01 | we were dancing with our hands tied

with the events that unfolded last night, to say that everyone was shocked is an understatement.

the country of teyvat is a glorious and wonderful land. it prides on its various unique traditions and landmarks, and is home to pleasing sceneries and delicious culinary cuisines among its fellow countries.

teyvat also prides itself on their well-known and sought-after university. sumeru university. also called as akademiya by the locals and those who are studying and working at the institute.

it is sought after as it is well-known for being the leading university across the country, and prides on their rich and long history.

it is said that the akademiya has been around teyvat for 100 years now. and still counting.

locals and even visitors visit sumeru just to sightsee the glorious university.

many young students aspire to be part of the community. many professors sharpen their own skills and knowledge to work there.

as it is the leading, it is promising for students and teachers alike.

the akademiya promises students top-quality education and various guaranteed scholarships. the akademiya promises teachers exemplary paycheck and friendly environment.

because it is renowned as one of the institutions in the world that provides top-notch and mental-friendly education, the akademiya is becoming more and more well-known. many well-known individuals today are graduates and alumni of the institution, providing verifiable proof of sumeru university's excellence.

top-notch and mental-friendly education, what a scam. as they march across the wide hallway, a girl holds a scowling grimace.

students weren't out and about as almost all of them have stayed in their own dorms, perhaps tucked away in the corners of the libraries or in cafés – or most likely taking another breakdown in the comfort rooms.

stupid azar and his subordinates. every step of her shoes was getting sharper. her frown never not disappearing as she walks with many papers and forms on her hands.

all of these sudden changes and the shift of the campus' atmosphere was all to blame to azar. the president of the institute. the one who holds the highest power in this school.

he might not have founded this illustrious institution, but the fact that the late owner, who actually founded the school, chose him as the successor only makes the girl's anger grow.

sumeru academy offers multiple programs, but it is more well-known and prominent for its departments.

people may wonder what makes it so different from the other programs the school has to offer? departments and colleges have quite a huge contrast regardless of how similar they are in your own dictionary.

those that can be found in any university are called by the students and staff alike as colleges. colleges refer to the programs each institute can offer.

however, departments refer to the 6 famous and hard-to-get-in programs offered exclusively for the akademiya. it proposes 6 excellent departments, due to how difficult it is to get into, it has the fewest student applications.

amurta. the department that encompasses academic fields like biology, ecology, and medicine. not much different from the department of nursing and medical technology aside that outstanding first-years have the opportunity to partake early clerkships and internships.

rtawahist. the department that heavily focuses on philosophy by studying the stars, as it is believed that the stars held the answers to each person's fate. they do say that each person has a star they can always come home.

spantamad. the department that fixates on alchemy and chemistry. alchemy being taught as to bring back the 'chemistry' from the old age, despite that it is labeled as pseudo-science.

haravatat. the department that specializes on semiotics research. it is said that this department has the lowest student applications among the departments, but with unknown reasons why. it either was too difficult to even finish a degree in or it wasn't that much looked at by the students. though undeniably – it is home to the geniuses and those with good looks, as the student body says.

vahumana. the department that is particular on the study of aetiology. the department has close ties with the amurta, and is proven by how much the amurta students have connections and friend within the vahumana department. the vahumana bunch are quite the extroverted and loud mouths, but their knowledge is as loud as their voices.

kshahrewar. the department that is heavy on technology. most aspiring architects and engineers recommend this department in sumeru as it has access to any materials and research products for students and teachers alike.

despite how great it is on the outside, it does not match on the inside at all. the girl recalled the advertising videos of sumeru university. the akademiya values excellence, fairness, and honesty. what a fraud.

the student government's auditor comes to a halt on the big doors of the general library, carefully opening it to not disturb the distraught students studying inside. the library houses general varieties of books for those who belong in the college and department areas alike.

keeping her shoes noise to a minimum, she looks for a quiet and unoccupied space. she didn't want to continue her work in her dorm or else she'd risk on sleeping instead. the classrooms were a huge no, and so was the council room. besides it'd be too much of a hassle to change plans when she was expecting someone.

i'd rather not be in a room where azar's subordinates or the devil himself can waltz and find me. the girl grumbled, but instant relief washed her as she found a quaint area. without making a noise the girl makes her way only to be stopped by a student.

"oh, aren't you. . ." the student drawled on, whispering her name with wide eyes and shock. the student wasn't expecting a specific student officer to be here, but then this was their chance! 

dear kusanali, please take me away. the girl painfully thought, as she remained a neutral smiling face at the student. apparently, she wasn't expecting students to bother her.

"i was wondering. . ." the student's voice zoned out of her mind. she knew what was coming out of that mouth. she knew it all too well, after all she lost count the confessions (in disguise and said out bluntly) have been said out loud to her.

dating alhaitham was by far no less than an adventure. an adventure she for sure didn't expect to come to her. a surprised but is welcomed. dating alhaitham was traversing a raging ocean. full of uncertainty at first yet those who brave the ocean's waves are those who are courageous and victorious. they learned each others borders, what they both like, finding out each other's goals, and learning how to love the other.

dating alhaitham involved precautions yet it wasn't short out of love.  despite how they both kept the relationship away from prying eyes and ears, it was still filled to the brim with honesty and loyalty. what lies beyond the walls was the garden of care and adoration they had cultivated with each other.

both of them can keep it a secret, yet it wears them down – mostly from alhaitham who seems to stitch both his eyebrows downwards and together when he sees how students flock at her left and right.

maybe she finds it amusing, yet on another day she finds it annoying – like right now. how was she supposed to finish her work now with this infront of her?

unbeknownst to the both, a third party slowly makes their way to them.

". . . and by then maybe i can get you a drink? just outside the campus." the student scratched their neck. she commends their bravery and courage, but she wishes not to reciprocate back. if it had been a normal hangout with no hidden feelings, she would have taken up the offer.

"i'm sorry, i'm quite busy and i'm sure you are as well. it wouldn't do good on you and especially on me. so if you'll excuse me i still have a lot to do." she declined in a hurry, wanting to put the bundles of paper down on the table. her hands were getting numb and she has never wanted for people to disappear within her vicinity. she sidestepped and wished to the archons above to let the student disappear.

the student is persistent. when will be the next time they get to meet her? waiting on a chance was already a gruesome dream, and wasting one is just a waste. the student was still within arm's reach and made an attempt to grab her shoulders. an attempt.

"there you are." found you.

a voice from the third party emerged and startled the student. the auditor merely looked behind her with the ghost of a smile. the student however, looked lost.

"alhaitham." you found me. "v..vice president."

"you are quite bold to make me to look for you around campus, ms. auditor." alhaitham's harmless remark made her smile in the inside. maybe to the student they find this a warning and a threat, but to her it was just the usual playful banter.

"well, you have been here and there so i see no problem to be an inconvenience for you, mr. vice-president." you equally bark backed at him, all of your weariness slowly melting away. not when he's near you now.

"with that attitude maybe i should subject you to more paperwork." seemingly taking note of his hands, he brought his own papers that he needs to tend to. alhaitham was about to walk towards her when the student shifted, finally having his gaze on them.

"and what do we have here? i wasn't expecting you to have the time to even chat with students." alhaitham's words caused more distressed to the student at question. when the student wished to have the attention of the auditor of the student government, they weren't asking for the vice-president as well!

"i'm sorry, ill be on my way. . . thank you for your time!" the student couldn't even say her name properly before dashing of to where they came from. finally, her shoulders slumped down and her demeanor changed slightly noticing it was just the two of them now. surrounded with people yet finally, alone. 

alhaitham couldn't take his mind away on what happened just now, as his eyes landed on the bulky papers she was holding. too many, he thought. juggling with his own papers, he took some of hers and placed them on the table. 

"sorry i was late. some banshees couldn't stop screaming." he softly says under his breath, albeit loud enough for just both of them to hear. he looked over at her stature, his eyes studying her.

"it's alright, i can wait. i was just about to sit down and do my own work but then. . ." she trailed off, taking a seat and gesturing him to do the same. her hands having the luxury to be free of the heavy load for a moment before working again to signing and working the documents infront of her.

"did they bother you?" alhaitham was known for his stoic and borderline insulting remarks to everyone, yet right now his own face falters with streaks of worry and something else.

"i would say yes, if i was running on time." she said starting her work. alhaitham continued to stare at her, it had been a number of days where they couldn't be in the same room due to their own responsibilities. 

alhaitham wondered how much can love drive you insane. he would write theses and concept papers, conduct research and so forth – only if he could. writing things down wasn't difficult for him, so why is it now difficult for him?

perhaps the person infront of him was an enchantress. her presence turns his stomach inside out, and her energy makes him feel at home. maybe he's falling into her trap, and perhaps he just might let her. 

"take a picture habibi, that would last longer." his thoughts were stopped by her soft, soothing voice. she busies herself on the papers yet she held a smile. he couldn't help but let out a repressed chuckle.

ah, maybe i don't have to put it into words. 

"i see no reason to take a photograph of you when you're this clingy of me. i see you everyday regardless." he teases, a ghost of a smile parading his face as he picks up his own work. she looks up, a look filled with denial yet was thwarted away by a smile.

"am not."

"you are."

"you act as if you aren't as well!" her laughter filled the quaint area around them, not as loud to catch the attention of everyone.

alhaitham says no more, but the way their legs were entangled underneath – an alternative that he couldn't hold her hand – was all there is proof.

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