Lenalee took a deep breath as she stepped through the wrought-iron gates of Tiedoll's manor, the familiar scent of aged wood and lingering incense enveloping her like a warm embrace. This place had always felt like a refuge, a sanctuary from the chaos of the world outside. But today, it felt heavier, as if the very walls were pressing in on her. She had come seeking solace, but her heart was troubled, burdened by the changes she had noticed in Lavi over the past few weeks.

Ever since Lavi's encounter with Tyki, he had been a shadow of his former self. The vibrancy that had once radiated from him was dimmed, and it gnawed at her. Lavi smiled often, but there was an emptiness in those smiles, a flicker of something deeper lurking behind his vibrant green eyes. She had tried to reach out to him, to ask how he was feeling, but he always sidestepped her questions. It was as if he had built an impenetrable wall around himself, and she felt powerless against it.

After navigating the sprawling garden, Lenalee finally approached the heavy oak door and knocked softly. It creaked open to reveal Kanda, who stood there, arms crossed and an expression that could only be described as slightly annoyed.

"Kanda," she began, stepping inside and closing the door behind her. "I need to talk to you about Lavi."

He glanced at her, his dark eyes narrowing slightly. "What about him?"

Lenalee took a seat across from him at the dimly lit table, folding her hands in her lap as she gathered her thoughts. "I'm worried. Ever since… well, since that night with Tyki, he's not the same. He seems bothered, and I don't know how to help him."

Kanda scoffed, returning his attention to the blade he was sharpening. "Why do you care? He's not your friend, and he sure as hell isn't mine."

Lenalee's heart sank at his words. "But he's our classmate! He's been through a lot. I just feel like he's hiding something, something important. I can't help but think it has to do with Tyki."

Kanda shrugged, his indifference cutting deeper than she expected. "Lavi can handle himself. He's got his own secrets, just like everyone else."

Frustration bubbled within her, and she leaned forward. "You're not even listening! I can't shake the feeling that he's not… normal. With the way he talks about certain things, the way he reacts to Tyki's name—it's almost like he's afraid."

At this, Kanda finally met her gaze fully, his eyes narrowing in curiosity. "What are you saying, Lenalee?"

"I don't know," she admitted, wringing her hands. "But I wonder… could Lavi be like Allen? A vampire, I mean."

Kanda's expression remained impassive, but Lenalee could sense the tension in the room shift. "You're imagining things. Lavi isn't like Allen."

"But how can you be so sure?" she pressed. "You've known him longer than I have, and I can't help but feel that there's more to his story."

Kanda leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest, and the tension in the room thickened. "I know what he is, and it doesn't matter. What matters is that you should stop worrying about him. It's not your problem."

Her heart ached at his indifference. "But it is my problem, Kanda! Lavi is my friend. I care about him, and it's hard to watch him suffer in silence."

Silence stretched between them, heavy and charged. Kanda's jaw tightened, but Lenalee refused to back down. "You can't dismiss this. We're in this together, aren't we? If Lavi is in trouble, then we need to help him."

"Do what you want," Kanda replied coolly, his gaze shifting away. "But don't drag me into your delusions."

Lenalee's frustration bubbled over, and she stood, pacing the room. "You know something, don't you? You've seen what he's capable of. I can feel it! You're hiding something from me, Kanda, and it's not fair."

"Fair?" Kanda echoed, his voice low and dangerous. "Life isn't fair, Lenalee. Not for us, and not for Lavi."

The truth of his words hung in the air, and she felt a pang of sorrow for Lavi—a sorrow that deepened when she thought about how alone he must feel. "I just want to understand him, Kanda. I want to be there for him like he's been there for all of us."

Kanda's expression hardened. "You think Lavi needs your help? He doesn't want it, and you're only going to get hurt if you keep pushing."

"Why are you being like this?" she asked, desperation creeping into her voice. "He's not just some obstacle to get over. He's a person who's struggling, and he needs friends who care about him."

"He doesn't care about anyone but himself," Kanda snapped, his frustration spilling over. "I don't trust him, and you shouldn't either."

Lenalee stopped, her breath hitching. "You don't even know him like I do! You can't just shut people out because you don't like their pasts or who they are. That's not how friendships work, Kanda."

"Friendship? What do you know about that?" Kanda retorted, his voice rising. "You think he's your friend? You think that'll save you if he decides to turn on you?"

"Why are you so angry?" Lenalee challenged, her own voice trembling with emotion. "This isn't just about you or me. It's about Lavi. He's confused and scared, and we're letting him deal with it alone!"

The air between them crackled with tension, and Kanda's gaze turned icy. "If Lavi is a vampire, he has his own reasons for hiding. We're not part of that. It's a dangerous world, and he doesn't want you to be involved."

Lenalee felt her resolve waver, but she stood firm. "So, what? We just ignore him? Pretend everything is fine? Kanda, that's not right! He deserves to know that we care, that we're here for him."

Kanda's silence was deafening, and Lenalee realized that their conversation was going nowhere. She could sense the walls he had built around himself were impenetrable, much like the barriers Lavi had erected. But she couldn't give up, not when her instincts screamed that there was something wrong.

"Just… think about it, Kanda," she said softly. "Lavi needs us. I can't ignore what's happening, and I won't let you either."

As she turned to leave, she felt Kanda's gaze follow her, heavy with unspoken words. "You're being naive, Lenalee," he finally said, his voice low. "The world is full of monsters. Don't mistake kindness for safety."

Lenalee paused, glancing back at him. "And don't mistake silence for strength. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is reach out, even when it's scary."

With that, she stepped into the corridor, a sense of dread settling in her chest. If Kanda was hiding something about Lavi, it only added to her fears. She needed to figure out what was happening, not just for Lavi but for herself too.

For now, she would keep her distance, but she wouldn't stop looking for answers. Lavi's secrets might be darker than anyone realized, but she was determined to uncover them, no matter the cost.