“So… Hanna, tell us how your preparations for the art competition that Professor Suzuki mentioned are going! Are you really going to sign up?” Annabeth asked. She and Melissa didn't attend our art classes, but apparently Alex talked so much about this competition that they found out.

“I read the guidelines and decided to sign up, I confess I'm a bit nervous, but…”

“We worked hard on the illustrations that Hanna will submit! It's going to be amazing!” Alexandra said. I wasn't sure if she was trying to ignore the slight pessimism in Hanna's voice or if she wanted to encourage her friend.

We were in the hallway near our classroom, there was still some time before the next class, which curiously would be Art, but since the teacher hadn't arrived yet, it didn't hurt to chat a bit.

“You really turned into Hanna's model for paintings, huh?” Melissa commented. “Hanna, don't paint her too much or Alex will start to think she's even more special and it'll be unbearable.”

“Look who's talking!” Alexandra protested. “Not to mention that… It's fun… Being painted by Hanna like this…”

If you were so afraid of being found out, why are you blushing like a love-struck little girl?!

“Hahaha, even though I use Alex as a model, not all paintings have her exact face or hair, but it's important to have a body model. Some paintings are a bit inspired by her, I won't lie.”

“You can submit three paintings to participate, right?” Ariel said, still distracted while playing something on her handheld console, but trying to keep up with the conversation in her own way. “Why don't you show us the drawings you've already done and then we decide together?”

“I would like some help, but I prefer to talk to Professor Suzuki about it…”

“You don't think I have an eye for art… So that's it…” Ariel teased.

“She just knows you're going to choose the drawings that most resemble Endless Fantasy XVI…” I said, finally joining the conversation. Feeling the weight of everything I had gone through in these past few weeks really made me slower…

“...How do you know?!”

“Rose is a good observer.” Hanna laughed casually. “After all, we met because you came with a giant notebook of Endless Fantasy XVI, we both said we liked it, and that's how you started talking to us, Ariel.”

“Your drawings of Storm Tryand are good, it's not my fault for wanting to see them compete in this snobby art gallery…” 

“Nerd talk again? Don't you know how to talk about anything else?” Melissa said, but just as Ariel was about to say something, Professor Chloe Suzuki arrived, carrying several reams of paper.

“Good afternoon, Professor Suzuki.” Hanna said, smiling as she opened the door for our teacher, who was carrying various painting supplies.

“Ah, Miss Bovary! Come here, I need to talk to you urgently about something!” The teacher smiled, as if she was going to give good news, but I couldn't help but notice Hanna's worried look.

We said "see you later" to Melissa and Annabeth and soon entered the classroom, as Hanna was called by the teacher, while distributing thick papers to the students in the room. Apparently, she was going to teach watercolor painting that day.

“Alex… Do you think Hanna is okay? She seemed nervous when the teacher called her.” Ariel whispered.

“...It's okay. Hanna is just a little nervous, it's a competition that brings together several local artists, after all. What we have to do is support her and believe in her here, for sure that way she'll feel more confident!”

Insecure Hanna... That wasn't news. Despite having a strong sense of justice, the Hanna I knew preferred not to attract attention, unless it was really necessary. But... Since I met her, she was always drawing... I couldn't imagine her being insecure when it came to that.

I glanced at the corner of the room out of the corner of my eye, trying to find my safe haven. I was tired, but looking at Miss Hazel always made me feel calmer somehow... Although she seemed quite down that day.

After a few minutes, Hanna returned to our little group with a forced smile on her face.

“And? What did the teacher say?” Alex welcomed her with a smile, taking her hands before anyone else. 

“The teacher said there will be an exhibition of some of the painters who will sign up for the competition this weekend, she told me it would be good to meet more artists and make friends with people who have the same goals as me, said I could also invite friends if I wanted, so... Do you guys want to go with me?”

“Of course! We're here to support you with whatever you need!” Alex said a bit too loudly, drawing the attention of some people.

“Don't really like those fancy places, but... If it's to make you happier, no problem, let's make all those snooty artists appreciate your art!”

“And you, Rose? Will you be able to go?”

“I, uh…” Wasn't sure if I could exactly, it wasn't a problem, but…

“If I can, I'd like to go too.” A voice I knew all too well spoke behind me, but it was much louder than I normally heard, so I jumped, shivering.

“Hazel, do you want to go with us?” Hanna seemed surprised.

“Don't get me wrong, I just want to see what the local art scene has to offer. I'm interested in that.”

“I see... But then, what about you, Ro-”

“I'M GOING! Of course, I want to go! You can count on me to be there!”

That was amazing! Even if I was with the other girls, I could finally go out with Miss Hazel! I would put on my cutest clothes and see her wearing something other than the school uniform too! Maybe if we separated from the other girls... It would look like a date! I could hold her hand... And we'd have ice cream together... She would laugh at my silly jokes and... And...

“Do you really want to go like this, Rose? Or are you like this for some other reason?” Damn Alex, remember that I helped you get to where you are now!

“I-I just think it's nice that Hazel wants to get closer to people in the class, hehe... It's important for us to get along, and Miss Hazel always stays in the corner, so I thought…”

“I also think it's nice that you want to hang out with us, Hazel. We've been studying together for over three years and yet you never seem to want to hang out much with everyone together like this, so it'll be good to have your company there too.” Hanna said, seeming to smile more out of politeness than out of really desiring Hazel's company, but I didn't care much, as long as it could bring me closer to her.

“...So let's agree like this. I'll be waiting for you guys in front of the gallery-”

When that beautiful girl with the icy gaze turned around, it was almost like a shock, her legs seemed to buckle, until she fell to the ground, making a small thud that caught the attention of the other students and even the teacher, she clasped her hands close to her chest, as if trying to hold back a great agony.

“Miss Eyre?! Is everything okay?!” Professor Chloe Suzuki asked, getting up to try to see what had happened.

“She's burning up with fever!” I said, crouching down and touching Hazel's sweaty forehead. “I'll take her to the infirmary! Are you okay, Miss Hazel?”

“P-Please... If it's you... It's okay…”

With that gentle whisper, I picked up the fragile girl and carried her out of the room, even with the other students startled, and even though this was the first time I could have more contact with the one I loved so much, I wanted to be by her side in that moment.

No.

I wouldn't let anyone else take that place.

♡

The infirmary was empty. Despite being a huge school, it wasn't common for students to want to go to the infirmary, they would prefer to leave school or simply skip class in some other way. I laid Miss Hazel on the bed and watched her, her beautiful face asleep. She really was very cute.

"You're really taking every opportunity, aren't you, Rose Ophelia?" The little white rabbit that was hosted in my necklace appeared. It was taking a while.

"I'm just helping Miss Hazel, is there a problem? Besides, she could wake up at any moment, is it really safe for you to show up like this?"

"From what I can tell, Hazel Eyre is in a deep sleep. She must be holding onto that pain and agony all day, just not having the strength to stand up."

"I wonder... If she was feeling so bad, shouldn't she have stayed home from school?"

"You say that, but you really don't know her reasons, do you?"

"...What do you mean by that? I just like Miss Hazel, it's normal for me to worry about her."

"I've been wondering about this for a while, but... Rose Ophelia, why are you in love with Hazel Eyre? She may be beautiful, but she's far from kind, barely talks to people, and is always lonely. She's the opposite of what a sun should be."

"I'm not looking for a sun, I just love Miss Hazel. Yes... I... I feel in my heart that I love Miss Hazel."

"You humans and your emotional irrationalities... I can't understand."

"If you were in love, maybe you would understand." I've showed my tongue to that sassy rabbit.

“Hey! Just so you know, my hand is already promised to a wonderful young man!”

“So if you know how it feels, you shouldn't question other people's ability to love…”

"Oh, it's not exactly that, I just... I got curious. You're quite devoted, I wanted to know what kind of person stole my Destroyer's loving heart."

"Well... I can remember the first time I met her, she really was so beautiful it took my breath away, but... It wasn't just that."

Yes, as much as Hazel had a mask she never took off, she... She was much more human than she was given credit for.

"The first time I went to talk to her, she was alone reading a book of fairy tales with beautiful illustrations. I approached her, and... When she realized I wasn't going to mock her, Miss Hazel started telling me about various things she loved, about stories, drawings, books... And I couldn't help but be fascinated by her... Even though she's cold to almost everyone, whenever I've been alone near her... It's like being in heaven."

"I'm glad... to see that my Destroyer's love is true." Anima smiled kindly. Despite arguing a lot, at that moment, I really felt that Anima was something beyond just a strange mascot, she was a friend too.

"Hehe, of course it is. I always want to be honest with who I am or what I feel, my feelings for Hazel are included in that. I love her, I want to be by her side and be able to look at her forever!"

Miss Hazel's body began to move, and with that Anima quickly returned to the necklace, which I hid in my clothes so it wouldn't attract too much attention.

"W... What..." She still looked very tired.

"Good morning, Miss Hazel. How are you feeling?"

"What happened-" She tried to get out of bed, but I held her in my arms before she could fall again. Her body was still warm, and her heart seemed to beat hard... I blushed a little at the thought that it could be because of me, but it was probably just the effect of the fever.

"You passed out from a fever in the classroom. You need to take care of yourself, you know? Everyone was worried..."

"...It's not like they were close enough to worry."

"Well, I was worried." I said, a little angry. "There are people who care about you, you can't just get sick without taking care of yourself for nothing!"

"...Sorry... I'll... Try to take better care of myself." Despite being a little downcast, I could still see that Hazel was smiling, just seeing that already made me happy.

"You better!" I said, trying to joke. "I know I shouldn't meddle in your life, but the truth is, you want to be close to the group, don't you? I saw you looking at our group during class, but you always stay away when I call..."

"...None of them really wanted to be close to me, I knew if I got in the middle of you it would just be a bother."

"It's not like that! I know you don't like Melissa or the others so much, but if you want, there'll always be room for you!"

"...You're really too kind."

"I know it seems complicated, I know you've also been through bad things here, Miss Hazel, but... You're not alone, okay? I wanted to be friends with you from the beginning, but when you came to school I was still with my head bandaged so..."

"What did you say?" She seemed surprised when I said those words.

"...What do you mean? Don't you remember? When I had my head bandaged because of the accident I had in the eighth grade, when you came into our class..."

Hazel's face, which had been happy and even a little embarrassed, now looked serious, as if all the vulnerability she had shown me had disappeared.

"Please, leave."

"But, did something happen? Are you still feeling unwell?"

"Leave me alone, Rose!" She shouted, wrapping herself in the sheet of the infirmary bed and turning her back to me.

"...If I did something that hurt you, I'm sorry, truly sorry..."

After a few minutes with no response, I left...

I didn't understand, I couldn't understand... I just...

Didn't want to ruin everything with the girl I loved so much.

♡