Laterano's written law never explicitly said that one desk must be used by only one student. But judging by how every child sat perfectly spaced, their positions geometrically precise, Exu knew it was the kind of rule that didn't need to be written to be obeyed.
So when Mostima dragged her chair over and sat right beside her—on Exu's own single-seat desk—every head in the classroom turned.
No one dared say anything.
But clearly... they were surprised.
Exu raised an eyebrow. "You know this qualifies as a visual coup, right?"
Mostima grinned. "But my back hurts. My desk was too far from the window."
"Ah, the classic excuse."
"And you brought cheese bread yesterday. Just in case you did again."
Exu stifled a laugh and shifted her bag to make room. The desk was definitely too small for two, but somehow... it felt cozy. Their wings were almost touching.
Class began. The teacher started lecturing on Laterano's social structure, how the moral caste system worked, and the importance of the Sankta's position as "guardians of purity."
Mostima whispered, "Most important position: sleeper in the back row."
Exu muttered back, "Second position: bread thief slash commentator."
"Of course. That's elite rank."
The teacher paused and looked their way.
"Exusiai, Mostima. Are you listening?"
Exu answered quickly, "Yes, ma'am. We were discussing how seat position reflects social hierarchy."
The teacher sighed. "Don't get too creative."
"Yes, ma'am," they replied, almost in unison.
Class ended, but the two of them stayed at the same desk. A few students left or wandered off to the garden. The room was half-empty now.
Mostima leaned against the wall. "The sky's really white today."
Exu tilted her head. "I think it's always white. Like Laterano forgot the sky's supposed to have color."
"You've seen other skies?"
Exu went quiet for a moment. "I think so. Maybe. It's a bit blurry."
Mostima turned her head slightly. "You talk like someone with two childhoods."
Exu smiled faintly. "Maybe I'm just a kid who read too many books."
Mostima chuckled. "Or had too many dreams."
They sat in silence for a while. Sunlight spilled through the window, casting curved patterns across the floor. Their small wings shimmered slightly in the light.
Exu leaned back too. Their shoulders brushed—unintentional, but neither of them pulled away.
"Why did you sit next to me earlier?" Exu asked, not accusing, just curious.
Mostima didn't answer immediately. Then, in a soft voice, she said,
"Because when I sit alone... it feels too quiet. And you feel like... space that doesn't judge."
Exu turned slightly. "I'm space?"
"Warm space. With free docking access."
Exu thought for a moment. "Free ride, huh?"
Mostima nodded. "Comes with a smile, too."
Someone stood in the doorway.
Not a teacher.
Not another student.
It was Fiammetta—quietly watching them from a distance.
She didn't say anything. Just observed for a few seconds longer than usual, then walked away.
And somehow, Exu felt it.
Even without looking.
That day, the skies over Laterano stayed white.
But for two heads sharing a narrow desk,
the world looked just a little more colorful.