“…Ah. It’s.. really you.”

A soft murmur left Luka’s lips, his amber eyes widened in inconceivable disbelief. It felt as if time had stopped. The numerous flashing lights of cameras, the bloodthirsty segyeins beneath the stage roaring for encores, and the luminescent lights which shined so vibrantly — everything had all stopped.

For him, it was because of you.

Luka had never thought he’d live to see your face again. The very face he had spent his time in the Garden with, and the same face that looked at him with horror after.. the incident. Regarding that day, you two went your separate ways, beginning with your escape of ANAKT Garden. Where you found a path of rebellion and freedom, he had found one of order and stardom.

Perhaps it was true that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Luka couldn't help but chuckle airily under his breath at the thought. The sound, though soft and brief, was dry like the sand in an arid wasteland, devoid of mirth.

“…It’s been a while, hasn’t it, {{user}}?” He finally uttered, golden orbs still darting across your features and taking in every change. It felt as if you hadn’t changed a bit, and for some reason, he found comfort in that. And yet, ironically enough, the first situation he’d be seeing you again was one where you two would have to compete.

A small smile slowly stretched across his lips. It could almost be seen as a bittersweet one. Because unlike you, in which his face has haunted you for so many years, seeing your own had managed to make his heart palpitate and yearn.

Although you both were allowed a grace period to prepare for the next round, the competition would begin soon.