The days that followed felt strange yet oddly familiar. After meeting Arven, the bar had become our secret training ground. Louise never liked how close we were getting, but he couldn't stop me from wanting to understand who I really was.
Arven asked me to come every night, when the bar was quiet and the sky was dark, lit only by the faint glow of the moon. He took me down to the old basement that hadn't been used in years. It was cold, dusty, and filled with a weird aura that sent shivers down my spine.
"You have to focus your energy on this symbol," Arven said, pointing to a spiral-shaped sigil in his ancient book. "But don't push too hard. Your old soul is still weak. Rushing it could make your body crack from the inside."
I nodded, trying to concentrate. But every time I touched the symbol... it felt like breathing air from another world. Strange, cold, and yet... familiar.
That night, training went sideways. When I tried to read the chant from the book, a small voice inside me started chanting it too. But it wasn't in any language I knew. Suddenly, light burst from my palm.
"I-I...!"
The light expanded. Wind spun around. The book lifted off the floor, and a glowing circle appeared beneath us. Arven looked panicked. "Stop! Airi, you're not ready to—"
Too late.
A blast of energy exploded from my body, throwing me into Arven. We fell, and before I knew it, I was on top of him.
"Ow... You're kinda heavy, you know."
My face burned. "S-Sorry! I didn't mean to!" I tried to scramble up, but my hand landed on his chest, and our faces were just inches apart.
"If you move just a little more... I might end up kissing you."
"W-What?!" I froze, blushing hard. "T-That's not what I meant!"
He smirked. "If that's not what you meant... why haven't you moved yet?"
Thump.
I held my breath. But then, the wooden door banged open and I jumped away.
"WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING?!"
Louise.
His face was stormy, jaw clenched. I felt like a kid caught sneaking out. "T-This isn't what it looks like!"
Arven stood slowly, brushing off his cloak. "Relax, Louise. We just... fell. Literally."
"Shut up. I don't believe a word you say."
"Wow... protective much? Too bad Airi has a choice. And he'll make it himself."
Louise exhaled sharply, then turned to me. "You okay?"
I nodded, heart still racing. "Yeah. Just... a little accident."
He stepped closer, patting my head before whispering, "Don't get too close to him. He's not just here to train you."
I stayed quiet. Because honestly... I didn't even know if I could trust Arven—or myself.
---
A few nights later, after another rough session, Arven and I slumped against the basement wall. My breath was shaky, body tired.
"You're getting stronger," Arven said softly. "Also kinda hot when you're all sweaty like this."
I shot him a glare. "That's not a proper compliment."
"You smiled, so I'm counting that as a win."
We laughed quietly. But then the door opened, and Louise appeared. His eyes immediately locked on us—sitting way too close.
"Airi. Got a sec?" he said coldly.
I stood, glancing at Arven. "I... I'll be right back."
Louise grabbed my arm and pulled me into a dark side hallway.
"What are you doing?" he whispered sharply. "Why are you always clinging to him?!"
I blinked at his tone. "I'm... training. You know that."
"Training? Or are you falling for him?"
I bit my lip. "Louise, don't say it like that. I'm just—"
"Do you even know who he is, Airi? He's not normal. He's a sorcerer, a manipulator. I... I just don't want you to get caught in his trap."
"So you want me to choose you? Just 'cause you're jealous?"
He fell silent, his face tightening.
"I... I just wanna protect you. Because... I love you."
My heart skipped. I looked down. "I know. But I need time. And Arven... he helps me understand myself."
Louise stared, then pulled me into a hug. "If he hurts you... I swear I'll destroy him."
I hugged him back. "I know you'll always be my shield. But this time... let me stand on my own."
He nodded weakly, eyes clouded with jealousy.
Behind the basement door, Arven heard everything... and gave a small, unreadable smile.
---
The next night, after intense training, I nearly collapsed. Arven caught me instinctively, his hands gripping my waist.
"You need to rest. Your body's not stable yet."
"I... just want to master this faster."
"You don't have to rush."
I nodded but didn't move from his hold. My body trembled slightly, maybe from magic... or maybe from being this close.
He looked into my eyes. His hand lifted my chin gently.
"Airi..."
I froze as his face leaned in.
Just before our lips met, I turned away.
"Wait... Arven."
He paused, still close.
"You're not... playing with me, right? I'm not just some pretty thing to touch because I'm different."
His eyes darkened. He exhaled slowly and caressed my cheek gently.
"I'd never touch you unless it's to protect you. But... if you're scared, I won't push."
I looked into his eyes. I saw pain beneath the calm. My doubts faded just a little. And slowly... I let our lips meet.
It was soft. Tentative. Sweet. Like we were both trying to find something we'd lost.
But even in that kiss... there was fear. Not just mine, his too. We were both hurting. Both searching. And that night, it wasn't desire that pulled us close—but a need to understand.
I didn't push him away. But I didn't deepen it either. The kiss stayed short. And I gently turned my head, pulling back.
"Sorry... I..."
Arven gave a small nod. "You don't have to explain."
I lowered my gaze. "I'm scared... that you just want to touch me. Not really understand me."
His hand froze mid-air, then dropped softly.
"I get it. I won't force anything. I just... get too drawn in by your presence."
I turned away, trying to steady my heart.
Arven stared at my back. "If someday you're ready... I'll still be here. But tonight... get some rest. You've done enough."
I walked off slowly. But my steps felt heavy. Guilt curled in my chest. So did confusion.
I brushed my lips gently. His warmth still lingered. And without warning... tears fell.
Not from sadness. But because... I didn't know who to choose.
And that night... for the first time, I felt truly alone, even though I was surrounded by so much love.
And that was the beginning of something none of us could control.