Morning – Rosalina's Apartment
A soft breeze rustled the sheer curtains, sending threads of dawn-glow dancing across the pale walls.
Rosalina stirred beneath her covers, delicate brows knitting as her fingers grazed the empty space beside her. Her eyes fluttered open—violet hues catching the early light spilling into the room. Still groggy, she sat up, voice barely above a whisper:
"Subaru…?"
Silence.
But then she saw it. On her nightstand—resting quietly beside the book she'd forgotten to put away—lay a single rose. Pale pink. Soft. The same shade as her hair. It hadn't been there last night.
Her hand reached out slowly, fingertips ghosting over the silky petals. A quiet smile curved her lips. Tucking the flower behind her ear, she brushed her cheek—where his touch still lingered, faint but unforgettable.
Drawing her knees to her chest, she gazed out the window. The city was waking, its usual symphony of traffic and birdsong just beginning to rise. Yet something inside her hadn't quite settled.
He'd vanished without a word… but left a rose. It was small. Thoughtful. Almost too gentle for someone like him. And somehow, that made it harder to ignore.
Leaning back, she ran a thumb along the rose's stem.
Why am I thinking about him this much?
He was brash. Closed off. Complicated.
But he'd stayed.
And the silence they'd shared—it hadn't felt empty. It had felt… safe.
This isn't infatuation, she told herself firmly. Just curiosity. Intrigue. Fascination with someone so unlike me. That's all.
Still, the rose stayed behind her ear.
What kind of fool trusts a vampire like him?
…Apparently, one like her.
---
Evening – Subaru's Room
Subaru sat on the edge of his bed, shirt rumpled, fists clenched at his sides. The dim light from the lamp behind him cast long shadows across the wooden floor. His silver hair was tousled—though sleep had been elusive.
He stared at the faint scar on his knuckle, his jaw tight.
Idiot.
He'd meant to leave without a word. That was the plan. No goodbyes, no complications. He wasn't the type to linger. Not after things got… too close.
But still—
His hand drifted to his lap, fingers resting there without thought. A grimace twisted his features, and he sat up sharply, as if the memory might loosen its grip if he moved fast enough.
Yet the image of her head resting there—calm, trusting—burned in his mind.
She trusted me. Completely. What the hell is wrong with her?
What the hell was wrong with him?
She doesn't know what I am.
Maybe that's the problem.
He paced once. Twice. Then stopped at the window, arms tense at his sides.
Why am I thinking about her? She's just annoying… right? Like the rest of them.
But she wasn't.
Not with the way her eyes met his without fear. Or the way she carried herself—quiet strength cloaked in gentle reserve.
He cursed again under his breath.
Outside, footsteps approached.
"Subaru," Reiji called, voice smooth but clipped. "You've been distracted lately. Sloppy."
Subaru didn't turn. "Tch. Buzz off."
A beat of silence.
"You can lie to yourself all you want," Reiji replied, "but don't bring your distractions to my study."
Subaru scoffed, but said nothing more. His eyes flicked once to the door, then back to the window.
Still… that flower. Her voice. The warmth of her leaning into him.
His coat was off the hook before he even realized it.
He wouldn't say it aloud—but he had to check. Just in case.
That girl better not have done anything reckless again.
---
Later That Evening – Ryoutei Academy
The classroom hummed with the soft murmur of after-hours chatter, the scrape of chairs, the shuffle of bags.
Rosalina was already seated near the window, posture elegant as ever. Her satchel rested neatly beside her, and a breeze from the open pane fluttered a strand of her hair. She turned a lavender-embroidered napkin in her hands, the initials stitched small but neat.
The door slid open.
She didn't glance up as Subaru entered.
He moved past her, expression unreadable, and dropped into the seat beside her. As he leaned forward to rest his head on the desk, he hesitated.
"You… okay now?" he asked, not quite meeting her eyes.
She turned slightly toward him, voice calm. "I am. Thank you… again."
"…Don't mention it."
Their words hung in the space between them—brief, but heavier than they sounded.
Subaru leaned back at last, head lowered to the desk. But she noticed: the way his shoulders relaxed, the way his usual tension seemed to melt.
---
Midnight Break
Rosalina's POV
Warm spices filled the air as she climbed the stairs to the rooftop, lunchbox balanced carefully in her hands. She hadn't said it aloud, but she'd made the bento with him in mind. Naan. Chicken Angara. Salad. Sheera. Comfort food.
He was already there—arms crossed, back against the wall, eyes closed like he was trying to pretend the world didn't exist.
"I brought you lunch today," she said, setting the box beside him. "It's Indian. Thought you might like something warm."
One eye cracked open. "Tch. I didn't ask for that."
"No. But you didn't stop me either."
She sat beside him, close enough to share the quiet.
He doesn't say much… but he doesn't leave either.
Maybe that's all I need right now.
He began eating, no complaints.
When she passed him a drink, their fingers brushed. He flinched—barely—but didn't pull away.
"I never thanked you properly," she said softly. "For staying."
"You talk too much," he grumbled.
She smiled. "Mm. And yet you listen."
A silence. Then a quiet, reluctant voice.
"You're not as useless as the others," he added after a beat.
Rosalina blinked. Then let out a soft laugh. "High praise coming from you."
Subaru's POV
She sat too close. And he let her.
He watched her hands, graceful and precise. Everything about her was quiet. Intentional.
He hated that he noticed.
She's just another girl.
But his posture had eased without him realizing it.
She didn't point it out. Didn't make it awkward.
Her shoulder brushed his sleeve when she reached forward. She smelled faintly of lavender and sugar. He clenched his fists under the table.
Get a grip, he snapped at himself.
---
Later Night– School Gates
The bell had rung. Students trickled away in twos and threes, shadows stretching beneath the setting sun.
Rosalina stepped out, bag slung over one shoulder, twin braids catching the breeze.
He was there. Standing a few feet away, back to her, hands in his pockets.
"Don't walk home alone again," he said without turning.
She blinked. "Were you… waiting?"
He scoffed. "Don't flatter yourself."
But she smiled—soft, knowing. "I'll take the offer anyway."
They walked quietly, side by side, as evening deepened. Close. Not touching. But not distant either.
"You're not as annoying as most people," he muttered.
She chuckled. "That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."
After a while, he muttered, "You're not as annoying as most people."
She stifled a laugh. "That almost sounded kind."
He didn't correct her.
At the path's end, he paused, glanced her way.
"…You did good. Yesterday."
She stopped, surprise softening her features.
"Thank you," she said, a smile tugging at her lips.
And then he was gone.
She watched him disappear down the street, the rose still tucked behind her ear.
It meant more than he'd ever say aloud.
---
Late Night
Subaru (Alone)
Moonlight filtered through the tall windows. Subaru leaned against the cold wall, arms crossed, eyes narrowed at nothing.
He hadn't stopped thinking about her.
Not once.
"She's just another girl," he muttered aloud.
But even he didn't believe it.
She's not afraid of me. That's dangerous.
He touched his lap again—remembered her hair, her peace, the quiet way she'd slept against him.
She should've known better.
And yet—he couldn't bring himself to regret it.
Rosalina (Alone)
Her apartment was quiet. Warm.
In her small kitchen, Rosalina stood flipping through her recipe book, humming a lullaby under her breath.
"What cuisine next?" she murmured. "Japanese? Korean?"
She paused, then laughed softly.
"Maybe something lighter… He likes spice, but not too sweet…"
Her hand stilled.
"…Why am I planning this just for him?"
She reached up, fingers brushing the rose still behind her ear.
A quiet chuckle escaped.
And outside, the night deepened.
---