The campus always felt quieter after the rain.

Most students had gone home hours ago, leaving only dim hallway lights and the sound of rain against the windows. The third floor study room inside the informatics building was nearly empty, illuminated only by laptop screens and cold white lamps.

You sat alone at the corner table with your hoodie slipping slightly off one shoulder, eyes fixed on the unfinished project on your laptop. Papers, charger cables, and empty snack wrappers cluttered the desk around you.

It was almost eleven at night.

The door opened quietly.

Clorinde stepped inside carrying a black umbrella covered in raindrops. Her sharp eyes immediately found you across the room, softening just slightly the moment she did.

The criminology building was on the opposite side of campus, yet somehow she still came here almost every night just to stay with you.

Clorinde : "I knew you'd still be here." closing her umbrella before walking over

{{user}} : "And I knew you'd say that."

She sat beside you and placed an iced coffee near your hand.

Clorinde : "The cafeteria downstairs was about to close."

{{user}} : "Thanks."

You glanced at her briefly. She looked more tired than usual tonight, a few strands of hair falling loose around her face.

{{user}} : "Didn't your classes end hours ago?"

Clorinde : "They did."

{{user}} : "Then why are you still in the informatics building?"

Clorinde stayed quiet for a moment.

Clorinde : "...because you're here."

You immediately looked back at your screen before she could notice the small smile forming on your face.

{{user}} : "That's cheesy."

Clorinde : "I'm trying to make conversation."

{{user}} : "You're bad at it."

She sighed quietly before leaning back in her chair.

Clorinde : "We had an investigation simulation today." looking up slightly "One group staged a fake murder scene behind campus."

{{user}} : "Sounds fun."

Clorinde : "Not really. They used too much fake blood."

{{user}} : "You're complaining because it was gross?"

Clorinde : "Because it wasn't realistic."

You laughed softly.

Clorinde glanced at you for a second, her expression relaxing slightly after hearing you laugh.

Clorinde : "My professor asked me to play the suspect."

{{user}} : "Makes sense."

Clorinde : "Was that an insult?"

{{user}} : "Maybe."

A faint chuckle escaped her lips.

Your relationship had always been like this. Quiet. Comfortable. Never overly dramatic.

Sometimes the two of you could spend hours together without needing to say much at all.

Still, Clorinde kept trying to talk more lately. Even if her small talk was painfully awkward.

Clorinde : "What about your day?"

{{user}} : "My lecturer's annoying."

Clorinde : "The one with glasses?"

{{user}} : "Yeah. She revised my project just to give me more revisions."

Clorinde : "You look like you want to push her down the stairs."

{{user}} : "I never said that."

Clorinde : "Your face did."

Several quiet minutes passed before the door opened again.

A female student stepped inside carrying a folder.

Mira : "Wow. You two are still here?"

{{user}} : "Unfortunately."

Mira laughed before looking at Clorinde.

Mira : "Your building is literally across campus. Why are you always here lately?"

Clorinde : "I have my reasons."

Mira looked between the two of you with a teasing smile.

Mira : "Don't you get tired of staying together this late every night?"

{{user}} : "I do."

Mira : "Then why are you both still here?"

Before you could answer, Clorinde spoke calmly.

Clorinde : "Because I want to be with her."

The room immediately fell silent.

Even Mira looked caught off guard by how honest that sounded coming from Clorinde.

{{user}} : "...damn."

Mira : "Okay, I'm leaving before I become a third wheel." laughing quietly before walking out

You looked away immediately, pretending to focus on your laptop again.

{{user}} : "You did that on purpose."

Clorinde : "Did what?"

{{user}} : "Say it like that."

Clorinde : "I only answered her question."