After the assembly for the second-year students concluded, Ren and Lithia remained in the Great Auditorium, lingering as they continued their idle conversation.
"Ren, over here."
Her voice echoed through the vast, solemn hall.
At the sound of her voice, Ren stepped onto the deep crimson carpet. He looked up at the stage, the image of the White Saintess bathed in the spotlight searing itself into his mind.
The Magic Sword User questioned the lovely girl standing on the platform.
"What are you doing up there?"
"I was just looking around and remembered our Entrance Ceremony."
They were the only two left in the cavernous space. Even though they weren't doing anything wrong, Ren's heart fluttered; it felt as though the world belonged only to them.
Lithia seemed to feel it too, her smile more mischievous than usual.
"Ren, do you remember that day?"
"You mean when we stood here as the student representatives?"
"Yes. It's strange... only a year has passed, yet it feels like so much has happened in those few months."
"It doesn't just feel like it," Ren started.
"Fufu, you're right. It actually happened, didn't it?"
Lithia reached her hand out toward him.
"Since we're here, why don't we stand together like we did back then?"
Her silver hair swayed as she leaned forward slightly. Bathed in the dazzling stage lights, the White Saintess looked like an angel. She was lovely and pure, radiating an almost divine aura.
"Come on, Ren. You too."
"Uh... is it really okay for us to just stand up there?"
"...Now that you mention it, I'm getting a little worried. But it should be fine for a moment... I think!"
When Ren took her hand, her warmth traveled through his fingertips.
Affection lingered in her every touch as she entwined her fingers with his. Realizing she was being a bit too bold, she masked her embarrassment with a bright, cheerful smile.
Suddenly, her legs gave way and she lost her balance.
As her body tumbled toward Ren, who reached out in a hurry to catch her, she felt as if time had slowed to a crawl. In that instant, a sensation surged through her, as if her vision were overlapping with another's.
"...That's why, you see."
She thought she heard her own voice from somewhere, and the surrounding scenery was enveloped in an even more dazzling light.
"Ren, it's already—"
As Lithia experienced those strange sensations, Ren caught her with his whole body.
The two of them tumbled onto the thick carpet. Their fingers remained entwined, and with Ren holding her close, the distance between them vanished.
He felt her breath closer than ever before, and he could hear her heartbeat against his chest. Amidst the silence, Ren was uncharacteristically flustered.
"A-Are you all right!?"
"Y-Yeah! I'm fine!"
They both struggled to steady their voices and expressions to hide their embarrassment. Though they expected to calm down naturally, it proved difficult at such a distance. Their bodies felt weak, leaving them able to do nothing but shift slightly in each other's arms.
Gradually, as the strength returned to her fingertips, the tension in Lithia's body began to fade. However, they remained closer than they had ever been.
Once he regained his composure, Ren tried to release her hand and pull away.
...Even though his hand must still be in pain.
Lithia wrapped both of her hands around his. She channeled the light of Holy Magic into him, drawing her face close while still cradling his hand. It wasn't merely the compassion of a Saintess that drove her, but the deep affection of her heart.
"Lithia?"
"...I'm sorry. Just stay like this for a moment."
She wanted to convey all her warmth to him.
Eventually, they let go and sat up, their eyes meeting on the carpet.
In that moment, Lithia felt a sharp pain in her heart. As the previous daydream surfaced in her mind, tears threatened to spill just from looking at him.
She didn't understand why.
When the tears finally trailed down her cheeks, Ren's eyes widened for an instant before he reached out. Lithia placed her hand over his, their palms overlapping against her cheek.
"Are you all right?"
Listening to his gentle voice, the heartache within her seemed to vanish. She had never wanted him to touch her more, or felt such a desperate need for him not to let go. She leaned her cheek into his palm, pressing her hand firmly against his.
"I'm sorry, even though you're the one in pain."
"I'm fine. But Lithia, why so suddenly...?"
"I'm okay too. The tears... I don't really know. Maybe I just wanted someone to lean on."
"To lean on...?"
"Is that so wrong? Even I have moments like this!"
With those words, Lithia Clausel flashed her usual smile.
Though her senses were still dull, she stood up and pulled Ren Ashton to his feet. Facing him, she found she couldn't put the emotions she felt into words—the simple, profound joy of being able to speak with him like this.
Even though they spoke every morning and every night, this felt different. It was a mystery she couldn't name.
The silence between them was broken by the preliminary bell announcing the afternoon lesson. The sudden sound snapped them out of their reverie. Released from the inexplicable atmosphere, they exchanged wry smiles.
"Shall we head back?"
"Yes! We'll be late for class!"
The Magic Sword User and the White Saintess.
The light pouring onto the stage would illuminate only the two of them, now and forever.