Fragment Chapter: Zero Points
Trista— the place where everything started; the place where his life came together. The same patterns on the pavements, the same aroma of Kirsche's homemade pizzas and the same kiss of zephyr greeted him when he stepped past the station doors. Nothing changed, except the height at which he could reach the trees.
Tiny snowflakes drifted down from the sky and blanketed the small town. They were everywhere, from the glistening lampposts to the concrete roads and the smooth tiled rooftops of the Boutique. Behind him, the familiar toll of the bell was followed by the rush of steel along the tracks. Time moved ever onward it seems, but he wished to the Goddess that it would go faster just so he could see the lino flowers bloom.
A wind blew past him as the soft hum of an orbal car motored away. Then another. Can't say he missed the silence. Trista was never known for its traffic, but he could hardly blame the drivers. It was a charming place to sightsee, and often times if the days permitted, he would take a cruise here using his own orbal motorbike.
The sloshing of wheels stopped, and he crossed over to the park, the glass leaves sparkling like the countless stars in the sky. A shard chipped off when they rustled again. Calm and gentle, his eyes followed its trail through the air.
It rested on a bed of satin silver hair napping on a bench. He couldn't stop the nostalgia from smearing his face with a smile. Nothing's changed indeed.
The girl's eyes fluttered open. Her sleepy gaze focused lazily on him, and he could see a thin sheen of tears glimmering on her irises. He wasn't that late, was he?
Thankfully not; the beam on her face stated otherwise. With feline grace, the girl shot up to her feet and twirled, her ponytail flowing with her every gesture. Light patches of snow dusted her dark green scarf, and she flicked them away. She had come in the unexpected blue of the branch campus, borrowed from Aidios knows who and despite herself having been graduated years ago.
He'd dare say it suited her quite well. The attire's muted colors highlighted her white skin and shining silver hair, and the formality exuding from the uniform clashed with her little devilish cheeks and teasing smirk. She was slim yet curvaceous, the tight fit cutting an attractive figure as the fabric hugged her body. Her short, pleated skirt gave way to long pitch-black tights- he had to restrain himself from commenting on how toned her legs were. Were those a pair of new-model Stregas too?
Through all that, her bright green eyes twinkled mischievously.
"How do I look?" she asked.
In one word: beautiful— but he wasn't brave enough to fall into her trap that easily.
"You know, I could get in trouble if a rumor spreads about me flirting with a student."
"Cheapskate."
He laughed. If she had been fishing for compliments, she didn't need to overdo it— simply show up, and he'd still see her as heavenly.
She was the love of his life after all. But she already knew that.
"You're here as a temporary instructor. At least dress the part," he scolded.
"I just have to look like one, right? Oh, I know."
Even years of training and months being together, he still couldn't believe how fast she could move. In the split-second he had to blink, the girl had skipped next to him and pulled the glasses right off his face. With another twirl, she put it on in a mock impression of a certain green-haired bespectacled classmate of theirs.
"How about now?" she asked again.
"You look like a smart student." He shrugged when her cheeks puffed in annoyance. "...Or a petite professor."
"Do I look cute though?"
"I thought you were always cute?"
"True," she said. Her chest rose, and she stood pridefully with her hands on her hips. "I got to play up my cuteness just so the kids could get to see how cool and mature I am."
Mature indeed. "Most of them are just a year younger than you."
"T-that's not the point!" Oh, but it very much is. Apparently, she had not thought her plan through.
"We wouldn't want to ruin that image by being late then." With a gentleman's curtsy, he winked to his lifelong partner. "Ready to head out, Instructor Claussell?"
"Yep. But, uhm…" Her cheeks suddenly flushed in response. She found staring at the nearby trees entertaining as she held out her hand.
He clasped it in his.
"...I give full marks. You're getting better at this, Schwarzer. Reading a girl's heart."
"Well, I have this one amazing teacher."
"Ohh. You mean Sara— mhh?!"
He saw a glare before his eyes closed and his lips tasted an indescribable warmth. They parted, and it was a shame their kiss lasted all for a brief moment.
"I meant you, of course."
She whimpered, then an overwhelmingly red blush burst on her face. "...I take it back. Zero points. You can't read a girl's heart at all!"
Well, that just meant he needed to work hard for that extra credit. "C' mon. We'll take the long way there."
With a heart-thumping giggle, she clung to his arm, and he could smell the flowery perfume on her hair. It was freesia, he believed. A bit early, but he didn't care. It was an alluring scent, but just as innocent as her smile. Together after so long, they strolled towards the gates of their academy.
Tiny snowflakes drifted down from the sky and blanketed the small town. They were everywhere, from the glistening lampposts to the concrete roads and the smooth tiled rooftops of the Boutique. Behind them, the familiar toll of the bell was followed by the rush of steel along the tracks. Time moved ever onward it seems, but he wished to the Goddess that it would stop just so he could be with her like this forever more.
He didn't feel cold at all.
I. NEED. HEALING.
Vampuric Spider - Thank you very much! I hope I can continue to write to your liking.
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