Leon let out a low growl and glanced back at him.

"Did you lose something behind me?"

The dark-haired man quickly straightened up and started walking beside him.

"Not exactly."

Leon looked ahead again, though his eyes kept darting briefly towards the other.

"So, what d'you want to do now?" the blond asked, resting his hands on his hips.

"I'm not too sure. Got any ideas in that wee head of yours?" He lightly ruffled Leon's hair with his fingers.

Leon stepped away a little, staring at him seriously.

"Don't do that again!" He fixed his hair. "And I'm not thinking about literally anything."

"Maybe you'd rather walk around somewhere a bit busier?"

"I think I've had more than enough crowds for today. I need a rest."

"Want me to walk you home?" Liuk waited for an answer.

"Do you think I was born yesterday or something? What a joke."

"No, course not. But you seem like the type who'd somehow end up in a fight on the street."

Leon stopped and folded his arms.

"You say such random things that I honestly wonder if I should keep hanging around with you." He started walking again.

Liuk laughed, though it gradually faded as he moved a little closer to Leon.

"You know... about what you told me?"

Leon sighed.

"I know. What about it now?"

"It's just that... my friends accidentally overheard and..."

Liuk was cut off when Leon pulled him into a quiet corner.

"You did what?!" he shouted.

"Easy! They didn't understand! Max definitely wasn't paying attention, and Taylor couldn't care less! The problem is... Yuri."

"Hm... that girl who saw me that one time?"

"That's the one. I think she wants to figure it out."

"Then make sure she doesn't."

He gave Liuk a light punch on the chest.

"Why's this ridiculous riddle so important to you anyway?"

Leon stopped. His fingers trembled slightly as he stepped away from Liuk, turning his back to him.

"Why, you ask..." He huffed. "Because I can't keep carrying this on my own anymore."

"But you don't have to do it alone. Aren't I here with you?" Liuk tried to move closer, but Leon turned around and gestured for him to stop.

"But I don't know you well enough. I don't know what you'd do with the things I tell you."

"Seriously? You don't trust me?"

"You read some weird book in Ukrainian."

"I already told you it's a dictionary."

"It's obvious it isn't. If you're trying to fool me, you'll have to come up with a better excuse."

Liuk clenched his fists, looking at Leon with a gentler expression.

"You know... I think we've got a few things in common."

"You barely know anything about me. How can you be so sure?" Leon folded his arms again.

"Hard to explain, isn't it? But I've got my own problems too, just like you. The difference is, I don't want to hide behind riddles." Liuk glanced around to make sure they were alone.

"So what are you planning to do?"

Liuk took a deep breath before answering, speaking more calmly.

"I'm planning to earn your trust. The moment I know I can trust you, I'll tell you everything I'm hiding—even what's written in that notebook. But you'll have to help me with your riddles."

Leon raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.

"That actually sounds interesting. But I've got a challenge for you as well."

Liuk frowned, waiting for it.

"I'm not telling you anything else. If you want to find out, you'll have to stick around me. What d'you think?"

Liuk smiled and held out a hand.

"Challenge accepted."

Leon lifted his own hand, but quickly pulled it back before it reached Liuk's.

"Hm?" Liuk kept his hand out.

Leon lowered his head, trying to lift his hand again, watching it tremble as he failed to reach Liuk.

"Forget it." Liuk lowered his arm. "Shall we get going?" He pointed towards the street.

Leon let out a relieved sigh, looked at him, and headed back towards the busy road.

When they reached the meeting square, the two stood face to face.

"Are you sure you don't want me to walk you home?"

"Wasn't the answer I gave you enough?" Leon grumbled.

"It was, but I needed a bit more clarity."

"If I wanted to throw you into that lake, would you go along with it?"

Liuk made a thoughtful hum, rubbing his chin.

"No, of course not."

"Exactly. There's your answer."

"You've got such complicated ways of explaining really simple things."

"Maybe the problem's me... or maybe it's you, considering you're the one who said you needed more clarity."

"I'm starting to think we'll get along just fine. I'm used to dealing with people who have your kind of temperament." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Well, lucky me. At least you're not gonna burst into tears every time I say something and think it's an insult." He let out a quiet chuckle.

Liuk noticed him smiling and laughed along with him.

"I didn't even know you knew how to smile. You look like a kid now."

Leon immediately blushed and hid his face in his hands.

"Mate, you're a right pain, y'know?" Leon muttered.

"Alright then, clever clogs. See you tomorrow afternoon."

"Afternoon?"

"I've got an exam tomorrow. You said you never went to university, so you probably wouldn't know about that."

"Studying's one thing, knowing absolutely nothing's another. Stop being a gobshite. Get yourself home before I forget what your face looks like." Leon started walking in the opposite direction.

"Fair enough, Mr Ocean Eyes. Catch you later." Liuk looked towards the cliff, feeling the cool breeze.

Suddenly, his pocket started vibrating with a phone call. He answered and held it to his ear.

"You lost again?"

"Oh, give over. I just went out for a bit."

"Did ya now? Well, it's still early, so I'm heading over to your place. Make sure you're actually there this time, alright? I want a word with you."

"About what?"

"Your classes."

"Yuri, I've known you long enough not to believe this is about my classes."

"Hm... then you'll find out when I get there. I'm on my way. And don't you go running off, ye coward."

The call ended, and Liuk ran a hand through his black hair.

"Here we go again... why are people so complicated?"