The days passed, and Zen's relationship with Alice continued to blossom. They trained together, explored the academy's secrets, and shared stories about their past. Zen felt like he had found a true friend in Alice, and he couldn't help but wonder if their bond went beyond friendship.
But as their relationship deepened, Zen began to notice subtle changes in Alice's behavior. She would sometimes become distant, her eyes clouding over with a mixture of sadness and fear. When he asked her what was wrong, she would brush it off, telling him she was just tired.
Zen tried to be understanding, but the doubts lingered. What was Alice hiding? Was there something she didn't trust him enough to share?
One evening, as they walked through the academy's gardens, Alice suddenly stopped and turned to him. "Zen, I need to tell you something," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Zen's heart skipped a beat. "What is it?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
But before Alice could respond, a group of students approached them, laughing and joking. The moment was lost, and Alice's expression changed, her mask slipping back into place.
"I'll tell you later," she said, her voice light and carefree. "Let's just enjoy the evening, okay?"
Zen nodded, but the seed of doubt had been planted. What was Alice hiding? And why did he feel like he was walking on thin ice around her?
*To be continued...*