“Ginga, these two are quite the pair,” the other commentor echoed with enthusiasm. “Alicia Dawn, with her victory in the Inner-School Tournament, and her besting of the previous three victors at Crescent Academy is something to admire. And Yuki Dormanhein, a mysterious elven magician with a tainted and bloody past of ancestors. It’s no wonder this duo was able to pull a decisive win. I have a good feeling about this pair.”

As the commentators went on, Vincent noticed Isabella had walked away. He shuffled after her, knowing she was probably feeling down.

As he moved by, Alacard gave a little smirk. “Go win her back, lover boy.”

“Shut up, Ally-card,” Mizuki said with a matching mock of a tone.

Vincent followed Isabella through some doors that led to a patio on the roof with a few chairs and tables and umbrellas students often relaxed in during lunch.

He touched her shoulder. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

She spun around, obviously angry.

“You know exactly what’s wrong,” she said, intensity in her eyes that seemed to be radiating.

“Uh,” Vincent said, looking away and feeling a bit uncomfortable. What was he supposed to say, and why had he followed her out here? He felt like a fool as he just had to tell her the truth, even if it hurt her.

“You’re an idiot to challenge my sister.”

He shrugged and went along with it. “I know, but someone has to put her in her place.”

“And going on a date with her if you win… what’s that about?”

“It’s nothing, it’s just…” What happened to telling the truth?

“D-do you like her?” Isabella asked, her eyes on him.

He turned his head, too terrified to meet her eyes, feeling his face get hot. “I’m not sure.”

“Then why make the bet?” Her eyes were boring into his soul. He didn’t have the guts to meet them, but he had to, so he smiled and met her eyes.

“I went with my animal instincts.” He smiled as if that was a cool joke. She looked unsure about that, so he shrugged. “I guess, maybe, I find her fascinating.”

“I see,” Isabella said, letting it linger as she stared with unblinking eyes as if reading him. He looked away again, feeling ashamed and uncomfortable to hold eye contact that long.

He scratched the side of his face. “Is there something wrong with that?”

“No,” she said. “She’s pretty and smart and strong and…” She shifted her weight. “I can see why you like her. But still.”

“Still?” Vincent said, not sure why he was encouraging her.

You’re supposed to…” she blushed as she trailed off and turned away.

“I’m supposed to what?” he said with as much tenderness as possible.

“Nothing,” she said, making a motion as if wiping a tear away.

“Are you crying?” He reached out to touch her shoulder, too scared to place it on her. She beat him to the punch and spun quickly, a mixture of anger and acceptance in her wet eyes. He jumped back and raised his hands as if he wasn’t just trying to softly touch her shoulder in a reassuring manner.

She beamed. “Do your best, okay?”

He blinked, dropping his arms. “Huh?”

She then leapt off the roof and landed below. Vincent moved to the edge, watching her run off, wanting to pursue her, but leaving it at that because… he certainly wasn’t going to just drop down even though part of him knew it would be all right, he still got the jitters from heights after being pushed by Alacard and all that. So, he’d just leave her be. Plus, what was he going to do that he couldn’t have done when she was there a moment ago? Straighten things out? Tell her that they were just friends, that he had no feelings for her in that way? Apologize and tell her good luck?

Sheesh, he thought, rubbing his neck and smirking. It was ironic to be the one having these thoughts about a girl, because he thought it would always be the opposite.

He shook his head. “Oh boy, this is gonna be a problem, isn’t it?” Then he went back inside.

. . .

Isabella had stopped running and was leaning against a tree, watching Vincent with sad, wet eyes as he returned inside.

She sniffed.

“Stupid, stupid girl.”

It was always the same. They always like Alicia, and never her. And when she did get attention, it always seemed to be negative. But with Vincent she thought it’d be different, but she guessed wrong. She let out a sigh and wiped her eyes.

“Well, better get back in there as I can’t just run off like a budding vampire.”

And she made her way back inside, feeling like a fool for just running off in a fit like that, a small part of her hoping that Vincent would have followed her, stopped her, warmed up to her, grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her into him, apologized, and, and… No, I mustn’t have those thoughts. Besides, while he hadn’t come right out and said it, she had felt it from her Connection, seen it in his body language, heard it in his words. She knew he didn’t like her like that. And while she felt even stronger toward him, hoping and wishing for something different, she had to accept the truth, even if she didn’t want to.

Still… Maybe he would develop feelings for her over time?

Yeah, that’s the spirit, girl, she told herself, feeling a little bit of hope.

Hope was all she had.

. . .