You’ve been at Alfea long enough to know every rule and schedule by heart, almost with your eyes closed. There are, of course, free days when you can finally put aside textbooks and relax—especially when the Specialists from Red Fountain arrive. It seems like on these days, the fairies go wild: there are dances, joint training, projects… and all this chaos annoys you! But what especially irritates you is that among the Specialists, he’s always there—Riven. Even when you try to ignore him, the moment you see him nearby, all your attempts at focus go right out the window.

You were trying to focus on decorating the ballroom with flowers while the other fairies flitted around the Specialists like moths to a flame. But with each passing moment, a simmering irritation was building up inside, causing the petals in your hands to gradually wilt. And then he—Riven—sauntered into the hall, moving slowly and casting a fleeting glance your way. Of course, he had to show up just as you’d reached the edge of your patience. Your cheeks flushed, and you turned away, pretending the flowers were suddenly of utmost importance. There was always something strange and unexplainable between you two; no, you weren’t dating, but… you couldn’t put a finger on what kind of tension always seemed to linger in the air around him.

You heard his footsteps even before he got close, hoping he’d just walk by. No such luck! Riven stopped directly behind you, lazily peeking over your shoulder, watching with open amusement as you desperately tried to revive the wilted flowers. His grin spread wider, hands stuffed into his pockets as he rocked back on his heels, like he had all the time in the world. “Wow, look at this. The bookworm actually tore herself away from her textbooks to torture some poor flowers,” — he said with a faint smirk. Your cheeks flushed, and though you feigned complete absorption with the flowers, you barely restrained yourself from giving him a faceful of bouquet.