there's just something magical about sitting in class and absolutely not paying attention that makes writing so fun

Fortunately for everyone, there was no further destruction to campus or threatened safety. Unfortunately for me, there was a nonstop commotion going through my mind. For the past few days, all I could think about was the root cause of the wall destruction—no one had figured out that one out yet—and Diluc. More specifically, whether or not Amber was right on both fronts.

I couldn't entirely discount the idea. She made a good point when she brought up how he was more concerned for me than for the state of the building. When I thought back to how he responded post-raid, he did behave similarly. His worry was far greater than someone who just considered me a friend. As much as I wanted to believe he would react the same for any other student, I couldn't see it.

Then there was his promise. If Amber knew about the promise he made to me, I don't doubt she'd have a field day. Then again, I'm beginning to think she may jump at any crumb of information. In that case, it could be possible that her suggestion was exaggerated.

Diluc may have deeper feelings for me, or I could just be his first genuine close friend at this school—possibly ever. I didn't want to jump to conclusions about it and assume he was attracted to me, but the idea was constantly lingering in the back of my mind. It was stuck with me. Hovering. Entertaining.

"You like him, too."

Amber's words echoed in my mind once again, and I quickly skimmed over the notion. Thinking of how I felt about Diluc quickly turned my mind into mush—this was concerning because that meant there was truth in her statement. What I couldn't understand was why.

Sure, Diluc was intelligent and quick-witted. He knew how to handle large groups of people—even those with more authority than him. Though he didn't express himself as much as a typical person, it was admirable how he was able to convey his words with simple grunts and the occasional grumble. And when he did express himself, his smile would lighten the room—spreading to my own face—and his glowers were incredibly effective. Not to mention his protectiveness and caring nature, which he knew how to tone down when appropriate.

My chest tightened. Strikingly handsome features with an air of elegance, there was no one quite like Diluc, and it'd be impossible for me to not have these feelings for him, right? Being drawn to him was completely reasonable, anyone would after getting to know him. Besides, just because I found him attractive didn't mean that…well, there were other guys here that could also be considered handsome.

For example, Kaeya, Thoma—even Childe when he wasn't being insufferable. When I thought of them, I wan into an equally flustering bundle of emotions. There's no way I had feelings for all four of them, Amber would have to agree. That would be impossible.

"You have a way of making the impossible, well, possible."

Kaeya had said that. He's never given me a chance to doubt him, so maybe—no. He was referencing a completely different topic. What would he know? Well, he's a huge flirt, so he might know something.

Enough thinking—I was beginning to feel flustered again. The day has come for our weekly chess match, and I needed to keep myself focused. Dinner was over—early because of the new restrictions—and I was on my way to the library. Students were already making their way back to the dorms, but we had at least another hour before curfew rolled around. Once I got to the library, Diluc was already there at the table. He had a small plate next to the chessboard. Was that all he had to eat for dinner?

"Hey," my voice came out too high for some reason, I cleared my throat. "What's that you've got there?"

"Just some caramelized Sunsettia slices." He pushed the plate aside. "Unfortunately, we don't have the leisure to spare a few hours this time."

I sighed and sat across from him. "How many games do you think we'll be able to get in? Three?"

"We could make things interesting. Have you ever done blitz?"

"Speed chess?" I raised my brows. "No, but I'm familiar."

His lips quirked to the side in a smirk—something I didn't see often and couldn't help but notice looked good on him. "I have my pocket watch with me. How about we go five minutes each?"

"For an entire game?"

"Of course, if you don't believe you have the skill to—"

"Five minutes it is," I grinned. "Don't go changing your mind when you get close to zero seconds."

Diluc adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves. "I wouldn't dream of it. Ready?"

I nodded.

He pulled out his pocket watch and clicked the button to begin. I made the first move.

"You're the worst." I moved my king back one space.

Diluc clicked his pocket watch again and reached to advance his queen. "Says the losing player of our 5-0 match." He clicked the button, signaling that it was my turn.

I scanned for all possibilities on the board, but there was no use. I was down only to my king, and Diluc had his king and queen. With great reluctance, I moved my king back diagonally into the corner. Click. Diluc moved his queen again, just one move away from putting me in check. Click. I only had thirty seconds left. This was our final game and my last chance at making some sort of comeback. No matter which way I took my king, I wouldn't be able to escape. There were no legal moves for me to make.

"Stalemate," Diluc chuckled. "Nice play."

My eyes widened. This was a stalemate. "Yes. I did this on purpose. You fell into my trap."

He leaned back into his seat with a smile. "Did I?"

"You're unable to win," I shrugged. "It may not go towards the final score, but it's a win for me."

"Congratulations," he laughed more openly, and a breath caught in my throat. He had a beautiful laugh. "You're one step closer to defeating me. I'll have to stay on guard so that never happens."

"Would it be so bad for me to win once?" I pretended to be upset, but a traitorous smile spread onto my face.

"How can I allow myself to lose?" He raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Why, you might just go off looking for a more challenging partner."

I shook my head. "Nope. I can't think of anyone else I'd rather play with. You're stuck with me, Diluc."

His smile fell by a fraction. For a moment, I thought he was reverting back to his signature frown, but his face faltered into a quiet surprise. It was then that I realized that, considering Amber's words, what I said could be interpreted differently. I began to think of a way to remediate what I meant, but did I want to? Diluc picked up a fallen chess piece—my queen—and toyed with it in his gloved hand.

"I don't mind," he said softly, looking straight at me. "I never would have thought, that in such a short amount of time, I would find myself with someone that I can truly be at ease around. Lumine, you should know that your presence, to me, feels like the start of a new day. Your hair, your eyes—they're like the sun, but you shine even brighter. How I lived before meeting you that day—I never wish to experience such darkness again."

Amber was right. Amber was right.

Feeling my hands begin to shake, I clasped them together. There was nothing I could do about my flaming face, though. Diluc's gaze towards me, I could see it now. It was full of fondness, hope, and admiration. I couldn't look away. I had to, though, if I wanted to form a coherent reply. How was I supposed to respond to being compared to the sun?

Diluc cleared his throat and looked down to the table, removing the chessboard of its remaining three pieces and organizing the rest. I worried that my silence discouraged him, so I quickly reached out to grab his hand.

"Wait," I said. "Thank you, Diluc. It's hard for me to think of a proper response to something so sweet, but I appreciate it a lot. I really do. I…you—"

"I understand." He lowered his hand and placed his other one on top of mine.

"You do?" I wasn't sure what I said conveyed my feelings at all, especially since not even I was fully certain of what they were. He deserved someone who was confident in their heart to say it straight. All I knew was that I wanted to keep seeing Diluc like this—happy.

"It is more than enough for me to continue meeting you here in the library, listening to your stories, and watching you thrive. Don't be afraid to pace yourself—your goals will always be there waiting for you. Unlike with speed chess, please, take your time."

I squeezed his hand. "I will."

The library doors creaked, echoing in the space only occupied by us. The intimacy of our conversation flickered away as Diluc tensed, and I turned to see who it was. A guard.

"I suggest you two get back to your rooms now," the guard said. "Curfew is approaching."

Diluc's jaw noticeably ticked, but he smoothed out the irritation with a flat look. "Alright, we've got it."

The guard stood there.

"You can leave, now," Diluc said gruffly.

The guard remained. "I'll keep watch here."

"Come on," I got up and waved Diluc over. "Let's play a game on our way back—one that I'm sure to win at least once."

He followed me, amused suspicion on his face. "And what might that be?"

We exited the library, and I was sure to give the guard a slight nod of acknowledgment as I left. I was just as apprehensive about the increased task force activity as everyone else, but it wasn't his fault—he was just doing his job. I could only hope that the student council could convince the Raiden Shogun to be more lenient as soon as possible.

Diluc held out his arm, but I didn't take it. Before he misunderstood the gesture, I held out both of my hands—one in a closed fist and the other underneath it with an open palm facing upwards.

"Rock-paper-scissors."

He laughed for the second time tonight, and I joined in. We traded off wins and losses back and forth. Just when I was beginning to get a sense of his ticks, Diluc would throw a completely different hand. The lack of strategy in a game as simple as this was exciting, and the permanent smile that lifted his face told me we should play it more often. As long as I could keep seeing that smile, I didn't mind losing at all.

In the back of my mind, I had a feeling that whatever might happen in the future—just as he promised—Diluc would be there for me. He was right, this wasn't a blitz round. Life wasn't like chess at all, and something told me there would be an eventual end to this stalemate.