Orion adjusted his glasses, staring blankly at the game screen. His fingers hovered over the controller, but his concentration wavered. Something felt off. With a sigh, he grabbed his phone, glancing at the unopened message from Elysia. He tapped the screen, willing a response to appear.
"It's been five minutes," he muttered, nervously tapping the back of his phone. "She's usually quick to reply..."
The quiet hum of his motorcycle outside pulled him into his thoughts, back to their last conversation. She had spoken about dreams and resilience, about never giving up on love despite its challenges. He had brushed off her optimism at the time, calling it naive. But now, her words lingered, filling his mind like a melody he couldn't shake.
"Why do I keep thinking about her?" he asked himself aloud, his frown deepening.
As if in response, memories flooded back—the sound of her infectious laugh as he teased her during their Discord sessions while coordinating an online escape room, and the playful way she quoted her favorite anime during heated debates. One particular moment stood out vividly.
The faint clinking sound echoed in Elysia's headphones as she typed furiously, scanning the escape room for clues. Across the virtual map, Orion's character stood motionless near the bookshelf, his avatar's expressionless face taunting her.
"Madrigal, what are you doing? We've been stuck on this puzzle for ten minutes," Elysia said, her voice laced with mock exasperation.
"I'm observing, Salazar," he replied, his voice smooth but edged with a grin she couldn't see. "Laser-sharp focus, thank you very much."
She rolled her eyes. "Laser-sharp? More like fogged-up glasses sharp. Have you even clicked the bookshelf yet?"
Orion smirked on his end. "Oh, I did. It said, 'Access denied.' Probably cursed because you touched it first."
"Wow," Elysia shot back. "Blame me for your lack of escape skills. Classic Madrigal."
"Typical Salazar arrogance," he countered, leaning back in his chair. "Maybe if you admit my superior clicking abilities, I'll share my genius with you."
She smirked. "Oh, really? Because I already found the passcode behind the creepy portrait. But sure, keep clicking aimlessly."
Orion shot forward in his seat. "Wait, you found the passcode and didn't say anything?"
Elysia's voice dropped to a teasing tone. "Omae wa mou shindeiru."
"You are already dead?" Orion repeated, his tone incredulous. "Did you seriously pull a Kenshiro on me just now?
"Yep. Deal with it, Madrigal."
Before he could retort, the bookshelf clicked open.
"No way..." Orion muttered.
Elysia gasped, her tone dripping with disbelief. "You cheated, didn't you?"
"Skill, Salazar." His voice dripped with smugness. "You wouldn't understand."
"Fine. Enjoy your so-called skill while I leave you in the virtual dungeon next round."
"You wouldn't dare!" Orion exclaimed, leaning forward.
"Oh, I would," Elysia teased, her voice sweet yet menacing. "Rules don't matter unless we act according to our own will. Right, Shogo Makishima?"
Orion groaned. "Did you really just throw a Psycho-Pass quote at me? This isn't over, Salazar"
Elysia grinned as her screen loaded the next room. "Bring it, Madrigal"
The memory faded, leaving him with the echo of her determination, her laughter, her essence—everything that lingered long after their conversations ended.
His phone buzzed, jolting him back to the present. He nearly fumbled it in his hurry to check the screen.
"Sorry, I was making coffee! What's up?"
A slow smile crept across his face as he stared at her message.
"You've got me, Salazar," he whispered, the realization settling over him like sunlight breaking through the clouds. "I've fallen for you, haven't I?"
Orion's hands trembled as he texted, "Elysia, can you be my girlfriend?" He stared at his screen, debating if hitting send would do justice to his feelings. It felt too impersonal, almost cowardly. Without a second thought, he picked up his phone and dialed her number. The seconds stretched painfully as he waited for her to pick up.
"Elysia?" he managed, his voice cracking slightly.
"Yes, Orion?" she replied with a hint of curiosity.
"I sent you a text, but I—I had to ask you directly. Elysia... can you be my girlfriend?"
A pause. Orion's heart raced as he imagined her expression on the other end of the line. In truth, Elysia was biting her lip, trying desperately to suppress the grin tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"I'll give you my answer—but you have to follow my instructions first," she said, her voice teasingly calm. Orion clung to her every word, anticipation mounting.
"Instructions?" he asked, eyebrows furrowing.
"Step 1: find a Yellow envelope inside your desk drawer. Step 2: open it, and you'll find a letter Etched on delicate plates. Step 3: read and Say the words aloud. That's the only way you'll know my answer," she explained, a laugh almost escaping her.
Orion rushed to his desk, fumbling as he opened the drawer. The yellow envelope sat neatly tucked away, as if waiting for this moment. He tore it open and revealed the plates inside, the words beautifully engraved:
Oblivious to the worlds, his radiant light shines through, a Remarkable being, his essence—mystic and true. Illusive presence, yet so profoundly felt, not ordinary, a soul where dreams have dwelt.
Overjoyed, this infernal prince stands apart, a Noble heart, the fire of his art.
p.s. eyes on all caps
Orion swallowed hard. He read the words out loud, each syllable echoing in his otherwise quiet room.
At that moment, a text notification lit up his phone screen. It was Elysia.
Orion stared at the message, his heart soaring. He had just embarked on a love story scripted by destiny—or, more accurately, by Elysia's charming playfulness.