"Hey… did you finally take the steps to adulthood?" Chuck asked Alex as they walked to their Bestiary class, taught by Diona.
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Alex blinked.
"You seem… different." Chuck frowned. "It's like… it's like Charles after he went out on a date with Nessia. When he got back, he was grinning from ear to e—acckk!"
"Oh, sorry. You were blocking the way." Nessia had unceremoniously kicked Chuck from behind, making the troublemaker collapse on the floor.
"Oh no! I slipped!" Mary's heel 'accidentally' stomped on Chuck's backside, making the latter scream like a pig being slaughtered.
Alex and Charles felt a little pity and thought of helping Chuck, but the two girls glared daggers at them.
"U-Um, we'll go ahead." Alex coughed lightly, leaving his roommate to his fate.
"Go on, Charles," Nessia said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I'll catch up to you soon."
