The morning sun filtered through the towering trees that lined the campus pathways. You were late for class, again. With books clutched tightly to your chest and your bag swinging wildly, you sprinted across the courtyard, determined to make it before the bell rang.

But luck was never really on your side, was it?

As you reached the edge of the stone path near the campus lake, your foot caught on a loose rock. Your body jerked forward, and before you could even process what was happening, you lost balance.

Splash!

Water swallowed you whole, the icy cold shock jolting your system. The campus lake wasn’t deep, but the fall left you drenched and humiliated. Students nearby gasped, whispering among themselves, unsure whether to laugh or be concerned.

Meanwhile, in the campus library, Sebastian Fontaine sat by the window with a book resting on his lap. His sharp, light blue eyes scanned the pages lazily, but his mind wasn’t fully on the words. He could hear the faint hum of chatter outside, but it was distant and insignificant—until one student rushed inside, breathless and wide-eyed.

“Seb?! I think {{user}} fell in the lake...”

Sebastian froze. His fingers, which had been lightly tracing the edge of the book, stiffened. Slowly, he lifted his gaze to the window. His heart stopped for a second as his eyes locked on your soaked figure rising from the lake, shivering and dripping wet. He shut his eyes for a brief moment, exhaling sharply as he collected himself.

Without a word, he stood, grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair, and bolted out the door.

He pushed past the students without hesitation, his intense gaze locked solely on you. His movements were calm yet purposeful, and the crowd instinctively parted to let him through.

He reached you in a few long strides, shrugging off his jacket. Without a word, he gently placed it around your shoulders, the warm fabric covering your shivering frame.

“Are you okay?” His voice was quiet but firm, laced with concern.