Felix wondered when he had started noticing Bernadetta around him more. For all intents and purposes, she was practically like a specter wandering the halls from her room to the library or mess, nearly invisible to anyone unless they were actively seeking her out. Yet, even without meaning to, he had been spotting her more and more.
It started in the halls between the dorms and the classes; he had noticed her by the bushes gazing in his direction. Then, it happened again when he got shanghaied into returning books for Hilda – Bernadetta was at a desk, clearly peeking over the book at him. Felix wracked his brain for any reason she might have for observing him.
Or, maybe he was just being paranoid? Sure, they've talked quite a bit, comparatively for the two of their social lives at any rate, but he wasn't sure they were that "close".
Spotting Bernadetta today was the easiest it's ever been. The two of them were alone in the training hall; Felix was swinging his sword while Bernadetta tried to look inconspicuous behind one of the pillars. He paid her no mind and went back to swinging his sword. His mind was empty out of everything except his own body and the sword.
Which is why when she moved from behind the pillar and began waving, Felix thought she was waving to someone else. Not wanting to assume she was waving to him, he continued his sets. However, it was difficult to focus when Bernadetta was waving so frantically… Felix turned to whoever she was waving to, intent on getting them to notice her so she would stop, when he was brought back to reality.
They were the only ones there.
When Felix turned to acknowledge her, she was gone. Like a specter in the wind, sshe was out of sight. No, this won't do, he thought. If I don't find her now, it's going to bug me too much to focus.
Without much nuance, Felix made his way to the pillar that Bernadetta was behind moments ago. Unsurprisingly, however, she had already made her escape. Felix sighed and walked around the pillar, only to walk face-first into Bernadetta who had been trying to stay hidden the whole time.
Before Felix could even utter a groan of surprise, Bernadetta supplied enough noise for the two of them. In an instant, her flailing arms caused him to lose his handle on the sword, sending it careening into the wall with a crash! "Wh- Bernadetta!"
"Ah! Felix, I'm sorry! You just surprised me is all, please don't be mad!" Bernadetta's eyes swirled like she was a rabbit caught by a cat. Frankly, that made two of them since Felix had no idea how to react to this situation. Before he could even open his mouth, she had slipped out of the training hall, disappearing into the evening.
From this moment on, Felix made it his mission to spot Bernadetta before she could spot him. There was no way he was going to let this strange voyeuristic activity of hers go on without at least an explanation. It doesn't even have to be a good one, but Felix's curiosity was piqued in a way that she would not be able to leave his mind much.