Days in Laterano usually moved like an antique clock: slow, precise, and audible in every tick. But the past few weeks felt... slightly off.
Ever since Mostima started sitting at Exu's desk, little things had begun to change.
Some students didn't sit quite as straight anymore. Quiet laughter sometimes echoed between lessons. Even Miss Thera—the famously strict teacher whose stare could silence a room—had begun to sigh more often before speaking.
And today, something else shifted.
Morning class had just begun when Exu quietly opened the lid of her lunchbox hidden in her drawer. Inside: a slice of cheese bread from Lemuen, two biscuits, and one large grape she found in the kitchen. Mostima sat beside her as usual, staring blankly at a worksheet.
"If you don't touch that paper in the next two minutes, I'll assume you're waiting for divine download," Exu whispered.
"Maybe I am," Mostima mumbled. "Laterano's got a direct line, doesn't it?"
"Too bad the server's full."
Mostima chuckled and leaned her head briefly on Exu's shoulder. "Your shoulder's stiff."
"And you're heavy."
"Thanks."
The door opened before Exu could add a comeback.
And in walked Fiammetta.
The girl usually arrived early—sitting in her usual spot, third row from the front, near the window. But today… she stopped near Exu's desk.
Mostima was still leaning lazily. Exu looked up at Fiammetta.
"Morning?" she offered.
Fiammetta didn't answer right away. She stared at Mostima, then at Exu.
"The seat's small," she said flatly.
Exu shrugged. "We can lean sideways."
"What if I sit too?"
Silence hung for a second. Mostima finally opened her eyes.
"You want to sit… here?" she asked, half amused, half confused.
Fiammetta didn't answer. She simply dragged a spare chair over and set it beside them.
And sat down.
The teacher hadn't arrived yet, so the class was still half-chaotic. But a few students noticed. Mostima straightened up slightly. Exu's wings began to feel a bit cramped, but she didn't complain.
Three kids. One desk. One chair.
It made no sense.
But there was no written rule saying you couldn't sit too close.
"You're serious?" Exu whispered to Fiammetta.
"If you two sit together every day, why can't I?" she replied, eyes forward.
"Because you usually can't stand five minutes next to Mostima."
"I can manage. If I want to."
Mostima nudged Exu gently. "This is dangerous. If she sits here long enough, we might… start socializing."
Fiammetta turned sharply. "I'm not here to socialize. I'm here to observe."
"You sound like a park security guard," Exu said, trying not to laugh.
Fiammetta took a deep breath.
"Lemuen asked me to."
The words dropped like a pebble into a calm pond.
Exu turned fast. "Lemuen?"
"She spoke to me yesterday. Said… you're getting too close to Mostima. She asked me to keep an eye on you."
"She asked you?" Exu's voice dropped. "To… watch me?"
Fiammetta looked down. "She's worried. And I—"
"I'm not something she can guard through someone else."
Mostima fell silent. So did Fiammetta. But her expression shifted. Not angry. Just… lost.
"I don't want to fight," she said eventually.
"Good," Exu replied, more gently now. "But if you're sitting here, sit as my friend. Not as my sister's extra pair of eyes."
Fiammetta didn't reply.
But she didn't get up.
And she didn't argue.
She just… sat.
The lesson dragged on.
But unlike usual, there were no whispers from Mostima.
No soft jokes.
No lazy leaning.
Three students, packed into one corner.
But each of them… felt a little distant.
When break came, Exu left first. She took her lunch outside and sat by the fountain. The breeze touched her hair gently.
Soon, footsteps approached.
Not Mostima.
Fiammetta.
She sat at the far end of the stone bench, silent.
"I don't like being spied on," Exu said—softly, not angrily.
"I'm not spying," Fiammetta replied. "I'm… curious."
"About what?"
"You. Mostima. What you two see in Laterano that I don't."
Exu paused.
"Do you like this place?"
Fiammetta turned. "Of course."
"All the rules?"
"Yes."
"All the restrictions?"
"Yes."
"Even the unwritten ones that say we shouldn't sit too close unless we want people to talk?"
Fiammetta lowered her gaze.
"Sometimes… no."
Mostima finally appeared, strolling casually with a biscuit in her mouth. She saw them and sat between them without a word.
"Wow, this is the first time I've seen you two sit together without me getting blamed," she said.
Exu glanced over. "There's still time."
Fiammetta just sighed.
Mostima rested her head on Exu's shoulder again, like always.
But this time, Exu didn't flinch.
And Fiammetta… didn't complain.
"I'm still sitting at your desk tomorrow," Mostima said softly.
"If you don't show up, I'm reporting you to the teacher," Exu replied.
"Cruel."
"I'm trained."
They sat in the garden for a long time.
Not saying much.
But no one left.
Fiammetta, just like today's title—didn't leave.
And for the first time…
They began to feel like a group.