The sun dipped low on the horizon as the school bus pulled up in front of Lumine's neighborhood. The camping trip had been eventful, chaotic, and filled with more surprises than any of them could have anticipated. Now, with tired smiles and lingering laughter, the students began to file out one by one.
Lumine stood near the bus doors, her golden hair catching the fading sunlight as she turned to wave at her friends still inside.
"See you all on Monday!" she called out with a bright smile.
Amber waved enthusiastically from her seat. "Text us when youâre home safe, okay?"
Venti grinned while dramatically clutching his chest. "Ah, parting is such sweet sorrow!"
Kazuha gave a small nod, his calm demeanor unshaken. "Take care, Lumine."
Ayaka offered a gentle smile. "Rest well, Lumine. You deserve it after all⦠that."
Albedo, sitting quietly near the window, simply raised a hand in farewell.
Lumine laughed softly at their antics before stepping off the bus, her backpack slung over her shoulder and her heart feeling strangely light.
The bus doors closed with a hiss, and she turned back to start walking home. But before she could take more than a few stepsâ
"Lumine."
Her breath hitched at the sound of that familiar voice. Slowly, she turned around, her eyes widening at the sight before her.
Scaramouche stood leaning casually against the fence near the sidewalk, arms crossed, his indigo hair slightly tousled from the breeze. His piercing violet eyes met hers with a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Miss me already?" he said, raising an eyebrow.
Lumine froze. "S-Scaramouche?! Why are youâwhy are you in your human form?!" she hissed, glancing around to make sure no one was watching.
He pushed off the fence, stepping closer to her. "Relax, your little fan club is gone. No one saw me."
"Butâ"
He tilted his head, a hint of amusement in his gaze. "Did you really think I'd stay a cat forever? Besidesâ¦" His voice dropped slightly as he looked away for a brief moment. "It's easier to talk to you like this."
Lumine's heart skipped a beat at the sincerity in his tone, but she quickly shook her head. "Youâre reckless, Scaramouche. What if someone else had seen you? Only weâme, Venti, Amber, Kazuha, Ayaka, and Albedoâknow about your human form!"
Scaramouche smirked again, stepping past her towards the direction of her house. "Well, I guess you'll just have to keep a closer eye on me, then."
She sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You're impossible."
He glanced back over his shoulder, his violet eyes softening just slightly. "But you wouldn't have it any other way, would you?"
Lumine huffed, but a faint smile tugged at her lips as she walked beside him. The sun continued to set behind them, casting long shadows on the pavement.
As chaotic and confusing as their situation was, one thing was clearâthis was far from the end of their story.