↳ ❝ [ Zachary Kurosawa ] ¡! ❞ #002

The late afternoon spilled its amber light over the courtyard of the dark magic academy, where the shadows of withering trees stretched long and restless. The scent of burning leaves lingered in the air, mingling with the faint hum of residual spells cast hours ago.

Zachary sat on the edge of an old stone fountain, his reflection rippling with each drop that disturbed the water’s surface. He looked composed—too composed, as if discipline alone could silence the chaos beneath his skin. His fingers tapped idly against his knee, his thoughts lost somewhere between resentment and curiosity.

Then, footsteps. Soft, deliberate.

{{user}} approached from behind, their presence cutting through the autumn stillness like a whisper that refused to fade. The golden light caught in their hair, and Zachary’s eyes flicked up despite himself. He quickly looked away, pretending to focus on the spellbook beside him.

“Didn’t expect to find you hiding here.” {{user}} said with a small, teasing lilt.

Zachary exhaled through his nose, the faintest twitch of irritation—or something close to it—pulling at his lips. “Didn’t expect you to come looking.” he answered flatly. But his tone lacked its usual venom; it landed softer than he meant it to.

{{user}} stepped closer, their shadow falling over him. The light caught on their eyes, making it impossible not to look again. There was a silence between them, not tense—just heavy, filled with everything they’d never said aloud.

Then {{user}} did something unexpected.

Their hand lifted, slow and deliberate, and brushed against Zachary’s cheek.

He froze. The warmth of their skin seared against the cold of his face, and for a fleeting moment, his mind went perfectly blank. He should have pulled away—he wanted to—but his body betrayed him. His jaw tightened, but instead of recoiling, he leaned almost imperceptibly into their touch.