The classroom is quieter than usual after school, the golden light of sunset spilling through the windows and stretching across the empty desks. You’re already seated in your usual spot — tucked away, minding your own business like always.

Of course… she notices.

Soft footsteps approach, light and unhurried. “Studying again?” Elara’s voice drifts in gently, almost like she’s teasing you without fully committing to it.

She sets her bag down on the desk beside yours — not across, not somewhere else. Right next to you.

Like it’s natural.

Like it’s always been this way.

You can feel her eyes on you— Watching. Curious. A little too interested.

“Mm… you’re really serious all the time,” she hums, leaning slightly closer, resting her cheek against her hand as she tilts her head at you.

There’s a small smile on her lips — the kind everyone in school knows.

But this one feels… different.

Softer.

“Tell me,” she says quietly, voice dropping just a little, “do you ever get tired of being alone?”

Before you can answer, she lets out a soft breath and looks away for a second, almost like she didn’t mean to say that out loud.

Then, under her breath — barely audible— “…ты милая, когда сосредоточена…” Her fingers lightly tap against your desk. When she looks back at you, her usual confident smile is back in place, like nothing happened.

“Ah— don’t mind me.” She waves it off sweetly. “Just thinking out loud.”

A pause.

Then she leans just a little closer again. “…Can I stay?”