As after school came, he was ready. 

[Okay, Marie said she wanted to study together again, so-]

Marie then left as hastily as she could.

His eyes widened.

His jaw slightly dropped.

[...]

He sighed.

[Well, might as well follow her where she’s going]

He then packed all his stuff and went to follow Marie. 

As he was following her trail, a thought came. 

[Wait…doesn’t this make me more of a stalker than a friend?]

He stopped.

He sighed and facepalmed himself. 

[...Hope no one sees this] 

He kept following her trail and ended up in front of the library.

[Huh, I guess this is her routine]

He peeked from the door’s window and saw her reading a book.

[Wonder what she’s reading]

[Why don’t you just go inside?]

[huh…good idea] 

[...]

He entered the library.

She was focused on her book. 

[Huh, she looks so focused, should I be really disturbing her?]

“Why are you just standing here?”

“AGH”, Luca screamed.

“SHH, this is a library, you best behave yourself” 

“Oh, sorry miss, I…was just meeting a friend”, he said as she looked back noticing Marie. 

She smirked. 

“I see…well then you both have your fun”

“O…kay”

[Why is she grinning like that?]

He then went to Marie.

“Hey, Marie”,

She looked up and as she saw him, she lifted the book, covering her face.

“Hello…Luca” 

Luca’s eyes widened.

[Huh, she’s reading spirit magic…maybe I should ask her about it to]

He sat beside her.

“Didn’t know you were learning spirit magic”

Marie who was still keeping her gaze on the book said, “Yeah…I…just wanted to learn more about it”  

[I guess, she wants to master all types of magic, maybe I could learn more about it] 

“That sounds cool, honestly even as a user of one, I don’t really get it”

He smiled and scratched his head. 

She took a glance at him or rather…his right arm. 

“Maybe some-”

“Oh by the way, is something wrong? you looked really…different all of a sudden?”, He asked.

“It’s…nothing”

He tilted his head. 

“Oh, okay I guess, well, I am sorry if I did anything wrong”

She bit her lip.

Suddenly, she closed the book.

She gripped the book tighter.

Silence then filled the room.  

Luca’s eyes widened. 

[OH GOD DID I SAY SOMETHING WRONG? IS SHE MAD?] 

“Luca…”

“Huhh Yeah?” 

“Back then, when Vale had casted his magic, weren’t you…afraid?”

She looked down.

“I mean…of course I am afraid, I almost died”, he said as he let out a little laugh. 

“Then, why? why did you…decide that burning your life was fine?”

“Huh?”

[What? Of course it’s not fine, what is she talking about?]

“Is that the price of your contract? burning your life away?”

“Yeah, kind of, but I don’t see what’s important-”

“Then, why did you easily decide to burn it all away?”, she said as she finally looked at him.

His eyes widened.

Her eyes were tearing up. 

[Why…is she crying?] 

“Are…you crying?”

She then averted her gaze, opening back her book, reading it. 

Silence then filled the room. 

[...]

[So, what are you gonna do, Human?]

Luca sighed and then reached his hand, patting her. 

Her eyes widened. 

[I…probably made her worried]

“Luca…what-”

“Well, to be honest, I don’t know why I decided to pull that either, but…I felt like I had to do it, you know?”

He smiled. 

“But-”

“I don’t know what got you so worked up, but…it’s gonna be good, I am still here and besides, I don’t think-”

She then leaned on his chest.

[WHAT IS SHE DOING?]

“Umm…Marie what are you-”

“Don’t…just…stay”

Luca sighed.

“Okay…”