Chương 95: The Second Day

It was the second of the three waiting days. The results from the Eternal Academy would only come out at the end of the third day. Until then, the group was stuck in the capital, unable to go far. The temporary dormitory had turned into a comfortable mess: clothes thrown on the beds, sweets hidden in drawers, and the low noise of conversations and laughter that never really stopped. The door to Joker and Harley's room stayed open most of the time. The girls came and went as if the place belonged to everyone.

Astrid was sitting on the floor, shuffling cards with heavy hands. — I swear this time I'm not going to let Harley cheat. Harley, lying on her stomach on the bed with her chin resting on her hands, smiled innocently. — I never cheat. I just… improvise. Marina let out a small laugh and created a little pink vapor cloud that floated up to Astrid's face, tickling her. — You two are impossible. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Sylvara was sitting next to Rina, trying to make a more elaborate braid in her hair. Rina complained quietly but didn't move. Kuroe was in the corner of Joker's bed, like she almost always was. Knees together, arms around her legs, watching everything in silence. Every now and then she blinked slowly, as if cataloging every movement in the room. When Astrid complained that she was hungry, Kuroe stood up without saying anything. She left the room and came back a few minutes later with three still-warm sweet breads.

She tossed one onto Astrid's lap, another onto Marina's, and the third onto Rina's. Then she returned to the same spot and sat down again, as if nothing had happened. No one needed to thank her. They already knew. Joker was lying on his back, his head resting on Harley's lap. He was playing with a coin between his fingers, tossing it up and catching it again without looking. — Tomorrow we find out if we stay or if we go back — he murmured, more to himself than to the others. Harley lightly pinched his ear.

— We're staying. Obviously. Astrid slapped the cards against her hand and started dealing. — Stop talking like we're going to lose. Come play. The game started chaotic. Harley cheated shamelessly. Astrid complained. Marina released colorful vapor every time she lost. Rina laughed quietly. Sylvara tried to keep order and failed miserably. Kuroe didn't play. She just watched.

At one point, when Harley was about to steal another card, Kuroe spoke for the first time in almost an hour, her voice low and direct: — The card is in your left sleeve. Harley froze. Then she burst out laughing and pulled out the hidden card. — Traitor. Kuroe simply shrugged and went back to silence. But the corner of her mouth moved a little. Almost a smile. Later, when the sun was lower, the group was still together. No one felt like separating.

Rina had rested her head on Kuroe's shoulder without asking permission. Kuroe didn't move. She let her. Joker, still lying on Harley's lap, looked at them and spoke quietly, only for Harley to hear: — She stays quiet… but she never stays far. Harley ran her fingers through his hair. — I know. It's her way of saying we matter. Joker didn't answer. He just kept looking at Kuroe, who now had her eyes half-closed, letting Rina lean against her as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Outside, the capital continued noisy and alive. Inside the room, time seemed to move more slowly. Tomorrow would be the third day. But for now, it was still only the second. And the second day still belonged only to them. End of Chapter 95