The sweet, soothing smell of Lavender permeated the fairly-lit room Rose was guided to. The soft, pink-lace colored walls, the veritable assortment of paintings affixed to those very walls, and finally, the ornate chandelier gilded with gold made it excessively clear just how lavish the room was. It was as if she was whisked to an entirely different space after traversing the gloomy halls of the stadium. Even as students of class A, they were never provided with rooms as luxurious as this. She never even thought the institution could afford to be this extravagant. Rose was currently resting at one of the VIP rooms reserved by the Headmaster for the Baruth family as they awaited the announcement of the special match. Behind her were two maids which the Count had stationed to attend to her needs, or so she was told. Though she was no stranger to being stared at, the maids’ gazes made her uneasy. Sitting in such an unfamiliar room with people observing her every move made her feel anything but relaxed. 

Still, she had no choice but to endure. 

“Haaaaah…”

Rose slumped down on the table with her arms covering her face. 

(“I just want to get this over with and go home…”)

Rose lifted her head, peering at her reflection in the large decorated mirror. The dark circles beneath her eyes made her worry for her health. Still, it did little to diminish her allure. Ever since the day the Headmaster had summoned them, she’s been constantly haunted by dreams where Nyx left her because of what she did. It always started out sweet. Going home together after a long day at the institution, strolling around the streets as they browse the shops, and even just resting beneath a maple tree. Near the end of every dream, Nyx would have a miserable expression on his face as he attempts to leave. Naturally, she prevents him and asks him why, to which he answers with one unchanging line.

“You betrayed me...”

Though it was nothing more than a dream, her heart ached to hear him say those words. She would always wake up in the middle of the night in tears. Deliberating for hours on whether she did the right thing until the early rays of the morning sun interrupts her. But after meeting Nyx earlier, she could tell that he harbored no resentment for her. Instead, she only felt the warmth of his kindness and concern. It pained her to leave him as he undoubtedly blames himself for her suffering, but there was nothing more she could do. She could only hope that he returns to normal afterwards. In truth, she disliked that part of him, believing that his self-loathing was unjustified. Yet, she couldn’t completely hate it because it was the greatest testament to just how much he cared for her. 

(“Come to think of it, this isn’t the first time we stopped talking to one another at some point…”)

5 years ago.

**

“Impossible…”

Right before her eyes, a boy, his father, and an elderly man stood in front of a dull gray ball resting on a small pedestal. The elderly man’s somber visage alternated between the father and son who stood motionless in front of him. The air carried the vaguely incoherent noise of gossip which came from every direction. 

“Oh my…”

“He’s mana-less?”

“Horrible…”

“How disappointing…”

Rose closed her eyes as she held onto her father’s clothes. The collective voices of everyone present melded together into a discordant score of pity and mockery. It scared her. Though she wished so badly to leave, she refused to do so unless it was with her dear friend. That’s right. She had to be strong, just like her friend. No matter how scary a place, a person, or an animal was, the friend that she looked up to very much never ran away from anything. He would always stand his ground. Because he was brave, because he was tough, because he wants to become a respected sorcerer like his dad.

Rose slowly opened her eyes. There was nothing to worry about. No matter what happened, He would always be there, standing and smiling in front of her. She liked seeing him smile. It made her feel like they could do anything they put their minds to. It made her feel safe. She was sure that just a glimpse of it would give her the strength to overcome this scary place. But… the person she knew, the one in her mind, the one she idolized, he was nowhere to be found. What lay before her eyes was a broken boy, watching the last vestiges of his dream crumble into ashes. Beside, his father so desperately called out to him in vain.

“Nyx… Nyx… Jenyx!”

Jenyx was down on his knees. The light slowly faded from his eyes, replaced by the empty reflection of the orb. His body trembled, his lips twitched uncontrollably, his eyes trickled with a never-ending flow of anguish as his fate became cruelly apparent. To see him so devastated, so miserable, Rose's heart felt unbearably heavy. In the end, Jenyx's father had to carry him away. Her father attempted to chase after the two, while Rose remained in the temple. Though her entire being cries for her heartbroken friend, at that moment, there was something else that existed in her sorrow-filled heart. To this place that hurt him, to those that scorned him, towards the fate that cast him to the depths. Rose felt nothing but sheer contempt for everything before her.

**

It’s been five days since she had last seen Nyx. Though they visited him twice, he always refused to come out. Not even his parents could do anything. No, it's not that they weren't doing anything, it would be more accurate to say that they were being extremely delicate with how they were handling the situation. Her eyes hovered towards the empty seat beside her.  

(“I want to see him…”)

Looking over only served to stimulate her growing loneliness even more. There was only one thing she could do to quell the restlessness she felt. After class had ended, Rose immediately ran with one thing in mind. Upon reaching her destination, she stood in front of a tall, beige-colored door and knocked.

“Ahh, Rose. Huh? Where’s your father?”

“I came alone this time, uncle!”

“Oh? Well, alright. Come in, come in, we’ve been waiting for you.”

A man with scruffy, auburn hair, opened the door for Rose and ushered her in. 

“Thank you, uncle!” 

Rose entered without much caution. It was Nyx’s home, and with how often she frequented the place, it was now basically her second home. Inside, she lightly placed her bag down at her feet as she took a seat at the sofa. The delectably aromatic scent of hot chocolate found its way to Rose as Jullsariah placed a cup at the guest table. In spite of that, Rose didn’t even spare a glance at what was arguably her favorite beverage. Instead, she steadily gazed at a door upstairs. But no matter how hard she stared, the door showed not even the slightest signs of opening.

“I’m sorry, Rose. He still refuses to come out.”

“I-It’s not your fault, uncle. But… I really want to talk to him.”

Rose was happy to see Jullsariah smile at her. She wanted to help them because she was sure that they were saddened to see Nyx in such a state too. As his father, not being able to do anything about it probably made him even sadder than she was.

“Then let’s keep trying.”

Maya approached them, carrying a plate on one hand and holding Meri with the other. She set down the plateful of grilled cheese sandwiches on the table, beside the hot chocolate. 

“Why don’t you take this to Nyx? I’m sure he’s hungry by now.”

“...Will he take it?”

“Only one way to find out, right? Don’t worry, we’ll be right behind you.”

Maya and Jullsariah’s smile reassured her. However, it wasn’t enough to dispel the anxiety that plagued her. Though he didn’t explicitly tell her, his refusal to speak was more than enough to scare her. 

“What if… what if he hates me..?”

“Honey, I… I can’t say for sure what’ll happen. But what I do know is… that boy treasures you very much.” 

Was it true? No, it doesn’t matter. She wanted to believe it. Because she felt the same. Below, Rose felt a tug on her clothes. Meri had walked over to her with a puzzled look. Perhaps she wanted to play with her, or maybe she was worried. Nonetheless, seeing her made Rose's frown turn upside down. Rose held Meri’s hand.

“Will you come with me, Meri?”

Clueless, Meri smiled back upon seeing Rose light up. Together, they slowly went upstairs. Rose could feel her own heartbeat strongly, but she wasn’t about to turn back now. Regardless of what happens, she would see it through. Rose knocked on the door twice. Nothing. She knocked again. Still no answer. Just as she was faltering, a rustle from inside followed by a couple of quiet steps, approached the door. 

“...Mom? Dad?”

A surge of emotions ran through her as she heard his voice. The usual upbeat and confident tone of his was replaced by a shaky, congested, nearly-muttering sound as he spoke. A click sound jolted Rose back to reality as the door slowly creaked open, revealing the disheveled occupant of the room. 

“Hi, Nyx…”

His eyes were puffy from constantly crying and sounded like he was sniffling. Upon seeing her, his eyes widened and filled with fear. Nyx quickly shut the door as she tried to greet him. She could hear his ragged breathing behind the door. 

“...Why are you here? Just go away!”

The loudness and tone of his voice startled her. 

“Waaaaaah!!”

Rose began to cry. Still, she stood in front of the door as she wailed. No matter how hard he tried to cover his ears, Nyx couldn’t shut her voice out.

“Please, just go home, Rose!”

“Why are you being so mean to me? Waaaaaah!!”

Her cries were starting to get stronger. It wasn’t fair. He should be the one crying, yet for some reason inconceivable to him, Rose also started crying. Ever since they met, she had always been a scaredy-cat. Always crying over the simplest things. Hence, he made protecting her one of his goals. Some protector he turned out to be. No ability, no affinity, and now he was the reason she was bawling her eyes out.

Eventually, Meri started crying beside her.

“Why… Why do you still want to talk to me?”

“Because you’re my friend!”

 Yes. There was no need to overcomplicate things. She had nothing to gain by being with him, she stood to lose a lot, actually. Yet, even with that, even after what happened, she still calls him a friend. 

A sparse column of light formed from the opening as Nyx slowly opened the door again. But this time, it remained open. As far as he was concerned, the door will forever be open, if it’s for her.

“...Are you sure?”

“Of course...”

Seeing the two reconcile left Jullsariah weeping in joy behind them as Maya patted his head. Afterwards, Rose’s father arrived as well, looking for Rose because she wasn’t at the institution when he came to pick her up. As glad as he was about finding her, she still couldn’t escape being reprimanded. The father and daughter stayed for dinner, but had a bit of a problem as they were going home due to the two children not wanting to part.