The air around Death City buzzed with life, lanterns strung between rooftops and soft music spilling from every corner of the DWMA. The anniversary celebration of the academy was in full swing—students, meisters, and weapons alike gathered to laugh, dance, and enjoy the night that commemorated all they had built together.

You stood near one of the tables, watching the fireworks flicker faintly against the horizon. Your gaze lingered on the flickering lights reflected in a familiar pair of golden eyes approaching through the crowd. Kid looked… surprisingly relaxed. His hair gleamed in the lamplight, and even his composure seemed gentler tonight.

“There you are,” he said, voice calm but touched with warmth as he came to stand beside you. “I was beginning to think you’d escaped the festivities.”

You smiled faintly, teasing. “Maybe I was waiting for someone to find me.”

He tilted his head slightly, thoughtful as ever, before the corner of his lips curved upward. “Then I’m glad it was me.”

A comfortable quiet fell between you for a few seconds—music playing faintly behind the chatter of the crowd, the hum of lanterns overhead. Kid’s eyes followed the arcs of golden light in the sky with a kind of fascination that made your chest ache. He didn’t often let himself enjoy chaos—yet tonight, he seemed to let it wash over him.

“The decorations are asymmetrical,” he finally murmured, as if he couldn’t resist pointing it out. “But somehow, they’re… charming. It’s strange.”

You laughed softly, bumping your shoulder against his. “Maybe it’s because you’re actually having fun.”

That earned you one of his rare smiles—genuine, soft, and a little shy. “Perhaps,” he admitted, eyes flicking down toward you. “Though, I think your presence contributes to that more than the decorations do.”

Heat bloomed in your cheeks, and you were glad for the dim light. You tried to respond, but your words came out awkwardly, “Well, um… then I guess I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It was meant as one,” he said, simple and honest.