The sun had dipped below the horizon, bathing Trista in soft shades of violet and orange as the day came to an end. The halls of the Class VII dormitory were quiet, save for the occasional distant laugh or clink of dishes from the dining area. Laura climbed the stairs to the second floor with a small package tucked under her arm, her mind flitting back to her earlier visit to Heimdallr.

The market had been as bustling as ever, vendors enthusiastically calling out their wares to passersby. Laura hadn't been particularly looking for anything when her eyes had landed on the Mishy stall—a colorful assortment of stuffed toys in all shapes and sizes. One particular Mishy had stood out: a plush version of the mascot dressed in a whimsical fairy outfit, complete with delicate little wings and a flower crown.

Laura had smiled to herself as the thought popped into her head—Fie would like this. It hadn't been the first time the thought of a fairy had connected to Fie in her mind. Between her swift, ethereal movements in combat and the affectionate nickname "Sylpheed," it felt like a little nod to how she saw her dear Fie.

With no hesitation, Laura had bought the plush, the vendor wrapping it neatly. "It's for someone special," she'd admitted to herself quietly.

Now, standing in front of Fie's door, Laura let out a steadying breath. She knocked lightly.

"Yeah?" came Fie's muffled voice from inside.

Laura opened the door to find Fie sprawled out on her bed, legs kicked up on the wall, a book dangling loosely in her hand as though she'd gotten distracted midway through reading. Her silver hair was a soft mess, pooling lazily against the pillow.

"Laura?" Fie glanced up, one brow raised. "What's up?"

Laura stepped inside, closing the door gently behind her. "I… have something for you." She held up the small package. "I saw it in the market today and thought of you."

Fie sat up a little straighter, curiosity flickering in her green eyes. "Huh? For me?"

"Yes," Laura said warmly, walking over to stand at the edge of Fie's bed. She held the package out toward her. "Here. I hope you'll like it."

Fie blinked, looking at the gift and then up at Laura as though trying to figure out the catch. "You didn't have to get me anything," she muttered, though her voice lacked its usual edge.

"I know," Laura replied gently. "But I wanted to."

Fie accepted the package, hesitating just a moment before carefully pulling apart the twine and unfolding the wrapping. The moment the plush Mishy fairy was revealed, Laura saw Fie freeze ever so slightly, her hands stilling as her eyes went wide.

"A Mishy?" Fie said softly, her voice quiet with surprise. She lifted the plush up, taking in the little fairy wings and flower crown, the faintest pink dusting her cheeks. "With wings and everything…"

Laura smiled, watching the reaction she'd hoped for unfold before her. "I remembered your nickname—Sylpheed—and how it connects to fairies in some lore. It reminded me of you."

Fie turned the plush over in her hands, examining the stitching like she was trying to stay nonchalant. "Makes sense," she mumbled, though her voice sounded far softer than usual.

Laura chuckled, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. "You don't have to play it cool, Fie," she teased lightly, tilting her head. "I can tell you're pleased."

"I'm not—" Fie started, but Laura's knowing smile stopped her mid-sentence. After a moment of silence, Fie sighed through her nose and hugged the Mishy plush loosely to her chest, cheeks still faintly pink. "Okay. Maybe I do like it."

"I'm glad," Laura said. "It's fitting, you know."

"What is?" Fie asked, still half-hiding behind the plush.

Laura's expression softened. "You being a fairy. You may not have wings, but you're graceful, light on your feet, and you bring a certain magic with you wherever you go."

Fie blinked, looking up at Laura with surprised eyes before quickly looking away again, a rare shyness crossing her face. "You're saying weird stuff again," she mumbled.

Laura laughed warmly. "Maybe I am. But it's true."

Fie glanced back at her after a moment, hugging the fairy Mishy a little closer to her chest as she settled back against the pillows. "Thanks, Laura. For thinking about me."

The quiet sincerity in Fie's voice made Laura's heart swell, and she smiled softly in return. "It's my pleasure, Fie."

For a while, they simply sat there in comfortable silence. Fie leaned back with the plush nestled against her, while Laura remained on the edge of the bed, content to share this quiet moment. Outside, the evening sun cast its final golden glow over Trista, but here, in Fie's room, the warmth lingered in full.