Nacht signed the bottom of a mission report and placed it in a file with the rest of the paperwork to be delivered to Magic Knight Headquarters later that day.

The door opened, and Nacht looked up to see who it was.

His heart raced when he saw you enter, a tray of food in your hand.

"I noticed you weren't there for lunch," you said by way of explanation.

"Lunch?" Nacht glanced at his watch, and indeed, it was well past his usual lunch time. "Ah..." He turned to you. "Thanks for thinking of me."

"We need to keep you fed and alive if we want any paperwork done around here," you joked as you set the tray down. Due to their proximity, Nacht could see a faint blush on your cheeks. Your eyes flicked to him. "What are you looking at, shadow stalker?"

"You're pretty close," Nacht replied coolly, looking away. "I couldn't help it if you caught my eye."

"Ha! As if I'd go out with you. I have a strict 'no jerks' policy when it comes to my dating group," you said with a wry smile.

Nacht raised an eyebrow at your response.

"First, you realize everyone has an anus, so your pol—"

You slapped Nacht on the shoulder. Though it was clear from your returning smile that you found the comment funny.

"Since when do you know how to tell a joke?"

"I'm a man of secrets and surprises," Nacht replied. "Secondly…" He stood up and walked around the table to you. "It's presumptuous to think I was looking at you with romantic intentions."

"Uhp—!" You gasped, and your blush darkened.

Feeling bolder than usual, Nacht placed his hand under your chin and coaxed you to look at him.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were the one interested in me.”

Nacht’s heart fluttered at the thought that you liked him too. He wasn’t going to get his hopes up, not with the way you were still insulting and sarcastically teasing him all day. But he wanted to pretend.

You were silent for a moment, staring at Nacht. It was cute, the wide-eyed expression on your face. But Nacht also cared about what was going on in your head. Then he teased you again.

“So? Got something to say?”

“Your cologne smells nice…”

Nacht blinked. “What?”

You blinked. “What?”

“Do you… pay attention to my scent?” Nacht felt his face heat up rapidly.