CHAPTER 185: CHAPTER 185 - KNOWING MORE ABOUT OUR MYSTERIOUS FRIEND

The lake’s surface shimmered faintly under the setting sun, the water rippling each time a stone skipped across it. A soft breeze carried the scent of wet grass and the quiet rustle of reeds, brushing against Luca’s coat as he walked closer. His steps slowed when he noticed the familiar figure—violet hair catching the light like strands of dusk—kneeling by the shore, tossing stones into the water as though each one carried away a piece of her boredom.

He approached, his voice careful yet warm. "What happened? Did I do something wrong?"

The woman’s hand froze mid-throw. She flinched slightly at his voice, then turned her head away, her hair falling like a curtain to shield her expression. "Hmph. Don’t talk to me."

Luca blinked, a bit thrown off. His brows furrowed as he leaned down slightly, trying to catch her gaze. "Come on. If you don’t tell me, how can we resolve it?"

For a long moment, she sat stiffly, shoulders tense, lips pressed into a pout. Finally, she glanced sideways at him, her violet eyes flashing with frustration as she muttered, "Why didn’t you come to meet me for so long?"

Luca froze, the words hitting him more bluntly than expected. "That—" He started, but quickly cut himself off, pressing his lips together. Seriously? She’s angry over something like this?

But even as the thought formed, he clenched his jaw. He knew deep down that dismissing her feelings would be unfair. No... it’s not small. If she feels this way, then I really have been treating her poorly.

His expression softened. With a small sigh, he scratched his cheek awkwardly and said, "I’m sorry, okay? I’ll visit you more often in the future."

Her pout melted instantly. A small laugh bubbled from her lips, breaking her earlier sternness. "Then that’s a deal."

Luca chuckled under his breath, relieved, and nodded. "Deal."

Well... that was easier than I thought.

She closed the distance between them without hesitation, brushing the grass aside with her hand before sitting down at the water’s edge. Her violet hair swayed with the breeze, catching the fading light. She patted the spot beside her, and Luca followed, settling down with a quiet rustle of fabric.

Her gaze remained fixed on the lake, the light dancing in her eyes as she asked, "So, what problem do you have this time?"

Luca tilted his head, genuinely confused. "What do you mean?"

She turned toward him, her lips quirking in amusement. "Can’t you only come here when you’ve got some problem to unload?"

Luca blinked at her, caught off guard. "Wait—what? No. I mean... can’t I come here without having a problem?"

She laughed, a sound lighter than the rippling water, her eyes narrowing with genuine joy. "Really? You came here without having any problem?"

Luca could only nod, still stunned by her reaction. Damn... was I really that bad? Did I give her the impression I only come when I need something from her?

The brightness in her smile tugged at his chest. She looked genuinely happy—happier than he had ever seen her. "That’s great! Now we can meet more often."

Luca inwardly cursed himself, scolding silently. You idiot. You bastard. She’s right to think that. I really have been treating her like some kind of problem-solver.

Her laughter slowly died down, and her gaze drifted back to the lake, the reflection of the sky rippling in her eyes. "But... now what are we supposed to talk about then?"

Luca straightened slightly, recognizing the chance. With a faint grin, he leaned a little closer. "Let’s talk some more about you."

She blinked, startled. "Me?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Like... tell me, how is it that whenever I come here, you’re always here too? Don’t you ever go anywhere else?"

For the first time, her smile faltered. Surprise flickered across her face, and then her lips pressed together. Her gaze fell to her lap as if the weight of his question had tugged it down.

Luca’s heart sank. "Ah—sorry, sorry." He raised both hands slightly, palms out, leaning back in guilt. "If it’s not something you’re comfortable talking about, then it’s fine. Forget I asked."

Great. Of all things, I had to bring that up.

She shook her head softly, brushing her fingers against her skirt as if trying to smooth out invisible wrinkles. "No... it’s just... complicated to talk about. Don’t worry about it."

Her voice held a trace of sadness, though she tried to hide it with a small smile.

Luca studied her face, then exhaled through his nose, deciding not to press further. She clearly has her own burdens. Forcing it out of her won’t help.

He cleared his throat, deliberately softening his tone. "Alright then... How about this? Can you tell me what you like to eat?"

The violet-haired woman tilted her head slightly, strands of hair slipping across her cheek as her gaze drifted toward the lake. Her lips pressed together in thought before parting gently.

"Bread," she said softly. "Warm bread with butter."

Luca blinked. His brows rose, then furrowed, unsure if he’d misheard. "...That’s it?"

She nodded, a light bounce of her chin as her fingers toyed with the hem of her sleeve. "Yes. Simple, but it makes me happy."

A laugh threatened to escape him. He lifted a hand, rubbing the back of his neck. Bread? Just bread? Out of all the things she could have said...

Still, she looked so sincere that the thought of mocking her faded away.

"Alright," he said, leaning forward on his knees, resting an elbow against them. "Then what about drinks? You must have something specific you like."

Her eyes wandered upward as though scanning the night sky for an answer. She tapped her chin with one slender finger. "Sweet tea. The kind the attendants sometimes bring."

Sweet tea... Luca exhaled slowly, hiding his smile behind a small shake of his head. Again with something so plain. Here I was expecting exotic brews or rare elixirs...

He couldn’t resist trying again. "Okay, then. Favorite color?"

"Blue," she answered without hesitation, her gaze snapping back to him, a tiny spark in her eyes.

Luca chuckled, leaning back on his hands, tilting his head at her. "Finally, a normal answer."

She narrowed her eyes at him, a mock glare, though the corners of her lips betrayed her with a faint curve. "Hey, bread and tea are perfectly normal answers too."

He lifted both hands in surrender, grinning. "Alright, alright. You win."

She rolled her eyes with an exaggerated huff, arms crossing over her chest before she gave in to a quiet laugh. The sound was soft, almost musical, blending into the ripple of water nearby.

Their small questions stretched on. Each time he asked, she would pause, sometimes resting her chin in her palm, sometimes tapping her knee as she thought. Favorite flower? She smiled shyly and admitted, "Daisies." Favorite weather? Her eyes softened, and she tilted her head back, almost as if feeling it on her skin. "Gentle rain." Favorite sound? She closed her eyes, a serene smile touching her lips. "Water flowing."

Luca found himself watching her expressions more than her answers—the way her lashes lowered when she spoke of rain, the slight curve of her shoulders when she admitted something simple, the fleeting brightness when she revealed something she liked. Every gesture seemed small, unassuming... yet strangely vivid.

All her answers are ordinary. Almost too ordinary. But the way she says them... it’s like she finds beauty where others wouldn’t even look.

By the time laughter and soft conversation faded, the moon had already risen high. Its silver light spilled across the water, catching the violet strands of her hair and painting them with a faint glow. She hugged her knees loosely, resting her chin on top, her gaze fixed on the gentle ripples.

Luca pushed himself up to his feet, brushing off the grass clinging to his trousers. "I should get back before it gets too late."

Her head tilted slightly, violet strands slipping over her cheek again. "Already?" Her voice was quiet, almost reluctant.

"Yeah." He offered her a faint smile, lifting one hand in a casual wave. "But I’ll come again soon. That’s a promise."

Her eyes softened at that, and her lips curved into a small, warm smile. She hugged her knees tighter, resting her cheek against them. "Then I’ll wait."

For a moment, he stood there, watching the way moonlight wrapped around her still figure like a painting framed by silver and shadow. Then he turned, letting the sound of the lake carry him away.

By the time he reached the dormitory, the academy grounds had grown hushed. The lanterns along the path flickered faintly, painting long shadows across the stone walls.

Inside his room, Luca collapsed onto his bed with a sigh, staring up at the ceiling as his arms sprawled lazily to either side. His lips curved into a faint smile, unbidden.

That felt... good. Strange, but good. But her choices...aren’t they too simple?

His thoughts lingered on the lakeside—her tilted head, the way she tapped her chin, the soft laugh that slipped through when she tried to act serious.

Alright. Tomorrow I’ll deal with finding new party members. For now... just sleep.