Ciro

He made no sound as he entered. I barely looked up as he approached, but something about his presence… was different. Not nervous, not incredulous. Rather… determined.

"I want the person I like… to love me back."

Silence.

I sighed softly, tilting my head as I observed him more closely.

"No," I said bluntly.

I could see the confusion forming on his face. It was normal. They weren't used to being told no.

"Why not? You're supposed to grant wishes."

I smiled, but it wasn't a kind smile.

"Because there are rules."

I stepped down from the desk, approaching slowly, just enough to invade that small personal space that humans value so much.

"And that… breaks one of the most important ones."

I could have left it at that. Normally, I did. I'd reject the wish, offer another option, and move on to the next.

But this time…

No.

There was something more.

Something that had nothing to do with the rules.

I stared at him, analyzing every gesture, every tiny detail. And then I admitted it, even if only to myself.

It wasn't just his wish that bothered me.

It was him.

"Besides…" I murmured, leaning in a bit closer, enough for my voice to drop to an almost confidential tone. "that's not the only reason."

I let the silence linger for just a second.

"…I like you."