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06 | walking with his head down, i'm the one he's walking to




isn't this a sight to behold? dehya can't help but let out a laugh.

there's nothing more amusing on a calm noon in puspa cafรฉ as dehya watches the group with delight and a grin on her face.



nilou had a pout on her face directed towards aether and lumine. collei on the other hand had stars brimming on her eyes and even her own excitement and joy surpassed dehya's own mirth. candace leaned on her chair, a small smile gracing her lovely (and surprisingly a face that had no eyebrows stitched together) face. name is at the cashier since she volunteered to place the group's orders.

and the twins, well the other one was embarrassed while the other was calm.


"and to think you hid it from us the entire time!" nilou heaved a teasing huff directed at the twins. despite the act, nilou's eyes expressed a sort of softness and fondness for the two.

"you actually did well on hiding it from everyone. knowing gossip spreads like wildfire, it's commendable that both of you hid it from prying eyes for so long." candace nodded at her own comment, looking at them with eyes with nothing but respect.

collei giggled at something she thought off before speaking, "this sounds like those romance books name loves to read!"



lumine let out an exasperated smile, the embarrassment slowly getting her. "it's not like we hid it on purpose."

"but given the situation and the atmosphere at the akademiya. it would really be a problem as of now, and even what's to come is concerning." aether continued.



candace looked outside, a solemn expression replaced the joy her face exhibited after remembering the meeting that occurred last day. "sometimes, i don't know even know if the institute still adheres to its vision and mission."

during the absence of the principal, the trusted chancellor and his team was given complete reign over the school until the principal returns. and ever since, the akademiya had undergone multiple changes.

what was a place for students to learn felt like a cage has been placed upon the place and unto its own scholars and staff. the air somehow was getting harder to breathe within the college walls, and even the teachers, professors, and students can feel the tense tension.

candace shook her head.



"regardless if the people finds out or not, i wish nothing but the two of your blooming relationship the best." candace had her smile again.ย 

"what a mom, but yeah like she said. truthfully, i didn't see both of you coming and thought that someone else would've come out eventually." dehya had a hand propped on the table as she rested her head on it.

"ayaka kamisato from inazuma? now that is shocking, i can't believe you've got guts to even put your foot on her older brother. heard he loves his sister so much that they embodied the textbook-perfect kind of siblings." aether laughed bashfully, a hand rubbing on his nape sheepishly.

"and you lumi, you have the gal to hide who's the lucky boy when you're already caught red-handed." it was lumine's turn to get embarassed.

"well, i can't just per se say his name but i do have a picture of him." lumine opened her phone.

"quite a lot actually." lumine sent a side jab to aether using her elbow, prompting aether to softly shout 'hey!'

"oh? you know?"

"i became her underpaid photographer every time he visits." another jab was sent to aether, this time a bit more forceful that sent aether to placing a meter of distance between him and lumine.



lumine held her phone up towards the group, careful for any passerby's. on her phone was a picture of a boy who collei was familiar with.

"oh! oh! isn't he part of that band that tours around mondstat and liyue? he's the drummer right?" collei excitedly said.

"yeah, that's him." lumine smiled at the mention of his name that the others couldn't help but smile as well.

"okay, twins for real. having a lover that's a bigshot in other countries." dehya laughed with a heart filled with glee.

"oh! oh! how did you both meet each other? i need the story now, you don't know how much this is making me happy!" nilou urged the twins to tell.




love is a mysterious thing, dehya says one time in front of children back at her hometown. when she gets the chance to come home for the weekend, she'd pass her time on chatting and taking care of her neighbors' kids.

"so is it a bad thing?" a kid back then asked her curiously.

"not at all. love is such a mysterious thing that it's the only thing that we do best." dehya ruffled the kid's hair to which the child laughed as they pry dehya's hands off her head.

"is it like a talent? are we all talented?" another one inquires.

"yes. it is something that every each one of us have. something that we inherited and have within us for a long, long time."

"then if it is something we are good at, why is it mysterious?" a child raises their hand.

dehya looked around and pointed at a star, something visible amidst the sun has yet to dissapear.

"have you ever wondered why the stars are there? perhaps science can tell why, but then many of us ask ourselves why they exist. if we look from here, it's mystifying to think that something that small is adored and loved by some.

and then we ask at those who love them, 'what made you love them?'. some would explain why, and some would say 'just because'. love is like in that sense. love is just there existing and people adore it, when we are asked why we love โ€” we mutter various reasons. in the end it is a mystery why we love."

a child frowns and rubs their head in confusion, "i don't get what you're saying."

dehya laughs and looks at somewhere. to a young woman not far from them talking to other kids.

"me too kid, me too."




collei and nilou squealed as lumine shushes them both down, lest they all attract the attention of those who are in the cafe. candace let out a small, soft laugh.

"it truly seems, you both love your significant other's that dearly." the comment made aether smile softly which prompted collei to squeal again.

"oh to be in love." collei dreamily sighed, clasping her hands together.

"collei has always had a soft spot of people that are in love." dehya commented.

"of course! but i prefer those soft relationships, no problems and it's just them in their own world. no one interfering and both just happy to be together forever." collei ranted and sighed with a smile.

"but! imagine the thrill in hiding from everyone! the thrill and the hidden meanings!" nilou jested, clearly in the same rush with collei.

"isn't that lumine?" candace speaks. "yeah, yeah! the idol or band member in love with someone not in their vicinity?" nilou giggled with glee.

"aether doesn't really embody the 'secret relationship' trope, i'd say long-distance knowing how far inazuma is from here." collei deducted.

"candace gives me 'studies first' and then maybe years later she'll meet someone, and then dehya gives me 'i'm in love with my best friend for so long'." collei laughed at her own words, even candace and dehya laughed at her words. who knew collei had such a creative mind?




"but you know, between all of us? i think we all agree that name is a romanticist here." dehya spoke up that caught everyone's attention. everyone smiled.

"facts! who knew she can even give the best romantic advice? and she's not even dating anyone!"

"i say, she might have dated someone back then before meeting all of us." lumine teased the person not present as of the moment.

"speaking of dating, it's kinda funny to actually here everyone shipping her with alhaitham. it's like angel met devil." aether smiled at collei's words.

"everywhere i go within my department, it's always the hot topic. i guess within the akademiya and outside of our friend group, he's the only one she cosistently talks to." aether offered.

"but isn't that normal? they are after all student officers?" nilou asked, her interest piqued.

"it is, during meetings and inside the council room both of them would throw insults and arguments here and there." candace added. the thought of you squaring up at alhaitham gave everyone a light laugh.

"i don't think those two could ever get along." candace spoke with her head shaking and a smile of amusement on her face.

"but if they did? power couple." lumine posed which made everyone laugh.

"so name fits the 'enemies to lovers' trope?" collei proposed.



"i heard my name, i can't believe everyone here is talking behind my back. i'm hurt."

talk about the angel.



name carried over the tray filled with deserts and drinks. everyone muttered a thanks of appreciation and started digging in. dehya noticed that she didn't order anything, only to be replied that she's meeting and spending her dinner with someone. no one asked who.

"name, what's your ideal type?" lumine asked out of the blue. name laughed.

"i thought we were done talking about this?"

"okay this, what do you want your love to look like? not like the person per se, but the overall picture you know." lumine rephrased. the auditor thought hard for a second before letting out a smile.

"i think love should be both you and your partner's home. a safe space where both of you can be vulnerable, regardless of what kind of front both of you show to everyone. love should be mutual and where both of you can understand each other." aether smiled.

"archons, you sound like you are inlove." everyone at the table laughed.

"am i? you know i always like questions like these!" the auditor puffed her cheeks. a slight vibration got her attention and checked her phone immediately.




alhaitham ๐Ÿ˜  (affectionately):
i'm here


you:
๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ’จ


alhaitham ๐Ÿ˜  (affectionately):
don't run. you'll trip and fall


you:
don't worry, i'll fall only for you, and maybe near you ๐Ÿค—


alhaitham ๐Ÿ˜  (affectionately):
be serious, habibti


you:
hmph, killjoy. i am serious. ๐Ÿ˜ 





"i'm going." the girl announced, catching everyone's attention on her.

"awww, alright. stay safe! see you tomorrow!" collei cheerfuly bid goodbye. others followed suit, aside from dehya who also stood up.

"i'll go as well, so that i can arrive early."ย 

oh right, dehya's going home over the weekend. the auditor thought with a smile, nodding at dehya.



the two girls left puspa cafe together with dehya carrying some luggage.

"where are you meeting up with the mystery person?" dehya asks.

"just a few blocks from here!" the auditor cheerfully smiled that dehya couldn't help but smile.

"you're oddly energetic right now."

"i always am?"

"today looks different to me." the auditor smiled.



"well, you're quite silent for today." she jabbed back. dehya raised an eyebrow.

"now, now name. i'm also human." dehya teased and name laughed.

"whatever it is that you're thinking โ€” go for it. it's best to try than to not at all."



sometimes, dehya thinks this girl has an innate ability of reading people's minds.

"that's kinda random to say, name." dehya bumped her shoulder at the girl, an attempt of taking her statement as a joke.

"well, you've got this look you know. you're bothered, at the same time you have this look."

"like what?"

"like you're repressing yourself to love someone."



dehya looked at the girl beside her with a poker face. but then again, name was an oddball. she hits exactly where it's weak.

dehya let out a groan.

"did the others notice?"

"not at all. maybe? perhaps they did and said nothing for you. candace is observant so maybe she knows."


the walk continued.


"you know, love should also be relentless." the auditor spoke, breaking the silence that enveloped them.

"i think love, for everyone, should be unrelenting and strong. and love should be pure and honest. what is there to grow if it wasn't being taken cared of properly? and i think love should be more than what people defines it."

dehya pondered about on it, and laughed.



"alright philosopher, i hear ya."

"dehya!!"

dehya laughed merrily and the auditor whined.



and just like that, dehya had to drop her at another cafรฉ. just as dehya was about to bid farewell, name stopped her.

"oh and dehya?" name called out.

"i'm sorry, hehe." dehya got confused.


only for a moment though. because what appeared infront of the two girls were the vice-president who was holding a bouquet of tulips and a blonde man who was just equally shocked as he was.



"alhaitham."

"habibti."



no way, dehya thought her shock and amusement mixing together like a perfect mix. a perfect mix for a seeminglyย 'imperfect pair.'


"what you sent last night was incorrect. we'll start with that first today again and then proceed toโ€”"

"what?! i did that for like 20 tries already! it's best to eat first and work laterโ€”"


everyone, even collei was right on that trope, dehya thought with an astonished smiling face.



๏ฝก๏พŸโ€ขโ”ˆเญจโ™กเญงโ”ˆโ€ข ๏ฝก๏พŸ



// being sick does no one no good, stay safe and healthy everyonee <33 do expect some slower updates starting next week's updates, i need to focus on my studies since hell week is coming again;;

///everyday i read this and think when will the author update, and remember i am the author ;;;


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