The dining hall didn't have as many students around as usual, even though it was prime dinner time. I suspected that anyone not currently eating was either holed up in the library or engaged in isolated study as a last effort to boost their brains for tomorrow. Even Bennett told us that he'd be studying at this time in an attempt to counter his bad luck. While I doubted luck had any say in a situation where only experience matters, Bennett was adamant that he couldn't take any risks.

"You'll be fine," Amber assured Xiangling for the third time since she got here. "Do you know if the midterm is curved?"

Xiangling groaned. "This is Professor Baizhu we're talking about! Of course, it isn't."

"Okay, how about a dissection study right here and now?" Amber fished out a Snapdragon from her Jewelry Soup. "Name all the parts."

"I know this one." Xiangling's eyes brightened and she pointed to different sections of the cooked plant, growing more confident with each answer.

Thoma arrived then, sitting in the spot next to mine. I never thought twice about him sitting next to me before, so why was it that my chest tightened, and looking his way made a breath catch in my throat? Bennett, Xiangling, and Amber never really stuck to one seat—they just sat in the same general area when spots were open. Thoma was always by me.

Stop it, Lumine. The only reason why his presence was having such an effect on me was because Professor Minci—Lisa—had put the suggestion that he had feelings for me in my mind. If she never said anything, I'm sure I'd be feeling just as I always had around him. Safe, warm, seen, cared for—not this again. Thoma had a keen sense of other people's emotions, so I had to be careful and not let my thoughts show on my face.

"Hey, Lumine. Look what I've got." He set down his plate of food. It was Almond Tofu. "I figured I should try some, seeing how much you've taken a liking to it recently. Anything you enjoy, I'm sure will taste delicious."

"Not you, too," Xiangling sighed. "Why would you go for Almond Tofu when there's Golden Crab on the menu?"

"Xiangling," Amber snapped her fingers and pointed back into the bowl. "Focus."

She jumped. "Right! I'm back on it."

"You got Almond Tofu because of me?" I asked, touched.

Why I was touched by Thoma simply wanting to have a taste? The mere notion that he was interested in something I was interested in was due to him being interested in me made my heart skip. It was silly. Ridiculous, even. So ridiculous, that I paused my feelings to wonder if they were genuine. Was I only reacting this way because of how he felt for me? If that's the case, did I actually have this strong of an emotion for him in the first place, or was it a reaction to being liked?

"Mm," he slipped a forkful of tofu into his mouth with a slight moan.

"D-Do you like it?" I asked and promptly bit the inside of my cheek.

Archons, did I just stutter? What was that for? The captivating sound that he just made and wanting to hear more of it? Or was it because of how his eyes fell shut in heavenly bliss—a natural reaction to Almond Tofu—made me imagine how soft and peaceful he must look when asleep? Something I'd never get to see for myself unless we…in the same bed…

"Mouthwatering."

Yes, yes, the idea was very mouthwatering.

"I might have to grab seconds. What's wrong, Lumine? You've hardly seemed to touch your own food."

"Huh?" I blinked back into reality to his curious eyes scanning my face. "Oh! My food."

"Lumine's been spacing out a lot," Xiangling commented. "She's lucky she didn't get any Golden Crab today, otherwise I would have snuck it all onto my plate."

"You're easily distracted for someone worried about their horticulture midterm." Amber munched on the Snapdragon. "I guess you won't be needing this anymore."

Xiangling sighed and picked at the garnish on her plate. "Cucumbers, carrots…hm. I don't think any of these will be useful."

"Spacing out is no good." Thoma nudged my shoulder. "Is something bothering you? It'd be a real shame if you're not able to focus properly tomorrow."

"Me? I'm fine." I smiled brightly. "Just thinking about how you—how to, um, do well on the Physical Combat midterm."

"Report!" Amber suddenly exclaimed, pointing directly at me.

I sighed, not needing an explanation for what she meant.

"He's doing better." I idly stabbed my tofu. "Physically, I'd say he's even back to normal. No more ghostly skin or baggy eyes."

"But?" Amber frowned. "Why do I sense a 'but'?"

"I don't know…our dynamic is tense. Too tense. I'm worried that our attacks won't sync up as we planned and that Instructor Xiao will take notice."

Thoma set his fork down. "He won't let you down. I'm sure of it."

Sure, Childe's energy had gotten back up to normal, and he even made some quips like he used to. Despite that, he avoided looking me in the eyes if he could. It was almost as if our severed connection made it impossible for Childe to withstand my presence. And yet, he did try. Just as Thoma said, Childe was putting in the effort to make the midterm a success. I appreciated it, I really did, but there was still something missing.

I cleared my throat, appetite lost. "I think I'll cut dinner short today. One last study session couldn't hurt."

"Are you going to the library?" Thoma reached to grab his things, but I held out a hand to stop him.

"No, I think I'll go to my room. The library was packed when I last checked."

"That makes sense." He nodded to himself and moved to leave once more. "In that case, why don't I walk you to—"

"It's okay!" Panic rose at the thought of me walking with Thoma. Alone. To my room. I might spontaneously combust, and that wouldn't be ideal. "Really. You haven't finished the rest of your Almond Tofu. Thoma, I didn't think you were one to waste food."

"You'd be correct." He blinked, clearly confused. "Alright, then. I hope you're able to get a lot done."

I nodded with a tight-lipped smile.

"Best of luck on your midterms," he continued. "Though, I'm sure you won't need it."

Guilt ate at me for pushing him away.

Thoma smiled his sweet smile. "And sleep well. The weather's getting a bit cooler, so bundle up with some blankets."

"Will do." I gave two thumbs up and inwardly cringed at my awkwardness. "And, uh, you as well."

After dropping off my empty plate, I turned back to look at Thoma one last time. I was already regretting telling him to stay behind. Walking with Thoma to the dorms was something that I looked forward to, even now, but I needed to spend more time thinking this out for myself. Thoma was gentle-hearted, and I didn't want to ruin things between us by making quick assumptions about my feelings—or his.

It was quite some time before I was actually able to get any studying done. Revising my Vision Studies notes simply reminded me how dedicated Thoma was in helping me study and spending extra time in the library with me on assignments. It was much better for my mental psyche to stare at deconstructed diagrams of plant systems for horticulture. There was nothing to get flustered over with Calla Lilies or Lotus Heads.

At some point, the sun had gone down and I found myself straining my eyes to read. After debating whether or not I should just sleep early or study some more, the good student within me fought to keep going for just a bit longer. I stretched, clicked on my lamp, and noticed a small piece of paper lying on the floor next to my door. When had that gotten there?

Padding over to the mysterious scrap, I picked up the paper. It was folded neatly, so I went back to my desk to smooth out the seams.

Lumine,

Meet me by the art gallery. I have something important to share with you.

K

"Kaeya?" I whispered to myself, tracing the initial with my finger.

I'd seen his handwriting before—it scattered his research board in a multitude of detailed notes. The script on this note matched Kaeya's, and I couldn't think of anyone else who would not only go by "K" but also send something so cryptic. I read the brief message several times, trying to make sense of what he meant.

It was odd for him to arrange a meeting by the art gallery, especially since all of our meetings so far have generally been somewhere private. If he had the time to slip this note under my door, why didn't he just knock and come in himself? I would have let him in—he knew that. Not to mention the time of day. I looked out the window once more, hesitant about how close curfew was. Of course, I wasn't sure for how long the note was sitting here. Had I been making him wait this whole time?

After a moment of debating, I decided it couldn't hurt if I was quick. I grabbed a light jacket to put on—Thoma was right about the weather getting colder—and tucked the note in my pocket before leaving my room. At this time, most everyone was in the dorm building, and I didn't want to stick out as someone about to leave. Of course, that wasn't something I had to worry about if students were in their rooms, but someone caught my attention as I passed by the stairway.

"Xiangling?"

She froze in her step, hunched over and carrying a mysterious bundle.

"Lumine," she chuckled nervously. "Fancy seeing you here."

I narrowed my eyes. "What are you carrying?"

"Oh, nothing!"

"It doesn't look like nothing."

"Well…what are you doing, Lumine?" she shot back. "It looks like you're leaving the building, but that can't be. Where could you possibly be going so close to curfew?"

"Touché," I chuckled. "I guess we should both be on our way, then. I won't ask any more questions if you don't—"

A small object fell out of the sack that Xiangling hugged to her chest. It made a dull thunk on the floor before rolling towards me, stopping once it hit my foot. It was a potato. I bent down to pick it up.

"Ah…is that a potato? Where did that come from?"

"You dropped this." I held the potato out for her.

"No, I didn't."

"It's a potato, Xiangling," I laughed. "Not incriminating evidence. Here, I'll put it in the bag for you."

"No, no, wait!" Xiangling shied away as I moved forward, but I caught a glimpse of what was inside the sack before she could hide it.

My jaw dropped. "Did you rob the kitchen?"

"I just—well I wouldn't call it a robbery," her shoulders slumped. "You know how stressed I am about midterms! What normally helps me calm down when I'm flustered or worried about something is a little cooking. I stayed behind after dinner passed and swiped a few produce items that weren't in a container, that's all."

"How do you plan on cooking them, though? Our rooms don't have a stove."

She grinned. "Your room doesn't have a stove."

"Don't tell me…did you steal one?"

"Of course not. I have my own makeshift version. It's something I did a lot when looking for ingredients in the wild. Any time I came across something interesting and couldn't wait to cook it right at that moment—ta-da! Impromptu stove."

"You're really innovative when you want to be," I whistled. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone what you're up to."

Her eyes sparkled with relief. "Really?"

"You're my friend. And it's just cooking."

"Phew." She readjusted the sack of food in her arms. "Well, thanks! I'm not sure how that potato got out just now. I hope there isn't a hole in this bag. Hm, I should probably get up the stairs quick before a bigger tear shows up."

"That sounds like a good idea."

"But before I go…" she eyed me. "Where are you going? I won't tell, either. I'm just curious."

I hesitated for only a moment. This was Xiangling, after all. "I'm meeting Kaeya."

"Kaeya?" Her eyebrows shot up. "What for?"

"Not sure, honestly. I found a note from him asking to meet. It's cutting close to curfew, but I know Kaeya. Whatever it is he has to tell me, I'm sure it's important."

"Probably," she shrugged, indifferent. "Make sure none of those guards catch you. I've seen them hassle with students even before curfew drops."

"I'll keep an eye out. Have fun cooking."

"I will!" She went back to shuffling towards the stairs.

After making sure she was able to get up the first few steps alright, I continued down the hall and prayed that I didn't cross another student. All was well until I reached the main door. As I went for the handle, it swung open before my hand even made contact. Someone had just returned to the dorms, and that someone was Childe.

"Oh," I flinched in surprise, stepping out of the way. "Go ahead."

His open expression revealed that he was just as shocked to see me standing on the other side, but he covered it up quickly with a stoic mask. If I knew anything about Childe, it was that he could be troublesome when trying to get his way. Under different circumstances, he'd probably be pestering me to figure out what I was up to even more than Xiangling had. For once, I was glad that he had resigned to no longer making conversation. Or so I thought.

"Where are you going?" he asked after a moment.

This time, it was me who avoided his gaze. "Out. Why?"

"It's almost curfew."

I furrowed my brows at that, looking up to see suspicion on his face. "And? Why does it matter to you?"

"You normally know better." He pressed his lips together. "I was just curious."

"I'll be back soon enough."

He simply nodded at that, stepping over the threshold. "Don't get caught by the guards." It was the first thing he'd said to me that wasn't strictly class-related.

"I won't," I replied quickly before slipping past him and out the door. I made sure to spare a few looks back in case Childe followed me, but that didn't seem to be the case.

He was leaving me alone.

After the CATF had been on full patrol for weeks now, I'd gathered some sense of where their routes crossed. As I took the most inconspicuous paths possible, I thought about what the important thing Kaeya had to tell me was. He'd been busy as of late, working to carry out his student council duties, so it made sense that this was the best time he could find to talk.

I doubted it related to the Abyss Order in any way because the location he'd chosen would be too revealing. If not about the Abyss Order, could it be that he wanted an update about the Geo energy? I hadn't gotten the chance to look into that ability yet. With midterms swirling around, there wasn't enough time. Besides, I didn't think it was that either—it was also too sensitive of a topic to air out on campus.

Then what could it be?

Answers would come soon enough. I was nearing the art gallery when a flash of white caught my attention. It hovered close to the ground by the art gallery's entrance, and I soon saw that it was a cluster of ice crystals sparkling in the moonlight.

I walked up to the glittering crystals, and they began to shift forward as I got closer. They formed a path, leading me to the other side of the building and melting away as I continued along. I found myself incredibly intrigued and fascinated by these twinkling crystals. How had Kaeya managed to create something so delicate and sensitive to movement?

On and on, the path circled around to the back and across a short distance of grass. I kept an eye out for guards, but it seemed that the ice crystals were leading me to a hidden location. At this rate, the guards would have a hard time spotting me.

Finally, the glittering path stopped once I'd made it to a grove of trees. It was still campus property, not quite the forest, so I stepped inside. The trees weren't nearly as dense as they appeared from the outside—a small clearing immediately opened up with a structure in the middle. A gazebo.

In the center of the gazebo stood the silhouette of a person.

"Kaeya?" I questioned the figure.

The person laughed, low and feminine.

"Just as I expected, unsuspecting and naive." They stepped out from under the gazebo, and my body tensed. "You made me wait far too long, brat. I was beginning to consider I may be mistaken and that you wouldn't take the bait, but here you are. I'm never wrong."

"What do you want, Signora?" I clenched my fists. "Why did you bring me here?"

She inspected her nails. "You were a simple annoyance at first. I planned on a scare or two to put you in your place, but I suppose I took too long in that regard. Who would have thought you'd grow to be such a nuisance as to interfere with my plans?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Really," she snapped. "Now you want to play dumb? I'll make you pay for swaying Childe so far in the wrong direction. He was complacent before, you know. Now, he's become a threat. What did you do, seduce him?"

I balked. "Seduce him? I would never—he doesn't even speak to me anymore!"

"Save it. You're here now. Alone and vulnerable."

Slowly, she advanced, her heels digging into the grass. I took a shaky step back, but she lashed her hand out before I could get very far. An accumulation of Cryo energy shot up from the ground and fully encased my legs until I was literally frozen in place.

I opened my mouth to call for help when a single icicle arched from the Cryo mass. Its razor-sharp end halted at my neck, pressing into my skin. I felt an ice-cold, pinprick of pain.

Signora tilted her head to the side, watching me struggle, and laughed.

"I've got you now," she sneered. "And no one is coming to save you."