"Hey," someone called Mine's attention. "Are you alone, Mine?"

As soon as he heard his name called, Mine turned his head to identify the source of the voice. Despite the dim light in shades of purple and blue, he recognized the person and placed his hand on his chin.

With a hint of disdain, Mine let out a snort. "Yeah, and I’m waiting for the exact moment to leave," he chuckled, replenishing his glass with red wine. "And you? What are you doing here, Addai?"

Addai chuckled and sat on a chair next to Mine. "I was kind enough to offer my illustrious presence, and this is how you treat me?"

Mine laughed and let Addai stay right there. After all, he was alone and Addai could be his escape route from that boring party.

The young teacher of Dark Mana was dressed in a white dress shirt and a pair of well-groomed black dress pants (without any wrinkles), exuding a not-too-flashy vibe – unlike Soleil's surprisingly colorful suit, all printed with flowers. Mine touched Addai's sleeve and made a noise of approval.

Talking about the party, the event held by the University of Magic celebrated the awards it received and its nominated professors, as well as its founding anniversary that same day.

Most of the teachers were excited, but not all of them.

At the beginning of the day Mine planned ways of politely declining the invitation Soleil gave him - even though he was one of the awarded teachers - but Abannak did the favor of, in addition to reminding everyone at the party, saying that everyone's presence was of fundamental importance. Most of the teachers then confirmed their attendance, even the ones Mine was sure wouldn't go, like Lydia, Fani, and Aarush - each with their own well-crafted excuse and no prize to receive, except Lydia, but as the prize was shared with teacher Hera... she had someone to represent the duo.

Mine grieved a lot but couldn't find a suitable excuse in time, and nobody could receive the award for him, so... He had to go despite disliking those kinds of gatherings that put him on a pedestal made of fragile gold.

Mine drank the wine and clicked his tongue, looking at his colleague.

"The newest teacher had the balls to show up tonight…" Mine smiled with hints of teasing. “Who would have thought you would have the courage to attend a party like that.”

Once all-mighty-looking, Addai turned at Mine with a somewhat gloomy, as if all his brightness had vanished instantly. His eyes showed he didn't want to come either, and counted the seconds to leave.

"Mr. Soleil came all beaming, so I couldn't say no..." Addai sighed.

Mine crossed his arms, letting out a teasing huff. "So you have a soft spot for smiles..."

“Only for some of them," Addai teased him back with a wink and a grin.

"Ugh, that was gross," Mine laughed. "Who could guess a smile is the Great Addai's weakness... interesting," he flashed a smile before sipping on his glass of wine.

"The Great people also have flaws," Addai said, with hints of a joyful speech.

“Stop chattering and drink,” Mine offered some of the wine to Addai, who promptly took his glass.

The alcohol was taking its toll on Mine, and he insisted on finishing a bottle of champagne he shared with Mr. Shire earlier. His body was increasingly sleepy, and his face started feeling hot.

Addai took the bottle before Mine could down the liquid and placed it out of Mine's reach, who was grumbling about how Addai stole his drink. But the teacher didn't leave the other empty-handed as he gave Mine a bottle of sparkling water.

The music, once slow and monotonous, gradually became more and more agitated. The lights also changed their nuances, turning warmer and orange, matching the engaging and happy rhythm of the music. Mine was tired of hearing them on Woltz and Aarush's playlist but hearing them with the dance floor available had a totally different feeling.

Could his clothes rip? Perhaps. Would he sweat a lot? Yes, but since his hair was tied up… he could try.

“The dance floor is on fire today, huh?” Addai glanced at the (way too much) excited teachers cheering the DJ.

"Yeah…" Mine rested a hand on his chin, and felt the euphoria of the music take the effect of alcohol from his body. It seems fun.

From salsa to (classic and electric) swing, to foxtrot... The lights danced like the music playing, and the dancers enjoyed themselves more and more on the dance floor – boosted by the mysterious booze Soleil brought for the celebration. Mine also wanted to join the dance floor. He loved seeing the lights shine on him, feeling the music permeate through his limbs and ears, and smiling while the drops of sweat fell to the floor... but he couldn't gather enough courage, or at least he thought so.

“Go and twist your ankle,” Addai teased.

“Hmpf, as if I’d make such a beginner's mistake," Mine snorted.

“Oh really?" Addai gave his usual cynical smile, and Mine felt his skin tingle. "So the Great Mine is all mighty with everything- hey, release my hand.”

“I’ll shut your mouth,” Mine yanked Addai, who stumbled.

When he realized where Mine was dragging him, Addai's eyes widened, and all that cynicism and posturing disappeared quickly.

“NO! I’m a terrible dan-”

“Shhh~” Mine placed a finger on Addai's lips, making him close his mouth and look at him in confusion. “Follow in my footsteps, and don’t twist your ankle.”

Throwing Addai away and catching him again, Mine firmly held his hand. A mischievous smile permeated his face while the other teacher was frightened by the speed of his movements. He laughed and had fun, throwing Addai and catching him back, making the teacher spin like a ballerina and come back, getting very close to him. 

It was as if he was guiding him through the jumbled lyrics, but the rhythm remained clear enough to follow the steps his mind drew on the floor.

In rhythm with the song, Mine took Addai's right hand and placed it close to his shoulder, but a little lower, on his back. Satisfied with the position of his hands, Mine began guiding his temporary dance partner.

"Step, step, side step and close together," Mine guided and Addai nodded.

The movement their feet made was sloppy at first once Addai couldn't process the steps clearly, but after a quick argument, Mine taught him how to do it right.

Step, step, sidestep, and close together. Slow, slow, quick, quick.

Again. Step, step, sidestep, and close together! Slow, slow, quick, quick!

The music was too loud for them to hear each other, so Mine’s hand gently rubbed Addai’s shoulder and grinned, telling him with his eyes that he was doing good. Addai averted eyes, but couldn't avoid the gaze locked on him, who watched his moves, face and expressions.

When the air conditioning no longer cooled them or anyone on the dance floor, and their clothes started getting damp, it was more than enough of an indication for them to rest a little.

“See? It wasn’t that bad,” Mine posed proudly, fanning himself with his hands - and fortunately, both ankles weren't twisted.

“I almost fainted…” Addai breathed, fanning himself with a spell.

“You stepped on my feet twice,” Mine grinned teasingly. “It means I’m still the best in everything.”

“… I’ll let you win this time,” Addai chuckled. “No alcohol, you need water,” he took the bottle of warm champagne away from Mine.

After the brief fun time, the fatigue started consuming Mine's body, which revealed this state through his eyes. To make things worse, curious souls eventually came to talk to Mine about his award and how he felt being the youngest professor at the university.

Suffocating, uncomfortable and stomach-knotting sensations disturbed his smile, which displayed for everyone in that party like a porcelain mask full of cracks. Each compliment felt like thorns, each grin felt like shots and each handshake made him numb. 

He wanted to forget it all, become anesthetized... maybe Addai's drink could help.

"Hey, what did I tell you about alcohol?" Addai approached.

“...Huh?” Mine looked at him, confused. Since when have you left the table?

"You have terrible dark circles under your eyes," Addai noticed. "Is it about the miasma contamination the other day?" He asked, approaching a little more for a better check.

Mine smiled carefree. “I'll survive, don't worry."

“Here, drink more water,” Addai offered, filling Mine’s cup, “and no more alcohol,” he sat on his seat again, hands full of plastic things. 

"... What is this?" Mine asked, looking at the plastic cups on Addai's hands.

"Ah, I brought some desserts from the main table," Addai grinned proudly, showing the shallow dimples on his cheeks.

There were chocolates of all different sizes, shapes, and flavors – at least five to seven inside the plastic cup Addai put on the table – accompanied by some small plates with pieces of strawberry pie and a plum cake. Addai couldn't get anything else because his hand wouldn't be able to carry everything at the same time, and appearing at the sweets table every time would raise the suspicions of some children who were also doing the same thing as him.

“You snatched them!” Mine marveled, taking a small, rounded chocolate. “Wait, when did you take them?”

"You were too busy talking so highly of yourself to the others that I got some time to brawl for them," Addai explained, placing them on the dessert plate. "Your speech was interesting, humble and all... oh, I liked when you talked about-"

“Don’t make the precious desserts as bitter as your chattering,” Mine stopped Addai from continuing pestering him about how embarrassingly he talked to a few people earlier.

“Ha ha ha! I’ll shush..." Addai's eyes rest on Mine's arms, specifically on what he was hiding. “But only if you give me the piece of cake you're sneakily trying to hide.”

With the cake almost entirely hidden near Mine, he grumbled. “...why don’t you eat the pie over there?”

“Consider a piece of the cake as the transportation fee,” Addai grinned.

"… eat a piece of shit instead," Mine grumbled, giving his co-worker a spoon of cake.

Just as Addai was about to savor another bite of the delicious plum cake, a young lady unexpectedly appeared. She looked delicate yet elegant and seemed to be around the same age as Mine. Her left hand held a cup of Soleil's exquisite booze - which emitted a delightful aroma - while the other hand was curled protectively over the neckline of her dress, suggesting a subtle shyness or discomfort in this unfamiliar setting.

"Excuse m-me...” She hesitated. “I wanted to talk to Mr. Karawaga, like... you're my inspiration!"

The young lady stuttered before sitting down next to them and striking up a conversation with Mine - while Addai tried to blend into the background. As the conversation progressed, Mine's social energy drained rapidly, like the battery in his phone - which had already died in his pocket. He searched for a way to politely end the conversation, but the woman kept talking... and talking... and talking...

"Hey, Soleil is calling for you," Addai patted the new teacher's shoulder.

“Ah! Ok, thanks!" She smiled and turned to Mine. "Ahem, it was a pleasure talking to you."

She extended her hand for Mine to shake – as a final greeting of the night – and he, naturally, extended his hand as well. Her hands were slender and smooth to the touch, and her nails were well polished and manicured, which required her to take time out that day to get a manicure. Just as they were about to shake hands, Addai was quicker and took Mine's hand, stealthily looking at her.

She flinched and pretended to take her glass back, fiddling with the cup.

"It was my pleasure too, Mrs." Addai grinned and stared at her nails, which she hid on her lap. "Have a nice and enchanting night," he tightened the grip on Mine's hands.

The Light Mana teacher didn't notice earlier, but Addai was wearing a black leather glove, which he recognized as the model of practice for more aggressive spells done with the hand being the mana's channeling "instrument." The gloves were exquisite and rough, but his hands were soft and warm, contrasting with what partially covered it.

"Y-You too," she stood up and quickly vanished among the crowd.

Once the young girl had departed, Addai shifted his attention towards Mine and slowly released his grip on Mine's hands. Addai seemed to be saying something, yes... he was saying something... but Mine was so tired, and his battery was almost exhausted that he only felt his body exist... a few seconds in that little world would be enough for him to recharge the emergency battery.

As Mine fixed his gaze on Addai's, he observed how differently his colleague's pupils contrasted with the darkness of the room. They were thin, and a small bright red line crossed a portion of the iris - which contrasted more with the blue side than the gold side-

"Hey, you hear me? She was going to touch you with a spell," Addai warned, and Mine nodded, still mute and looking into his eyes.

How funny... Mine thought as he saw Addai's pupils getting rounder and dilated.

Furthermore, the heterochromatic colors became brighter for a reason, as if the environment did not mix with the original iris colors. They glowed, shimmering like faint neon paint. Perhaps Mine was too tired to reflect on it, so he focused more on the phenomenon than on Addai's words.

"What's up?" Addai asked, feeling his face burn.

“Hm?” Mine returned from his very brief trip. “Ah, sorry, could you repeat what you said before?”

"You need to be careful with certain smiles."

But this time, Mine paid attention to what Addai said. He chuckled and crossed his arms. "Like yours?"

"Hm," Addai snorted and faintly smiled. "Yeah, like mine."

"Oh, this ugly face of yours is better when you smile. You even look like a decent person, congratulations," Mine clapped his hands, teasing his colleague.

"I can't say if you mean it or not," Addai laughed.

"Oh," Mine said after his cellphone rang a notification from the 'agenda' app. "Our monthly tutoring meeting is in two days. Let's look for a good café, and don't forget to show up."

"Ah..." Addai deeply sighed, stuffing his mouth with a bonbon. "I won't forget it..." He grieved.