Main Hall: Breakfast

The main hall’s dining area sat at the heart of the academy’s dormitory housing, a vast, high-ceilinged space that felt more like an old refectory than a school cafeteria.

At 6:15 a.m., it was still a quiet early morning.

Moonlight had given way to the soft, blue-grey skies of dawn. The light it emitted gave a cool tinge, turning everything into muted silver and faded shadows.

In the middle of the dining area, long wooden tables lined up in neat rows, benches tucked in precisely underneath, the faint gleam of polished oak catching the glow from the early morning light. Overhead, the rows of wooden tables, iron chandeliers hung dormant with their candle-shaped bulbs dark and silent.

The breakfast service hadn’t officially started yet, but the open kitchen area behind the long counter divider located in the back of the room had been bustling with staff already up for hours in full motion.

Stainless steel clattered softly, followed by the rhythmic chopping of knives on cutting boards, the low sizzling of eggs cooking on hot pans, the metallic scrape of oven trays being slid into warming ovens. A bunch of steam rose up in lazy swirls from massive metallic pots of congee and miso soup with the savory scent of green onions, ginger, and simmering broth. Somewhere in the back of the kitchen, an industrial oven timer dinged once, signaling that a product had finished baking.

A waft of freshly baked goods: bread pudding, loaves of bread, and breakfast rolls, engulfed the place.

Raphael had arrived early on purpose.

He chose a table near the far wall but close enough to the wide, dark oak double doors that connected the dining hall to the central corridor where the male and female dorm wings intersected. From here, he had a clear view of anyone coming from the female wing.

Anyone would have to pass through those doors to reach the breakfast line.

He sat with his back against the wall and a single metallic tray in front of him, still holding a cup of Earl Grey tea, probably still too hot to take a sip. Then, a small glass bowl of plain yogurt topped with fruits sat just a few inches from the cup.

No rush. No obvious staring. Just patiently waiting.

The hall was mostly empty with only a few early risers spread across the nearby tables: a senior girl in an oversized sweater hunched over a pad of sketchbook and instant noodles, two freshmen boys whispering over protein shakes, a faculty member in a cardigan reading the morning paper.

Footsteps echoed sporadically from the corridor beyond the doors. As the occasional stomp of house slippers and squeak of sneakers approached from the male wing, unfortunately, none came from the female wing.

Raphael sipped his tea lightly when it cooled enough, while his eyes kept flicking towards the double doors every few seconds without turning his head. He maintained his posture relaxed with his elbows on the table, and the phone beside him face down near his tray. Meanwhile, in his mind and body, his pulse ticked a little faster each time the doors creaked open, awaiting someone familiar to come across.

He wasn’t expecting a miracle.

But the thought of meeting Elena once more has him attentively seeking. Whatever she looked like now, or if she was even here at all. She wouldn’t just walk in wearing a name tag as easily as it seemed. The only things he remembers are the way she used to tilt her head when she laughed, her bright, warm smile, and the slight habit of tucking her hair behind her ear when thinking.

Just small signs. small fragments of her in his memory.

The kitchen staff’s chatter drifted over the other side of the serving counter as more students lined up to get their fill.

“More miso over here. Kids are lining up for more.”

“Eggs are running low already. Grab another crate.”

“Someone left the rice cooker on overnight again. Now, it's burnt like charcoal.”

A warm laugh swept through the bustling, busy workers despite their tirelessly cooking and serving for almost an hour.

The dining hall was slowly filling up as more footsteps trudged from the corridors, and an array of trays lined with all the clanking sounds as the first wave of students came forth for breakfast. Some of them were still clad in pajamas, night gowns, or comfy clothes. Faces appeared tired, sluggish, and half-lidded, while others beamed with excitement.

Doors swung.

Raphael’s gaze lifted casually.

A few girls entered together, laughing, one yawning wide, another tying her hair into a messy bun as she walked. None of them matched any resemblance to the girl she was looking for.

He exhaled deeply like a sigh.

Another group followed through the open door. A dirty-blonde-haired girl tied in a low bun with a swim team jacket, together with another brunette girl, sophisticatedly wearing a long ponytail with curled edges and a fashionable silken gown draped on her slender frame, swiftly moved through the crowd, creating a path for them to pass through.

Raphael watched them for half a second longer than the others, like something had drawn his attention over. Is it about the swim team's jacket reminding him of yesterday? or just the scenario unfolding in front of him as students paved the way for these two like bigshots in the Academy.

The blonde girl noticed his constant stare as she slightly glanced over her shoulder, but she immediately turned away, avoiding eye contact. Her shoulders tensed up a bit like a flinch before she quickened her pace towards the counter.

He looked down at his yogurt in disappointment while stirring it slowly with the spoon.

That's not her.

This time, the hall felt vibrant and awakened with the low murmurs of conversation, trays sliding along the metal rails, the clatter of utensils, the rich smell of buttered fresh toast and bacon.

Sunlight began to trickle through the windows in golden streaks, cutting across tables and warming the stone floor.

Raphael took another sip of his tea.

He had all morning.

But nothing caught his attention that gave him a major hint.

He would keep watching, still hoping in silence.

The double doors from the dorm corridor swung open once again, but this time with a lighter, more deliberate push.

Harian casually stepped through with fluffy white hair still slightly tangled, but somehow looked naturally tousled rather than messy. He wore an oversized yellow hoodie that swallowed his slender, feminine frame with sleeves rolled up to his elbows and paired with loosely fitting gray joggers and soft white sneakers.

A small tote bag hung from one shoulder while his other hand carried a water container. The morning light steadily caught the edges of his hair, turning the pale white fringes seemingly luminous like an angel had descended from the bright light.

When he smiled at the staff behind the counter, it was the same gentle warmth that could make anyone fall head over heels.

A bunch of students approached him to offer their seats just to get a lucky chance to share a meal with the Academy's idol. Harian just politely declined their offer as if he had already found somewhere else to be.

He scanned the hall briefly with his golden orbs, sweeping in a glance to catch someone in particular. Then, he finally spotted Raphael near the wall. His expression brightened instantly.

“Hey, roomie!” Harian called softly just enough to be heard. He wove between the half-empty tables with easy grace and carried a tray with a bowl of congee topped with hard-boiled egg, green onions, and bits of bacon, and a side of fresh fruits with a cup of fresh milk.

Raphael looked up from his yogurt upon hearing a familiar angelic tone and offering a small nod of recognition. “Morning.”

Harian slid onto the bench across from him without hesitation, setting his tray down carefully. “You’re up early. Out for a jog?”

“Yeah. Cleared my head.” Raphael stirred his tea again out of habit.

“That's nice. I’m not much of a morning person, so I get up until my alarm screams at me for the third time.” Harian laughed under his breath.

“But today I woke up on my own. Must be the new roommate energy,” he added.

Raphael’s mouth quirked. “Didn’t hear you stir when I left.”

“You didn't see me move beneath the pile of pillows.” Harian snapped back in a friendly manner before taking a careful bite as his eyes shut briefly in contentment.

“Mmm. They nailed the congee today. You should try it. It tastes better than it looks.”

“Maybe later.” Raphael glanced toward the doors again. No one had entered in the last few minutes.

A couple of jockeys from the other side of the room boomed with laughter and constant banter, and gossip bounced off the high ceiling.

Meanwhile, on the other corner, some started practicing lines from a popular play while arguing who would take the lead role.

It was a lively sight to witness.

Harian followed his gaze for a second, then tilted his head out of curiosity but not prying. “Waiting for someone?”

Raphael hesitated for a beat, then quickly shrugged. “Just…looking around. New place, new faces.”

“Fair.” Harian sipped his fresh milk. “Dining hall’s the best spot for that. Everyone has to eat eventually. You’ll see everything here like athletes, theater kids, and the study gremlins who live on black coffee.”

He trailed off with a small grin, then leaned in slightly, voice dropping to a whispering murmur. “Also, a tip, avoid the oatmeal on Tuesdays. They experiment with ‘flavors.’ Last week it was matcha-blueberry. Tasted like a bitter bowl of grass and berries.”

Raphael huffed a quiet laugh.

"And the vending machine on the third floor ?" Harian added. "Nuh-uh. Don't trust it. It eats your coins when you need anything from it."

"Alright. Noted," he smiled.

They ate in comfortable silence for a minute as the hall started to feel packed around them. More students arrived in a pack: a group of juniors arguing about weekend plans, a freshman looking lost with an overloaded tray, and a bunch of loud seniors greeting another table's group.

Harian noticed the direction of Raphael’s eyes again, but didn’t comment. Instead, he asked casually. “You settling in okay? First night in a shared room can be weird if you’re not used to it.”

“It’s fine.” Raphael paused, then added, “You’re easy to get accustomed to.”

Harian’s smile softened with genuine warmth in those golden eyes. “Good. I was low-key nervous, like, what if you hate the fairy lights or something? I heard some people are iffy with their rooms.”

“It’s nice,” Raphael said simply. “Feels like a sanctuary up there.”

Harian blinked, surprised, then laughed softly. “Thanks. That’s exactly what I was aiming for. A haven of peace in the chaos.”

Another wave of freshmen students entered. A familiar figure was in his sight. Was it Kim Hyeon Ju among them? That name struck into his mind when he first met her.

Her cheeks were already faintly flushed pink as she scanned the room while clutching the tray tightly. She spotted Raphael and Harian, hesitated, then offered a tiny, shy wave before hurrying to join a small group near the windows.

Harian caught the interaction and raised an eyebrow at Raphael. “You’ve got a fan already. Day two, and people are waving.”

Raphael shook his head, a faint flush creeping up his neck. “Says the guy with a bunch of fans gawking over him.”

“Nah, that's completely different.” Harian disagreed with a smirk while popping a piece of fruit into his mouth.

"It's nothing more than just a polite greeting," Raphael explained dismissively.

“Keep telling yourself that, Mystery Boy,” Harian replied in a tease.

Raphael rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth lifted again.

The hall was fully alive and awakened by now as the sunlight rose above the horizon, illuminating the skies into the morning blue. Still, no one seemed to be giving him distinguishable clues for Elena's presence.

However, the morning felt a little less solitary with Harian sitting across from him, keeping him company while humming quietly between bites from the pieces of fruit.

Second day.

Still searching.

Not entirely alone at least.