Riser didn't get far before he felt it again.
That quiet pressure.
Not hostile.
Not aggressive.
Just—
There.
"You're walking away pretty calmly."
He didn't stop this time.
Didn't even turn immediately.
"...You're still here?"
Mirai matched his pace without effort.
"I didn't say I was leaving."
"Fair."
A few steps passed in silence.
Not awkward.
Just—
Different from before.
Less sharp.
More… aware.
Riser glanced sideways.
She was closer than usual.
Not invading his space.
But not keeping distance either.
"...You usually follow people after testing them?"
"No."
"Good. I was starting to feel special."
"You're not."
He smirked.
"That almost sounded convincing."
Mirai didn't respond right away.
Then—
"You didn't accept."
Riser exhaled quietly.
"We're back to that."
"Answer the question."
"It wasn't a question."
"It is now."
He stopped walking.
This time—
He turned fully toward her.
"...Why do you care?"
That—
Actually made her pause.
Just for a moment.
Small.
But real.
"I don't."
"Right."
"I'm evaluating."
"There it is again."
Riser crossed his arms slightly.
"You keep saying that, but it sounds like something else."
Mirai's eyes narrowed faintly.
"And what does it sound like?"
He held her gaze.
"Like you don't want me to go."
Silence.
A brief one.
But heavy enough to matter.
Then—
"You're assuming too much."
"Maybe."
Riser shrugged lightly.
"But you didn't deny it cleanly."
That hit.
Not hard.
But precise.
Mirai looked away for a fraction of a second.
Then back at him.
"You're changing too quickly."
There it was.
The real reason.
Riser blinked.
"...That's your issue?"
"Yes."
He let out a quiet breath.
"I thought that was the point."
"It is."
"Then?"
Her gaze sharpened again.
"You're stepping into things you don't understand."
"Also true."
"And people like her—"
She didn't say Elira's name.
Didn't need to.
"—will take advantage of that."
Riser studied her for a second.
Then—
"You're worried."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not."
He smirked slightly.
"That sounded less convincing."
Mirai stepped closer.
This time—
Noticeably.
"You're not strong enough yet."
"Working on it."
"You're not experienced enough."
"Definitely working on that."
"You're not careful enough."
He paused.
Then—
"...Yeah. That one's fair."
That seemed to throw her off slightly.
Just enough.
Riser scratched the back of his head.
"Look, I get it."
She stayed silent.
Listening.
"I'm not stupid," he continued. "I know this isn't just random."
"Then act like it."
"I am."
"Then why didn't you refuse?"
Riser smiled faintly.
"Because saying no closes doors."
"And saying yes opens problems."
"Good thing I didn't say yes."
A pause.
Then—
Mirai exhaled quietly.
"...You're annoying."
"That's what I've been told."
She turned slightly, as if about to leave.
Then stopped.
"You're still going to meet her."
Not a question.
A statement.
Riser didn't deny it.
"Probably."
Mirai clicked her tongue softly.
"I knew it."
"You're still here, though."
That made her glance back at him.
"And?"
Riser met her eyes.
"Does that mean you're going to stop me?"
Another pause.
Then—
"No."
"Thought so."
"But—"
She stepped closer again.
Close enough that her voice dropped slightly.
"Don't go alone."
Riser blinked.
"...What?"
"I said—"
"I heard you."
He stared at her for a second.
Then—
"...You're definitely worried."
"I'm being practical."
"Sure you are."
She didn't argue this time.
Didn't deny it again.
Which—
Said everything.
Riser looked away briefly, thinking.
Then—
"…Alright."
Mirai's eyes flickered.
"You'll listen?"
"Relax."
He smirked.
"I didn't agree to anything yet."
"...You're impossible."
"I'm adapting."
That—
Got a reaction.
A small one.
But real.
Her expression softened just slightly.
Almost unnoticeable.
They resumed walking.
Side by side.
Closer than before.
Comfortable.
Which was new.
Riser glanced at her again.
"You always this… invested?"
"No."
"Just me?"
"...No."
He grinned.
"That sounded like a yes."
Mirai didn't respond.
But—
She didn't move away either.
By the time they reached the main corridor, the atmosphere shifted again.
More people.
More movement.
And—
More attention.
Not loud.
But present.
Riser could feel it now without trying.
Eyes following.
Voices lowering.
"...Yeah," he muttered, "this is definitely spreading."
"You wanted visibility."
"Didn't say I wanted this much."
"You'll get used to it."
"Hope so."
They walked a few more steps—
Then suddenly—
"You're late."
Riser froze slightly.
"...I know that voice."
Ravel stood ahead of them.
Calm.
Composed.
But her eyes—
Sharp.
Focused.
On both of them.
More specifically—
On how close they were standing.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
"Training ended a while ago," she continued.
"Got distracted," Riser said casually.
"I can see that."
Her gaze shifted to Mirai.
Measured.
Assessing.
Mirai met it without hesitation.
Equally calm.
Equally sharp.
Silence.
Short.
But loaded.
Riser looked between them.
"...Should I be worried?"
"Yes," Ravel said.
"No," Mirai said.
He sighed.
"Great."
Ravel stepped forward slightly.
"Who is this?"
Direct.
No fluff.
Mirai answered just as directly.
"Mirai Valeth."
Ravel's eyes flickered with recognition.
"…I see."
That alone carried weight.
Riser noticed.
Of course he did.
Ravel then looked at him.
"You've been busy."
"A little."
"Clearly."
Mirai spoke calmly.
"He's improving."
Ravel's gaze sharpened slightly.
"I didn't ask."
"And I answered."
Another pause.
This one—
Sharper.
Riser slowly stepped back half a step.
"...Yeah, I'm definitely in danger now."
Neither denied it.
Ravel turned her attention back to Riser.
"You're attracting attention faster than expected."
"Good or bad?"
"Both."
"Figured."
Her eyes softened slightly.
Just a little.
"Be careful."
Riser blinked.
"...You too?"
Mirai glanced at her briefly.
Then back at him.
Ravel continued calmly.
"You're not the only one adjusting."
That—
Felt important.
Riser nodded slowly.
"Yeah."
He looked between them again.
Then sighed.
"...Alright."
Two strong personalities.
Two different types of attention.
Both—
Focused on him.
"...This is getting complicated."
Ravel answered simply.
"It already is."
Mirai added quietly.
"And it's just starting."
Riser looked ahead.
Then smirked slightly.
"Good."
Both of them paused.
Just slightly.
Then—
Neither disagreed.