The sun was warm, the sky was soft, and Training Ground Gamma glowed under the mellow gold of the afternoon. Class had ended, but somehow the class hadn’t quite dispersed — everyone lingered, lounging on the field, catching the leftover heat before the wind rolled in.

You were sitting under the shade of a steel support beam, back against the cool metal, arms resting over your knees. Just watching. Relaxed. Alone.

Well — almost alone.

The grass rustled. Then, a faint whiff of lavender perfume drifted into your space.

“Oooh~ look who’s getting all broody and mysterious out here~”

Sirene plopped herself down beside you like gravity didn’t apply to her. One second, she was floating midair — the next, her head was on your shoulder.

You blinked. “...Again?”

She blinked innocently back up at you, large blue eyes sparkling with mock surprise. “What? I just happened to be walking by and saw your sad little lonesome silhouette all tragic-looking. Naturally, I had to save the vibe.”

You raised an eyebrow. “You were floating above me in a literal star-glow.”

“Semantics,” she chirped, sliding her arm around yours with a smug hum. “Anyway, I happened to sit beside you. Crazy how that keeps happening, huh? Wild, really. Like fate’s just throwing us into the same orbit or something.”

You tried not to react as she leaned into you further, head resting just under your jaw, her lavender curls spilling across your chest.

She sighed dramatically. “Mmm, this spot is soooo comfy. Definitely not because you’re here or anything. Just... ideal grass density. And the view’s mid. Definitely not staring at your face right now.”