sat at the edge of the upper balcony, back to the crowd, headphones on. Not that they played music—she just didn't want to talk.
Next to her, Rin sat upright, face beaming with joy. She was surrounded by trays of free snacks—gifts from excited underclassmen.
Rin (grinning):
"We're famous now! Like, super famous! We've got four interview requests, three sponsorships, and I think someone offered us a private dorm wing??"
Aeris (deadpan):
"I'm declining."
Rin:
"I already told them yes! For the free snacks. And also I want to rename the school stadium after us!"
Aeris gave her a side glance. Rin laughed nervously.
Rin (lower voice):
"But really... you okay? That fight was intense."
Aeris didn't answer immediately. She looked down at her hand—flexing her fingers slowly. No one noticed how stiff they were after the fight. Not even Rin.
Aeris (softly):
"Just tired."
Rin:
"That's fair. Want me to carry you back?"
Aeris:
"I'll drop you."
Rin:
"That's fair too."
Scene Shift: Outside – City Alley Café (Later that Night)
The cafe was quiet again.
Hilda, in her usual coat, sat at a small corner table beneath the flickering neon sign. A pot of black tea steamed in front of her. Across the table, Aeris sat with her arms crossed and legs stiff, out of uniform—wearing her hoodie again.
Madam Hilda (without looking up):
"You made a scene."
Aeris:
"They wanted a performance."
Hilda poured tea into both cups.
Madam Hilda:
"Your opponents were top-ranked cadets. You embarrassed them in front of half the faculty."
Aeris (quiet):
"They weren't the target."
Hilda:
"Not this time."
She finally looked up, her eyes sharp but calm.
Madam Hilda:
"Any reaction from the VIONNE candidates?"
Aeris:
"Viora watched. She didn't blink."
Hilda (smirking):
"She rarely does."
Aeris:
"She'll notice me soon. That was the point."
Hilda leaned forward.
Madam Hilda:
"Good. You have limited time, Aeris. The professor doesn't stay in one place for long—and the others may vanish when the storm comes."
Aeris didn't react, but her fingers slowly tapped the side of the teacup.
Aeris (flatly):
"I didn't forget."
Madam Hilda:
"Still dreaming of revenge?"
Aeris:
"Still dreaming of forgetting."
Hilda didn't press further. Instead, she slid over a small chip packet—sealed in wax.
Madam Hilda:
"Decode that tonight. One of your next leads."
Aeris picked it up without a word, and stood.
Madam Hilda (calling softly):
"Aeris."
She paused at the door.
Madam Hilda:
"You're not a tool, you know."
Aeris (without turning):
"But I'm sharp."
Scene Shift: Dorm Rooftop – Midnight
Aeris sat on the ledge, wind brushing her hoodie. She stared at the academy skyline—lights, drones, a world of high-tech civilization above.
The chip sat in her lap. Her rifle leaned beside her, reflecting faint moonlight.
She closed her eyes for a moment.
"Still dreaming of forgetting…"
Her heart beat slowly. Her breath fogged the air.
Then the faintest sound—
A chime from her comms.
Text from: Rin
[Hey! I saved you a cupcake. If you don't come get it, I'm eating both.]
Aeris blinked… and exhaled.
She stood. And left the chip unopened.