The old courtyard was quiet again.
Cracked stone. Ivy crawling over broken walls. Moonlight spilling across everything like silver paint.
Lira stepped into the clearing, folding her hands behind her back.
She inhaled.
"…Blood Angel?," she called softly.
Nothing.
She rolled her eyes slightly. "Lucien."
The air shifted instantly.
The scent hit her first — blood and spider lilies.
Then he was there.
A few steps away.
White hair glowing faintly under the moon. No hat. No mask. Just him.
She stared for a second too long.
"You know," she said, squinting slightly, "you could just walk like a normal person."
"I did walk."
"You teleported."
"I walked. Efficiently."
She blinked. "…That's not how walking works."
He ignored her.
His eyes narrowed slightly. "Why are you here?"
"Taking a stroll."
"At nine at night."
"Yes."
"In an abandoned courtyard."
"Yes."
He tilted his head. "You are either very brave or very foolish."
She smiled faintly. "I get that a lot."
A pause.
He studied her carefully.
"I can hear your heartbeat from here," he said calmly.
She froze. "…You what?"
"It's fast."
"I walk fast."
"You are standing still."
She crossed her arms. "I'm nervous."
"Of me?"
"…No."
"Your heart says otherwise."
She huffed. "Stop listening to my organs. That's rude."
For a split second—
His lips twitched.
Barely.
She noticed.
"Oh. You almost smiled," she said, pointing at him.
"I did not."
"You did."
"You imagined it."
She narrowed her eyes. "Okay, fine. Why do you always come at night? And why did you transfer to our school?"
He exhaled slowly, like he was losing patience. "I am also a human being."
The way he said it made it sound like she had asked if he photosynthesized.
Her eyebrow lifted. "You sure?"
He blinked once.
"Yes."
She leaned forward slightly. "Because the glowing eyes, dramatic entrances, and mysterious aura say otherwise."
"My eyes do not glow."
"They absolutely glow."
"They reflect light."
"In red?"
Silence. "…Lighting effects."
She stared.
He stared back.
She shook her head. "Fine. What's your full name then, Mr. Very-Human?"
"…Lucien Hale."
She repeated it softly.
"Lucien Hale…"
Hale.
Why did that sound familiar?
Her brows furrowed.
It couldn't be—
Tch.
That's stupid.
She's stupid.
She snapped out of it and nodded. "Cool name."
He didn't react.
So she did something impulsive.
She stepped forward and held out her hand. "Nice to properly meet you, Lucien Hale."
He looked down at her hand.
Then back at her face.
Then back at her hand.
His eyes slowly lifted again. "…What is that?"
"My hand."
"I can see that."
"It's called a handshake."
"I am aware."
"Then shake it."
He didn't move.
He simply stared at her outstretched hand like it might explode. "…No."
She blinked. "No?"
"I do not shake hands."
"Why?"
"Because."
"That's not a reason."
He gave her a flat look. "You do not know where my hands have been."
Her eyes widened. "…That is the worst thing you could have said."
He looked faintly offended. "I meant combat."
She quickly pulled her hand back and wiped it on her sweater.
"Oh my gosh."
He watched her in silence.
Then quietly—
"You must leave."
She glanced up.
"Go," he said. "No one can see you with a creature like me."
Creature.
She frowned slightly.
"They will attack."
She hesitated.
Then took a step back.
"…You're not that scary," she muttered.
"I am."
"You're cool."
"I am not."
"You are literally standing in moonlight with white hair."
He paused. "…Go home, Lira."
The way he said her name made her heartbeat spike again.
He noticed.
"Still fast," he said calmly.
She groaned. "Stop monitoring my cardiovascular system!"
And with one last look at him—
She turned and walked away.
Behind her—
The Blood Angel or rather Lucien stood still.
----
The boys' changing room smelled like soap, sweat, and fresh varnish from the court.
Lockers slammed shut. Sneakers squeaked against tile.
Caelen pulled his jersey over his head, the fabric settling perfectly against his shoulders. Black and silver.
Ronan stood a few lockers away, tying the laces of his basketball shoes.
"I saw the physics notes," Caelen said casually, grabbing his wristband. "Thanks."
Ronan shrugged. "It's okay."
"You didn't have to."
"I know."
Caelen glanced at him briefly. There was something steady about Ronan — quiet, dependable.
Outside, the gym roared with energy. Their school always went hard for basketball season. Banners hung from the ceiling. Drums echoed from the bleachers.
Caelen rolled his shoulders once.
He had always been the best player on the court.
But lately—
He wasn't sure if he still stood alone up there.
In the bleachers, Lira sat neatly, hands placed on her lap.
Her silver hair was tied into a ponytail, a few soft strands falling around her face.
Beside her, Joy bounced in her seat like she had springs under her.
"I hope Caelen wins! If the Night Falcons lose again I swear I'm starting a petition," Joy declared dramatically.
"The Iron Vipers are overrated," Keiran muttered as he dropped into the seat beside them.
Joy turned immediately. "Excuse me? Overrated? They won last season!"
"They got lucky."
"They trained."
"They panicked."
"They strategized!"
Lira's lips curved faintly at their bickering.
But her mind wasn't there.
Not fully.
The whistle blew sharply.
The gym erupted.
The players ran out onto the court.
Joy jumped to her feet. "Let's go, Night Falcons!"
Lira clapped politely, smiling.
Caelen stepped forward with his team — confident, controlled, unreadable.
Across the court, the opposing team gathered.
Ronan bent down, tightening his laces one last time.
He stood.
Looked up.
And his eyes met hers.
Just for a second.
Lira froze.
Her breath caught — barely noticeable, but there.
Something in her chest fluttered unexpectedly.
Not fast like before.
Not nervous.
Just—
Soft.
Ronan held the look for half a heartbeat longer.
Then someone called his name, and he looked away.
The game began.
Joy was yelling again.
Keiran was arguing about strategy.
The ball hit the floor with a sharp bounce—
And then—
She felt it.
A presence.
Right beside her.
Slowly, Lira turned her head.
Lucien sat there.
Casual.
One arm resting along the back of the bench. A drink in his hand.
"How did you even—"
He took a sip.
Nodded once in greeting.
"That's it?" she whispered. "You're just going to appear next to me in public?"
He glanced at the court. "I walked."
"You did not walk."
He didn't answer.
Joy finally noticed him.
"Oh! Hi!" she beamed brightly.
Lucien looked at her.
Nodded once.
Joy leaned slightly closer to Lira, whispering loudly, "He's kind of handsome."
Lucien's eyes flickered toward her.
He heard that.
Of course he did.
Lira coughed. "Joy."
"What? I'm just saying."
Lucien took another calm sip of his drink.
Unbothered.
Across the court—
Caelen stole the ball smoothly, moving like lightning.
The crowd roared.
But Lira barely heard it.
Because she could feel Lucien's warmth beside her again.
That strange, electric heat.
And across the court—
Ronan glanced up once more.
This time—
He didn't just see her.
He saw who was sitting beside her.
His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
Lira noticed.
And suddenly—
The game didn't feel like the only competition happening in the gym.