~Lyney's POV~

For a moment, he just looks at me, and I see the wheels working in his head.

Then, a book hits my head.

"Ow! What was that for?!"

"For being such a flirt."

Hmm... I've never seen anyone react like that before... what could it mean?

Before I can ask him, Aether goes back to sleep.

Are his ears red, or am I imagining things?

Either way, I stand up and walk away.

~~~~~~~~♡

~Aether's POV~

OMG!

OMG!!

OMG!!!

WHAT THE FUCK???

HE CALLED ME ADORABLE???

I... I didn't know what to say, so I just pretendet to sleep.

But how the fuck can I sleep after that?

And more importantly...

Are they serious?

Or are they just bluffing?

Don't they flirt with everyone they see?

I hate this guy.

I don't understand him.

Oh, how I want it to be true...

How I want him to be serious for once.

I want to ask them if he's meaning it or if he's just playing.

But at the same time, I'm afraid of the answer.

Just as I want to say something, I hear him chuckle and walk away.

As I'm about to drift back to sleep, someone pokes me lightly.

I look up and see Kazuha.

"Aether... school's already finished."

Oh.. right...

I forgot to say bye to Lyney!

Looking around, I spot them just walking out of the classroom.

With a sight, I turn back.

"Aether, what are you waiting for? Go and say goodbye!" Kazuha urges me.

"But–"

"No buts! Get up!"

With that, I jump up, grab my things, and rush out.

Spotting Lyney at the end of the hallway, I half walk half run to him, grabbing their wrist.

He turns around.

"What is it?" They say, with that beautiful smile of them.

"I just wanted to say bye..." I reply, looking away and heating up.

Hearing him chuckle, I look back.

Noticing that I still hold their wrist, I quickly let go, and a small blush spreads across my face. "Oh... sorry..."

"It's quite alright. Say, are you free today?"

Hm? Am I free today...?

IS HE ASKING ME OUT?!?

Trying to stay calm, I nod, not able to form words just yet.

"Good. Because I have a magic show here at school with my sister, and I wanted to ask you if you want to come?"

A magic show?

Oh, I love magic shows!

"I would love to! When, and does it cost anything?"

They smile, brighter this time, a real, genuine smile. "It's at seven in the evening, and don't worry, I'll reserve the best place for you! It's on me, because I invited you."

"Oh, thanks! I'll make sure to come!" I smile back.

"Alright, then see you later!" With these words, he turns around, waving a last time.

"Bye-bye!"

With my mood extremely lifted, I walk back to the classroom, where the band already waits for me.

We decided to practise today, since the school concerts aren't that far away.

On the way there, Venti asks me: "So... what was that with Lyney?"

"Oh, he just asked me to come to his show today!" I say with a grin.

"Really? That's rare! Lyney usually doesn't want anyone from his friends to go to his shows in case he messes up. Don't you dare skip it!" Kazuha adds.

"Oh, I never intended that. I'll go there for sure!"

~~~~~~~~♡

"Nice work, everyone!" I tell everyone.

I'm pretty sure now that we'll be able to perform on the summer concerts.

Even if the sleepless night is still killing me, I felt the energy of the song, the beat, the melody, so it wasn't really hard to stay awake enough to sing.

But now, I have to get home, sleep for two hours, and then I can get ready for the show.

Oh my god, I'm so excited!

We all walk out of the building, Venti, Heizou, and I heading to the dormitory, Kazuha and Xiao to their apartments.

As soon as I get there, I throw myself on the bed and fall asleep immediately.

~~~~~~~~♡

"Aether!" Something soft hits my face.

I open my eyes and see Heizou, hitting me with a pillow.

"Ow... alright, alright, I'm awake, what do you want?" I ask.

"Lyney's show starts in... one hour."

I sit up immediately.

Oh shit, I need to get ready!

Jumping out of bed, I rush into the shower, dry and braid my hair, and put on some fancy clothes, everything in under half an hour. In the end, I put on a bit of make-up and matching accessories.

Venti and Heizou sit on their beds and follow me with their eyes, whispering to each other, but I don't pay any mind to it.

"Do I look good?" I ask them.

"Yeah, yeah, you look great." Venti reassures me.

"Very Fancy." Adds Heizou.

"Do you think I'm overdressed?"

"No, it's very good, really!"

I smile nervously. "Okay... thank you."

Grabbing my keys and important stuff, I head out with a "Bye!"

It's already getting dim, and the lights turn on, creating a calm and almost magical atmosphere.

I have about twenty minutes left, so I walk relaxed to the school building and then to the entrance to the great hall.

Lyney said he would reserve a place for me...

Should I just ask at the entrance?

But I'm not able to think about it too much, because I see Freminet, Lyneys cute little brother, who I saw a couple of times at school.

He stands at the entrance and gives me a small wave, while I head over to him.

"Hi Freminet."

"Hello... Lyney told me to show you your seat..."

I nod and let him guide me into the hall and to a place in the middle of the first row.

Freminet sits down on the seat next to me.

"Look... that's Pers, my penguin." He says and his eyes light up a bit.

He always has the same expression, I don't know what he thinks at all, which makes me a bit nervous, but this expression is new, and so adorable.

Before I can retort something, the lights are being turned off, leaving everyone in the dark.

~~~~~~~~♡