Sunlight filtered through the leaves of the trees, creating a curtain of light that fell on Orson’s golden hair.
He followed behind Avira Nassy in silence, allowing her to lead him. The smile on his lips rippled gently, like transparent waves spreading across a tranquil lake, breathtaking in its beauty.
He truly loved being with her…
Her hands were still small and warm, just like that day…
When shards of shattered crystal lay scattered across the ground, turning what should have been a beautiful scene into chaos…
Everyone had fled in panic, but she stayed by his side, holding his hand tightly.
Even if it had all started as a mere transaction…
He couldn’t turn back anymore…
Because he couldn’t let go of this person.
They continued walking until they reached a quieter area, where Nassy finally released his hand.
“Ah Orson, why are you here…?”
“Because I missed you.”
He effortlessly lifted her onto a stone step so that she could look him in the eyes. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he leaned in close. “Nassy, did you miss me?”
He buried his face in her shoulder, his lips brushing her ear as he spoke.
But before she could react, another hand reached over, pulling her into a different embrace.
“Nassy…”
Ashton gazed down at her, his silver-blue eyes shining brighter than a sea of diamonds. “I… can play basketball now…”
Huh?
Avira Nassy blinked, her curiosity about Orson’s sudden appearance instantly replaced by surprise at Ashton’s words.
“Ashton… you can play basketball now?”
“Mm…”
The warmth from Orson’s embrace was gone in an instant, leaving him stunned. Only then did he notice the other figure beside her.
The breeze rustled the leaves, carrying with it the faint scent of translucent rose petals.
There stood a quiet, mysterious boy.
The sunlight filtering through the branches cast a soft glow over his slender figure, making him look like an ethereal character from an illustration.
He stood quietly at her side, his silver-blue eyes seeming to hold no other scenery—only… Avira.
Orson’s eyes narrowed slightly, and a dark glimmer passed through his gaze.
That look… he knew it well.
It was…
A gaze that acknowledged no one else.
And yet, a familiar feeling rose in his heart.
He had the sense he had seen this boy before, but the memory was too faint to recall.
“Avira, aren’t you curious why I’m here?” Orson Flynn asked, raising an eyebrow as he pulled Avira into his arms, holding her hands like a lover might.
“Hmm… I thought about it, but Ah Orson, you’re always so unpredictable… so it doesn’t seem strange at all for you to show up here.”
“…”
Orson stared at her for a long moment, reorganizing his thoughts. “What if I said I’m here to play basketball with you?”
“…What did you just say?”
Avira Nassy paused, then quickly pulled away from him and looked up, eyes wide.
Her dark, water-like eyes sparkled brighter than the soft glow of gathered stars.
“I said…”
He gently cupped her cheeks, leaning in as if it were the most natural thing. “I’m here to be with you.”
Avira bit her lip, leaving a faint mark on her pale pink lips. Orson braced himself, thinking she might be so moved that she’d hug him…
But instead, he felt a sharp pain on his face.
Avira Nassy had grabbed his cheeks and pulled them hard. “Silly Orson… You should stick to modeling. Basketball is too manly for you; it doesn’t suit you.”
“…”
Orson was momentarily stunned, his blue-green eyes shimmering with laughter. He smiled brightly, placing his hands over hers. “Avira, my face is the dream of countless girls. If you ruin it, then I’ll have to stay with you forever… which, of course, I wouldn’t mind.”
Of course, Orson knew that Avira had said all those things because she didn’t want him to get into trouble. But she seemed unaware of one fact: he had always been incredibly skilled at basketball.
And besides…
How could he possibly pass up such a perfect chance to flirt openly with her?
“No way…” Avira Nassy pulled her hand back, her gaze sweeping over him indifferently. “Ah Orson, you’re too dumb… I don’t want to be with you forever.”
Though she spoke slowly, her tone was full of certainty, as if she was stating a simple and undeniable truth.
“…”
“Also, Ah Orson, you’re too frivolous.”
“…”
“And Ah Orson, you’re a handful.”
“…”
“Bye-bye.”
“…”
With that, Avira grabbed the sleeve of Ashton, who was standing beside her, and began walking toward the school building.
After a few steps, she paused, glancing back. The sunlight cast a soft halo around her angelic profile. “…Thank you, Ah Orson.”
Orson was momentarily stunned.
He stared at her blankly, a thin mist of confusion clouding his usually clear eyes. Yet deep in his gaze, her image was etched vividly.
Ashton gave Orson a brief, indifferent look. His silver-blue eyes seemed to flash with a hint of guardedness before he followed Avira.
Even as their figures disappeared from sight, Orson remained frozen in place.
The whole world seemed to have gone quiet.
Only his heart pounded uncontrollably, a wild, irregular rhythm.
A sudden blush spread across his cheeks, beautiful and fleeting, like a rainbow glimpsed through the morning mist.
“Crap!”
He lifted a hand to cover his face.
Between the golden strands of his hair, his blue-green eyes shone brightly, betraying every bit of his inner turmoil.
His lips moved, his voice as light as the red ribbon fluttering on her wrist. “Why is she suddenly so cute… That’s so unfair!”
But…
His lips curved into a satisfied smile, like bubbles floating in the sunlight, reflecting a kaleidoscope of colors—stunningly beautiful.
Since she thanked me, I’ll come and collect my reward later, Avira.
—
At Sandfield Academy’s gymnasium.
“Orson is so cute…”
“He’s super, super, super cute! I want to hug him and pinch his cheeks!”
