Chương 96: The Second Day

(Point of view of Lysithea, Mirella, Graciela, and Elara) The second day of waiting was far too hot for Graciela's taste. She was sitting on the edge of the bed in the room the four of them shared, arms crossed and wearing the expression of someone who had already complained about everything there was to complain about. — This heat is ridiculous — she grumbled. — And the academy food is bland. It lacks seasoning. It lacks soul. Mirella, who was standing near the window, simply let out a sigh.

— You've already complained about that three times today. — Because it's still true. Lysithea was sitting in the chair near the table, her hands clasped in her lap. Her silver hair fell loose over her shoulders, and her violet eyes looked a little tired. She hadn't spoken much since the morning. She only glanced at the window from time to time, as if she could see the candidates' building from there. Elara was sitting on the floor with her back against the wall, knees drawn up.

Her silver-blue hair was tied up messily. She seemed calm, but her fingers tapped lightly against her knee in a restless rhythm. — Did you go see them this morning? — Elara asked suddenly, looking at Lysithea. Lysithea nodded slowly. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. — I did. They're fine. All together in Joker and Harley's room, as usual. Astrid was arguing with Harley over a card game. Marina was making colorful vapor.

Rina and Sylvara were trying to braid hair. Graciela huffed, but the corner of her mouth lifted a little. — And Kuroe? — She was there. In the corner of the bed, quiet. Watching. But she was with them. When Astrid complained about being hungry, she left and came back with sweet breads. Barely said a word, as always. Mirella crossed her arms, still looking out the window. — She never changes. Speaks little, but never stays far. Lysithea smiled faintly. — It's her way of staying close.

The room fell silent for a moment. Only the distant noise of the capital came in through the open window. Elara pulled her knees closer to her chest and rested her chin on them. — We still have all of tomorrow… and only at the end of the third day will we know the results. Lysithea nodded. — Yes. There's still one full day left. After that, we'll finally know whether they get in or not. Graciela shrugged. — I just want this whole thing to be over already. The longer we stay here, the more I miss my kitchen.

Mirella looked at her sideways. — You miss it, don't you? Graciela didn't answer right away. Then she muttered, lower: — I do. I miss all of you. The kids. The noise. Even Joker and Harley causing trouble all the time. Lysithea lifted her gaze and looked at the three of them. — They're fine. I saw them. They're together. Laughing. Arguing over nonsense. That's what matters right now. Elara stayed quiet for a while. Then she spoke in a low voice: — I'm still afraid something will go wrong. Even after everything.

Lysithea stood up, walked over to her, and sat down beside her. She put an arm around the younger woman's shoulders and pulled her a little closer. — So am I. But we can't live only with that fear. They're here. We're here. The day after tomorrow, we'll know. Mirella moved away from the window and came to sit on the edge of the bed, near Graciela. — If they pass, we stay together. If they don't… we go back. And we stay together either way. Graciela lightly tapped Mirella's shoulder.

— At least at home the food is decent. The four of them laughed quietly. The sound was light, tired, but real. Later, when the sun began to set, Lysithea looked out the window again. Far away, in the candidates' building, she could imagine the messy room, the children together, Kuroe quiet in the corner, Joker and Harley always stuck close, the others arguing and laughing at the same time. She smiled to herself. — We still have tomorrow — she murmured. — After that, we'll finally know.

Elara, still leaning against her, answered without opening her eyes: — No matter the result… we've already won. No one disagreed. The second day was like that: calm, a little anxious, but full of the thing they feared losing the most — each other's presence, and the certainty that the children were safe. There was still one full day left. But for now, the second day still belonged to them. End of Chapter 96