The courtyard remained eerily quiet after Scaramoucheâs departure. The weight of his sharp words and the echo of fists meeting skin hung heavy in the air. Lumine knelt beside Aether, her hand trembling slightly as she clutched his sleeve.
âAether⦠are you okay?â Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Aether wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his expression tight as he avoided her gaze. âIâm fine, Lumine. Donât worry about me.â
Amber and Ayaka exchanged worried glances while Venti stood off to the side, uncharacteristically silent. Kazuha helped Aether stand, his calm demeanor faltering slightly as he sighed.
âShould we⦠go after him?â Kazuha asked softly, glancing in the direction Scaramouche had disappeared.
Lumine shook her head. âNo⦠He needs space.â Her voice cracked at the end, and Amber placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Albedo finally stepped forward, his sharp eyes observing everyone. âRight now, we need to focus on calming down and addressing these injuries.â
In the Nurseâs Office
Aether sat on one of the infirmary beds, a small bruise forming on his cheek and a cut on his lip. Lumine sat beside him, holding an ice pack against his face while glaring at him.
âYou didnât have to fight him,â she muttered.
Aether sighed, leaning back slightly. âHe threw the first punch, Lumine. Iâm not just going to stand there and let himââ
âThat doesnât make it right!â she interrupted, her golden eyes glistening with unshed tears. âYouâre supposed to be better than that.â
Aether softened, reaching up to gently take her hand away from his face. âIâm sorry, Lumine. But⦠Scaramoucheâs jealousy and anger are getting out of control. I couldnât let him keep talking to you like that.â
Lumineâs shoulders sagged as she turned away. âYou donât understandâ¦â
Before Aether could respond, the door creaked open. Venti and Amber peeked inside, carrying snacks and drinks.
âWe thought you two could use a little sugar boost after all that drama,â Venti said, his voice light but his smile strained.
Amber set down the snacks on a nearby table. âHave you heard from Scaramouche?â
Lumine shook her head. âNo⦠he hasnât messaged me.â
Elsewhere: Scaramouche Alone
Scaramouche sat on the rooftop of one of the school buildings, his knees pulled to his chest and his head resting on his arms. The bruises on his knuckles ached, but not nearly as much as the storm inside his chest.
His mind replayed the scene over and overâthe look in Lumineâs eyes when she saw him punch Aether, the way her voice cracked when she called his name.
âWhy do I always ruin everythingâ¦?â he muttered bitterly to himself.
He heard the faint meow of a cat and looked down to see Snowball standing near his feet.
âWhat⦠How did you get up here?â Scaramouche blinked as the little kitten purred and rubbed against his leg.
For a moment, a rare soft smile crossed his face as he picked Snowball up. âYouâre persistent, arenât you? Just like herâ¦â
But the weight of his actions pulled his smile away again. He closed his eyes, gripping the kitten tighter as the guilt ate away at him.
Back with the Group
That evening, Lumine sat on her dorm bed, clutching her phone tightly. There were no messages from Scaramouche.
Amber, Ayaka, and Venti were sitting nearby, trying to cheer her up with light conversation, but nothing seemed to work.
Albedo and Kazuha had been outside, trying to find Scaramouche, but they had no luck.
Suddenly, Aether knocked on the door and stepped inside. âLumine⦠heâs on the rooftop.â
Her head shot up. âWhat? How do you know?â
âI⦠mightâve seen him when I was walking around earlier,â Aether admitted sheepishly. âBut I didnât approach him. I thought you should go instead.â
Lumine stood up immediately, her chest tight with anticipation and worry. âIâll go.â
Amber gave her a reassuring smile. âWeâll be here when you get back.â
As Lumine hurried out of the room and toward the rooftop stairs, her heart pounded in her chest.
Please⦠donât push me away this time, Scaramouche.