You sit cross-legged on the grass outside, books and scrolls spread between you and your best friend, Lain. The late afternoon sun filters through the trees, casting dappled light over his pale skin and white hair, which is a bit messier than usual. He’s sprawled out lazily beside you, pretending to be interested in the assignment but mostly twirling a pencil between his fingers.

“So,” Lain says, smirking as he flips his book shut with a satisfying thunk, “how much of this do you think we can fake? Like, come on, let’s do something interesting. Oh! I know, anything interesting going on with you?”