Outside the infirmary room, Rin lingered by the door, her violet hair catching the soft glow of the hallway lanterns. She'd come to see Leonhardt, but now that she was here, a flutter of embarrassment twisted in her chest. Her heart is thumping like a little drum.
Oh no, what if he thinks I'm weird for showing up? she thought, nibbling her lip as her fingers hovered over the doorknob. He's so cool… and I'm just standing here like a dummy! She puffed out her cheeks, debating with herself in a tiny, adorable huff.
"Okay Rin, you got this… just hi, like super casually," she told herself. Sighing lightly, she opened the door.
Stepping inside, she called out, her voice soft but carrying a nervous lilt. "Leonhardt? Are you here?" The room stretched wide before her, a still distance of vacant beds lined up in orderly rows.
One bed, though, was shrouded by a closed curtain, a little island of mystery in the stillness. Rin's eyes flicked to it just as the fabric rustled, and Liana's head popped out, her brown gaze catching Rin off guard.
"Young Master," Liana said, glancing back toward the bed with a hint of amusement in her tone, "someone's here for you."
"Who?" Leonhardt's voice rumbled from behind the curtain, low and curious. Liana tugged the fabric aside revealing Rin standing there, framed awkwardly in the doorway.
Reo's crimson eyes landed on her. "Oh, Rin! It's you?" he said, a faint grin tugging at his lips.
Rin's heart did a wild flip, her cheeks flushing pink as she stared at him—bandaged, bruised, but still radiating that unshakable calm that made her tummy feel all fluttery.
"H-Hi!" she managed, her voice pitching up as she clasped her hands together, twisting them nervously.
He tilted his head, the grin softening. "What's up?"
She shuffled her feet, her fluster blooming full force under his gaze. "I-I was worried! Um, I mean, you got hurt, and I just… wanted to check on you? To make sure you're okay!" Her words tumbled out in a rush, her pink eyes darting between him and the floor, a little "Eek!" slipping out as she realized how loud she'd gotten. "N-Not that I thought you wouldn't be okay! You're super strong after all, but…!"
"Thanks, Rin," he replied, his tone firm and gentle, calming her down a little. "I'm alright—really. Just a few scratches
Liana observed Rin's flustered fidgeting with a flicker of curiosity, her brown eyes darting between the violet-haired girl and Reo. A sudden glint of understanding sparked in her mind.
She cleared her throat softly, stepping toward Rin with a warm, inviting smile. "I just remembered a quick errand I need to run," she said, her voice smooth as honey. "Could you stay with my Young Master for a little while? Keep him company?"
"Oh! Um, s-sure, I'd love to!" she chirped, nodding with a quick, earnest bob of her head, though she wasn't entirely sure why she'd been asked.
Liana's smile deepened, a sly, knowing edge to it as she shot Reo a fleeting glance before slipping out, Reo watched her go, his brow furrowing. What's she scheming now? he wondered
Rin turned to him, her gaze shy but bright, and he nodded toward the stool by his bed. "Take a seat," he said. She scurried over, settling onto the stool with a little hop, her hands clasped tightly in her lap as a nervous silence draped over them.
After a moment, Rin spoke, small but brimming with sincerity. "I'm so glad," she said, her eyes flicking to his before skittering away, a soft blush dusting her cheeks.
Reo tilted his head, a faint, crooked grin tugging at his lips. "Yeah? What made you so glad?"
Her face lit up, her fluster melting into excitement as she leaned forward just a bit. "You took down Garrik—the top of Bronze Class! It's unreal, Leonhardt. You showed everyone you're not the same anymore—it's… it's just incredible!" Her hands fluttered as she spoke, her enthusiasm spilling.
"Thanks," Reo said, his grin softening into something real, her energy coaxing it out of him. Rin's excitement ignited, her voice bursting forth as she leaned in, hands flailing with uncontainable zeal.
"That final strike!" she gushed, thrusting her fist forward in a wild, dramatic swoop. "Boom! The way that lightning mana just crackled out—like you summoned a storm right there! And that flip you pulled, nailing his jaw mid-air? My jaw dropped—I was like, 'No way!'" She mimicked the motion, her violet hair whipping as she twisted in her seat.
"Oh, and when you shut them all up—just that one word, like you owned the whole arena? Chills, Leonhardt, chills! You were pure fire out there!" Her words raced, tumbling over each other in a breathless cascade, her face glowing with unabashed wonder.
Reo leaned back, his crimson eyes glinting with quiet amusement as he watched her go. Airhead, huh? he thought, rifling through Leonhardt's dim memories. She was never this loud before, she even talk less in class.
Her glow dimmed suddenly, her shoulders drooping as a softer, sadder note crept in. "But… we might not share a class much longer," she murmured, her gaze dropping to her fidgeting hands, a tiny pout forming.
His brow furrowed, his voice sharpening with curiosity. "What's that supposed to mean?"
She peeked up at him, her tone hushed. "I heard some professors talking—you might get moved up. Iron Class, or even Silver, because of your performance today."
Reo eased back against the wall, a low "Huh, really?" slipping out as he mulled it over, a spark of interest flickering in his mind.
Later, the door creaked open, and Liana swept back in, hauling a hefty pouch that strained her grip and a smaller one tucked against her side. She paused, scanning the now-still room, her brow lifting as she saw Reo alone. "Where'd that sweet girl go?" she asked, dropping the pouches onto the table with a solid thunk that echoed faintly.
"She headed out a minute ago," Reo said, shifting to sit up straighter, his bandages crinkling.
Liana brushed her hands off, a fond smile curving her lips. "She was cute. Who is she to you, Young Master Leo?"
"Classmate," he replied, his voice steady but laced with a subtle edge of intent. "And she's gonna be a key piece in what's coming."
Liana's head cocked, her eyes narrowing slightly. "A piece? "
He brushed it off, his gaze sliding to the pouches. "How much wegot?"
Her posture straightened, pride flashing in her eyes as she untied the smaller pouch, letting platinum coins spill out with a gleaming clatter. "Put in 100 gold crowns, as you ordered. Odds soared to twelve-to-one—1,200 gold back. Cashed 1,000 into ten platinum crowns," she said, gesturing to the shimmering pile. "Kept 200 gold in this one," she added, nudging the larger pouch, its bulk slumping against the table.
Reo's smirk sharpened, a glint of triumph in his crimson eyes. "Nice work. And it's only the start."
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Hey readers.
I just wanted to ask for a quick suggestion.
Would it be less confusing if I changed Reo's name to Leo in the narration? From now on, only Elynn would still call him Reo.
If you're all okay with Reo being used in the narration, I'll keep it as is. But if it's been hard to follow because of the dual names, I'll start using Leo from the next chapter.
Let me know what you guys thinking!