The night breeze blew gently, carrying the scent of the trees and grass of the vast Cube campus.
The lights of the dormitory skyscrapers painted the dark sky, creating a serene atmosphere that contrasted with the cadets' busy training day.
It was almost ten o'clock at night, and silence was beginning to take over the place, with curfew approaching fast.
The trio walked at a comfortable pace, the sound of their footsteps echoing lightly on the stone path.
Rachel, who had found them by chance in the hallway on her way back to her dorm, walked a little more reserved, an aura of royalty still present even in casual clothes.
Upon reaching the fork leading to her dormitory, Rachel stopped.
"Well, I'll stop here."
She said, with a small, polite nod of her head. Her gaze met Theo's for a moment, and then Nayun's.
"Thank you for the company on the way."
"No problem, princess. We'll see you tomorrow."
Nayun replied with an easy smile, waving back.
Theo just nodded, a discreet smile on his lips.
"Good night, Rachel."
"Good night to you both."
With that, the princess turned and went on her way, her elegant silhouette disappearing into the entrance of her building.
Now alone, Theo and Nayun continued to walk, slowing down a bit, as if they wanted to prolong the last moments before curfew. The silence that settled between them was not uncomfortable; it was familiar, filled with a mutual understanding that didn't need words.
Nayun sighed, the fatigue from the gravity chamber training finally weighing on her muscles. She tilted her head back, looking at the stars that managed to shine despite the academy lights.
"Today was intense. My body is completely sore." She murmured with a soft breath. "But it was good. I missed this."
"You put in a lot of effort."
Theo commented, his voice calm beside her.
"Don't forget to rest well. Your muscles will complain tomorrow."
Nayun laughed, a soft sound in the quiet night.
"Don't worry, 'dad.' I won't forget."
To be honest, Nayun had only gone to the gravity chamber today out of pure 'longing.' It was the training she had adopted since she was 9 when she decided to give up the sword, and the painful routine had become a strangely normal habit to the point where she missed a place that most Cube cadets cried blood tears just from having to enter there.
She gave a light push on his shoulder, while stretching her arms above her head.
They stopped in front of the skyscraper where they lived, a few meters from the entrance. Most of the cadets had already gone back, and the lobby was practically empty.
Nayun paused for a moment, looking at the reflection of the Cube lights in the glass of the automatic doors. The cool breeze brushed her skin, carrying the faint scent of the night.
"It's strange... To think about everything that happened between us in these months..."
She shifted her gaze to him, and Theo noticed something different in the sparkle of her eyes.
"Thanks to you, many things became easier. Even my habit of losing my temper disappeared, hehehe!"
A small smile curved her lips, as if she herself was surprised by the change.
"You've done so much for me, Theo. Things I don't even know how to thank you for."
Theo was about to respond, but she interrupted him with a step forward, closing the distance between them.
"Meeting you... was the best thing that ever happened in my life. Even if it was in such a strange way, you know."
The nervous laugh that escaped Nayun mixed with the warmth that rose to her face.
"Eh, well... I guess it's time for us to go in, right?"
She turned on her heel, ready to start walking.
"Ahem! Hold on. Where are you going after telling me all that?"
Nayun, who was already red up to her ears, felt her body being gently pulled back, with arms wrapping around her waist, almost without resistance.
"You really think you can say all that to my face... and just run away? No way."
"Wait... the instructors might see us."
"No one will see, don't worry."
She hesitated, looking away. Her fingertips nervously fidgeted by her side.
"It's just... I'm all sweaty, you know? After training. It's not exactly... the most... presentable moment."
Theo let out a small smile, leaning to the side to try to see her from another angle.
"Do you really think I care about that?" The cool breeze passed between them, but the distance was no longer enough to dissipate the warmth forming on her face.
Nayun took a deep breath, still trying to maintain her composure, but the expression on his face left no room for escape.
Nayun took a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure, but his expression left no room for escape.
She could feign regret for having said all that... but it wasn't true.
Deep down, she loved it when he pampered her, kisses on the forehead, hugs from behind, gentle pats on the head. With him, none of it ever seemed too much.
Nayun turned her face, trying to hide her hot face, but his hand reached for her, holding her chin gently at the same time, guiding her gaze back to his.
"Uh!? W-what... You... Mmmph."
The phrase died in the air, swallowed by Theo's sudden kiss. She froze for an instant, before completely surrendering to the moment, feeling her heart race.
Theo murmured, after he stopped kissing her and then rested his chin on her shoulder.
"Was my declaration insufficient? Hmm... maybe I should say the same words you did."
Nayun, still red, turned and lightly pushed his chest, feigning annoyance.
"Tsk... that's harassment, a week without kisses."
She said playfully, feigning irritation.
"Hey... If that's the case, no private lessons this week."
Theo retorted playfully, as he moved to her side.
"W-what? No, no way. If you stop helping me with that, I'll be completely screwed on the written exams."
She protested, grabbing his arm, her eyes shining in supplication.
Theo leaned into her ear, and whispered:
"You'll have to make my effort to teach you worth it..."
Her cheeks flushed red after she realized what he was insinuating with his words.
"I-I... But that... It's embarrassing..."
"Huh?! I can't hear what my girlfriend wants to say."
"Argg!... T-tonight I'll wear the tigress costume, okay?"
With a jump to the side and her voice hoarse with shame, Nayun gave in.
"Let's go... The night will be long, my tigress."
Whispers and teasing accompanied them as they entered the lobby, discreetly nudging each other.