The steady scratching of your pen against parchment was the only sound in the room, a slow rhythm that matched the ticking of the wall clock.

Mission files lay scattered across your desk, pages curled slightly at the corners from age and handling. The candlelight flickered gently, casting long shadows across your face as your eyes scanned through another report.

It had been a long day. Quiet. Focused. You liked it that way, sometimes—alone with your thoughts and the weight of responsibility. It gave you clarity.

But then…Warmth.

Soft arms wrapped suddenly around your shoulders from behind, and a familiar scent filled your nose—paint, parchment, and something faintly sweet, like fruit and flowers all at once.

A chin rested lightly against your head, and you froze mid-sentence, the pen stilling in your hand. You knew that embrace instantly.

Rill.

You turned slowly in your chair, your eyes meeting the bright, eager gaze of the young Magic Knight Captain.

His sky-blue hair was slightly tousled, probably from running through the halls again, and he was rocking back and forth on his heels, unable to stay still.

His smile—wide and genuine—was impossible to ignore.

He said something, lips moving quickly, full of joy, and though you didn’t respond, you didn’t have to. He didn’t seem to expect you to.

Rill had long since grown used to your silence. He never minded. If anything, he seemed to love it.

His hands gestured playfully toward the door, and he leaned in a little, eyebrows raised, eyes sparkling like he was about to burst if you didn’t come with him.

His excitement was contagious, like it always was—boundless and honest.

You blinked slowly, then glanced at the pile of paperwork in front of you. It wasn’t finished. Not even close. But then you looked back at him.

He had already taken a small step back, bouncing once on the balls of his feet, lips pulled into a hopeful grin.

Like a child waiting to show you a masterpiece. He didn’t tug or plead. He just looked at you—like you were the best part of his world.

With a quiet sigh, you stood. Rill’s face lit up like dawn.

You didn’t smile, not fully. But your gaze softened, and that was enough. You reached out and let your hand brush gently against his as you passed him by.

He immediately twirled behind you like he’d won a prize, hurrying to catch up, laughing without a sound.

And just like that, the mission files were forgotten—at least for a little while.