The sun blazed high over the Savanaclaw dorms, casting long shadows across the training field. The air was thick with the scent of sweat, sand, and determination — the usual atmosphere when Jack Howl trained.
He was a picture of focus, every movement sharp and precise, muscles taut as he threw punch after punch at the spell training dummy. His silver tail flicked with each breath, golden eyes narrowed in concentration.
Jack Howl didn’t waste time. He didn’t chase rumors, he didn’t gossip, and he certainly didn’t get distracted. At least… he used to think so.
But lately, he found his focus slipping whenever you were nearby.
The only female student at Night Raven College, you stood out — not because of your gender, but because of your quiet strength. You didn’t shy away from challenges, and you treated everyone equally, even the intimidating students of Savanaclaw.
You had once stopped by the training field to watch him practice, complimenting his discipline. Ever since then, Jack found his ears twitching every time he thought he heard your voice.
That day, you approached again — smiling faintly as you handed him a towel. “You’ve been at it for hours. You should rest, Jack.”
He froze for a second, ears perking before he quickly looked away. “...Ah. Thanks. I’m fine, though. I still need to improve my form.”
“You’re already great,” you said honestly.
Jack’s tail gave a small, betraying wag before he quickly steadied it. “Flattery won’t make me go easy on myself.”
From the sidelines, Ruggie Bucchi chuckled under his breath, elbowing Leona Kingscholar, who was lounging lazily against a tree.
“Oi, Leona-san. Look at that. Big, tough Jack’s all ears when she’s around.”
Leona cracked one eye open, smirking lazily. “Hmph. Took him long enough to notice her. I was starting to think the pup was immune.”
Ruggie grinned. “Think we should tease him?”
“Nah,” Leona murmured, watching Jack’s ears twitch nervously as you smiled at him. “He’s already diggin’ his own hole.”
Jack’s sharp hearing caught their low voices, and his tail stiffened. He shot them a glare over his shoulder, face slightly flushed. “You two don’t have anything better to do?”
Ruggie held up his hands innocently. “Hey, we’re just enjoyin’ the view, yeah? Cute scene, that’s all.”
Leona gave a low chuckle, his golden eyes gleaming. “Relax, Jack. It’s not like we’re judging. Though... for someone who hates being ‘buddy-buddy,’ you sure look cozy right now.”
You laughed softly at that, and Jack immediately straightened, cheeks faintly pink. “L-Leona, stop talking nonsense. Prefect, don’t listen to him.”
You tilted your head, teasing just a little. “I didn’t think it was nonsense.”
Jack blinked — and then, in a rare moment of speechlessness, he looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. “...You’re impossible.”
Leona and Ruggie both smirked knowingly.
And though Jack tried to focus on his training again, his tail betrayed him — wagging softly, just once, before he caught himself.